Vehicle Description
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!