Pro-touring Buick G/S (clone)

[dstryr]

Looking for thoughts on getting one of these setup with pro-touring suspension and an ls swap. I've been looking for a chevelle for about a month now and everyone wants gold in exchange for a rusty POS. I have a Buick G/S clone local to me that runs and is complete with new interior that I can pick up for $1800. What are the main differences in the two cars drive train wise?

[dstryr]

Do misc parts interchange? Hood hinges, trunk hinges, door hinges, stuff like that?

[Randy67]

Frame and suspension are the same, except for the engine mount holes (Chevy vs Buick), shouldn't be an issue with an LS swap. Door hinges should interchange, but hood and trunk hinges probably are different. Buick with an LS would be a cool Pro-Touring ride.

[dstryr]

Any reason a Buick G/S would be more of a pain in the ass than a Chevelle?

The reason I ask about the hinges and stuff was the plan to finance some of the chevelle build was to make billet pieces to throw on ebay for other people to purchase.

[oestek]

The rear decklids are actually the same for GS and Chevelle. Most of the parts are available for the Buick, check out the latest OPGI catalog for the lowdown. They are great cars!

[dstryr]

Going to look at the car tonight.

[tazzz25906112]

I can tell that I love my Birds (TA's & Formula's) but if I want to sell parts I'm tooling for early second gen Camaro's cause that is what gets ink,,, and sells.... I absolutely love the old GS cars and think they look way cool but you'll be fighting an up hill battle for sure my friend...

[dstryr]

Ended up passing on the car....lol. i miss my second gen but i hate those heavy pos doors.

[MrQuick]

and hoods....glad you passed but if he comes down I say go for it.

Just a note, Buick's have not been good to me in the past that's why I usually tell people to beware especially with resale in mind. Everyone loves them but won't spend the money for them. Im with Albert on this one, go with what will sell.


Billet, try to stay on the universal end of the spectrum. 1st gen is super saturated.

[bret]

I've had a 70 GSX for about 10 years. I love it! http://www.ridetech.com/garage/1970-buick-gsx/

If you're looking at resale, build a Camaro or Chevelle. If you want to build a car that you like...then it really doesnt matter what it is, as long as you like it.

[csouth]

I love the lines on those cars, so for me running and driving with complete interior for $1800 seems good. If it were near me I would snatch it.
I'm with Bret. If you're looking to keep it, it doesn't matter what people like. Buick's are like the Olds in the PT arena in that no one really cares if its not a Camaro or Chevelle.

[Zoomin]

I love the lines on those cars, so for me running and driving with complete interior for $1800 seems good. If it were near me I would snatch it.
I'm with Bret. If you're looking to keep it, it doesn't matter what people like. Buick's are like the Olds in the PT arena in that no one really cares if its not a Camaro or Chevelle.

Except Buick and Olds guys for the most part, but to my way of thinking it's nice to be different. And, money saved on the purchase can be used on some of Bret's goodies.

[csouth]

Except Buick and Olds guys for the most part, but to my way of thinking it's nice to be different. And, money saved on the purchase can be used on some of Bret's goodies.

Yep....

[dstryr]

He said it was running (atleast 30 mile running) but it wasn't. Body was clean, no rust really but interior was ghetto. I found a chevelle shell with no rust for 1k and a complete rolling frame for $200. Think this is the deal to jump on.

Its not that I wanted to build a car for resale but if it does need to get sold it will be a hell of a lot easier with the name chevelle on the side.

[MrQuick]

$1200 for a good start there you go, your $600 up now....you pick it up yet? cause if you don't i will. 8D

[bret]

In my experience [and there is too much of it] the only consideration, as far as condition, is the body. Drivetrain and interior stuff can be bought and bolted on. Rust and/or damage repair is expensive...$30-100/hour...and the result is highly subjective. I did not appreciate this until I started my own bodyshop about 10 years ago. Now I buy only perfect bodies.

[csouth]

In my experience [and there is too much of it] the only consideration, as far as condition, is the body. Drivetrain and interior stuff can be bought and bolted on. Rust and/or damage repair is expensive...$30-100/hour...and the result is highly subjective. I did not appreciate this until I started my own bodyshop about 10 years ago. Now I buy only perfect bodies.

Truer words have never been spoken. I have a very good friend that bought a 68 Chevelle because he wanted one SOOOO BAD. Had he taken me with him, I would have advised him to pass on it and wait to find a better body. I think he is about to find out what patience could have saved him when he gets the ticket for the body work. My uncle has done several cars and told me time after time "get a good body because you can always buy a crate motor..."

[PT Sportwagon]

I've had a 70 GSX for about 10 years. I love it! http://www.ridetech.com/garage/1970-buick-gsx/

If you're looking at resale, build a Camaro or Chevelle. If you want to build a car that you like...then it really doesnt matter what it is, as long as you like it.

I like those words, Bret. It doesn't matter as long as you like it. That is what really matters, period. That is why I am building my sportwagon because I like it.

That 71 Clone? does have a rear part the N-25 exhaust thru the bumper option.

Now I buy only perfect bodies.

What if you cannot find a perfect body for what you want to spend? LOL

Tim