1976 Free Spirit Pace Car $8500

Looks to be in pretty good shape in the pics. Located in Canton, OH

Here's a link to more info I already posted on the BPG board: http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6299

 

Incidentally, this made me wonder if you can tell a real 76 pace car from the VIN. I don't have a decoder that goes past the GS years.

So here's the VIN: 4H57H6H2043080000

Can anyone decode this one?

 

Where's the Iceman,G-String or Rex when you need them?Don't look to be in bad shape.No T-Tops or the correct wheels.

 

I didn't mention the wheels. My first thought is that they're worth more than the original ones, and could be sold at a net profit if someone wanted to go back to the original Buick wheels.

I don't know much about these cars. Did most come with the T-tops? Personally, I stay away from them if I can because they can leak. My 87GN does not have T-Tops for that reason. I went out of my way to get one that didn't have them.

 

The car is still there. I had a fellow nearby take a look at it for me...he's now working out a time to take it for a test drive. It has issues - the paint is nice, but not great, there is some rust perforation in the trunk, exhaust isn't correct and hangs quite low, the engine (a Buick 350) has been worked on - unknown what all, but it is now red, and sports a 4-bbl and non-stock air cleaner, it's missing bellhousing cover, so flywheel is exposed below, some work appears to have been done on the tranny. It is also missing some interior trim bits, and the carpet has been replaced, but with incorrect material.

I was thinking the same thing about the wheels.

The overall assessment is that it appears to be a decent driver of a car, but not something you would want to get judged at a BCA meet.

The serial number decodes as follows (according to the source I have):
4H57H6H204308
4 = Buick
H = Century Custom
57 = 2-Door Coupe Hardtop
H = V8 350
6 = 1976
H = Flint
204308 = Production sequence number

According to Standard Catalog of Buick, an H code 350 is a 2-bbl.

My wife has given the go-ahead to procure this car if I decide to...I'm not 100% sure yet, but I'll come to a conclusion after my mate can drive the car.

 

The VIN numbers will only tell you that the car left the factory as a Century. No specifics to indicate wether it was a pace car or not. The decals on this car are off, They do not line up correctly and the letters seem "funny" and are all but impossible to find. I had a set reproduced by my cousin and put on my car. I have lots of paperwork on these vehicles including Buick letters to dealers with codes and costs. What colors could or could not be used and what options were required for the Pace Car replicas. I can't seem to get a photo of mine on this sight but email me and I will send you a photo of my car. Questions ask...........

 

Photo. I did figure it out. I have others. This is shown with the car sporting Buick Ralleys. I have the painted (RED) ones on now

 

thats a good deal and it looks clean ..only thing is it seems like no t-tops ...


the vin will not tell you if its actual pace car ...and as far as I knew they all came with 4v carbs but have recently heard
that also ordered with 2v...the Iceman would know best he has done his homework on these better



I use to have one a few years ago ...that one Canadian guy took it away :grin:




once upon a time for me

 

I've been in e-mail contact with Iceman...his statement was that 2-bbl cars were California only. I can't refute that....

 

According to the letter I have from Buick Motor division dated 12/22/1975 the Pace car replica will be a modified Century Custom Hardtop Coupe
(4AH57) The exterior of the car will be Pewter Gray (code D). The Hurst Hatch Roof, type and color of trim, and the engine size will all be optional and selected by you, the dealer.
The Replica car package will include:

Rear Spoiler-wide roof crown molding with specific interior sail panel-stowaway spare tire-red painted styled wheels-sport mirrors,left remote and right manual-black grill,headlamp doors,and parking lamp bezel-black paint on the spoiler,taillamp housing,deck lid and rear quarters-specific decals and striping. in addition to the Replica Package option F7, wide oval white billboard tires must be ordered.

Dealer net price $665.46
MSRP $875.60
Approximately $580.00 of this caharge will be billed to your parts account, and the remainder will be invoiced in the normal manner.

Dealer code for the Replica Pace Car Package
Y1

Buckskin or green trims not available

That should about cover it...........

 

Cool. Thanks for sharing that. I haven't seen Y1 on the data plates though. Of the two I've seen, both had Y43. Would it make sense that these were built as a batch as well and sent to Hurst? Of the two I've looked at, one had a date code of 03C, and the other was 03D.

 

Paul from PA,
I have a 76 Pace Car that according to the VIN "H" and the Sloan Documentation "A3" should have a 350-2BBL. The odd thing is, my car has the the proper 76 4BBL intake and carb. Either the order was screwed up or the dealer changed it over when new. It also shows the "Y1" on the Sloan docs and "Y43" on the cowl plate. Here are some pics of the docs.
I would like to get copies of the Pace Car paperwork you have. I'll PM you about it.
Thanks

 

How many of these cars were Built?

 

Rich, there were 1290 Pace Car replicas built.

 

Thanks Glen

 

Sold for $7500.

Now I just need to deal with the paperwork and get it home so I can start applying some TLC. :laugh:

 

Welcome to the Buick Pace Car family......:beers2:

 

Thanks. Looking forward to it.

 

Hey G String
You can get your own copy of the Pace Car paper work from Sloan, just give them $25.00 and your VIN. I called Andy ( he doesn't work there anymore....too bad!) when I first got mine and I had it within a week!
Cheers..:beer
Ice

 

Great discussion! Learned more here than weeks of web surfing. Just bought our pace car back in August. Ive been trying to figure out how many are really left.