1971 | Buick Horsepower

1971 Cortez Gold GSX Automatic – $59,000

Posted on November 2nd, 2010 by Wayne

This Cortez Gold GSXwas professionally appraised by a member of the International Society of Appraisers who is on the advisory board of the NADA on 11/11/09 and was found to be #2+ to #1- in condition. It was determined on that date that the appraised value is $58,550, which reflects the accurate market value of this car in this current economic climate.

The GSX is a low body number car (000960) and has been registered in the GSX Registry since 1999, and was a participant in the BPG GSX Reunion in the summer of 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. It can be seen in two photos on page 35 of the November 2009 issue of Muscle Car Review Magazine, and was selected by the magazine to represent the Cortez Gold GSXs in the line up of the seven ’71 GSXs. It is also shown on page 35 as the second car from the right in the front row of the group photo showing all of the GSXs.

The GSX is a numbers matching 455 automatic car with the following options:

-GSX ornamentation package (with front spoiler and no hood tachometer)
-Black Strato bucket seat interior and full operating console
-Rallye steering wheel
-Rallye gauge cluster including tachometer
-Tilt steering column
-AM/FM radio
-Cruise control
-3.42 positive traction differential
-F-41 rallye ride and handling suspension package
-15 x 7 chrome road wheels
-N-25 rear bumper and exhaust system
-Air conditioning
-Power steering
-Power brakes

The following are the various numbers on this GSX:

BODY NUMBERS

Body build date: 03E
Body number: 000960
Front fender LH P/N 1231387 date code: 14
Front fender RH P/N 1231786 date code: 15
Deck lid date code: 11X 2
Core support date code: Not legible

FRAME NUMBER

Part number: 1237139 (correct number for 455 big-block GS &GSX)
Build date: 2-12-71

ENGINE NUMBERS

Engine code (455 4BBL): TR
Engine block casting number (455): 1238861
Engine block date code: C 22
Intake manifold casting number: B-1236403
Intake manifold date code: C 27
Valve cover LH P/N 1232069 date code: 114
Valve cover RH P/N 1232068 date code: 109
Carburetor number (Q-jet): 7041540
Carburetor date code: MF (top) 0831 (bottom)
Distributor number: 1112104
Distributor date code: 1C 3

TRANSMISSION

Type: Turbo Hydramatic 400
Transmission code & date code: 71C-393
71-BS 2094
GLASS CODES

Front: LOF Replacement
Door LH: AS2 LN-4 M7A
Door RH: AS XN-4 M74
Quarter LH: (Numbers below weatherstrip)
Quarter RH: AS2 LN A74

DEALER

PEAIRS BROS BUICK 24-219
BOX 638 BUICK
BELLFLOWER CALIF 90707

The numbers matching engine was machined and assembled by Mike Phillips at Automotive Machine & Performance in Philpot, Kentucky, where it made 475 horsepower through the numbers matching quadrajet carburetor, factory intake manifold and exhaust manifolds while maintaining a stock appearance. As a matter of my own personal preference, I have added the reproduction chrome Stage 1 valve covers and the Stage 1 decal to the air cleaner.

The car is a fully functioning car that needs nothing. The only things that do not function on the car are the light in the map light mirror (mirror glass needs to be removed and the bulb needs to be changed), and the AM side of the AM/FM radio.