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Mr. Jim Deppert is the proud owner of July’s Rad Ride. He brought in his 1971 Buick 455 GS Convertible to Dino and his team of technicians at the Westlake Rad Air. According to Mr. Deppert, his blue Buick is “an original survivor” with “matching numbers.”
Don’t know what ‘matching numbers’ are? At the time of manufacturing, car parts are stamped with many numbers to help organize the production process. The numbers on the parts will “match” to corresponding VIN numbers. A car with ‘matching numbers’ will still have the same engine and transmission it was manufactured with, however some classic car experts require all parts to be original. Some car enthusiasts consider ‘matching numbers’ cars to include cars with authentic new old stock parts to replace damaged or irreparable parts. Either way, finding a car with matching numbers is rare…and finding a mechanic or repair shop who can make repairs to these valuable parts can be difficult.
Like many car enthusiasts, Mr. Deppert tracked down the car’s history. Until 1986, only one other person owned the car. It spent most of its life in California, then Kansas and finally came to Ohio where Mr. Deppert found it for sale on a country road in Erie County. This Strato-Mist Blue automatic convertible has a sandlewood tan interior and is stocked with power steering, power brakes, factory air and a Rochester 4 barrel carburetor. Mr. Deppert adds, “And of course, 315 horsepower. Does a quarter mile in 14 seconds at 94 miles per hour.” Apparently, he likes to go fast. He and his wife enjoy the car and hope to add another classic vehicle to their garage someday soon. He says: “I would recommend everyone to become a car enthusiast. Everyone you meet is cool and there is nothing better than American Iron.”
Mr. Deppert is taking home a free oil and filter change, tire rotation, and safety inspection to use on any vehicle at Rad Air for being this month’s Rad Ride!
What is cool about your car? Submit a story and a picture to radrides@radair.com!