No, your eyes aren't deceiving you: this is a very correct 1969 Buick GS400 with a nice restoration for a price that wouldn't buy you a Chevelle SS replica. With goodies like upgraded factory A/C, a fat torque curve, and a slick bucket seat interior, this one just won't last long. Glance at the cowl tag and you'll note this GS is wearing a fresh coat of its original Code 52 Signal Red color and the combination of... Buick's upmarket shape and the in-your-face color is insanely appealing. The Skylark's proportions give it a perfect muscle car stance and additions like the cool scooped hood with functional ram air means the Buick engineers weren't messing around when they dropped the big 400-inch V8 between the fenders. Finish quality is very good, the paint shines up nicely and looks appropriate for this grown-up hot rod. It's unusual in that it doesn't have the seemingly ubiquitous vinyl roof and as a result those dramatic sweeping rear quarters become the highlight of this great-looking car. On these cars in particular it's critical to get panel alignment just right, and they obvious spent the time to make the big doors fit well. The chrome bumpers were refinished, the stainless looks like it's been recently buffed, and all the correct GS badges are in place, and in this car's case they're legit, not just slapped on because someone likes how they look. GM's A-body interiors are some of the best of the era, and Buick's position as an upmarket offering means that detailing is exceptional. Bucket seats and a console are always cool in something that your dad might have driven every day, and with a horseshoe shifter and bright metal panels, it certainly looks grown-up. There's a standard Skylark instrument panel which covers only the basics, but auxiliary gauges have been fitted under the dash to monitor oil pressure and temperature. The upholstery and carpets were replaced during the restoration, so it looks quite fresh inside including a new Retrosounds AM/FM/MP3 radio in the dash as well as factory A/C which has been upgraded to R134a. Buick-logo floor mats protect those fresh carpets and it appears that the seat belts have been restored. Getting the picture that there's a lot more to this car than the price would suggest? There's even a fresh reproduction mat in the trunk, along with a full-sized spare and a power antenna (this is a Buick, after all). Buick's mighty 400 cubic inch V8 made toque its calling card, and this period correct powerplant will light up the rear tires at will. Of course, that's unseemly for a grown-up muscle car, but the way these cars run surprised everyone back in the day. With a correct air cleaner assembly, Dante Red paint on the engine, and reproduction decals, it looks remarkably fresh given that it's been driven and enjoyed a bit. It starts with that characteristic Buick baritone burble from the twin exhaust pipes, which use Flowmasters to control the sound. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is the only one strong enough to handle the big Buick and it spins a sturdy 10-bolt rear. Front and rear sway bars give it nimble handling without upsetting the great Buick ride. And flashy Buick road wheels look sporty, especially with fat 225/70/14 BFGoodrich white-letter tires. If you've read this far, it might already be too late, because a Buick GS in great colors with factory A/C for this price just won't last. Call today!
|