The Buick GS (Gran Sport) started life in 1965, originally as a trim level on an existing model. Produced from 1965-1975, it eventually became a high-performance model in its own right, until the muscle car industry as a whole began to decline. This 1970 GS was made right in the middle of the run, and while it hasn’t necessary been “restored,” it has had plenty of things replaced, repaired and upgraded – it should need very little from the next owner. It’s up for sale here on eBay in Cape Coral, Florida. Bidding is at $18,100 with 24 hours remaining, and the reserve has not yet been met.

The quick success of the 1964 Pontiac GTO encouraged Buick to make their own muscle car. For 1965 Buick shoved a 401 cubic inch engine into the Skylark and called it the Skylark Gran Sport. They called the engine the Wildcat 455 due to its torque rating, and all Skylark Gran Sports, regardless of body style, received beefier frames and suspension. Over 16,000 GS-optioned Skylarks were sold in 1965, which told Buick there was definitely a market for it.

By 1970 GS had undergone many changes mechanically and cosmetically, and was now a model in its own right. Perhaps the biggest feature was that the 455 nomenclature no longer referred to the torque rating but the engine size – a massive 455 cubic inch V8 with 350 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque! A Stage 1 package was even offered that many testers believed bumped the hp over 400, although Buick claimed it was only 360hp. Either way, this was a mean machine. This particular Buick has a rebuilt 455 installed, and a rebuilt TH350 automatic transmission. It also has some upgraded ignition components. While it has about 84,000 miles on the odometer, the drivetrain is basically new, and will be a blast to drive.

The exterior of this car is really the only area that needs work. The two main spots are below the rear window, and the driver front fender. But, the rest of the car appears to be in very good condition. The paint looks shiny, the trim is bright and undamaged (although the piece in front of the passenger door is missing), and the wheels look fantastic. However, vinyl tops have the tendency to hide rust underneath, so potential buyers should be careful about that.

The interior is almost all new or repaired, including the door panels, the carpet, and the upholstery. In fact, the seller says the original bench seat was replaced by the buckets and console you see here, which is a welcome upgrade for many people. Even the tuck-and-roll style headliner appears to be perfect. I like the green paint color combo with the black interior. It’s not a color combo I’ve seen on a GS before, but it almost turns this into a bit of a subtle muscle car, compared to say the more common colors of red or yellow. A lot of work has been done to this car and very little is left, so the next owner should be able to enjoy it right away.