All The World’s A Stage 1: Low Mile 1972 Buick GS

This 1972 Buick GS Stage 1 convertible is one rare beast! Is it Shakespeare sonnet-worthy? Well, that may be pushing it a bit, but who knows? It’s a great find, though I don’t know who submitted it to our tip line. Regardless, thank you to whoever! With no further ado, and located in Brookfield, Wisconsin, this gentleman’s hot rod is listed here on eBay for a current bid of $22,100, with the reserve not yet met.

The sun was setting on the muscle car movement by 1972. Some will state emphatically that it was the end of the line, though that’s debatable. What’s not debatable is that ’72 marked the end of one of GM’s most successful versions (’68-’72) of their vaunted A-body intermediate. Sure, it would continue on in ’73, but it was essentially a completely different car. At this point, surcharged insurance premiums and the Clean Air Act of 1970 worked in tandem to tamp down the factory hot rod movement, and the impending ’73 fuel crisis was the final stake through the heart. And the move from gross (higher) to net (lower) HP ratings for the ’72 model year further advanced the notion that performance was on the way out. As for Buick’s GS, total production was light for ’72, with just 8,600 copies assembled in two-door coupe, hardtop, and convertible body styles. Where things get really interesting is when one considers the Stage 1 performance option; it only managed to muster 853 examples. Parse it a bit more, and according to conceptcarz.com, only 81 Stage 1 convertibles saw the light of day 54 years ago – a bit like hen’s teeth! Oh, and parse it a bit more? The listing claims only 39K miles of use, though there is no authentication of that recording.

So, what do we have here? Well, the VIN checks out as a legitimate Stage 1 GS. Visually, we have a sandblasted silver finish, marred with some minor contusions and a small amount of surface rust. The trim tag states that the original finish, code 65, is a red/orange hue, so it seems this convertible underwent a respray at some point. That said, I cannot detect any evidence of a color change. Basically, though, this GS is pretty straight and complete, with its most glaring issue being its top. Oh, and those tailpipes; anyone have a hacksaw handy?

Whereas Buick’s standard GS 455 CI V8 was rated at 260 net HP for ’72, the Stage 1 equipment (cam and valves) upped the ante to 270 net. As is often the case, a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission provides the rear-wheel hookup. The seller states, “It is drivable and perfect for weekend drives.” The engine compartment appears to be original and complete.

The saddle tan interior threw me off at first because it doesn’t seem to go with the silver exterior. The trim tag, however, lists the upholstery as being code 136, which is vinyl material in saddle tan.  Its condition is pretty fair, including the dashpad and carpet – it looks good. The original radio has been replaced with a DIN unit, but the born-with Sonomatic is included in the sale. The other deviation from stock is the trio of engine gauges perched beneath the center of the dash. There is a mini console in place, but this GS went the non-option route with a bench seat and a column shift. A/C equipped? Yes. Complete? No, the compressor is missing.

This is a special car. I’ve been watching the bidding over this past weekend, and it still seems light for what it is, and that’s despite its worn finish. Of course, there are another five days to go, and I imagine the pace and dollar value of the bidding will accelerate noticeably.  This will be one to watch, wouldn’t you agree?