The newest edition to the growing fleet is this beautiful 1970 GS 350. It is an early build car 11C (third week November, 1969), so it has the pointed gauges, clear overflow, and plastic radiator top plate. Original color is 58- Harvest Gold with 189- Burnished Saddle bucket seat, floor shift interior. Options appear to be AC, power drums, PS, F41 suspension, belt reveal molding, buckets, console, floor mats, tinted glass, V2 chrome plated 14” wheels, 16” rallye steering wheel, and rear speaker. The back story is Mark’s father bought this in the 80’s (?) in Florida and was planning on turning it into a track car. He painted the car metallic black sapphire and then the project went on hold. Unfortunately, he passed and Mark took on the project. It sat in his garage for years (last being started in the late 80’s?). Mark decided to sell it and just happened to be in Florida at the right time. Upon getting the car home, I toyed with the idea of creating a very accurate GSX clone. Upon close inspection of the car, it turned out to be incredibly clean, with the only rust issue being the PS inner fender. Everything else, including the floors, were rust/ rot free. Once I washed/ waxed a small section of paint, it POPPED in the sunlight! So, the GSX clone idea was tossed out. Attention was then shifted to inventorying the parts with the car. I was amazed at what was included: rechromed bumpers, restored tail lights, NOS tail light lenses, rechromed headlight bezels, many other rechromed pieces, NOS emblems, all of the needed trim, nuts, bolts, etc. The few missing pieces were on hand from the parts stock pile. My son and I began the assembly as we want this car to be a “driver” for this season. Due to the color of the paint, the plan will be to polish all of the stainless to high luster, replace the 14” wheels with 15” rally’s with redlines, and change the interior to Pearl White. Would like to thank Mark for hammering out the sale with me. My son and I will enjoy this car for years to come!
Beginning to assemble. Starting from the back and working our way forward. I am using parts I collected for the convertible and parts that came with this car. 1. Polish the trunk trim and install 2. Place on the rechromed trunk trim end pieces 3. Install NOS GS trunk emblem 4. Assemble replated rear bumper with NOS tail light housings and NOS lenses, rechromed "BUICK" bumper plate, bumper bolts from Todd, and an NOS tail light wiring harness. Pictures tomorrow. We still have to "fine tune" the alignment. Tomorrow will be polishing rear wheel well trim, rear window trim, and the rain gutter stainless. Interestingly, this car was a "child" of the late 80's and today we found remnants of that... It appears that there were either graphics or old paint on the spoiler that had "BLACK SAPPHIRE" (in cursive) on it.... LOL
George I like it, and am glad you get to share the experience with your son . Look forward to seeing your progress.
Finally a nice (but hot) weekend. Had some obligations to take care of... Once those were out of the way: 1. Polished the stainless weatherstripping channel. It’s not hard at all, just takes time and patience. For my "dirty" stainless, I first hit it with chrome polish to get all of the heavy stuff off. I then use a cotton buffing wheel with the "white" compound. I clean the wheel, add a little compound, then begin to slowly go over the piece. If you watch Adam's (smartin's) video, follow it to a T. I find the "grain" and go one time against, 10 times with. After about 7 minutes, the "haze" turns to almost chrome like... 2. Installed door window sweeps, door, upper window, and trunk weatherstripping. I cannot say enough about the previous owner. The amount of NOS parts, labeled parts (including clips, screws, fasteners, etc), spare parts, and NICE parts that came with this car is making this (assembly) a “breeze”! I also bought a huge lot of parts from a guy out in California- just so happened his car was a 1970 GS 350 with almost the same options and factory colors as this car. The nicest parts (for a hardtop) being used to push this along.
Was going to go with a set of 15" Rally's... However, a guy in the next town over had a NEW set of reproduction 14" Rally's with Mitch's centercaps and new redline tires... The price was too good to pass up so they are going on this car. Once I have the front end finished, I will post pics.
Nice ride that should keep you guys busy for awhile but I think white letter rubber would look better.Redlines look goofy and stand right out
Here is an example of the wrong buildsheet in the cars. This one was in the GS… from 2 cars ahead of it….
The brightwork really POPS with that color, and I love the metallic when the sun hits it. The pearl interior will really set off nicely. Neat car!
For this season, I am putting the factory original burnished interior back in. I am amazed at how clean the interior is and how nice burnished brown looks!!!!
Updates: interior is "mostly" in. Due to dash issues, DS seat is out still. Cleaned and vacuumed the original carpet, installed the kick panels, and scrubbed the original interior parts of the many years of grease and grime. Was misinformed about the tach requiring a ground strap. Thanks to James Weinman and the wiring diagrams, this was corrected and I have bright tach lights! I found loose circuit board pins on the speedometer- replaced the board. Found multiple dead bulbs- cleaned all contacts and replaced the bulbs, they are now as bright as any incandescent bulb. Tonight will be reassembly of the dash surround, dash pad, front seat, and kick panels. Also found that the floor shifter was not "locking" into park or the other gears. Took it apart and cleaned it all.. Still is not "locking". Shifter adjustment?? Pics tonight. Really am liking the burnished brown interior!!!
The Pearl White parts are totally returnable if you decide to stay w/the Brown (Dark Saddle) - I can certainly use 'em. It does actually look quite nice.
Brakes… lol. New master, new lines to the distribution block. Cleaned out all of the front lines, performed a disc brake conversion. 1. Distribution block was plugged at the rear main brake line. Removed and cleaned (again). 2. Flexible rubber rear brake line, on the diff, was plugged/ failed. Replaced. 3. Both rear wheel cylinders were original, born with pieces, that of course, failed. Those were replaced. Today will be reassembly and hopefully will have brakes!!!
