1971 BUICK GS STAGE 1 CONVERTIBLE

455 CI, WELL DOCUMENTED

This extensively documented 1971 Buick GS Stage 1 convertible is one of an estimated 25 zone demonstrators, all built on the same day in August 1970. All were built to be used first by zone executives, then as dealer demonstrators and then to be sold to the public. Additionally, all were built with practically every available option and finished in new-for-1971 Cortez Gold with Pearl White interiors.

This Stage 1 was purchased by the original owner as a dealer demonstrator from Massey Buick in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was owned by the same family until becoming part of the Mike Guarise Collection in 2013. Prior to that, a body-off restoration to a very high standard was completed in early 2012. Thanks to the quality of the work, this car presents spendidly in factory-correct condition.

One of 72 GS Stage 1 convertibles built with the 400 Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, it is equipped as per the original build sheet with the 455 CI Stage 1 engine, 3.42:1 Positraction rear end, F41 Rally Ride suspension, N25 through-the-bumper dual exhaust, power steering and power front disc brakes. Front and rear bumper guards, dual Sport mirrors with driver’s remote, tinted glass and chromed Rally wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT G60-15 tires wrapped up the exterior features.

The Pearl-and-Black interior welcomed passengers with a power-operated front bench seat with central fold-down armrest, power windows and locks, factory air conditioning, and Convenience Light Group, while the driver was treated to cruise control, a tilt steering column, tach and gauge package and a Rally steering wheel. An AM radio with 8-Track tape player is an evocative finishing touch. Only 13 of these powerful and luxurious Stage 1 convertible zone demonstrators are known to exist today. Well documented with the original build sheet, Protect-O-Plate, dealer order sheet and listed in the 1971 Stage 1 Zone Demo Registry, this is arguably the finest example in existence.

Highlights

– Original build sheet
– Protect-O-Plate
– Original dealer order sheet
– One of 72 Stage 1 convertibles produced in 1971 with automatic transmission
– Believed to be 1 of 13 Zone Demonstrators known to exist
– Original owner purchased as a dealer demo from Massey Buick in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
– Single family owned until 2013
– Body-off restoration completed in 2012
– Listed in the 1971 Stage 1 Zone Demo Registry
– Zone Demos were early production cars with virtually every option available and all were painted new for 1971 Cortez Gold with Pearl White interior
– The build sheet shows the following factory-installed options
– 455 CI Stage 1 engine
– TH400 transmission
– 3.42 Positraction rear end
– F41 Rally Ride suspension
– N25 through bumper exhaust
– Power steering and front disc brakes
– Power bench seat with fold-down armrest
– Power windows and locks
– Factory air conditioning
– AM radio with 8-Track player
– Cruise control, tilt steering column
– Tach and gauge package
– Convenience group lighting
– Rally steering wheel
– Chrome 15×7 Rally wheels
– Goodyear Polyglas GT G60x15 tires
– An estimated 25 cars were built as zone demos on the same day in August 1970 to be driven by zone office executives until they were sold to local dealers to be used as demos and eventually sold to the public