For most of its existence, Buick Division of General Motors had virtually no performance image. Instead, they were known for producing comfortable luxury cars a notch below Cadillac. The Roadmasters of the 1950s are nice collector cars today, but not because of their quarter mile times. It wasn't until the dawn of the muscle car era, 10 years after the fabled C300 Chrysler,  that Buick decided to get into the game. When they did, they made it pay big time.

Buick skipped a year, letting the 1964 Pontiac GTO, Oldsmobile 442, and  Chevelle SS test the waters with varied versions of the GM A body. Oldsmobile's 442  and Chevrolet's Chevelle 396 cube Z16 failed miserably saleswise, while Pontiac stole the show with over 30,000 GTOs going out the door. Buick saw a sales market, and they pounced in 1965. Beginning as a "package" option, the GS would go on to become one of the fastest muscle cars of all time, highly unexpected from such a manufacturer. Then again, a division based purely on class will eventually come out on top. It's the mindset that does it. Unfortunately, marketing and reputation prevail, which meant Buick and  its cars never got the recognition they deserved.

The 1965 Skylark Gran Sport was the intermediate Buick. Although a V8 was already offered in the Skylark, the Gran Sport had the largest engine permitted by GM; a 400  cube V8. This engine was actually a 401 but called a "400" by Buick because that was the engine size limit set by General Motors. Hey, who cares about one inch more or less? This engine produced  325 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm and was more commonly seen under the hoods of Electra 225s. 

Buick sold 15,780 Skylark Gran Sports in 1965 and almost the same number in 1966. This was an astounding accomplishment for a company who could only previously do 0-60 in under 12 seconds if you threw one of their cars off the Empire State Building.  The model  was renamed the GS 400 in 1967 and had a new "400" engine. Sales fell somewhat in the face of hot muscle car competition, amainly because of price, and Buick later introduced the Stage 1 option for 1969. This limited (less than 1,500 cars) version produced 360 hp  and 440 ft.lb. You wish. 


Gran Sport 340/350

A 340 cube version, the Gran Sport 340, was added for 1967. It produced 260 hp  and 365 ft.lb, and less than 4,000 were sold. It was replaced the next year with the Gran Sport 350, and similar Gran Sport California, which used Buick's 350  small block engine. Sales of the little brother Gran Sport doubled, and were up to almost 10,000 for 1970. The Gran Sport 350 outlived its big brothers, lasting until Gran Sport production stopped in 1975.


Gran Sport 455

The 400 was replaced for 1970 with the 455  Buick V8, used in both the GS 455 and GS stage1. The base model  V8 produced 350 hp  and 465 ft.lb. In the optional Stage1 trim it produced an underrated 360 hp  and a stump pulling 510 ft.lb at a low 2800 rpm. The real number was more accurately 415  to 425 hp due to the larger valves and stronger cam. 

Then again, who was counting as long as the cash flowed in? The lower horsepower numbers were used to get past General Motors Corporation imposed restrictions and insurance company concerns over increasingly powerful engines in  mid size cars, as well as an increasing number of youthful corpses. Everybody knew the game; divisions, set up as independent companies, "lied" to the parent GM execs about horsepower. In turn, GM execs sat there with dumb looks on their faces and feigned innocence when questioned by insurance companies who had to pay off on thousands of dead teenagers. Hey, they got away with in in the 1950s, why not try it again? 

The Stage1 option, when paired with an automatic, included a firmer shifting TH400. Output and sales were down after 1970 largely due to reduced engine compression ratios and a change from gross to net horsepower ratings. Air quality regulations further limited the power in part due to the addition of catalytic converters and single exhaust. Also, the insurance companies lowered the boom on muscle cars.


GSX

The GSX / GSX Stage1 was Buick's version of mental instability on 4 wheels, available on the GS 455 starting in 1970. It was not a very popular model and only 678 GSXs were produced in 1970; of those, 400 were ordered with the Stage1 option, probably by people with brain damage. Had I known about it, I probably would have bought one. GSX off the floor performance was equal to that of the Hemi Cuda. This was partly due to the light weight 455, which weighed 150 lbs less than the Chevrolet 454. A GSX could easily turn low  13's in the 1/4 mile on factory bias ply tires. If you met up with one of these on the street in the day, you looked the other way or you got handed your ass. Who would have  thought it, from Buick no less!

