I got to thinking about my post. I was very blessed that I purchased my car for $1,500 from my brother in 1975. I know the car has value, but nothing compared to the memories. When we first started going to the Nationals in 83 it was a family affair. My brother's family, my Mom and Dad, and my family all attended. My son Clinton who passed away in 2005 also attended with me every year. My wife and stepson also attend with me now when they can. Over the years. I have met and bonded with what I would call several good, life long Buick friends. Just food for thought.
In 1987, the first year I drove my Burgundy Mist ’70 to BG, I lost a water pump bearing on I-65 near Portland, TN. I walked to town, and had no trouble finding a short shaft BBB water pump. (I believe it was even already painted red…!!!) While re-installing, a silver ’71 X with Virginia plates stopped to assist. Geographically, I gather this may have been Ben Stockton??? (Could he have kept your VA plates…???) Whoever it was, it further cemented being proud to be among Buick People!
How many of you guys were at the Buicks at Bristol event that Jim put on? I don't remember the year but I do remember the event. Great location with the track being down between the two mountains.
A few more from 1984... Bo Gillispie (sp?), I think sold a few years ago... This '72 had less than 20K miles on it Keith Smith (I think I have the name right?) from around Baton Rouge, LA. One of the quicker cars. In 1984, who woulda thunk you could get five X's in one pic!
A few more... Or three Fire Red GS hoods...??? Someone mentioned the rain on Saturday morning. While the afternoon racing was "cancelled," the rain stopped and we had night racing! Under the lights, volunteers drove circles on the track for a half hour to dry it. Below is Mike Garrison, the first friend I made in BG...
Can this thread be made into a sticky? There have been several threads over the years that were dedicated to vintage GS Nats photos but they eventually get lost in the shuffle as they get pushed down, especially in a popular category like The Bench. All of the threads have great photos so it would be nice to keep at least one thread alive as a sticky to build upon rather than seeing new threads created.
Hear hear!!! I have a shoe box of Nats pics from '84 to mid 90's. While it is obvious that many of us took "the same" pictures (how many shots may there be of the Holiday Inn welcome sign...???), I tried to post some unique ones. There seemingly being an "audience," I will go through and scan some more...
Many thanks, Brad!!! A little "personal history..." My brother-in-law Rick may have exceeded the speed limit driving to BG in 1985 in the '68 convertible. (It still had the original 400 before he passed it on to me...) We did stop for Avgas
Rick racing a Supercar Showdown competitor in time trials. (M/T headers prevented joining the fray...)
That looks like a young Greg Gessler at the front of that 72. Am I off? That's not the same 72 that broke into the 10's in F.A.S.T. is it?
A few in particular in that era if you ever run across: Back in '86-87 there was a beautiful Hunter Green (no vinyl top) '72 350 4-sp. In '87 (only year I remember seeing it) there was a lime mist '71 GS w/a verdemist (dark) green painted top. We had my Sherwood Green (no vinyl top w/spoiler) '70 350 4-sp. there IIRC '86-'87 and then again in '97 or '98 I think we took my friend's lime mist '71 GS 455 (black top/interior) there IIRC '88-89.
I was talking with someone on FB a few years ago about setting up a display where everyone could bring picture albums from back in the day to the Nationals. We never did do anything with that idea...
That looks like it could be mine. I ran the centerline wheels and Musclecar Nationals front tag. And my hood scoop inserts were incorrectly painted black. Definitely mine.
Just finished going through the whole thread, many thanks to all the contributors! I never went to the nationals at the time but it is the era it all started for me. Guys with Centerlines had $$ ! No turbo Regals, trailers or grey hair to be seen anywhere! (OK some of race cars have trlrs. but certainly no big $$ operations that's for sure.) My favorite pic: Jim Turners Stage2 wrinkin' the slicks wheels up. Don't remember where I got exposed to that car in first place but I drooled over that thing as a budding GS guy......... Steve weim55 Colorado
