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Original Drivetrain & Option Sheet. VIN & SS code on block Owner History Ex Cond

For sale: 1970 Buick Other GS455 Stage 1

Technical specifications

Item location:
Thomaston, Maine, United States
Make:
Buick
Model:
Other
SubModel:
GS455 Stage 1
Type:
Hardtop
Trim:
Bucket Seats
Year:
1970
Mileage:
39,834
VIN:
446370H278341
Color:
Brown
Engine size:
455ci
Number of cylinders:
8
Fuel:
Gasoline
Transmission:
Automatic
Drive type:
Rear Wheel
Interior color:
Brown
Vehicle Title:
Clear
Contact the seller / ! Report

Description

To start with let me first say that I understand that there is a lot of information/photos/video in my ad. I also understand that this may be boring to the person who is just looking and not buying. However for the person who is looking to buy and spend their hard earned money I feel that there is never too much information or too many photos and videos.

As to myself I am not a dealer just a (65) year old kid that loves muscle cars. For my work I recently retired from managing a Correctional Facility here in Maine and had worked for the Maine Department of Corrections for (40) years. I am also a respected member of my community. I mention this only because of the value of this car and so that prospective buyers will have some idea as to who they are dealing with. Also please check out my eBay feedback which is 100% with (1120) transactions.

Here is a little history on the 1970 Buick GS.

The 400 was replaced for 1970 with the 7.4 litreBuick V8 used in theGS 455. The base model V8 was rated 350hp and 510lb ft torque) at 2800 rpm. In the optional Stage1 trim it was rated 360hp and 510lb ft torque at a low 2800 rpm. As with all American engines produced prior to the 1972 model year these were SAE gross ratings which are generally significantly higher than SAE net ratings and are not indicative of what actual production engines produce in their "as installed" condition (with all engine accessories and full exhaust system in place). The fastest magazine test results from this period were obtained by MOTOR TREND Magazine which managed to extract a 13.38 ET @ 105.5 MPH from their 3810 pound GS Stage 1 coupe test car.

The Stage 1 engine option used cylinder heads that while using raw castings of the same pattern as all of the other Buick 455s sharing the same model year were machined differently in order to accept larger valves and to produce smaller compression chambers for increased static compression ratio. The option also included a more aggressive camshaft a specially tuned 4-barrel Quadrajet carburetor more aggressive ignition timing 5/8inch oil pickup tube and a higher numerical final drive and was available with either Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission or a Muncie M-22 4-speed manual transmission.

The relatively unknown very expensive and very rare 1970 GS 455 Stage 1 drew a great amount of attention and controversy in the muscle-car world when in the 1980s it was listed as faster than any of the Chrysler Hemi cars in the original "50 fastest muscle cars" list. This Hemivs. Stage 1 controversy has prompted several contests to settle the issue; it remains an unsettled matter and has been a great boon to car magazine sales over the years.

Output and sales for the assembly-line cars were down after 1970 largely due to reduced engine compression ratios and a change from gross to net horsepower ratings. In later years air quality regulations further limited the power in part due to the addition of catalytic converters and single exhaust pipes.

1970 Buick Stage 1 Production Numbers:

2465 Total Production

1785 With the Turbo 400 Automatic Transmission

306 Buick GS Cars Painted Code 58 Harvest Gold Iridescent

The following is simply my own extrapolation figures and should not be used as accurate numbers.

Extrapolation by numbers:

20296 Total 1970 GS hardtop cars were built not counting the GSX cars and convertibles.

13.7% Were Stage 1 hardtop cars when extrapolating.

42 Of the 306 GS hardtop cars were Stage 1 hardtop cars painted Code 58 harvest gold when extrapolating.

30 Automatic Stage 1 Hardtop cars painted Code 58 harvest gold when extrapolating

Here are a few more production statistics on my GS455 Stage 1:

· With Vinyl Top: 880

· With Rear Defogger: 938

· With Burnished Saddle With Bucket Seats: 943

· With Upper Body Peak Molding: 1530

· With Center Console: 2628

Any way you figure it my 1970 Buick Stage 1 car is wicked rare and definitely considered to be very collectable. Always remember with collectability comes demand and with demand comes value. That’s what makes my Buick a very desirable very collectable and very valuable muscle car that will only go up in value over time.