Available in only two colors, Saturn Yellow or Apollo White, all GSX's had the distinctive full body length black stripe which crossed over the rear spoiler and was outlined in red pinstripes. A large area of the hood was black with a hood mounted tachometer (Buick engineers disliked the hood tachometer because it was a Pontiac part) and black front spoiler. Also standard equipment were black bucket seats, floor shifter, wide oval tires, quick ratio steering and anti-sway bars. Some other options were the TH400 automatic transmission or four speed manual. A full mental checkup was recommended, but who cared back then. 

After 1970, the GSX became an option that was available on any Gran Sport. Many GSX's survive to this day and can be seen at the Buick Gran Sport Nationals held annually in Bowling Green, KY in the middle of May along with many other examples of 60's, 70's and 80's Buick performance models. The GSX and big block V8 were dropped after 1974. In 1974, the GSX consisted of a trim package on Buick's small, X-bodied Apollo. Whoopee.

History 

1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport



 The success of the 1964 Pontiac GTO encouraged Buick to produce a muscle car of their own. General Motors placed a corporate maximum of 400 cubic inches in their intermediates, but Buick just shoehorned their existing 401 cubic inch engine into the Skylark to create the  Gran Sport. Called the Wildcat 445 (due to its torque rating), this Buick engine dated back to the 1950s and was known as the "nail head engine" due to the small size of its valves. All Skylark Gran Sports, hardtops, pillared coupes, and convertibles  received the convertible's beefed up frame and  special suspension. The model was an instant success.

Production:
2D Coupe: 2,282
2D Hardtop: 11,351
Convertible: 2,147

Engines:
401 V8 325 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.

Performance:
401/325bhp: 0-60 in 7.8 sec, 1/4 mile in 16.6 sec @ 86 mph.



1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport




The 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport received more power and new styling for its second season. All Skylarks gained new rear sloping sail panels that extended the rear roofline beyond the back window while Gran Sports were distinguished by blacked out grilles, GS emblems, nonfunctional  hood scoops, and simulated front fender vents. The old 401 engine returned producing 325 bhp, but now there was a hotter 340 bhp version. This engine dropped 0-60 and 1/4 mile times by 1 second and 1/2 second respectively. Despite these improvements, the Buick's higher price compared to other GM intermediates resulted in a drop in production, with 13,816 produced.

Production:
2D Coupe: 1,835
2D Hardtop: 9,934
Convertible: 2,047

Engines:
401 V8 325 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
401 V8 340 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 445 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

Performance:
401/325bhp: 0-60 in 7.6 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.47 sec @ 90.5 mph.



1967 Buick GS 400




 For 1967, Buick got rid of its old 401 cubic inch engine and brought out a brand new 400 cubic inch engine as well as a new name, the GS 400. The new engine supposedly put out the same 340bhp as the top 401 engine, but was a more modern design; better running, higher revving, and sporting a futuristic air cleaner. Appearance wise, the hood scoops now faced forward but were still non functional. Performance wise, the  new 3 speed TH400 automatic was introduced. 1967 also saw the introduction of the "junior" GS, dubbed the GS 340 in honor of its 340 cubic inch engine. It was quick but was often overshadowed by its bigger brother.

Production:
2D Coupe: 1,014
2D Hardtop: 10,659
Convertible: 2,140

Engines:
GS340: 340 V8 260 bhp @ 4,200rpm, 365 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
GS400: 400 V8 340 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

Performance:
401/325bhp: 400/340bhp: 0-60 in 6.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.20 sec @ 95 mph.



1968 Buick GS 400



The Buick GS underwent a structural change for 1968, losing 3 inches of wheelbase and 4.4 inches of overall length. Overall weight increased due  to massive rear end styling and sail creases along the sides. The junior GS's powerplant received an increase to 350 cubic inches but the 400 cubic inch unit stayed the same. A new model was introduced, the California GS. Sold exclusively in California, this model was basically a GS350 with special "California" emblems  and trim, a standard two speed automatic transmission,  vinyl top, chrome exterior trim and wheels, and the DeLuxe steering wheel. A very rare dealer installed option was also introduced in 1968 and  upgraded the 400 cid engine with a hotter cam, 11.0:1 compression, stronger valve springs and a reworked transmission. Officially pegged at a mere 345bhp, or just a 5 bhp increase over the base 400 cid engine, experts believe that it was more like 390bhp and it dropped 1/4 mile times by 1 second or more. It was called the "Stage 1 Special Package" and was an indicator of great things to come.

