Kind of where I am. Space, cash, timing. I'd have to sell my 70 Stage to do it. Or buy it and stow it away and save my rupees to do it at a later date, which is less than a good solution. Whoever gets the car, I get its some work but you're gonna have a killer car when done. GLWS Tom. I already pimped it to someone in another thread.
If it was a factory manual steering car (is yours?), I prob. would've already figured out some way to make it happen. As it is I keep thinking about it.
To be perfectly clear, I understand the idea "to each his own." I feel like this is more of a pheomenon in the Buick community to like stripped cars. I get a chuckle from it. Man, to me, if I wanted a stripped car I'd go find a Chevy. I like Buicks for a nicer, more equipped car. It seems I'm the weirdo in that way though.
IMHO (maybe I'm wrong here), more ppl have your "fast with class" attitude and those of us who like the strippers are in the minority. That being said & whether or not it's true, the reason I like GS's to begin with (got my 1st one in '84 when I was 17) is that they're different and yes, they were typically upscale (one notch down from Cadillac) cars & loaded w/options. It kinda amazes me that Buick even made the GS model. Given the engineering, tooling, & marketing costs, I doubt they make much, if any money on them. But, and again because I like different, there were seemingly a select few who looked at all the specs &/or read one of the very few magazine articles at the time & knew that the Buick's torque was where it was at when it came to being quick off the line and ordered these strippers (most were special ordered) not because they were Buicks per se, but to rule the streets because they were the quickest cars available for the money. That's what gets me going about them and why. Sure, I could convert any GS w/power steering to manual, but the point isn't the manual steering or lack of options per se, but to me it's how it was originally ordered and that's what excites me about these very special & unique cars that are very much "un-Buick" like. Being that I do like being different, if I was into A-Body Chevys, it would either be '70-71 Monte Carlo SS's or if a Chevelle, I'd want one loaded w/options, lol. I'd also like to have a loaded GS someday but if so, I'd want one really loaded (have had a few w/AC & PS). My '71 convertible is actually pretty well optioned (sans A/C but has auto, PS, Comfort-Flo, PW, P-seat). Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder. Even back when she was proclaimed "most beautiful woman in the world," I never found Angelina Jolee very attractive.
Just accepted a non refundable( his words) cash deposit, with balance to be paid in cash by mid week. So.... I guess, SALE PENDING. Will update when I know for sure it's sold. Thanks for all the replies, stories, and kind words. It's a very-very cool car. My life has just changed so much recently, and that is driving what direction I go.
Congrats! It's a very special car and as you've gathered, there are several of us that would've loved to gotten it.
Tom Good luck with the sale, If the new buyer does not want the short block,zero deck I will up the price if I know the specs and reach a fair price. My machine shop is holding me Ransom on my Forged piston short block. Thanks
Yeah, maybe it just seems like it here ha. I'm with you I prefer cars to be "as ordered. I also prefer something a little different. Its funny at shows people either have no idea what my 70 Stage is, or they realize exactly what it is. Most are the former though. Tom, glad to hear you struck a deal, that didnt take long! Congrats.
Welp!!! I just got a phone call, guy forfeited his cash deposit, backed out of the deal. *******CAR IS FOR SALE******* *********FOR SALE*******
And..... possibly sale pending, again, lol Guy from Long Island called, said he has a u-haul trailer reserved local to me, has cash, and an 11 hour drive one way ahead of him. Will keep everyone updated.
Nice! To me, that's the ultimate stripper "non-option" although I know of two GS's that were manual steering but have AC. I've had 4 factory manual steering 4-sp. '70's - 2 ea. Stage 1/buckets/PDB & 350/bench/manual brakes (all different body/top variations of Sherwood Green). Yours is a great color too. If you ever sell it, maybe I'll be in a better position to do something than I was w/Tom's..
