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5616 133rd Ave SE
Snohomish, WA 98290




Copyright © 2004

 
GS California  


1969 GS California
Images taken on 12/29/06

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Passenger Side

Drivers Rear

Passenger Rear

Front

Back

Exhaust

Drivers Seat

Drive Door Panel

Pass Door Panel

Back Seat

 Instrument Cluster

Engine

Headliner

Package Tray

Trunk

 

1969 California GS, VIN 433279Z12641

Exterior Color, Fireglow (unusual stock color for late 1969, actually listed as a 1970 color)
Vinyle Top, White
Interior, White with Black accents

Odometer      22,797      As of 1/1/2007
Given the documented history, and tell-tale signs like pedal wear, etc., actual mileage is likely 122,797.

GO TO:    http://www.buicksonline.com/page2321.asp     For Restoration Story

Statement of Condition
RATING KEY

1 = Excellent  (NOS or like new restored)
2 = Very Good (Show worthy.) 
3 = Good (Functions Properly an looks good) 
4 = Fair (Functions Properly and is 'daily driver' appearance)
5 = Poor  (Funtions, but should be Restored or Replaced)
6 = Missing, broken, or not funtional  

EXTERIOR
Frame on restoration to bare metal.  Front clip removed, fenders and hood media blasted.  Radiator core replaced.  Very minimal rust repaired with metal.  New paint to match stock color. New chrome on bumpers.  All other trim same as what was on the original car or replaced with better used items from my inventory of parts. 

ITEM Rating Comment
Bumpers 1 Front and Back, Newly chromed and place on car in 2005.
Grille Surround 2 Nice used.
Grille Insert 3 Nice used, shown with a 1968 grille, car now has a 1969 set up.
Headlight Bezels 3
Eyebrows 2
Hood Letters 1
Hood Scoop Grilles 3
Paint 1 New with restoration.
Top 1 New with restoration.
Wheel Well Trim 3
Door Handles 2
Drive Side Mirror 2 Non-remote. 
Passenger Mirror 4 Very rare optional item that was put on the car for greater visability.
Drip Rails 2
Trim around top 2
Side Markers 2 Original
GS Tags 3 Original
California Tags 2 Originals, not the cheap reproductions.
Tail Trim Pieces 2
Tail Lenses 1 GS style with chrome stips.
Wheels 4 I put on 15" wheels on the back and 14" on the front.
Tires 1 New radials with restoration, approximately 2,000 miles.

INTERIOR

Door Lock Stems 5 Will order new GM and replace with black.
Door Panels 2 Special Deluxe Pattern, correct for GS California, vinyle paint restoration
A Pillar Covers 3 Not repainted, just cleaned.
Rallye Steering Wheel 3 Original.  Black
Dash Pad 2 Black
Carpet 1 Black, new with restoration.
Floor Mats 6 None.
Kick Panels 2 Black
Door Sill Plates 4 Typical used.
Back Seat 2
Front Seat 3
Instrument Cluster 2
Seat Belts 4 Belts losing some color, latches good.
Package Tray 2 New covering, not stock.
Headliner 5 Will replace with new.
Turn Signal Wand 5 Rusty, will replace with #2.
Turn Crank Knobs 4 Clear knobs faded by sunlight.  Will replace with black knobs.
Ashtray 6 Will put one in.
Radio 1 New AMFM in stock bezel with new speaker in stock location.
Horn 6 Not working.  Will diagnose and fix. 
Window feelers. 6 Will source and install.
Rubber seals, doors 3 Originals.
Rubber seals, trunk 1 New
Guages 1 New, aftermarket water temp. & oil pressure.

UNDER HOOD, UNDER CARRAIGE
Car was steam cleaned under hood and undercarraige.  No additional
restoration yet conducted.

Power Steering 3 Works well.
Manual Brakes 3 Good. New internal components.
4 Core Radiator 3 Upgraded from normal 350 cid, 2 corem with a 400 cid 4 core radiator.
Valve Covers 4 Will remove & restore, then put on correct 350-4 decals.
Air Cleaner Lid 4 Will remove & restore, then put on correct decals.
Exhaust 1 New 2.25 pipes and moderate mufflers. Louder at idle than at acceleration.

DRIVE-ABILITY
Starts immediately.  New battery.  Runs smooth. 
Smooth idle.  Choke functions well. Recent full tune up (cap, rotor, points, wires, plugs, etc.) 
Stops strong.  Drums on all corners. Would do better with power brake booster system.
Runs at 180 degrees operating temperature with 4 core radiator.  Stays cool under stress and stop and go.
Slight carburetor hesitation, then strong acceleration.  Carburetor was not rebuilt with the restoration.
Tranny was serviced at restoration but not rebuilt.  Has a soft 2-3 shift.  Could be rebuilt for a stiffer performance shift package.
Excellent cornering, front upper & lower ball joints replaced in last 2,000 miles.

 




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