Buick’s GS ranks among the most subdued ground-pounders of the classic muscle car era. Available in flashy colors like brown with a black vinyl top, the GS wore its muscle like a thug in a tailored suit, confident and calm until the situation called for lethal brutality. The 1970 to 1972 GS 455 delivered a driveline-twisting 510 lb-ft of torque, according to MotorTrend. When this 1972 Buick GS 455 Convertible hit the streets, the industry change from gross to net horsepower ratings dropped the numbers on paper only, and lower compression and other changes saw some legitimate losses, but the torque rating of 370 still demands respect, and nobody was bullying this Buick on Saturday nights. Russ Dixon brought this faded red ride to the halls of Barnfinds in this June 2024 post, and we’re responding again after a tip from reader numskal.
From a slate of comically horrible pictures, we’ll take this one to highlight the torn top and decent white vinyl interior. Power windows added luxury to this powerful drop-top. ThePartsPlaceInc documents 126 of Buick’s 1972 GS 455 convertibles not including another 81 with the 455 Stage 1 engine. Rarity only equals value if there is demand, but let’s hope someone gives this GS some love and puts this Waco, Texas classic back on the road.
The only engine picture suggests an earlier blue paint job. The seller describes this car as “all matching number,” and buyers will wisely validate this.
My aunt owned a red two-door Skylark from ’70 to ’72 and I remember this dashboard. She loved her “red bird,” and tried to buy it back after experiencing buyer’s remorse from its replacement, a sage green 1983 Mercury Lynx. Sadly the Skylark was already sold. This one appears to have a clock where one might want a tachometer. Maybe our Buick experts can confirm, but I think the climate control selections on the right include “A/C.” Confirmation of this and myriad other details somehow escaped the 29-word description. That chrome circle on the brake pedal typically came on disc brake cars, boasting about the latest technology.
Blue details suggest the car’s earlier and possible original color. Furthermore, red paint sprayed over stickers on the underside of the trunk lid hints at a, well, less-than-museum quality red paint job. The nifty through-bumper exhaust ports set the GS apart from lowly Skylarks. Nit-pickers might hold out for the peak-power 1970 version, a perception that might have fueled this car’s $27,000 Craigslist asking price. The trailer picture screams “flipper,” and the price is “obo,” so what’s your best offer on this long-parked GS ragtop?
I am kinda surprised this GS455 is still for sale. It has been on the market for a couple of years now. Just shows the lack of enthusiasm for Buicks as compared to their Chevy cousins. If this was a Chevelle in this same color combo, it’d have been sold within 72 hours of it being listed. Honestly, as more of a BOP guy myself, I’m fine with that. I much prefer driving a car that is not as popular, and even if it too receives the compliment, “nice Chevelle,” from time to time.
No lack of enthusiasm.
It’s the PRICE!
Like a lot of sellers these days the PRICE does not match the CONDITION given the amount of work needed just to make the car a decent driver much less a restoration.
This car will continue to remain unsold!
Overpriced. With a ripped convertible top.
I worked with a guy who owned a 72 454 Chevelle SS. He thought is was all that until one evening he was passing through Bowling Green, KY where a GS Meet was being held at Beech Bend Raceway Park. He said he saw all these Skylarks running around with stripes and small hood scoops. He said he stopped at a redlight and a green one pulled up on him. The light turned and he said he came off the line good, then he heard it coming. Said it went past him squatted down like a bolt of lightning. He said what rubbed salt in his wound was there 5 people in it and they were waving bye bye to him out the back window!
Cooter: probably was a 70 GS which was the fastest stock tested family car in the quarter mile in that year by one of the magazines at the time, I forget which. The Boss & the Hemi Cuda’s were too light in the rear & didn’t hook well enough with stock tires. Cool story!
What’s up with the left front wheel, I know the tire is flat but doesn’t that suspension look pushed back ?
The left rear looks like it could be out of whack too, although it’s hard to tell from the one photo angle.
Reminds me of my brother’s 69 Camaro after he put the HP 396 in it, and twisted the body with the torque.
Rear bumper is N25 option. Absolutely love @Cooters comment.
Nice knowing a Chebby got smoked!!
