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Thread: Help in Decoding 1970 Buick GS Trim Tag

  1. #1
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    Help in Decoding 1970 Buick GS Trim Tag

    Hi all,

    I have found most of my answers already, but am puzzled by 2 items on my trim tag. Can you help??

    1. What is the significance of the "Z" in the Trim Code "Z188"? I know that 188 stood for black vinyl seats.

    2. My paint code is "48 G". I know that the "48" is Sherwood Green. Does anyone know what the "G" is for? My car originally had a Dark Brown roof...according to Wayne Roberts. I am assuming he means a vinyl roof. Is the "G" an indication of a Dark Brown Vinyl Roof?

    Thanks for the help!!!

    JP

  2. #2
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    Not sure of the meaning of the Z in front of the trim code, it might help if you post a picture of the trim plate. According to my information:

    188 = Black Vinyl with Bucket-Type Front Seats
    48 = Sheerwood Green Metallic
    G = Dark green vinyl roof
    Sean Smith
    BCA# 42746
    MBCC# 2122
    SAH# 4186
    Buickman Award 2015

    1957 Special 4-door Riviera (hardtop) model 43

  3. #3
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    Here's a pic of the trim tag.

    Trying to figure out what the "Z" is in front of the 188 for the Trim.

    Also, the "G" on the PNT definitely means a dark green vinyl top? Wayne Robert's report back to me on this car said Dark Brown top, but that doesn't make sense to me. And the Body ID that Wayne gave me for my VIN matches this tag exactly, so I know we are not talking about 2 different cars.

    I have been pinging Wayne on this but no response yet.

    Thanks!
    Jeff
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #4
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    Here is a link to the 1971 chassis manual in the reference section of this website:

    http://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/71_chassis/

    Page seven of this file shows the vinyl top codes, I think it is the same for 1970:

    http://www.teambuick.com/reference/l...files/00-a.pdf

    F=dark brown
    G=dark green

    Hopefully someone else knows about the Z in front of the trim number.
    Last edited by Buford26; 02-22-2012 at 06:42 PM.
    Sean Smith
    BCA# 42746
    MBCC# 2122
    SAH# 4186
    Buickman Award 2015

    1957 Special 4-door Riviera (hardtop) model 43

  5. #5
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    A little late here, but The "Z" was typically used to indicate a non-recommended exterior/interior color combination. I may not have privilege to post pics (this may be my 1st post?), but there is a chart that shows all the color combo's as recommended, acceptable, or non-recommended and anything but recommend got the "Z." Interestingly, it did not take into account the vinyl top color but did take into account painted top colors. Black (& white) interiors however were recommend with ANY exterior color. I've been told the "Z" could also represent anything odd that was done by Fisher Body (would not incl. something done by Buick), but I've also wondered if someone simply forgot to take it out before loading the info for the next car.

    I also have a '70 GS 350 (Flint built - what's yours, the attachment above is no longer avail) w/a black interior (base "custom" or m/l Skylark interior) with a "Z" and I have no idea why, although it is a super oddball optioned car.

    On your top color (curious how you know for sure it came with brown originally?), it's likely either that that the order was changed somewhere along the line or that is was simply a clerical error when the car was invoiced to the dealer (remember this was all manually done) in which case I believe the window sticker would've been wrong too. On mine, the trim tag & the car clearly show a painted top but it did not show up that way from Wayne Roberts, which between that and the "Z" baffled the **** out of Wayne (I was able to get a hold of him after receiving the report).

  6. #6
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    1970 Color Compatibility Charts

    Here you go.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Larry

    1970 GS455 Stage1 Race weight 4025 lbs.
    TSP 470, 602 HP, 589 TQ
    MT headers, Gear Vendors Overdrive
    Best E.T. 11.54 Best MPH, 116.06
    1998 Riviera SC3800

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