Can someone tell me the differences between a 1971 GS 350 and GS 455 cars. Is there differences in trim and so on. Thanks, Matt
Except for the fender emblems all differences are mechanical I believe. All options available on the 455 are the same available for a 350. 455 cars also had a special lower steering shaft that most people do not know about and if they try and make a fake this is a good way to catch them! Also some body mounts and frame are different.
Dave, You are correct. The difference between the two are minor but if you want to make sure you have an original 455 car and not a clone, check the lower steering shaft. The 350 shafts were pressed on and the 455 shafts were held in place by a single bolt. I have never heard of the body mounts being different. Mike
Thanks for the help. I was told there is a difference between the rocker molding stripe color on GS 350 cars and 455 cars. Is this true? Thanks, Matt
Nope all red. Skylark Customs had black striped rocker trim. 70 GSX also used black. GS 455 used violet color coded body mounts in the four positions under the firewall. Skylarks and I think GS-350 used black coded. Check an assembly manual as it indicates mount colors and #s. Also 350 cars may have only used 2 mounts under the firewall. I will have to double check manual.
I am in the process of doing a frame up on an original 71 GS350 with 4 speed and this car has two body bushings on both side under of the firewall. George
You are correct on the mounts. I just checked assembly manual and all GS used the four violet colored mounts under the firewall and skylarks used 4 black mounts. Other Gm divisions just used two mounts here unless it was a convert which used 4. I guess you just got more when you paid the extra for a Buick!
Another difference is the foot feed cable it is about an inch longer on a big block car. If it was a stage 1 car the fender stage emblems were wide pin and the guide pin is in line with the wide pins. Not sure but if it was an AC car is should of had a big compressor pulley. Trans crossmember for a big block car should have the emergency brake cable hole, not sure if it was a stick big block car. I thought the big block cars had the wood grain on the dash and 350 had black, I think this is true for 70 not sure on 71. May be more but cannot think of them, thanks Bill.
There were no interior trim or appearance items that were exclusive to the 455 cars. Same choices were available no matter which engine was ordered. Remember, the GS was only one model in '71 and '72 with 3 engine options. Not like '70, when the 350 and 455 cars were actually separate models. BTW, the wood grain on the dash came with the upgraded interior trim (buckets or split bench seats). All base interior cars had black dash inserts.
Darren thanks for the reply and information. I was not sure about the interior trim on 71/2. Thanks Bill