I agree with Art, that drivers side wheel looks like it went back maybe hitting the fender, it appears that there is a small bulge on the lower corner
I have lower a frame bushing be so wore out the rubber is gone and they let the tires rub and they move rearward. This could possible be the problem
The ad says “no scammers”. The only one, here, is someone asking $27K for a $5K car.
$5000 car? Maybe 15 years ago…
GSes were the most subtle of all muscle cars. Given that Buick put road wheels on Electra and Estate Wagons it took a keen eye to even spot the hood on these. This one likely needs a lot of work but is well worth saving. Somewhere there is a realistic price considering it’s not exactly turn-key.
Great cars, only 126 built 4G U code convertibles. I own one. Parts are hard to find and expensive. But when fixed up, they are a real draw. I think this one had a color change by looking at under hood and trunk paint. Maybe blue. The engine should be red. My car is yellow with black convertible top. Only about 10 were built with bucket seats and floor shift from factory and have a SCO on the data plate under the hood
Remember, 27k is his asking price. What he settles for when its all said and done is another story. On my Vette, the asking price was 18k, she let me have it for 10k after I pointed out what needed to be repaired on it. Inspect this one in person as the pictures don’t really help see the key issues. Love this car and if it was closer, I would make a run at it.
So , an engine rebuid would push upwards of 500 pounds of torque ?
That should get one to cruising speed easily , too bad its a multi year project
And
Too bad we can’t find decent labor…
Bad to the bone I had a 1972. It’s was not numbers matching but that car ran. Manifold bolts to head were an issue and keeping a rear end in them. Surely an SS killer.
How did your aunt own a red Skylark from ’70-’72, then trade it in on an ’83 Lynx?
Sometime in ’70, ’71 or ’72 his aunt purchased a Skylark and drove it until she bought the ’83 Lynx. We don’t know if that car was new or not but she likely got her use from the Buick.
Dream on the horse and torque was reduced u are about 120 to heavy on torque, but is rare does not bring the jack, a 70 does no where close!
Mr Haney you are right 270 hp and 390 torgue. I can only imagine driving a new 1970 with 345 510 torgue.
I don’t think the wheel is out of whack in the rear, I think you have an angle and a not your average rear wheel opening. I could be wrong.
Original numbers matching, No rust, what’s not to like if it’s true! Beancounters , flippers and Buick people will love this as bodyman costs are low, Numbers matching brings 5-10 k more as it gets done.
Conversely my ragtop skylark with no pedigree is cheaper and will only be a clone(yellow black GSX and the only automatic in the stable, at times the numbers matching cars are just too expensive to obtain out of reach, it’s not 1981 anymore.
This and the stage 1 were powerhouses with Magazine articles placing probably the stage 1 clocking quicker than a roadrunner Hemi.
Big shootout history.
I think it’s a fair starting price, I would do the same if I were selling.
We have seen other cars from other makers rotted to the gills, period correct or missing motor one out of blah blah blah go for way more needing more. Going for way more money.
It’s a great hobby, AND Big buisiness
I drove one in HS, mine was gold with white top. I was always getting pulled over by the fuzz, it was a flashy car for a HS kid.
This car was priced by the numbers. One of 126 if there’s no structural damage or existing rust issues the seller knows this car is a good candidate for an off body resto and you’ll have a rare classic head turner. So all the bean counters can forget the 5k crap. Someone with deep pockets will eventually buy this car and for 25 to 27k will get a steal.
bs!
bull, Very Much AGREED.
For someone that restores cars as a hobby and no an investment. Someone that 25k is like 25 hundred. Someone that happens to value rarity. It makes a lot of sense. No all hobbies are investments to wealthy people but us regular folks may not realize that.
Bull after a closer look at this car l stand corrected sir. There’s definitely something going on here with the suspension. Maybe structural damage? Probably the reason it hasn’t moved in years.Boy this crow tastes good.
Possibility a ball joint let loose and sent the tire into the fender. Seen it happen a few times!!
My restomod 1954 Centuty is blessed with the 455 and now the Holley SNIPER EFI 2 injection, soon to have the 700s4? tranny . runs like a champ.
What does that have to do with this car ?
Something that I was kinda scratching my head over also.
Guess it’s a Buick thing..?