I'm new to this site. Just wanted to share my 70 GS story with all of you. My first car, at 16, was a 1970 Buick Skylark. Being young and dumb this car is no longer with us. As I'm getting older I always wished I could find another one. February 2006 I was in Trenton, GA (38 years old then) on a business trip. I had an extra day to see the sites and look for a good 68 Nova door. I got a lead from one of the locals about a "good ole boy down the way" that had some Nova's. I found the right house and when I pulled in and got near his garage...There she was...Bright Lights, Angels singing...Ahhhhh. A 1970 Harvest Gold Buick GS350! I couldn't believe it. I walked around that car 20 times and the owner could sense that I was a little interested in his car. I wonder how he could tell, I was as calm as I could be. (literally jumping out of my skin) A very long story shorter, he decided that he would sell this car to me. We agreed on a price and I told him I would be back. Got a good Nova door, did my business in Trenton and headed back to Michigan. The longest 11 hour ride ever. I got home hooked up the trailer and told my wife that I needed to go back to Trenton, and by the way, I need to stop by the bank first and would she like to come with me. We found a home for our kids for the weekend and off we went with money in hand. I called ahead to the owner to tell him I was on my way. He didn't sound very impressed. I gave him the opportunity to back out of the deal, but he told me he was a man of his word. I insisted that it was his car and he didn't have to sell it. He said no, and insisted that he was a man of his word. When we arrived he told me that he really thought he would never see me again. I again offered the chance to back out. When we rolled it onto the trailer he had to look away. Knowing that he loved this car as much as I will is very special to me. We are now good long distance friends and I keep him updated with pictures of the progress. I watched the Buick behind me on the trailer for 12 hours. Very cool staring at the ram air hood up close in the rear view. About the car: Completely rust free. It sat in an attached garage since 1982 with 61,000 miles on the clock. What I thought was surface rust underneath was the GA red clay. The whole underneath washed clean to reveal black paint and Gold factory overspray. I never broke a bolt taking this Buick apart. The battery acid ate the battery tray and a little of the inner fender, but it is repaired now. The core support faired nicely. The left front fender had been hit as with the front bumper. I've reused everything except the normal wear items; brake pads, master cylinder, ball joints ect...The fuel lines, brake lines, emergency cables all cleaned up very nice. It even has the original exhast system minus the tail pipes. She is almost done and I can't wait to drive her. The first trip will be to Trenton to let the original owner take her for a spin. I really can't wait to see all of your cars and show you mine. If money permits I will have it on the road this summer. It won't sit, but for our harsh winters. I'll be driving her spring, summer, and fall. The vinyl top seems to be holding me up a little. I've contacted two local interier shops in Grand Rapids, but they can't come up with the material yet. Dark Brown if anyone can help. I haven't put in 100% effort yet to find the material, just some casual phone calls. I tried to post some pics, but I'm having difficulty. It says my pics need to be 800 x 800 and I need to shrink them manually. Don't know how yet. Sorry for the long blubbery story, but man I'm pumped.
Great story! I know in Michigan working on anything rust free is a real treat. I bought my Skylark from a guy in Kent City...everytime I come over to that side of the state there seem to be interesting cars all over. Where I'm from, it's all Chevelles, Camaros, and cookie cutter street rods. Keep us updated!
Cool, glad you are excited about your car. Glad also you found this site, it is great. Welcome aboard. Peace,Mike D.
Very nice car! Try this source: SMS Auto Fabrics. www.smsautofabrics.com A V8 member here let me know about them a couple years ago. I needed a brown vinyl roof back in 2002. Had to go with another as I wasn't aware of this supplier at the time. I have a sample here & looks identical to the vinyl on the car when I bought it.
Wow, You guys sure are friendly! Thanks for the link to the vinyl top Steve. I posted the same question about a month ago on another Buick site and nobody even said Boo to me. This is great. Thank You, Mike
Congratulations on finding a great car. Maybe we'll have to try to meet up sometime this summer at that new drive-in restaurant in Vicksbrug. I'm down in Three Rivers. Let me know if I can help you with anything, Tom Miller 269-279-7476
Great story, my first car was a 72 skylark, and my second a 70...Just bought one a month ago...at 40...very similiar story. The people on here are very helpfull...congratulations Mike
Welcome aboard. I grew up in Muskegon MI, and got my first "real" car there (69 LeSabre). Of course, it was a rust bucket. I'm on the other side of the pond, now, but most of the cars here aren't any better, typically. Looks like you found yourself a gem. This site is great, both for car info and info on other stuff, too. Nick
Hi Scott, You said you might be able to tell me more about my car. 434370H308884. It is a very low optioned GS. A/C, bench seat w/armrest, standard stearing wheel, open differential with 3:23 gears(auburn posi now), under dash 8 track player. The car was purchased new on 6/4/70 at Cliff West Mtr. Co. in Fort Payne, AL. Thank you in advance for any more info. Mike *************** Again, please do not reply to this email. You must go to the following page to reply to this private message: http://www.v8buick.com/private.php All the best, V8Buick.com Mike _____________________________________________ Here ya go! Good news! 434370H308884 = 1970 Harvest Gold Buick GS350 1) 4= DIVISION= Buick 2) 34= SERIES= Sportswagon V8 AND GS 350 3) 7= BODY STYLE=GS350 HTP. COUPE 4) 0=LAST DIGIT OF MODEL YEAR 5) H= Made in Flint Michigan 6) 08884 = Serial number There were a total of 9,948 made in 1970. MIKEY, (How cool is this?) It's a keeper! Yeeee Haw! You may want to copy all that down and put it safely away, or add this link, Thanks, I'd love to see a picture... No lie Scott
Mike, Hope you can make the Woodward cruise with your car in August. We are going to try and get some gatherings out on Woodward starting in June.
Welcome! Yes... I agree with Steve. www.smsautofabrics.com Is the place....they will have what you need. Great story. Dan.
I would love to do the Woodward cruise. The only problem I'll have is cash. It looks like I still need to spend $3,000 to finish the car perfect. $1,100 needs to go to the bumpers for straighten and re-chrome. Interior and vinyl top and windshield. would be the rest. I could get away with not doing the rear bumper, but my history tells me, once I'm driving the car it will probably never get done right. This car needs to be done right. I hope I can make it.
Make sure the bumpers get tweaked/straightened & then checked for fit on the car. Not a straight line on them anywhere as new, many curves, part lines etc.. It doesn't pay to rechrome a bumper that doesn't fit the car well. I learned the hard way ......twice!!
So It would be wise to use the local source in Grand Rapids, (close to me) instead of shipping across the country? I would be using Keystone in Grand Rapids. I haven't had any negative or positive feedback on Keystone. They have been around for years and years. I will check them out. Good information Steve, Thank You.