I soon will have the GS Historical Society paperwork from Wayne Roberts. If I get it after the car is sold I will mail it to the new owner. That documentation and “VIN” number stamped on the block with the “SS” code also stamped on the block makes for “Bullet Proof” documentation that you are buying a real Stage 1 Buick. Additionally Marco from the Stage 1 Registry will also be listing my car on his Factory Stage 1 Registry site.

My 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 hardtop is a numbers matching 455ci with the numbers matching turbo 400 automatic transmission and the staple shifter. It is powered by the formidable Buick 455ci V8 producing 369hp (way under rated) and a whopping 510 ft lbs of torque. The 1970 Stage One 455’s featured a more aggressive camshaft higher compression unique cylinder heads and a specially tuned Rochester Quadrajet Carburetor. My Stage 1 is still equipped with all of those factory parts and backed by a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and the original 10-bolt 3.64:1 posi rear axle. Some of the options that round out the performance Stage 1 package are the F41 rally ride control suspension package power brakes and power steering.

The 70 Buick GS Stage 1 was the mightiest of all the muscle cars in 1970 and put out the highest amount of torque of any production car for decades to come.

The car starts runs handles and brakes outstanding. All interior and exterior lights work. The rear defogger clock and cigarette lighter do not work. The radio lights up but does not work. The GS still retains the original front fenders floors and trunk pan with professionally installed rear quarters at some point in its life. This is simply a no excuse wicked nice and rare car and I urge any perspective buyer to look at all of the photos and the video and decide for themselves whether this is what they want and need.

Here is the owner history as I see it:

Name Owned From Street Address City Zip

· Fisher Pontiac Buick New Car-04/18/70 500 School Street Putnam CT 06260

· Richard L….. 04/18/70-12/22/72 E. Woodstock CT 06244

· Clerance H. Knight Inc 12/22/72-01/08/73 55 Hamilton Street Southbridge MA 01550

· Robert R. B……. 01/08/73-03/08/76 Southbridge MA 01550

· Bayer Motors Inc. 03/08/76-03/09/76 West Main Street Dudley MA 01571

· Ronald R. D… 03/09/76 -08/17/87 Webster MA 01570

· Herbert D….. 10/15/92-11/16/93 Bellingham MA 02019

· Mark W. T….. 11/16/93-11/09/09 Guilderland NY 12084

· William G. W….. 11/09/09-06/25/14 Broadalbin NY 12025

· Diane Samuli W…… 06/25/14-08/19/14 Townsend MA 01474

· Carroll Street Auto 08/19/14-05/12/15 68 Carroll Street Manchester NH 03102

· Kari P. Barlow 05/12/15-Present 48 Green Street Thomaston ME 04861

Some of the options that made a 1970 Buick GS a Stage 1 car were:

· Stage 1 heads contain valves which 'almost' touch;

§ Larger valves in the heads;

§ Stiffer valve springs;

· Re-jetted carburetor;

· Recurved distributor;

· Special high-lift camshaft;

· High-volume fuel pump;

§ Different oil pump spring;

§ Bigger oil pickup tube diameter;

· Heavy duty cooling; (7 blade fan)

· Special TH400 transmission;

§ Automatic transmission had steel flat washers used in high torque applications;

§ Automatic transmission had 6 plate clutch packs used in high torque applications;

§ Automatic transmission had a different servo spring;

§ Automatic transmission had different valve body pressure;

§ Automatic transmission valve bodies were setup for firmer shifts;

· Positive traction (posi) rear;

§ 10-bolt posi rear was standard;

§ 3.64:1 for non A/C cars;

· Chrome valve covers nuts and wire loom studs;

· Air cleaner decal which was raised and stated 'Stage 1';

· Stage 1 badges on the fender under the 'GS' emblems;

· Higher rpm governor.

Based on the original “Body Sheet” (option sheet) here are some of the options that were installed on my 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1:

· 58 Special Paint; (Harvest Gold Iridescent Exterior Paint)

· 189 Trim; (Burnished Saddle Interior)

· 44636 Style; (Buick GS 455)

· 214186 Body Number

· A01 Soft Ray Tinted Glass All Windows;

· A51 Bucket Seats;

· BX4 Upper Body Side Molding;

· B22: Interior Panel Trim Pad Emblem;

· C08 Vinyl Top Dark Brown;

· C50 Rear Window Defogger;

· C87 Rear Courtesy Lamp;

· D15 Deluxe Arm Rests;

· D55 Full Length Console;

· FRJ Antenna Cable;

· M40 Turbo Hydra-matic 400 Transmission;

· UF1 Outside Mirror and Lamp Assembly;

· U80 Rear Seat Speaker;

· Y03 Custom Rear Seat;

· Y17 Custom Foundation Rear Shelf;

· 03-24-70 Date of Body Sheet Printing.

