Here’s a rare one for your review, a 1969 Buick GS 400 convertible. The seller states that it’s one of 1,303 produced though my research source places it as one of 1,776 – regardless it’s rare and his question of “How many are left?” is certainly pertinent. A claimed barn find, this Buick is a bit forlorn looking but it does have more than just a hint of originality to it. It’s located in Royal Palm Beach, Florida and is available, here on craigslist for $12,500.
While Chevrolet (SS396), Pontiac (GTO), and Oldsmobile (442) relied on standard big engines for their ’69 A-body performance cars, Buick allowed buyers to have it both ways with both a GS 350 as well as the GS 400. Interestingly, the GS 350 was not available in a convertible body style, it came strictly as a two-door hardtop. One other component of the GS line-up was the GS “California” which aligned itself more closely with the GS 350 but utilized the Special DeLuxe’s two-door sedan configuration.
Styling is always subjective and I’ll admit it, the ’68 and ’69 GS lines were not among my favorites. While the SS396, GTO, and 442 went for a rounded look, the GS relied on a more angular bearing and I always thought that the front end didn’t really go with the back end. That said, I have to give Buick credit for going its own way in the styling department. Besides the faded finish and torn convertible top, this GS is in fair shape. I can’t detect, immediately, whether there is any rust-through – the bane of this generation of GM intermediates, but interested buyers should give it, at least, the once over. And the lower quarters do appear to be fostering surface rust – unless it’s just barn mung growing on the sides. Also, being a convertible, the trunk pan and rear floors are especially susceptible to rot.
This GS is claimed to run and drive, courtesy of its matching number, 340 gross HP, 400 CI V8 engine assisted by a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller adds, “HAS ALL THE POWER OPTIONS: POWER STEERING, POWER TOP, POWER WINDOWS, TILT WHEEL, AND POWER ANTENNA!! AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THEY ALL WORK GREAT!!!!”.
The bench seat interior is dirty and moldy – really not surprising for a Florida barn find. The carpet is either missing or has turned to a rust color – whichever, what’s there is in rough shape. It also looks like the door panels have problems. The entire environment is really unremarkable for an upper-scale muscle car. The instrument panel’s horizontal speedometer and lack of engine gauges give an unadorned look, something more fitting for a Special or a Skylark, and the bench seat/column shift belies the muscle car vibe. Anyway, a good cleaning will do wonders in helping to make an accurate assessment of the interior’s overall condition.
As is usually the case, it all gets down to price. Yes, this is a rare one and it seems to have good bones but $12,500? What do you think, priced right or not quite?
“The entire environment is really unremarkable for an upper-scale muscle car.”
Couldn’t agree more. Even in pristine condition the Buick A-Body interiors were thoroughly outshined by Olds and Pontiac. My 71 Skylark Custom’s interior always felt to me like the forgot to add a few details.
This GS looks simply evil and possessed….kind of like the “Christine” vibe in the Steven King movie….or maybe “Maximum Overdrive”. I can still hear AC/DC scoring that flick.
To be honest, I was never a fan of the sublime down slope character line that stretched from fender thru door to quarter, kind of “underwhelming”.
But a GS is a sure bet, and I would bring this one back, if only to frighten little children….LOL
👍🤓
The curved rear bumpers always looked like it been hit in the rear
now that you said that and am looking at the pic. you’re right.
With the bench seat and column shift, this has a “car that Grandma takes to the casino on Friday night” vibe to it.
Just don’t care for the steering wheels in these. After all that’s what you look at behind the wheel.
It has the carpet in it as it still has the rubber floor protector by the gas pedal. Dude wash your car man! And take pics of the trunk ,lower quarters, trunk drop downs,fenders and underside.He ain’t drivin it too far w/o an alternator belt. Never cared for the rear quarter panel design on 68 and 9 the way it covers part of the rear wheel.If I was this guy I would have put a little elbow grease in it and burned a little midnight oil to make it look presentable.If it’s solid and a runner I’d buy it.
Buick had to work pretty hard to ugly up the fantastic 68-72 A body platform.
You just know they were designed by a committee of guys in suits.
Based on my experience with it’s Cutlass cousins the rust situation in the fenders/quarters doesn’t look too worrisome, but we had a ’67 Olds CS convertible that had basically zero body rust, but the frame had to be replaced, so agree on a close personal inspection. Not to mention the St Lawrence U sticker – heart of the upstate NY snowbelt!
Scarred to buy anything from Florida these days.
Lots of scarred shoppers are running scared. ;)
Why are you scared to buy from Florida?
Just wondering.
Hurrican flooding, cars everywhere for sale and not all disclosing flood damage.
Seriosly? Ever seen a Florida town after a storm? Let alone a hurricane???
Hurricane flood cars are certainly not just in Florida. California is having floods as well as Texas, La., & Alabama and even Arizona.
I lived in Florida for 40 years and after laws were passed we never had a problem with flood cars except some crooked dealers that brought cars from out of state.
Tough crowd. The 68 and 69 Buick’s are obviously not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s fine. They’ve grown on me considerably as I have gotten older and in my opinion, they are among the best buys in the muscle car era. You can find super nice drivers for 20k or so. Try and find a 442, GTO, or SS for that in comparable condition. I’ll wait…
Having owned my 69 GS since 1989. I understand that it certainly isn’t the most favorite muscle car body style. Which is just fine with me. Having seen a million “ss” chevelles and “gto” tempests at car shows i still find it endearing when someone asks me “what is that” or my xxx had a Pontiac just like that. I’ll take my GS over any other a-body. Just my opinion
Outrageously boring. Well, except for the convertible part, the 400V-8 and the GS – ness about it. It actually has great potential. With some creativity and a modest amount of restoration, this could be a great cruiser. I too am a little bit wary of Florida cars. But – if everything checks out, vin # and legality of ownership, the only thing left is the price. Up and running, and out the door looking like you want, I would put it at a total price of $22,500.00 Good luck. Nice article too.
Steve h agreed lol I love googling “today a Florida man” and seeing the sheer stupidity glad I got out after 19 years there became a “half back” originally from NJ moved to Florida then half way back to western nc / sc border area
Nah, it doesn’t have a/c , hard pass …
But , seriously this thing stands out in the sea of chevelle, camaro, 442,etc
A black vert with a load of options , it is interesting and if not a rot box , could be quite the attention getter
Reminds me of a friend who had a yellow GS convert back in the day. The top had a hole in the center above the front seat. He came to work one day in the rain with an umbrella sticking thru the roof.
Talk about an attention getter. LOL.
This is a cool car. I would like to see buckets and console though. A 4spd. Would be better yet.. The 350 is a very strong engine. Not a common car. I always liked to be a little different from the norm.. Just my opinion.. We all have different tastes in cars. A good buy if not rusted underneath..I enjoy barnfinds. Always something for everyone..thanks for the variety to choose from.
Wish i was a member so i could post a picture of mine, hopefully some of you would change your minds on this car
Nah, Billy. Let’s keep this to ourselves, lol. I actually prefer the hardtop over the convertible body style. But I do love the 68 – 69 a body buicks