Muscle cars were all the rage in 1969, especially with mid-size automobiles. Over at General Motors, you had the Pontiac GTO, Chevy Chevelle SS, Oldsmobile 442, and Buick’s Gran Sport (or GS). The GS was the most opulent of the quartet, as befitting Buick’s position in GM’s hierarchy. This ’69 GS looks to have been off the road for ages and has the rare Stage I performance option. From Vacaville, California, this 1 of 832 is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,500.
In the late 1960s, GM had an edict that its intermediates would be limited to engines displacing 400 cubic inches (that would be dropped in 1970 to remain competitive). Buick built 19,257 Skylark-based Gran Sports that year of which only eight percent had the Stage I package that boosted horsepower from 340 to 360. This was a “torquey” setup with a 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, 3.64 gear ratio, dual exhaust, and a TH-400 automatic transmission (2/3 of the time).
Other than this GS being a rare find today, the seller offers relatively few details. It’s said to be a one-owner car, but does that include the seller as one photo shows it on a trailer? We’re told it’s solid but is it complete as the front clip is shown as disassembled and then not? The engine is apart at one point, indicating it may now be a mechanical jigsaw puzzle. The mileage is reported to be 81,000.
This GS has a bench seat interior instead of bucket seats, and what we see looks good except for the steering wheel. Rust may not be an issue given the car’s time in sunny California. Depending on how much work is needed here, this car may or may not be “priced to sell” as the seller ascertains. These Stage I’s are desirable cars if you can find one that makes sense with your budget.
If matching numbers or documented it’s a steal.
Steve R
It was a decent price prior to this guy taking it apart. It was originally for sale for 8k, complete. Also has some nasty rust thru on the cowl, that of course this seller conveniently leaves out of the pics. These stepchildren don’t bring big money, Stage 1 or not, fully restored, you’ll struggle to get 50k for it, so best be doing the work yourself and not adding up hours spent because you will never recoup your time. Just the reality of the Buicks prior to 1970. I like them, but they just don’t have the following of the 1970s.
I disagree, I believe the 60’s Buick have a greater following that the 70’s. It is all personal but I think the pre 1968 years was the best styling and packaging.
Great pkg offered from the Buick division.. the Stage 1.
Not sure opulent is how I would describe a Buick GS. My 1969 350 had the hot in summer/cold in winter vinyl bench seat too. My THM was column mounted. GTO and Chevelle and 442s were frequently optioned with bucket seats and floor mounted automatic were popular. The Buick 350 4bbl and 400 bbl and later 455 4bbl V8s all had plenty of horsepower and torque so they more than held their own. But my GS had power drum brakes while Chevrolets advertised power disc brakes on Chevelles and Camaros. So the Buicks I saw for the era did not have the luxury seats and trim or opulent equipment of a Riviera or 225 nor the sporty equipment the other GM divisions pushed hard to sell options. Many muscle car buyers said no to air conditioning so as not to reduce power even slightly.
I never understood how the Buick A bodies were more “opulent” than the other GM cars. The Pontiacs, Chevs, and Olds A bodies were the same except they were better looking. The Buicks were awesome cars and the 400, 430 and 455s would run with any of them and were faster than most.
But they didn’t look as good.
Not sure opulent is how I would describe a Buick GS. My 1969 350 had the hot in summer/cold in winter vinyl bench seat too. My THM was column mounted. GTO and Chevelle and 442s were frequently optioned with bucket seats and floor mounted automatic were popular. The Buick 350 4bbl and 400 bbl and later 455 4bbl V8s all had plenty of horsepower and torque so they more than held their own. But my GS had power drum brakes while Chevrolets advertised power disc brakes on Chevelles and Camaros. So the Buicks I saw for the era did not have the luxury seats and trim or opulent equipment of a Riviera or 225 nor the sporty equipment the other GM divisions pushed hard to sell as options. Many muscle car buyers said no to air conditioning so as not to reduce power even slightly.
I had 1970 GS 455 Stage1 with an M20 and it toasted many of those previously mentioned muscle cars. It was a true one-of-one as it was ordered in 1964 Corvette Daytona Blue (a $75 option) with white interior, steelies and dog dishes.
I own a 70 GS 455 black on black turbo 400. Love the car and after owning it for 26 yrs I am still amazed at the power. Car has not been wet during our time together. the car has won many awards. The car has all the goodies as a GSX..Buicks are very underrated by street racers and can susprise many big dollar checkbook hot rods.
why would you take rad support out to pull the motor? only reason i could figure is your stupid and probably should not have tools. why rip the motor apart if you’re not going to do the rebuild again another stupid move. if you want 10k should have left well enough alone so the buyer could determine how they should proceed.
Another confusing set of photos. Is it torn apart, is it in one piece? Only the Shadow knows. If guy tore this thing all apart and is now trying to sell it, it is nothing more than a pile of parts that I don’t believe are worth much.
If I had to guess, I’d say the picture of the car in the garage looking together was how this guy found the car. The pictures of it torn apart are most likely the result of what he’s done to it, and its’ current state.
Dan I tend to agree with you about that. I think that he bought the car cheap and thought that he can fix it but upon taking it apart he discovered that there is more work that he can handle and not having the money it requires to get it the way it should look and so he relisted hoping to make a few bucks. I say good luck to him but it’s not worth it.
Imagine some of the beatings that car must have taken-
yes, sir just look at the beating it just got from being in the guy’s hands. car needs to be saved quick or else it will be toast.
Where are all these Buiks coming from ??,,,I hate it when someone takes it apart then wants to sell it,,LEAVE IT ALONE !