Production:
GS350 2D Hardtop: 10,530
GS400 2D Hardtop: 10,743
GS400 Convertible: 2,454

Engines:
GS350: 350 V8 280 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 375 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
GS400: 400 V8 340 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
GS400 Stage 1: 400 V8 345 bhp @ 5,800 rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

Performance:
400/340: 0-60 in 6.8 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.2 sec @ 92 mph.



1969 Buick GS 400




To fend off increasing competition, the Buick GS finally received standard functional hood scoops for cold air induction. Buick claimed this increased horsepower by 8% and torque by 6% throughout the rev band but did not change the ratings of the engines. The GS350 and California GS powered by the 350 cid engine continued, but the big news for 1969 was the addition of two options for the 400 engine, Stage 1 and Stage 2. The Stage 1 boosted output to 345bhp while the even rarer Stage 2 boosted output to 360bhp.

Production:
GS350 2D Hardtop: 4,933
GS400 2D Hardtop: 6,456
GS400 Convertible: 1,776

Engines:
GS350: 350 V8 280 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 375 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
GS400: 400 V8 340 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
GS400 Stage 1: 400 V8 345 bhp @ 5,800 rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

Performance:
GS400 Stage 1 - 400/345: 0-60 in 5.8 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.4 sec @ 97 mph.



1970 Buick GS 455




 1970 saw the fastest Buick GS of all time. GM lifted its corporate ban of engines larger than 400 cubic inches in intermediate bodies and Buick responded by stuffing a brand new 455 cubic inch engine into its restyled GS. The 455 boasted bigger valves and a hotter cam than the 400, and was also mated to standard cold air induction through functional hood scoops. The 455 was rated at 350bhp and a stump pulling 510 lb-ft of torque @ 2800 rpm. This was the highest torque rating of any production engine besides Cadillac's 472 and 500 cid V-8s, and no engine achieved it at a lower rpm. 

If that wasn't enough, a Stage 1 package brought a hotter cam, bigger valves, and a revised carburetor. Buick said this amounted to 360bhp but most testers believed that it was more than 400bhp. To top it off, Buick also introduced the GSX appearance package. Available in only Saturn Yellow or Apollo White, the GSX package added front and rear spoilers, contrasting body stripes, meaty tires, hood tachometer, and  heavy duty suspension. All this added up the hottest Buick muscle car of all time, easily cracking low 13's in street trim. The GS350 was also available, but the California GS was dropped. The 350 V8 received a significant increase in power up to 315 bhp and 410 lb-ft. 

Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: 9,948
GS455 2D Hardtop: 8,732
GS455 Convertible: 1,416

Engines:
GS350: 350 V8 315 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
GS455: 455 V8 350 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 510 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
GS455 Stage 1: 455 V8 360 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 510 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.

Performance:
GS455 Stage 1 - 455/360: 0-60 in 6.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.8 sec @ 101 mph.



1971 Buick GS




1971 was the official beginning of the end of the muscle car era. Pressured by increasing government regulations, increasing insurance premiums and gasoline prices, GM decreed that all its engines must run on low lead gasoline, leading to a drop in compression ratios and a corresponding drop in power ratings. The 350 engine lost 55bhp to 260bhp while the 455 and 455 Stage 1 lost 35bhp and 15bhp to drop to 315bhp and 345bhp respectively. The GSX trim package was now available in a wide range of colors, including red and black.

Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: 8,268
GS Convertible: 902

Engines:
350 V8 260 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
455 V8 315 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 450 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
455 Stage 1 455 V8 345 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm.

Performance:
455/315: 0-60 in 6.9 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.3 sec @ 96 mph.



1972 Buick GS




Continuing government restrictions and a dwindling muscle car market would make 1972 the last year the GS was based on the Skylark line. Government regulations now required engines to be rated with all accessories in place, a "net" rating. Although the actual engine output hadn't changed from 1971, the power ratings dropped considerably. The standard 350 dropped to 195 bhp while the 455 and 455 Stage 1 dropped to 225 bhp and 270 bhp respectively. The GSX was still available, and the standard ram air induction piece changed from having two square induction pieces to one square one and one triangular one.

Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: 7,723
GS Convertible: 852

Engines:
350 V8 195 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
455 V8 225 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm.
455 Stage 1 455 V8 270 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 390 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm.

Table of Contents       Gallery