I have often opined on the success and popularity of GM’s A-body cars from ’68 to ’72.  While the current marketplace prices for the performance versions (SS396, GTO, 442, and GS) are stratospheric, even the bread-and-butter models (Malibu, LeMans, Cutlass, and Skylark) have done some respectable hot-footin’ it up the price chart. Where does it all end? Search me fish. Prognosticators have been predicting the end of time for these motoring steeds for some time but they seem to have experienced nary a shiver in price stability. Whatever the case, today, I’m going to set my sights on Buick’s participant in this fabulous four lineup, a 1970 GS 455 convertible. I don’t encounter GS examples often so let’s examine this Greensboro, North Carolina project and see what’s what. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,700 with the reserve not yet met.

In keeping with Buick’s more reserved image, the GS numbers for ’70 were more reserved too with total production of about 20K units. As for the GS 455 convertible, such as our subject car, we’re talkin’ 1,400 copies – yes, I’d call that limited production though not exactly rare. The seller advises that this GS was originally finished in red but it has a bit of a technicolor thing going on now. And as is usually the case with this vintage A-body, its nemesis rust, has found a home here. It’s not an extreme problem but it has managed to manifest itself in the usual places. Additionally, the frame is showing signs of heavy scale so an in-person review might be beneficial. It wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the folding convertible top no longer folds though it does seem to be in better physical condition than the rest of the exterior. It’s obvious that there are missing parts and that’s a concern as the seller states, “Being fully disassembled many years ago a lot of the original parts are missing.” There is a big pile of included parts but what’s there and what’s not will likely take some painstaking cataloging.

Buick’s intermediate muscle car came in two flavors in ’70: a 350 CI V8-powered “GS” and a 455 CI V8-powered “GS 455.” Our subject is the latter variety packing a 350 gross HP engine (There was also a 360 HP “Stage 1” version of the big engine available.) While the seller tells us that this is the original matching number motor, it doesn’t take a mechanic to recognize that there are a lot of missing parts. Backing up the 455 is a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission.

The interior is pretty scary, it’s not only the condition of what’s there, it’s the same issue as noted earlier – it’s what’s missing that’s the concern. The Sandlewood vinyl upholstery is dirty and shredded but that’s minor in the scheme of things. It’s the missing dash, door panels, and instrument panel that’s a start-off concern. The seller considers this car to be solid and the floors do appear to be sound – often not the case with convertibles of this era. Of note is the bucket seat, sans console, and the column-mounted gear selector combination – a bit unusual.

We can talk about the rarities that the seller lists:

–1 of 192 Red GS convertibles made at Flint plant in 1970
-1 of 1040 GS 455 Convertible Automatics made in 1970

To which I say, “So what”? Putting this GS back together and making it a usable, presentable car is where the wheel hits the rail, or maybe I should say where the rubber meets the road, and this Buick drop-top has a long road ahead of it. While this generation GS is definitely one of my favorites, a puzzle pile like this presents a big challenge, probably enough to keep many away, wouldn’t you agree?