1. If you have recently registered with a gmail email address, you must contact me, as gmail will not forward our confirmation email to you. Contact me and jim@trishieldperformance.com to complete your registration.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. In and effort to reduce the spam on the site, several years ago I had went to a program where I manually approve each and every new registration. This approval gives you full access to the site, to pictures, and to post, among other things. To be able to enjoy the full potential of the board for you, you need to be fully registered.. and that's easy.. Just send an email to me at jim@trishieldperformance.com and I will verify your registration. This policy will remain in effect indefinitely, as it has completely eliminated the bad actors from our site, who would spam and hack it, once they gained access. Thanks JW
    Dismiss Notice

70 GS455

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by MLP, Jan 31, 2025.

  1. MLP

    MLP New Member

    My first attempt a thread. Bear with me. I bought a 70 GS455 from original owner last year. No rust car, numbers match, auto, bench seat, green/green. Was driven daily until 20 years ago then in their garage until I purchased. Needs paint & upholstery. Motor starts and runs good, no smoke.
    I am torn between finding a hard core GS collector that wants a "one owner" starting place for restoration, or begin resto myself. Also, does anyone have a suggestion for a place to get the instrument panel freshened up?
    Thanks! Mike
     
    THX181, Dano and docgsx like this.
  2. Fred Hickey

    Fred Hickey Founders Club Member

    Welcome! Is "restoration" really necessary? Many would like to see a one owner car just preserved. send pics!
     
    rolliew likes this.
  3. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    What do mean instrument cluster "freshened up"?

    You have a couple choices. I usually take the plastic I strument cluster out, strip it of all parts and wash it with mild soap and water

    Take the lenses out of the gauges and polish them up with mother's metal polish. Replace all the bulbs with new 194s. Maybe put a new set of woodgrain on the cluster. Then just put it all back together. You can take a chrome pen to some of the worn chrome areas. Polish up all the chrome knobs and escutcheons while your there. It'll make a world of difference

    They do make a new cluster for $349. But it might stick out like sore thumb on an otherwise original car
     
  4. Matt Knutson

    Matt Knutson Well-Known Member

    Would you post a few pictures of your car? Thanks.
     
    Mike Nussell and Dano like this.
  5. MLP

    MLP New Member

    Thank you for responses. Once the rain stops I'll pull it out an send photos. Certainly not a perfect car, but it is rust free and original. I'll look into what it takes to pull out instrument cluster.
     
  6. alain

    alain Well-Known Member

    :)If you are planing on selling the GS and it is all original
    I would not spend any time or money on it A collector will like it the way it is
    Just my.02 cents Canadien for what it is worth:)
    Alain 1970 platinum 442 4spd factory A/C
     
    Dano likes this.
  7. VET

    VET Navy Vet, Founders Club

    Question: Are you looking to keep your $$$ spending down or you find with spending a lot of money. I ask because I spent a lot of money doing upgrades to my 70 GS and it looks great.

    You have to repaint, I didn't because my car was a frame off restored in 2010. That's a ton of money to start.

    Instrument cluster: I have the early built 70 GS and it had the pointed lens cluster. It reflected sunlight and it difficult to see the gauges.
    I when with an aftermarket instrument cluster from Dakota that is digital. I love it, flat lens and everything is in pounds, oil pressure, water temp in degrees, battery in amps. You can get the gauges to light up in different colors. Mine light up in blue to match the color of my car.

    Interior: Are you going to have to replace your interior?
    I did, I bought mine from ledgendary. Came out fantastic.
    Any engine work?

    I had lot of over heating issues with my 455 (it's bored to 462).
    Had to replace all coolant related parts to include an aluminum radiator.

    Do you need to rebuild your QJet carb?
    I had to buy a new carb, my QJet was not repairable.

    Check your steering box.
    Mine had play in it, worn out. Just bought a rebuilt one from one of the members on our forum, also bought a new rag joint.

    Rims rust free?
    I had some minor rust but found a suggestion to use #0000 steel wool with Dawn soap to clean the rust off. Worked great.

    Exhaust in good condition?
    I only had to replace the exhaust pipes that run over the rear wheel wells.

    Battery in good shape?
    I had to replace my battery.

    Check your balancer.
    I found mine to be damaged and had to replace it.

    Any oil leaks?
    I had to replace my front crank seal. Was the original rope seal.
    Replaced it with a neoprene rubble seal and also replaced the front trimming chain cover and water pump. I bought from TA Performance. A very good Buick aftermarket company. Same place I bought my balancer from.

    My tires are in good condition, so no replacement.

    Interior replacement also included rear deck replacement along with new speakers and aftermarket radio with Bluetooth.

    You can clearly see it doesn't take long to get very expensive.

    If you can do most of the work yourself, you can save a ton of $$$$. Hope this info helps. Vet
     
    GS44667 and Dano like this.
  8. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Clean it up, tune it up and drive it. They're only original once.

    As mentioned above: instrument cluster removal is a tedious job that can potentially yield pleasant results. I did mine a couple years ago.
     
    rolliew and Mike B in SC like this.
  9. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Stage 2 iron, Brett Slater and Dano like this.
  10. MLP

    MLP New Member

    Thank you all.
    Some random items:

    It is a/c car - fan making noise so I'll have to replace it in any case. I'm sure the a/c will need service, but no leaks.
    I bought new upholstery from Legendary - still in box.
    I tuned it, shocks, tranny & rearend seals. Carb is actually driveable but not perfect.
    Have almost all new rubber for doors/windows on the shelf.
    Grille is cracked but have OPG one on the shelf.
    Random other small parts on shelf.

    Photos next week. Rain is almost gone.
     
    VET and FLGS400 like this.
  11. VET

    VET Navy Vet, Founders Club

    This want my Dakota instrument cluster looks like.

    Dakota dash gages 70 Buick GS.jpg
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  12. VET

    VET Navy Vet, Founders Club

    I have a better pic, without so many light reflections.

    G - 87EF712C-0D1F-4BBC-8913-1EB472FE04B7.jpeg
     
  13. George D.

    George D. Platinum Level Contributor

    Agree with the above. Post some pics. Freshen up the safety items, some covers to put over the seats, drive the hell out of it! These cars are made to be operated!
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  14. VET

    VET Navy Vet, Founders Club

    I agree with you 100%. I have spent 3 1/2 years getting my Buick drivable.
    It's almost there, a final tune and off we go.

    I have to admit, what i was sold
    as a turn key driver, was a huge lie from the consignment dealer.
    The engine issues and high water temperatures issues are a huge deal. I finally able to cure these problems with a lot of help from members of this forum.
    Thank you all so much. You all know who you are. Vet
    PS, George is right, drive the heck out of your Buick.
     
    FLGS400 likes this.
  15. MLP

    MLP New Member

    Instrument panel looks good. Like the 160 mph.

    Thanks again to all. Should have photos this coming weekend.
    Mike
     
    FLGS400 likes this.

Share This Page