Check out the video here:

For all of you numbers people like me immerse yourself in the following:

Vin Number: 446370H278341

Vin Number Decode:

4 Buick

46 GS 455

37 2 Door Hardtop Coupe

0 1970

H Flint MI Assembly Plant

278341 Sequence Number

Trim Tag

ST70 44637FLI 214186BDY

TR 189 58 F PNT

04A

Trim Tag Decode:

70 1970

44637 Buick GS 455

FLI Flint MI Assembly Plant

214186 Body Number

189 Burnished Saddle Interior

58 Harvest Gold Iridescent Exterior Paint

04A

0 1970

4 April 1970

A First Week of April 1970

· Original 455 Block; Casting Number: 1231738 1970 455ci

· Original 455 Block; Stampings: 40H278341 X --- SS 355

§ 4 Buick

§ 0 1970

§ H Flint MI Assembly Plant

§ 278341 Sequence Number

§ X Unknown

§ SS 1970 Stage 1 Block Code

§ 355 Build Sheet Production Code

· Original 455 Number’s Matching TH400 Transmission; 4H278341

§ 4 Buick

§ H Flint MI Assembly Plant

§ 278341 Sequence Number

· Original Number’s Matching TH400 Transmission ID plate:

70B 433

70 BB 2891

· 433 Monday March 1 1970 (433rd day from January 1 1969)

· 70 1970

· BB 455 Stage 1 Transmission

· 2891 Transmission Serial Number

· Original 10-Bolt 3.64:1 Posi Rear Axle;

D 1 0

· D April

· 1 1st Day of April (Wednesday) 1970

· 7 1970

1385724F 1970 Buick 10-Bolt Rear Axle;

· Original Cylinder Heads;

Driver’s Side: 1231786 C13

§ 1231786 1970 455 Stage 1

§ C March 1970

§ 13 13th Day of March 1970

Passenger’s Side 1231786 C2

§ 1231786 1970 455 Stage 1

§ C March 1970

§ 2 2nd Day of March 1970

· Poston S-Divider B-455 Era Correct Aluminum Intake;

(NOTE: Original Factory Intake Included): C 19 1231718 E

§ C March 1970

§ 19 19th Day of March 1970

§ 1231718 1970 455 Stage 1

§ E 5th Design Change

· Original Carburetor; 7040246 LK 0720

§ 7040246

· 70 Prefix

· 4 Decade 1970 to 1975

· 0 Year 1970

· 2 Quadrajet (4-bbl) Federal Standards

· 4 Buick

· 6 Automatic Transmission

§ LK Broadcast Sheet Code

§ 0720

· 072 72nd Day (Friday 13th) of 1970

· 0 1970

· Original Distributor; 1112016 9L4

§ 1112016 1970 Stage 1 455

§ 9L4

· 9 1969

· L November 1969

· 4 4th Day of November 1969

· Original Air Cleaner Assembly; 1233101 1970 Stage 1 455

· Original Driver’s Side Front Fender; 1231387 1970 Buick GS

· Original Passenger’s Side Front Fender; 1231386 1970 Buick GS

· Original Driver’s Side Valve Cover; 1232069 1970 Stage 1 Date Code 11

· Correct Passenger’s Side Valve Cover; 1242782 1973 Stage 1 Date Code 124

· Original 7 Blade Fan;

· Original Pulleys;

· Original Radiator;

· Original F41 Suspension;

· Original Re-chromed Front Bumper;

· Original Re-Chromed Rear Bumper;

· Original Re-Chromed Front Headlight Surrounds;

· Original Re-Chromed Driver’s Side Mirror;

· Original Re-Chromed Rear Corner Trim;

· New Exterior Door Handles; (Originals Included; See ID Photo Documentation)

· Original Power Steering;

· Original Power Front Disc Brakes;

· 15” x 7” Correct 1971 Rally Wheels (See ID Photo Documentation);

· Original AM/FM Stereo Radio; (Currently Not Working)

