I still see questions periodically on this subject so I decided to post the 1973 Century GS Production Numbers. The format is the same as the Stage 1 Breakdown that I posted last year. Also, let me try to clear up some controversy surrounding the "T" VIN cars: 99 Centurys were built with the 455 engine and without the GS package (A-6). The fifth digit in the VIN was a "T". These cars were only available with a TH400 transmission. Because these were not Gran Sports they were not included in the attached summary. 979 GS455s were built, some had a "T" and some had a "U" in the VIN. My Sloan research included several hours of looking at "T" and "U" VIN cars and as far as we know there was no difference and that is all you need to know. Hope this helps. :3gears: Here is the link to my previous thread with the Stage 1 Breakdown. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=123153&highlight=73+gs
Eric, Did you go back to Sloan and do more research or was this from earlier? I hope to get back to Sloan again this year. I have some unfinished business to attend to. Mark
Mark, All of the GS data was previously released but was never assembled and posted. And there was a question about the 99 non-GS cars, could they really be GS's and was 4-speed trans available. At Pat's request I had documented 28 "T" VINS when I was there. :boring: I shared my notes with Pat afterwards. Let me know when you are planning to return to Sloan, we will get together again.:beer
Some of the numbers on that sheet do not add up o No: The '65 GS numbers are way off and my '71 numbers from the daily car reports are different than most of those listed on that sheet o No: Did you get that sheet from Sloan?
So figuring in the middle of your range Brian, maybe 50 with wheels still turning? Guess that's why people ask "what the hell is that?" when they see my car, lol.
One of those odd things were it could be 10 left or 50. Some cars for no apparent reason have a higher survival rate than others. But condition makes it the rarity. Ie: rust free, low mileage, one owner, survivor, rare color or options.
Very true. Back in the eighties, when gas was getting expensive comparatively and mileage was poor coupled with rust and general mechanical issues, I came close to selling or, god forbid, junking the car. Cars were more disposable then and although we liked the car, it wasn't fully appreciated for what it was and questioned whether it was worth keeping. That is until I kept getting asked if I wanted to sell it. This lit a light for me and thankfully/luckily I avoided making a decision that would be regretted to this day. I'm sure many others were in the same boat at the time for similar reasons and now tell stories of "the one" they let slip away.
I worked at the Framingham plant from 1972 to 1974. In 1973, I drove a triple black GS 4 speed car off the line to transport. The reason I remember it was the double window sticker, over $6k. The car was totally loaded with options. Would be a rare find today.
My "guess" was tailored to the Gran Sport optioned 1973 Century cars as the title of the thread implies. If I were to further speculate I would probably add the numbers would be weighted to the more heavily optioned/special cars, as is probably always the case no matter the marquee.
there’s “my secret GSX” kept secret for a loooonnnnng time until David posted in in the early AM one morning & I called Ryan C. to get him 1st dibs on it at 5 something AM. Took awhile to pull the trigger but he is neck deep in it now!
interesting that that 73 has the same build configuration as mine - chrome headlight doors and grill, but has the correct Stage 1 fender embems where mine just has 455 emblems.
