This will likely take some input from resto experts like Duane and others. My very early GS455 was built during the 3rd week of September 1969 and is Sloan Museum verified. So, aside from the clear top radiator overflow tank and the plastic radiator top cover, what are the other differences between early and later GS455s? I'm not shooting for total concourse correctness but I like my cars to be "reasonably & visibly" correct to the knowledgeable Buick enthusiast. Hope I haven't opened up the proverbial can of worms with this one.
Pointy lenses, Air Cleaner "Keep your GM car all GM" had a different code, Frame had a different code...we could go on.
It will be here this afternoon but, I have lots of pics taken over the past several months by the seller. Take a look:
Duane has a very detailed response here that is the best and most complete timeline summary I've seen: http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/1970-early-or-1970-late.249223/#post-2038129 from Duane H. not me: "You guys are all right. I wrote a basic article about this for the GSCA, it is posted below. Duane 1970 SKYLARK/GS PARTS CHANGES If you work with 1970 Skylark/Gran Sports for any length of time you will notice that quite a few parts changed during the production year. The most obvious changes include the radiator cover plate, radiator overflow jug, rear courtesy light lenses, instrument panel lenses, and the height of the numbers/letters on the instruments themselves. Now that more and more people are interested in restoring these cars correctly, I am often asked when these changes took place, and if these parts changed gradually or happened all at once. To answer this I compiled data from talking to hundreds of original owners and looking at many unmolested original cars. I also took both the body build date (Located on the ID plate on the firewall.) and the various production plants into consideration. By doing this I discovered a few things; (1.) the production plants introduced the new style parts at different times, (2.) even weeks after the new style parts were introduced some cars were still being built with early style parts, and (3.) as time progressed the ratio of early/late parts decreased, until at the end of the transition period, only 1 early style piece could be found on any particular car. Below is the time sequence for these parts. Cars built on or before week 11D would have been built with only early style parts. Early Style Parts, Up through 11D (4th week of November 1969) Plastic Radiator cover, with metal end caps, and associated emission decals. Clear Top and Bottom Radiator Overflow jug Tri-shield Courtesy Light Lenses (4-tab) Pointy Instrument Panel Lenses Tall Numbers/Lettering on Gauges Transition Period (Week 11E thru 01A) Starting week 11E some later style parts were introduced. At first the cars had only 1 or 2 new style parts, but by the end of the transition period, the reverse was true. Later Style Parts, after 01B (2nd week of January 1970) Metal Radiator cover, with associated emission decals. Black Top with White Bottom Radiator Overflow jug Concentric Circle Courtesy Light Lenses (4-tab) Flat Instrument Panel Lenses Short Numbers/Lettering on Gauges By week 01B the changeover was basically complete, so cars built after this would have been produced with only the later style parts. The above info is offered as a guide only, there are probably exceptions. Duane Heckman"
Ray, That's a very nice looking '70. Enjoy. I think the paint on your oil pan is slicker than a few of my cars
I think another change would be the front wheel well mouldings. The scalloped design was introduced when the GSX came out I believe.
Nice GS congrats! Driveshaft doesn't look correct in finish and should have stripes, not sure if early build makes a difference.
Not sure about the driveshaft yet but the rear sway bar is incorrect and is 1" instead of 7/8". Also, the from stabalizer bar looks to be thicker than stock too. That stuff isn't a concern to me, though.
Finding a correct '70 steering wheel in good condition might be tough but if you keep that '71-up steering wheel very few people, even Buick guys, would know that it's incorrect.
In addition to Duane's list above (info garnered from Duane): - Door internal parts - Rear Defroster - 80 psi oil pressure sender I know I'm forgetting something. Question: Are the gauge cluster & Rallye Clock fonts different as well or just speedo & tach? Nice looking Car!
