Buick hit a home run in 1970 with the redesign of their intermediate Skylark-based Gran Sport. Coming on the heels of the 1969 version with its more controversial styling, the 1970 version was buttoned-down, refined and looked like it meant business. And with the “Stage 1” performance upgrade it did mean business. The issue for Buick, though, is maybe the Gran Sport was too buttoned-down so in mid-1970 the decision was made by Buick executives to jazz up the Gran Sport’s appearance to make it more visually eye-popping; enter the GSX. How much more eye-popping you ask? Well here is a sophomore year example from 1971, largely unchanged from 1970, located in Lumberton, North Carolina and available here on eBay for a current bid of $28,000. The reserve, as of this writing, has not yet been met and there is an optional BIN price of $49,995.
Originally the GSX came equipped with only a 455 CI V8 engine. The Stage 1 high-performance equipment package was available as an option too and all GSXs were finished in either Saturn Yellow or Apollo White. Other features included spoilers front and rear, stripes, a hood-mounted tachometer, bucket seats, floor shift and a limited-slip differential along with other features. Total 1970 production equaled 678 copies. For 1971, there were some changes including a standard 350 CI V8 engine and four additional colors, such as this example’s Cortez Gold, in addition to the prior year’s Saturn Yellow and Apollo White. Production plummeted to 124 units so this GSX is rare by any measure.
This subject GSX, with only 31,000 miles on its clock is, as the seller claims, “an amazing survivor.” I would have to second that statement. This car represents itself as new and unused. The Cortez Gold finish is flawless and makes me wonder how and where this Buick has been stored all of these years; obviously well and used little. There is no photographic evidence of damage or notable imperfections in its exterior other than a minor scratch.
As mentioned above, for 1971 Buick offered its 350 CI V8 engine as standard equipment in the GSX and that’s what you’ll find under the hood. It is a 260 HP version and operates through a Turbo-Hydramatic 350, three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states, “THIS CAR DRIVE JUST LIKE IT DID WHEN IT LEFT THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR.” I’ll take that to mean that this GSX runs just as it is supposed to and there are no concerns with the engine or transmission.
The interior matches the exterior in terms of its condition. It is a black vinyl bucket seat interior that looks like it has never been occupied. Again, the seller claims that everything works on this car just like it did when it left the showroom floor. The usual features are present including the center console, tilt wheel, clock, and AM/FM radio. It does not, however, have A/C. There are also power assists for both steering and brakes. It’s safe to say that it needs nothing.
This is a rare and desirable muscle car and is documented by the Buick GSX Registry. Between the current bid and the BIN price, you can get an approximate estimate of where the reserve has been set. Obviously, this would be a more valuable GSX if it had either of the 455 CI engines that were available in 1971 but the stellar condition and low mileage help to mitigate that difference. When I see a car like this Buick, I always think of the old adage about, “having your cake and eating it too”. It would be great to own and enjoy this GSX but every time it’s driven, the low mileage goes up and the condition potentially goes down. Nevertheless, I have always believed that if you are going to possess a special car like this, what’s the point of ownership if you can’t actually use it. How about you, what would you do?
I love the through the bumper exhaust on this. Very rare and desirable car. I had a 71 Skylark conv. and it was a great cruiser. This is a unicorn car for me, I’ve only seen two true GSX’s in person. GLWTS
This poor car has been flipped so many times for the last four or five years it is hard to tell if it’s right side up. Maybe a $30K car and I think that is about what it sold for. Don’t think you can call it a survivor with it being painted both sides from the stripe down… It did Not come from the factory with power disc brakes, FM, tilt or hood tach. Most of the Buick world knows the sad story on this one. :(
I’m a die hard Buick guy, but I’m gonna say it..I hate GSX’s. I know a lot of people feel they are the epitome of Buick muscle, but the stripes, painted headlight doors and spoilers just go the complete wrong direction for me. This car is nice, super nice but I’d take a straight GS 350 over it. No offense, seller- GLWTS
Well, Buick & Olds up to that point implied old man’s cars, but they were also tryin to get young people interested in their cars. Thus this car!
& I can imagine your reaction to the 1969 Hurst Oldsmobile HO/455.
Or the ’70 amc rebel machine!
Or the MONSTROUS bird on the hood of the ’79 anniversary t/a.
Or the 1969 AMC Hurst Rambler SC.
Or the huge COBRA II decals & snake on the hood of the ’70’s mustang II. lol
IMO, since ford & chrysler still had hi compression motors in ’71, the low compression V8 GSX should ONLY have come with 455!
This car as equipped may not be any faster than, or as fast as, a lighter ’74 GTO!
I’m not very far from lumberton..this seriously deserves a closer look and is a beautiful car..as it stands this very well could be the nicest one left..I’d actually be scared to drive it in traffic..just goes to show what the Lumbees have been hiding
nice car but to me a GSX with a 350 is kind of like going to Disney land and only riding the tea cups. fun but it could be much more fun.
260 hp ? Must be more like 3+
I’m not what you’d call a “butt man”, but in my opinion that is the finest posterior to ever grace an automobile.
Nice,,, but you know, that rattly door, oily motor $35 thousand dollar Bronco is a much better deal,,,,see how silly this all is? This car is worth every penny of what they’re asking.While the Bronco driver will be leaning forward, hitting their head on the roof, wandering from side to side, you’ll pass them with this, laid back,arm on the console, wondering, what were THEY thinking? Without question, the nicest car to come through here in a while.
I would take this over a Grand National in a heartbeat or a New York minute.
Dig the Buick GSX, the best of the spoilers and stripes groovy paint job super cars, never saw one until the very early nineties…a 455 powered one too. The 350….I get it, just a sign of the times. Just not breath taking like a Stage 1 455, not even close.
As a lifelong Buick fan I would personally still give the Grand National the nod if I were buying a car off of my bucket list. I’ve already owned a 350 powered Buick A body and I loved the car, but the refinements and creature comforts that come with being 15 years newer make the GN more appealing to me personally. Plus I’m not a loud stripes type of person, so that jet black paint job is perfect for my tastes.
hard to fathom 50 gs with a 350
Stage 1 455. The way to go. My 72 rivi has one. Awesome car.
That’s a bucket list car for me. Especially if it were a gs model.
My personal favorites are cars that don’t have spoilers, stripes and badges all over!!! I’m more of a sleeper type!! Nice car just a little to flashy for my taste!! Cop magnet!!!
I’d happily take this car
And then I’d do this to it.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/gs350-buick-455s-little-brother-deserves-due/
Me too!! I’ll even consider a 350 GS more seriously after seeing that article. Gonna save a copy of it too.