455 V8 Survivor: 1970 Buick Skylark GS

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The Gran Sport (GS) was the high-performance side of Buick since 1965 and is most often associated with the mid-size Skylark models. Since Cadillac didn’t produce a muscle car, the Buick GS was the most beautifully equipped GM sport model of its day. This 1970 edition of the Skylark GS with a 455 V8 is from the car’s heyday as GM didn’t allow an engine larger than 400 cubic inches before then. And the detuning process would begin in 1971 to help with the ecology. A survivor-quality car with a few issues, this nice GS is in Overland Park, Kansas, and available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $27,500 (or you can submit an offer).

1970 was the third model year in a row that Buick built more than 20,000 Skylark GS automobiles. Demand would trickle off afterward as the insurance industry had put a bullseye on the backs of muscle cars. While the GS 350 would be the biggest seller, Buick built 5,189 GS 455s that year, exclusive of Stage 1, 2, and GSX models. The seller’s car is one of those as verified by the VIN provided. It’s also a numbers-matching car.

The seller goes to a lot of detail in describing the pros and cons of his car, though the pros likely outweigh the cons. It’s a highly documented automobile and comes with its Protect-o-Plate, window sticker, sales contract, build sheet, and books and manuals along with prior registrations. Though not a one-owner car, most of its time was spent with the same family that managed the dealership where it was first purchased. While it’s a well-maintained and cared for automobile, it’s also been well-used as the odometer has turned over at 111,000 miles.

While purists would say it’s not a true survivor, the car’s single repaint in silver looks good, though it has a few blemishes here and there. There is a bit of bubbling under the vinyl top below the rear window which may have been caused by a water leak. That same leak has done some harm to the floor of the trunk which is covered with surface rust and a few small holes. If the source of the leak has not yet been corrected, that’s probably the first thing the new owner would want to tackle. The driver’s side lower fender contains a little filler from an earlier repair, and the front bumper may be a little askew.

Slipping in behind the steering wheel, the interior shows nicely with perhaps the only flaw being the black carpeting which has faded over time. The seller has some new woodgrain decals for the dashboard should the buyer wish to have them applied. If you turn the ignition key, we’re told the car sounds, runs and drives the way it should. The 455 V8 is paired with a TH-400 automatic, and it’s said to do its job just fine. The car has factory air conditioning, but the compressor is going to need a recharge. The gas gauge has gremlins and always shows full (what great fuel mileage!). New tires adorn the factory rally wheels.

In looking at the online price guides, a nice 1970 GS 455 can go for more than $30,000 and they are far rarer than their GM cousins, like the Chevelle SS or the Pontiac GTO. Dicker with the seller a little, fix the issues with the trunk, and you’d have a very presentable survivor-quality machine for the regional car show circuit.

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Comments

  1. Bob

    Nice car!

    Like 8
  2. local_sheriff

    Not a fan of that steering wheel, thought this was utilized in previous year Skylarks and not ’70…? However, someone apparently already snapped up a very hot Chevelle SS396 killer; 510 ft/lbs that’s a lot in a 51year old production car! 🤘

    Like 8
    • John Anderson

      Agreed, where’s the 3 spoke GS steering wheel?

      Like 4
      • jcglos

        The 3 spoke were optional.

        Like 0
  3. John S

    The car has some nice attributes. Too bad about the trunk floor.

    Like 4
  4. erik j

    Trunk floor should not be a big issue. I would think there are new floors around if you want to go that far. Nice car overall

    Like 3
  5. PRA4SNW

    SOLD. best offer accepted.
    It shows $26,500, but that is crossed out.

    Like 1
  6. CRAIG MORRISON

    Had that Buick 455..Wheel-spin for blocks..Thats what they had used tires for,20 bucks a month to keep rear tires on aint bad deal..lol..

    Like 3

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