While the 1970 Buick 455 with the Stage 1 package has a reputation as one of the stoutest engines from the muscle car era, it’s less well-known that the first Stage 1 was actually introduced in 1969 as a 400-cubic-inch big block. Not many were built (1,468), and even fewer had four-speeds (415): This Code 59 Lime Green GS 400 hardtop is one of them. It’s being sold as a non-running project that may or may not need a complete engine rebuild, but fortunately, all the parts are there and the car is mostly solid. Plus, some of the work has already been done over the course of the current owner’s nearly 30 years of ownership. Barn Finder T.J. found this Stage 1 on Hagerty Marketplace in Omaha, Nebraska, and with eight days left on the auction, the high bid is a measly $2,601, which is certainly not enough to take this (once) fast Buick home.
The Stage 1 package in 1969 gave the buyer a significantly hotter camshaft and heavier valve springs, ram air air cleaner, a 3.64:1 rear axle ratio, and several other improvements. Buick was not forthcoming with horsepower numbers for the GS, but we can assume that it’s a significant improvement over the stock 400’s 340-horsepower rating. Anything from 345 to 360 is bandied about in my research, but even the 1970 Stage 1 455 was advertised as being only ten horsepower stronger than the base engine; Buick held its cards close to its vest in the muscle car era.
The seller includes pictures of the engine in the car, but the ad also includes pictures of a 400 in a state of disassembly. They have this to say:
This is a non-running project. I found the number eight exhaust valve pushrod bent because the lifter was sticking. I pulled all the lifters and pushrods at that time of inspection of motor. The engine looks good enough to rebuild, and all other parts are there for the car.
The seller has made some inroads toward restoring the GS, including a refurbished dash pad, “speedometer cluster and bezel,” interior lighting, and some other minor details. It will need a carpet and a headliner, but the seller includes pictures of most of the interior items (including a headliner) in boxes, so the new owner shouldn’t have to go scouting around for many parts.
The body is mostly solid, too, with only a few rust spots and imperfections that need to be dealt with, including (according to the ad):
- Dent in passenger quarter panel behind door and ahead of rear wheel opening
- Rust on driver’s quarter panel behind rear wheel opening
- Rust present on front and rear suspension components
- Front clip [that] requires alignment for proper panel gaps
- Rust spot at driver’s side rear window trim
- Rust on left rear edge of deck lid
- Underbody undercoated
This GS presents an interesting conundrum: How far does the new owner take it? It’s certainly a car that would be appreciated in the Buick community, so a full restoration would be a worthwhile project. On the other hand, 1969 models are not as valuable as those from 1970-72, so stripping it down for a full paint job and professional restoration would probably exceed the car’s value, and that’s assuming you can buy it at a reasonable price to begin with. As usual, I’d do what I could to make it run and drive and enjoy it, and if that means rebuilding the engine, there’s a lot of help and camaraderie in the Buick community. The choice is yours!
This car needs a bit of work, but it’s in good enough shape to complete the project. The seller states the car has a “correct engine”. Not sure if this is the original or period correct. Either way, if I had more garage space, this would be a nice project to work on.
At the end of the ad the answers that same basic question. He says it is matching numbers.
I’d be interested to know if he offered it through the GS CLUB he belongs to, that’s the logical place to offer it first since they would know him and would have a high level of interest in the car.
Steve R
I agree, Aaron – get it running and enjoy. Not everybody can just hand over a checkbook for a soup-to-nuts restoration, but this is a car that would be very nice to see on the road or at your local car show!
Agree Todd, and dropping the clutch, and taking this Buick thru the gears ⚙️ would put a smile on everybody’s face 😎
The only one not smiling would be the other driver at the stop light.
The car is rare enough that I can understand those that would say it merits restoration. That being said, if one were to take that on, it must be for the love of the car because you’re never going to recoup your money on a frame off resto on a stepchild, especially if one is writing checks for others to do the work. Personally, I’d be more of the mind to get the mechanics sorted and just drive and enjoy it for what it is – a really cool car. A few bumps and bruises only adds to the character. I can’t recall the last hardtop 69 4 speed Stage I’ve seen for sale, they don’t come up often.
I agree, very good insight and comment.👍🏻
Stepchild indeed! That pointed observation takes me back to the mid-80s. At that time, I was a young man with champagne 1960s muscle car tastes but a cheap Keystone beer budget. By then, up and coming boomers, then called yuppies, had entered the chat. So the values of the desirable muscle cars had begun to really climb.
So we ended up looking at a lot of these 1968-69 GSs. They were still very affordable. They also were more likely to be all stock and not beaten than an SS396 or GTO. And I never minded the styling. I thought it looked pretty cool actually.
Unfortunately, I recall being pretty disappointed by their overall performance, though i’m sure this particular one wouldn’t have that problem if running right! They were always automatics with high rear axle ratios and a lot of options. The GS400s felt meh, and the GS350s not much of a step up over my 350 2-bbl 1974 Buick Century.
I ended up buying a 1978 Z28 with the 4-speed instead.
I am not a fan of the body style of these, but I do have a lot of respect for them. Although this car looks solid, a close look at the pictures shows that the seams are popping, and this car is about to burst out with rust in no time. This car needs a lot of work and a very close inspection. There is a lot of body work to do.
I’d hedge my bets and keep a low financial profile on this one as a caretaker.
Perhaps in later years a full restoration will be warranted.
Love the color combos of the 60’s/ 70s, Some Mechanical work and you have a rare driver to restore at will. Back in the 60’s you could buy a new car like this and be proud.
Nowadays you buy a new car or truck and pass dozens of others that look just like it on the way home.
Survivor car.
from the letter code i saw in the pics it appears to be a correct engine. this a rare 1 indeed but this body is either a love it or hate it. i full dip will hurt the wallet for sure and may not offer the return you would be expecting i would get it running paint the motor fix the interior find some 15×7 chrome Buick wheels and cruise it
These are the only cars I can think of that were designed to look like they backed into a tree.
I agreed with the rear design. A lot of engineering went into that rear. The only way it looks great is if looks like it came from the factory. Any little bend or bump, it catches your eye.
Very nice rare Buick here worth restoring/making right
This looks like a worthwhile project if it can be bought for $12k or less. Love or hate the body style. I didn’t like the style when they were new, but it’s grown on me and I like this. How many 4 speed GSs are out there? Like others have said, fix the mechanicals and enjoy. Fix the rust as needed.
Most early Stage cars had 3.64 rear gears.
Super rare 69 GS400!!
Found one of these Stage1 cars for $700…
Top shelf Buick muscle for 69. +3 things you seldom see for this era GS: Bucket seats, no AC and a four-speed. If that is your cup of tea (Certainly mine!) you’re not likely to come across one this configuration this affordable.
Also looks to be a very solid un messed with example. Many of the typical missing/damaged hard to find parts are all here. Make the mechanicals perfect and enjoy this driver…….
The gurus at V8Buick will be able to offer chapter and verse on this one.
I don’t know if anybody else seen all the pics that are listed on the actual ad.I have noticed that when he showed the engine pics there were two different air breathers and was wondering if it comes with two engines or he’s showing a different one as well.I agree that it is a rare one but it does need a lot of work.
Didn’t Buick use the same rear frame braces on their GSs that the 442s used? I don’t see them in the chassis photos. Maybe GM started adding them later than ’69 (?)
I’d do what’s necessary to get it running well, then go cruising. Body work can be done later. These tail ends weren’t Buick’s finest hour in styling, but I could live with it considering the rest of the package.
Ended at $15,750.
Reserve Not Met.
21 bids.