What would you pay for a '71 Buick 455?

[RITTER]

but for the money you're gonna spend rebuilding you're better off getting a complete LS drop in for $1400.

Exactly! For a half decent rebuild on any 455....meaning quality machine work, good forged pistons, rods, SS valves, rebuilt heads, etc you're going to be in it upwards of $3k easily. If you want a roller valve train add another $1k to that. Since Buick has the least amount of aftermarket support they cost even more.

People are still trying to sell late 60's 327's & double hump heads like they're gold too.

That's just the position you put yourself into when you choose to do a Buick, Pontiac, Olds engine build. The individual selling the engine doesn't have to sacrifice because its going to cost a lot to build it

 

[lg1200]

i'm building a SBC 350 now and just the cost breakdown will put me way over if i just bought a LS package for $1400. i just dropped $500 for machine work this past weekend. The rebuild kit and the top end parts are another $1500-1800. Then I have to upgrade the transmission..another 400-500. So total i'm looking at around $3000 or a little more to get my desired results. LSCUSTOMS told me early to go the LS route and I should have but me being young (i'm actually 37) in the car game I thought I would save some money rebuilding a Gen I 350 4bolt main. WRONG. But it's a learning experience that i'm enjoying..but my next car (79-81 elco) will be LS powered.

Unless the price is cheap leave that 455 right where it is and save up for a LS..they have them at justchevytrucks.com and some other places for 1400 straight drop-in..

 

[lg1200]

That's just the position you put yourself into when you choose to do a Buick, Pontiac, Olds engine build. The individual selling the engine doesn't have to sacrifice because its going to cost a lot to build it

I like the old BOP cars too but the nostalgia of having a BIG *ss deuce & a quarter just isn't the same...you can't turn a corner in those things without a CDL license. take the motor and scrap the body unless it's in good shape...but the avg deuce you see is falling apart these days.

 

[dogsht]

The LS can be a great route but you have work & money into that to before you have a driveable car. Its really about what you want to end up with. I absolutely loved driving my G with big block torque and the attention & respect it got at cruise ins & car shows. Certainly the LS route would make for a better more fuel efficient daily driver although with overdrive lockup & q-jet the 17 hwy wasn't unlivable either and made for a nice smooth but powerful driver.

Around here you can find LS all day and a few Olds 455s but Buick & Pontiac 455s are hard to find. You almost have to find an enthusiast who has a couple and is willing to part with one or he knows where one it that you can get. $350 to $500 is what you expect to pay around here to get a complete Buick or Pontiac 455.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Is the body and floor pans and everything just rotted out on this car :?:

I personally like the '71 Buick Electra 2dr/4dr. I like the big boat cars from the 70's. With an engine rated at 315hp/450ft.lbs of torque. No disrespect to you "G-Body_Vet" but if that was my car I would have laughed at you if you offered me $500 for that car :| The seller doesn't care if you don't want the car. The seller is trying to sell a car :idea:

Just my thoughts on that

I like 70's cars too but my point is that this car was/is destined for DEMO DERBY. So you can honestly tell me you'd offer a good price on this car? I've been haggling with people and playing this game for 20 years.

 

[RITTER]

Is the body and floor pans and everything just rotted out on this car :?:

I personally like the '71 Buick Electra 2dr/4dr. I like the big boat cars from the 70's. With an engine rated at 315hp/450ft.lbs of torque. No disrespect to you "G-Body_Vet" but if that was my car I would have laughed at you if you offered me $500 for that car :| The seller doesn't care if you don't want the car. The seller is trying to sell a car :idea:

Just my thoughts on that

I like 70's cars too but my point is that this car was/is destined for DEMO DERBY. So you can honestly tell me you'd offer a good price on this car? I've been haggling with people and playing this game for 20 years.

If I was in the market for this car it would definitely have a different outlook here.

From a sellers standpoint ... I would wait for somebody who is looking for that car to come along (unless your hurting for the cash)

From a buyers standpoint ... of course I would try to get it for $500, but I would be willing to pay more. From that particular picture, it looks like a solid car. Does it run and drive :?: Can it be driven away from the sellers house :?: or does it have to be towed :?:

I understand that these are not extremely desireable automobiles. But they still possess a decent "cool" factor 8)

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Here's the factors that limit my offer to $500.

-Says he's selling it for someone else and can't provide concise details yet
-Hasn't said whether it's a driver or a parts car
-Appears to have been junked or picked from a yard according to the markings on the fender
-He's been sitting on it since October
-The posting hasn't listed a price since it was created

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a fair deal but I'm quite familiar with how this demo derby game works. These cars are found for next to nothing, engine gets yanked and the rest is history. This car isn't being advertised as a roadworthy driver, it's on a demo derby site. He wouldn't give me a price, so that's the offer I made. I even said no hard feelings if we couldn't do business.

I'm not a bad guy to deal with :lol:
I know everyone likes to make a buck, but you can't cash in on something that doesn't have value.

 

[RITTER]

TRUE

Alright, you've convinced me. Has he responded to your offer :?:

 

[G-Body_Vet]

TRUE

Alright, you've convinced me. Has he responded to your offer :?:

Not yet but we'll see. There was mention of wanting to trade two '77-91 D-body Cadillacs for it so I'm not getting my hopes up. No big deal either way.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I think you were more than generous. That tank is only good for scrap value. $500 is exactly a fair price for a GOOD running 455 and I don't see where that has been determined yet. Also the 71' had good heads and low compression perfect for the street.