This 1969 Buick GS400 Stage 1 convertible has a lot of things we like to see on ex-storage finds. It has a numbers matching drive train with a freshly rebuilt engine (with receipts). It now runs drives and stops as well as having some nice options. The car is listed for sale here on eBay with a buy it now of $20,000 but the sellers invite all offers. If you want to look in person, head to Rochester, New York, which other than this car is also famous for being my birthplace…ok, not so much.
The seller points out that the top is in pretty nice shape with no tears and it certainly looks the part in this picture. The car was in dry heated storage up on blocks for 30 years — which explains the nice floor pans and large absence of rust.
This is almost the same picture right after the car was removed from storage. Amazing what a clean-up can do. The car had been previously repainted once but is said to be accident-free.
Just exhumed from the front. I’m guessing the engine was out at this point; I would hypothesize that engine issues were what took the car off the road in the first place. The seller has also renewed the brakes before putting the car up for sale.
Here’s some of those nice-looking floorboards. Not perfect, but certainly not a candidate for replacement.
It looks to me that the driver’s side seat bottom has been partially reupholstered with a non-matching vinyl. There’s also a split in the driver’s side seat back. Perhaps eventually replacement is in order, but leave that until winter — it’s time to enjoy this car now!
As stated, the engine was professionally remanufactured and receipts are included. Since we’re told the car is running I am presuming it’s been installed since this picture. This is also borne out by the car sitting level in the first picture above. How would you like to be the person putting their foot in it on a nice summer day? I sure would like to do that!
The seller ought to get an extra $500 just for wiping it off and taking an “after” picture.
It seems like a bargain if everything in the ad is accurate. The one bit of concern, the seller doesn’t refer to it as a Stage 1 in the description, only matching numbers GS400.
Steve R
Back when I was in the military, one of my older military buddies bought one of these new. Man, was that a fantastic car. I was in love with that thing. This brings back lots of great memories.
1969 Buick Stage 1’s are rare, convertible Stage1 are nearly unatanium. If this is the real deal, and rebuilt to spec, the 390 hp @ 440 ft/lbs puts it in the realm of LS 6 Chevelle’s performance. I little more research is needed to know for sure, on the face of it, I think its real.
I have owned several GS cars over the years. I had the opportunity to purchase a 69 GS400 Stage-1 Hardtop in about ’84 for $300 and foolishly passed on it not knowing the rarity of the car. Less than 900 were built all told. My money says that it is a real Stage-1 400. Only the Stage-1 engines had chrome valve covers. There would have also been a sticker on them as well stating that it was a 400 Stage-1. They are reproduced and replacement is not a problem. This car looks familiar and I may have seen it for sale some time in the past.
The Rochester rust stories and road salt warnings will be coming soon.
And its gone.
Don’t be so sure. It’s been for sale for quite some time, including a few rounds on EBay. I’m betting it shows up again.
What are those Monte Carlo SS wheels? Would look much better with the chrome Buick wheels.
If the real deal it was a steal .
Back in the day my friend Johnny knew a guy who had the exact duplicate of this car, who knows it could very well be the same car. Anyway he thought it was quick and called me out with my ’69 383 4speed Road Runner, We raced and I beat him 3 out of 3 times , then spotted him 2 cars and beat him again by 2 cars, that Road Runner was a freak. The Buick guy was pissed & didn’t wanna pay off, wanted to race again,,,,,,, “BEEP BEEP.
only til 1970 right? chrysler and the hemi been trying to catch the buick 455 ever since then LMAO
Its amazing how the older we get the faster our car’s were 😁🚘🚘😁
Yep
nahhhhhhhhhhh the stage 1 would eat a 383 for lunch something aint right here
Not always
Perhaps Jamie has info that I’m not seeing, but what makes the author think it is a Stage 1 car?
I’d guess from the picture in the auction:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ivkAAOSwNaNbSXSY/s-l1600.jpg
Thanks…going blind in my old age! :-)
Day late and a dollar short. Curses, foiled again.
Looks like a pretty nice car.
Near perfect interior? I think the wheels may be from a Camaro.
Must have been a tough choice back in ’69 with sooo many new hot machines available. Saturated market by then, in a good way. I know brand loyalty was huge then, which makes me wonder, who was into Buicks? When I think of the choices this Buick GS seems sort of humble. The 455 stage one a year later… not at all humble in any way.