1971 GS Stage 1 unrestored 1971 Gran Sport Stage 1, 55K original miles, original paint, red/black top, saddle tan original interior in great shape, zero rust, as nice and clean as you will find. Does not have original block, carb, or distributor. Has the correct OW TH400 transmission. Have a copy of the original bill of sale and all the original paperwork. Purchased from the family of the original owner by me a few years back. The car was bought new at Scoggin Dickey in Lubbock, TX and owner lived in Brownfield. They blew the engine in the mid 70's and had a replacement installed, the original engine was lost at that time. Car was then put into storage for many years, then they took it back to the same dealership it was purchased from where they installed a new GM short block 455 with Edelbrock aluminum heads and intake, a mild cam, and custom exhaust. They went through the mechanicals of the car from top to bottom (have receipts). The paint is still shiny but does have some minor flaking on the hood, has not changed any since I bought the car. All sheet metal panels are original and are in excellent condition with the exception of a few minor door dings. The interior and dash are super clean, drivers seat has some very minor wear where you get in/out. I did put in some new floor mats when I bought it. The good: Unrestored original paint Stage 1, 55K miles. Zero Rust Texas car it's whole life Runs, drives, shifts, and sounds like a unmolested 71 Stage 1 should. The bad: Not matching numbers engine. Original windshield cracked. Gas gauge quit, have new sending unit to install A/C probably needs a charge of freon. Asking 50K, located in Wellington,TX, Texas panhandle area. Steve 806-277-0573 cell
You have the Build sheet? Real hard to prove 71 stage 1's. My Dad has one and I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to prove its a stage 1 in some ways.
Protect-O-Plate will show "TS" & if by "orig. bill of sale" the OP is referring orig. dealer invoice that usually shows (of course not in the case of my '71) an itemized option breakdown. "OW" trans as Adam said too. Seemingly no doubts on this one.
I'm thinking the BB were back in production about the time this one was made, so I'd be checking the vin on the trans Very Closely, and be hunting original paperwork hidden inside the car.
Here's my opinion on these 71 cars...we have one a 4speed car...we lost the paperwork somehow...we had the build sheet....protecto plate...and several other articles....of provenance.....as if now my dad can't find it.....doesn't mean it's not a real stage one...so idk...I get it...but at the same time... chicken and the egg....I see a 71 stage one with a matching OW or BB trans I'm convinced for the most part along with all the other required little proofs.....I just can't condem a car because a piece of paper didn't survive 50+years....or because the new guy on the assembly line put the wrong build sheet on the tank.....I also had a 71 stage auto car..no driver rain besides the rearend..was a real deal stage no doubt about it....no paperwork.....but it was real.. and worthless basically....sad
Thanks to all for the Buick knowledge and replies, I had never thought of checking the VIN on the transmission, which I did finally get a chance to do this morning and it does match the VIN of the car. I pulled the back seat hoping for a build sheet but so far have not been able to locate anything. Thanks
Sometimes the build sheet is placed on the top of the gas tank. That is where I found mine. I have a 71 455 four speed and fortunately have the original window sticker and build sheet and the original motor spun a bearing 800 miles over warranty. Lost this motor as a result is the car worthless? happy hunting.
Or 71 4speed cam broke around 3k miles according to the paperwork in warranty invoice we had....wiped the block out so said the paperwork but I'm sure they just plugged a shortblock in anything that had similar issues...easier faster
