1972 GS 455 Barn Find

[Guest Meinfield]

This is a true "barn find"...I guess it still happens every now and then.

I have a chance to buy a 1972 GS 455 hard top coupe; it is rough, but looks intact with very little rust and possibly all original . Bucket seats, floor shift, auto. It is a low production car, a little over a thousand were made.

VIN and Trim Tag

4G37U2G153855

ST 72 43437 G106563 BDY

TR 137 A51 57 PNT

The engine is out of the car; the fellow began rebuilding it before he decided to sell.

I cant find the engine serial number, but I found what i think is the casting number on the back of the engine above the fly wheel. 455 241735. Might have read it wrong. Also, the number in the oil galley is C-420 and the number on the top of the front of the engine (might be the water pump number) is 1246055B 2B

There are two sets of heads that come with the car, not sure if they match the engine.

1237661 H18 on the first pair

1246322 B25, and 1246322 B18 on the other pair.

Exhaust manifolds are 1233451 E and ( ?) 36364

Intake CHG 387958

I cant seem to find any info to match these number, any suggestions? Also, where is the serial # on the trans?

Anyone know what these cars are bringing restored?

Thanks!

[Brad Conley]

The 1237661 are the, at least most likely, original heads for your car. They were cast August (H) 18th (18), 1971 for the 1972 model year. The other heads are much later smog heads and have very poor performance characteristics. Here's a link to Buick big block casting numbers: Buick Big Block casting numbers . The transmission serial number is stamped on the pan rail just above the transmission oil pan.

Paint code 57 is Antique Gold Poly. There should be another number or letter (if equipped with a vinyl roof). Trim code 137 is Medium Tan bench seat. See Color Chip Selection .

With the market in the current condition, a concours frame off restoration would cost about 3 times the current worth of the vehicle when done.

Ask away with any questions you have and I will be glad to help answer.

[BUICK RACER]

Hi, some this is easy, but first of all what is your name and where are you and the car located?

4G37U2G153855

4=Buick

G=GS

37-Hardtio

U-455 dual exhaust

ST 72 43437 G106563 BDY = 72 year model 43437 2 dr Htp Body shop #

TR

2- 1972

G= Framingham, MA Assembly Plant

153855 Production #

TR 137 Tan Black

57 PNT Antique Gold Irid.

[TABLE=width: 300]

<tbody>[TR]

[TD]1237661[/TD]

[TD]70-76[/TD]

[TD]455[/TD]

[/TR]

</tbody>[/TABLE]

Block

[TABLE=width: 300]

<tbody>[TR]

[TD]1241795[/TD]

[TD]72-[/TD]

[TD]455[/TD]

[/TR]

</tbody>[/TABLE]

[TABLE=width: 300]

<tbody>[TR]

[TD]1246322[/TD]

[TD]70-76[/TD]

[TD]455[/TD]

[/TR]

</tbody>[/TABLE]

Team Buick Forum

[sean1997]

A51 = Bucket Front Seats

Production sequential number range for Framingham, MA was 100,001 to 158,743 and this car is 153,855. The body tag should also have a build date on it (would be 1 or 2 numbers followed by a letter, like 07D). The VIN sticker on the door should also have the date.

[TexasT]

This is a true "barn find"...I guess it still happens every now and then.

Anyone know what these cars are bringing restored?

Thanks!

If you are going to flip this probably isn't the car for you. Chevies and Mopars are way more lucrative.

If you are going to own and drive something different than all the bellybuttons at the shows, then this might be for you.

Sounds like a really cool find.

PIX?

[Guest Meinfield]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the info. If I buy it, I will likely keep it after restoration....it really is a very cool car and you don't see too many of them anymore. Will post some pictures if I purchase it.

C

[bostonhemi]

Sounds like a great car. I had owned a 1970 GS 350 gold metallic with a column shifter and bench seat and the car really flew. Good Luck. I dont think you will be dissapointed.