This poor car's been dead so long. But after 7 years, at least 5 being in pieces maybe there is still hope. It's one of eighteen 1971GS455 Convertible 4spd cars made, with drive train, carb, distributor, numbers matching . That's critical for the '71s since there are no VIN production records and in the case of this car no build sheet. I bought it as a parts car for the 4spd parts, the body was rusted out having been stored under a tarp for years. Then decided not to break it up since it was numbers matching and one of so few made. This is all nothing new to the old timers here. There have been a lot of highs and lows along the way. However, today is a high point for me. For the first time I'm seeing pictures of a body sitting on the original GS numbers matching frame (with suspension and wheels and tires), in fresh paint. I expect to have some extra parts. Am trying to clarify what they are. There's a rear clip which I'd give to anyone who wants it. It's from the original GS with new trunk floor welded in and patch panels on the fenders. After sitting for years, it has developed new surface rust since being reworked. Personally I think it's probably worthless. I may also have some inner fenders, bumpers, and other stuff. Will list them once I know what they are. Thought I'd share a few pics. Car is in San Marcos, CA. If anyone wants the rear clip please come get it. We're going to clear this storage area and crush whatever we can't get rid of that we don't need.
That's been my intent for six or seven years. I think it's finally moving forward again. I still don't know where to get a green convertible top. Will have to put a black one on there if we can't find a source for the right materials. Many challenges still remain. The point of the post mainly is that we're going to have to discard the rear clip if nobody wants it. I doubt anyone would, but just thought I'd throw it out there to see.
what color green is that?!?! That's absolutely gorgeous. My wife is big into greens, and I think that would look kiiler on her 65 Camino, maybe with some green pearl ghost flames. -Josh
Mike find for a major interior shop and look at their books. I may have to be material from an original Ford product but I am sure you can get it. For example see the Electron chart: http://www.electron-top.com/gallery.php?view=category&category=color charts
There was a larger "story" of this car at Buick Performance.com I loved it. Here is a blip. http://www.buickperformance.com/buicksrough.htm Now I can enjoy the updates I always wanted to see. Its a super sharp car. I say leave the top off until the right material can be found. What is the rear clip from the GS455? Did you replace it with the white skylark's rear clip?
We finally gave up on the original body after many hours of wasted time and replacement sheet metal. All four fenders were shot, the upper and lower cowl were shot, the rocker panels on both sides were shot. I finally made the hard decision to use a complete unrusted body off the white convertible that I bought as a parts/doner car and move the VIN tag. I realize that's controversial but the GS body was just too far gone. It would have been a jig saw puzzle of sheet metal welded together and I didn't think that would be a good result. I wouldn't want to own or sell a car like that. The complete frame, suspension, and drive train is all from the original GS numbers matching from front to back. The color is the 1971 Lime Mist. It's one of those colors that people either seem to love or hate, without much neutral ground. Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's been a long road, still a good piece to go. But at least it's starting to look like a car again rather than a bunch of parts from two cars.
Mike, That Project is looking great. AWESOME COLOR, I would trade my 72 stage 1 for that color convert all day. Keep the pictures coming. Thanks Russell
I think you made the right decision with the donor body. I always loved the lime mist...a buddy had on a '71 and though some folks gave him grief (they were just jealous), the car turned heads and received compliments everywhere. Devon
For those of us who have been following the progress on this car, this is awesome news! We're happy to see that you've stuck with it for the last few years:beer:beer I can't wait to see it finished..
Is this the car being done by Skip Ylhainen at Ron's ? If it is, i'm glad progress is being done! I always wondered what happened to this car.....and where Skip went?! Keep up the good job :beer // Jan
The shop Skip bought from Ron closed up and Skip got out of the business. Unfortunately, the business didn't work out for him. In the meanwhile, Ron had opened up a new shop of his own. So I had Ron collect all the parts from Skip and Ron is finishing it now. There was a point where I was at risk having the whole thing siezed in a bankrupcy which would have put an end to the car altogether. Fortunately, with Skip and Ron's cooperation we were able to get everything moved between shops before that happened. At that point it was a GS rolling frame, a parts car body, and loose parts scattered all over the shop. As you can imagine, that was an adventure in itself. Skip is still in CA, from what I understand. Hope he's doing okay; health issues were a main factor forcing him to wind up the business.
Yep. And I bought Al's GSX too, which is the one right above it on the link mentioned above. I guess I'm a junkyard fool for junkyard jewels. It'll be coming back more original looking without the GSX striping and rear spoiler. I also have an original am/fm radio to put in too vs the aftermarket one shown in the pics but need to get that refurbished first.
Glad to see this one being brought back from the brink Mike.:TU: I was also following the story on George's site a while back. When the saga took a hiatus, I was beginning to wonder what became of it.
Update. Body back on frame. Also spent about $1K having the engine torn down, inspected, and freshened up since it's been sitting unused for something like ten or fifteen years.