· Original Rear Defogger (Currently Not Working);

· Original Deluxe Seat Belts;

· New GS Hood Inserts; (Originals Included; See ID Photo Documentation)

· New Inner and Outer Window Felts;

· Original Owner’s Manual;

· Original Stage 1 Air Cleaner (Raised Letter) Decal on Owner’s Manual;

· Original and Solid Frame Rails;

· Original Trunk Pan;

· Rally Wheel Spare Rim With Era Correct Goodyear Tire;

· Original Jack Assembly;

· Factory Spatter Paint in Trunk:

· New Trunk Mat;

· Original Strato Bucket Seats;

· New Front Seat Covers;

· Original Center Console;

· Original Staple Shifter;

· Full Tinted Glass;

· Owner History;

· Copy of Registrations;

· Copy of Titles;

· Original GS Historical Society Documents (Coming Soon);

· Original “Body Sheet” (Option Sheet);

· Receipts;

· Recent Repaint to Original Harvest Gold Iridescent Exterior Paint;

· New Carpet;

· New Headliner;

· Super Straight Body.

Exterior: New paint and new vinyl top. Excellent original chrome (less the door handles but I do have the originals) and excellent original bright work and trim. Excellent tinted glass all around. All lights and blinkers are in working condition. 15” x 7” rally rims with very good Radial T/A tires.

Interior: New seat covers headliner and carpet. No rips or tears in dash upholstery or headliner. All gauges work with the exception of the clock and cigarette lighter. The radio light comes on but radio does not work. The sail panel courtesy lights work. The heater hoses have been bypassed but I am not sure why as the heater fan is working. The original rear window defogger is there but not working.

Engine: Original engine block heads intake (not installed but included) carburetor distributor and ram air cleaner assembly. Visually presentable but could be detailed to perfection if that is what the new owner wanted.

Trunk: Original trunk floor with factory spatter paint. Original jack assembly with a rally rim mounted with a Goodyear Polyglas tire as the spare. Original jack instruction decal.

Undercarriage: The undercarriage is not detailed but it is in good shape with rust free frame rails. It still retains the original number’s matching TH400 transmission and the original (never apart) 10-bolt 3.64:1 posi rear axle. It has a good front end brakes shocks and exhaust.

ID Photo Documentation: All of the important information that a buyer wants to see is here and decoded for their convenience.

Please note that I will burn all of the information photos and video that I have on a CD for the new owner.

I am an individual and do not claim to know everything there is to know about these cars. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of you questions or concerns are resolved prior to bidding and not after.

WINNING BIDDER DOES NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO LOOK THIS CAR OVER AFTER THE AUCTION CLOSES TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO BUY. ALL INSPECTIONS "MUST" BE DONE PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

In fairness to all I am not revealing the reserve price. If you are interested in owning this car please place a bid TO OWN ONLY AND NOT TO PASS TIME. If it does not make reserve I may contact the high bidder depending on what the highest amount was on the last bid.

Terms of Sale

This pre-owned vehicle is being sold "as-is where is" with absolutely no warranties and/or guarantees either expressed or implied. A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required at the close of the auction via Paypal. (If you do not have Paypal let me know through eBay ASAP.) The remainder of selling price is due within (5) business days of the auction end. All funds must be in the form of a cashier’s check certified bank check or wire transfer. If there is no confirmation the seller has the right to offer the vehicle to other bidders. The buyer is responsible for all transport costs. This auction and your bid/participation in this auction are binding contracts and will be dutifully lawfully enforced.

Seller reserves the right to end the auction early without any liability to the seller.

FYI: There is no Maine title for this 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1 car as Maine does not issue titles for vehicles that are more than (15) years old. I have sold cars all over the country as well as Canada England Switzerland and Australia and have never had a problem. The car will come with a Bill-of-Sale the Maine registration signed over to the new owner and a copy of the Maine law regarding titles which is on a form issued by the Maine Motor Vehicle Department

THANKS FOR READING THIS LENGTHY AD. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY BIDDING.

MUSCLE CAR TRADE TRADES CONSIDERED.

On Jun-13-15 at 10:47:36 PDT seller added the following information:

I was asked if my Stage 1 still had the original fuel pump? The answer is I don't know. Here are two photos and possibly someone out there can tell me if this AC Delco fuel pump is original to the car or after-market.Thanks

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