When it came to muscle cars at General Motors, the Buick Skylark-based Gran Sport (GS) was the most opulent. But that didn’t mean it was any less potent. Take the 1970 GS 455 Stage 1 with Ram Air Induction. It produced 350 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft of torque at a leisurely 2,800 RPM. Production numbers were somewhat low and in the case of this example, only two were built as prototype show cars. Located in Houston, Texas, this fast beauty is available here on Barrett-Jackson where the auction will take place between 10/20 and 10/20/22. Hats off to Larry D for this rare tip!
While the standard set-up in a 1968-72 Buick GS was the 350 cubic inch V8, the GS Stage 1 with a 455-engine numbered 2,465 copies in 1970, with 1,785 of those having a TH-400 automatic transmission like the seller’s car. And all of this was had in what was GM’s more luxurious mid-size muscle car (Cadillac was the only division not in that market). This ’70 GS was one of two examples pulled off the assembly to serve as traveling show cars. One was converted to a GSX Stage 1 while this car received the rare Fireglow Pearl paint which was a great offset with a white and black vinyl interior.
Besides the hardware already noted, this Buick has a 3.64 posi-traction rear end and power front disc brakes, power steering, and some creature comforts that did not include factory air conditioning. Along with the GSX prototype, this car escaped the crusher which often happens after show cars have done their tours. A dealer managed to get hold of them and this one still survives at just 13,500 miles.
The automobile is a Certified Gold Winner at the Buick Performance Club Nationals and was featured in Hemmings Motor News as part of an issue in 2005. No mention is made if the car needs any cosmetic or mechanical work and it’s likely to trade at a lofty price at Barrett-Jackson. We presume that documentation will come with the GS that verifies its reported heritage.
Probably worth about what a #2 grade GSX would be. This car has had alot of press over time, and it’s well documented. I’ve seen a photo of it at the `70 Detroit Auto Show. Love the all-white interior.
I don’t recall ever seeing white dash and kick panels on GM cars with white interiors before – normally they are black. Was this something special for this show car, or did all Buicks with white interiors look like this?
The steering wheel, shifter, floor mats, rear pkg shelf, & steering column may all be unique being white colors too.
Surprised it has no cruise control, a/c, special spoilers or stripes/decals.
Awesome looking car. I hope it goes to a good owner.
Re: “…this car escaped the crusher which often happens after show cars have done their tours”
Several years ago at the Milwaukee Auto Show, I was lucky enough to do a few ride-alongs in various Jeep vehicles on a rugged, off-road course and I recall the factory rep saying that after the tour of auto shows, the Jeeps would be destroyed. Sad but understandable given the abuse they suffered.
ASSUMING these Buicks and other show cars from back in the day were basically trailer queens (?is that the case?) why would there be any inclination to destroy them once people are done ogling them? It seems like they could be donated (to museums or, like the Dodge Vipers were, to school auto shops, although those were eventually ordered to be destroyed) or sold or disassembled or… something.
Whatever is wrong w/ the world these days apparently started long ago.
Yea the white dash looks odd but, back when I was a teenager my best friend and I were in his parents 69 gto 400 350 horsepower. We pulled up to the light and setting next to us was a brown 70 stage 1 Buck. I had never seen or heard of a GS stage 1 455. Now their gto was fast and I never recall him losing a street race in it . Well we took of and that GS smoked us so badly I kept telling him are you giving it all its got and he kept saying ” I’m giving it all its got!” So to this day I have nothing but total respect for the mighty stage 1.
Give her all she’s got Scotty!
Yup thats the first white dash pad ive ever seen. A special
All I can say about this one is wow what a gorgeous ride!!!!!
My first car at 16 a 1970 Buick GS stage 1 . Sea mist green and a brown leather interior. Automatic on the floor . I saved my money from working , and went to the bank to borrow the money to buy a 66 chevelle w/a 427 and a 4 speed . The banker said you want to buy a car , I have a car , I told mom I don’t want a Buick I want Randy’s chevelle . Guess who won . Lost my license 2 weeks later and that wasn’t the only time .
My first car was a 70 stage 1 . Sure wish I knew what I had . That car was fast , it had studded snow tires on it when I got its 16 . They only lasted about a month . It did look cool 4 scratch marks for about 50 feet .
This is a well known car in the Buick world, and sadly has not over the years had the respect or care it’s due. It initially started life as a regular early production 70, but was fitted with an all white interior and clear glass, to showcase the redesigned luxurious 70 interior on the show circuit (alongside a pre-production GSX) The interior differed from a regular white interior as it was fitted with a white upper and lower dash, column and steering wheel, center console, shift handle, seat belts and floormats. It was also fitted with a very luxurious (Rolls Royce grade?) white carpet set. On a production GS all those items would have been black, The interior was said to be quite striking through the clear glass, and contrasted well with the production Fire Red paint. Since then, the car has passed from collector to collector, and not always treated well as one owner discarded the one-off floor mats and carpet as I understand it because they were too hard to keep clean. Interior aside, the car is still a great example of a well optioned, low mileage Stage 1 and I hope it goes to an owner who appreciated it as a car, not a disposable investment.
Legendary twist ⚙️ 🌪 from the big Buick 455.
Thank you very much, Russ Dixon.
I know this car well. I wrote the article about it when I worked at Hemmings Motor News. Stunning to say the least. The sad part is that it will sit in a garage and never get driven. You can’t blame the new owner. The deranged people today who have a driver’s license is scary.
@DeBorah & George Mattar
I think you mean “are scary”.