A '71 Buick GS 455 Convertible
Rare and Wonderful
by Bill Holder
photos by Phil Kunz
Interest continues in the model on the way it was acquired. "You wouldn't believe it," the Kettering, Ohio owner explained. "I located it right here in my own home town. It was in terrible shape, had a blown engine, the mice had gotten to the interior, and it was actually being used at the time as a dumpster.
"The previous owner had intended to restore the car, but he just never got around to doing it. That guy's new wife had also told me that either the car went, or she was gone.; That ultimatum worked out pretty good for me."
Schlater knew exactly whet it was and knew that he had to have it. "Gave $1500 for it, but there was lots and lots of work to be done. But one of the good things about it was that it did have some good sheet metal. Also, the floorboards were ok, but I did have to rechrome the bumpers." Ron indicated that he is the third owner and that there are almost 200,000 miles on the car.
The present owner made the purchase in 1992, but didn't get started on the restoration till 1994, and then got it finished in 1996. But it certainly wasn't Schlater's first Buick, getting his first one in 1964, a '62 Skylark, and later a '65 wagon.
He then restored a '71 GS 350 for his son. Another son has a '72 GS 455 drag car capable of 11-second quarter mile performance, along with a '72 Skylark GS clone that can run in the 12s. Goes to show you that the former Buick luxury model can be turned into front-line drag machines. And this is sure the family that can do it.
Schlater indicated that he currently uses modern 93 octane high test fuel to keep his Gran Sport perking. "Normally, I would have hardened the valve seats on the engine, but there's a high percent of nickel in them and so it's not necessary." The engine is hooked to an automatic transmission and a 3.42-geared rear end.
Although the engine compartment looks completely stock, the owner will admit to making some internal engine modifications. "It carries '70 GS 10.5-1 pistons, Buick Stage 1 valves, and two and one-half inch exhausts."
Schlater laughed when he recalled that one of his sons once took the car to a muscle car event to supposedly display the car. Ron continued, "He then decided without my knowledge that he'd also run the car on the strip. Little did he know that they were televising the event and it got on TV where I saw my car in action.
"I wasn't mad, as I was more interested in seeing how fast in ran on the track. It did well, turning in the 13s on stock tires," Ron proudly announced.
Good thing for the son that the GS made it through the run unscathed or dad's attitude might have been quite different!
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