If you were looking for the most luxurious muscle car on the market in the 1960s/1970s and wanted to go GM, you turned to Buick as Cadillac had no such auto. From 1965-72, Buick offered the Gran Sport (or GS) on its Skylark mid-size series, although other Buick brands would also be issued with GS trim. This ’71 edition with the 455 Stage 1 set up has had a frame off restoration which was documented to the tune of more than $100,000. Located in Hawthorne, New Jersey, this Buick is available here on eBay with a reserve that is yet to be met at just shy of $60,000.
The muscle car market was cooling off by 1971 and Buick was equally effected. After selling 20,100 Skylark GS units in 1970, that number dropped by more than half to under 9,200 the next year. The Stage 1 with a 455 cubic inch V8 and a TH-400 automatic transmission accounted for production of just 801 hardtops, which would include the seller’s car. This machine was professionally restored two years and has seen just 3,000 miles of use since. The seller says no expense was spared it redoing the car, including installing all new glass; stripping and sandblasting the vehicle before applying new paint; detailing the undercarriage; and the list goes on. Too bad not many “before” photos are included.
The engine was both rebuilt and tuned and we’re told that it turns 450 hp on the dyno with 536 ft/lbs. of torque – more than what it would have left the factory with. Everything is numbers matching and the seller provides more pics of the numbered components than of the exterior of the Buick. When it was repainted, the black and orange striping was done to mimic the more elusive GSX model, which itself saw just 124 copies made in 1971.
These cars are perhaps the most sought-after machines that Buick ever built. A true Stage 1 is worth in the high five-figures and a GSX can easily top $100,000. The seller tells us he’s set a “reasonable” reserve for this car, but how much north of $60,000 would that be? If this GS is as nice as it’s portrayed here, it’s not going to go cheap. It will be interesting to see if this auction in fact finds a buyer.
Nice looking Buick.
The N-25 through the bumper exhaust option was very rare, if this can be documented as original equipment on this GS that would help to justify a high reserve.
GSX didn’t bring anything else to the table than this lovely lady that I can see, whatever the price it’s worth it…I’d even add the X cuz it earned it…insure it high and drive it as meant…sorry big Buick fan….
Oh my! I can’t think of any A-Body I’d rather own than one of these. This looks spectacular. GLWTA
That steering wheel is out of a 442. Buick wheels were 3 spokes,
Yep.
Awesome car! Friend of mine raced one back in the day that came from the factory with radio/heater/wiper delete – it was white also- no stripe. Had the dealer added Stage II package. Very quick!
Hate to burst your bubble, but Olds 442 was top of the heap. (Higher MSRP)
Sorry but no such thing as a wiper delete on these. The 442 may have cost more but the Buick was faster.
The 442 did not cost more, that’s a lie.
Totally debatable, Paul.
I would also posit that the 442 interior felt more luxurious and upscale, not to mention that they handled far better than the GS.
Oh baloney…you’re full of it. Buick was higher in the GM hierarchy. Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet…in THAT order. The Buicks were a cut above the Oldsmobiles, stop spreading BS.
Hate to burst your bubble…but, you are wrong, lol.
strock it was 360 HP – 510 foot pounds so it’s been juiced pretty good …doesn’t say what was done to it to gain those 90 extra ponies
The Buick dealer in my town had a solar white GSX just like this only a 1970 (faster). I wanted to trade my 66 Buick GranSport in on it but only being 18 they wanted a cosigner. My dad wouldn’t so I paid cash for a used 67 Z28 instead for 1/2 the price. It was my birthday present to myself LOL
love that buick, bad too the BONE
bumper off a 72 not a 71
……just curious, what makes you think that 71 bumper is a 72?
Had a 1969 GS best car I ever owned would love to still have it
The rational self stopped the almost 53 year old me from thinking of selling house to buy this beauty but not having home to park her.
Ended May 11. No sale as reserve not met