From 1965-on, the Gran Sport name would come to mean high-performance cars at Buick. These autos would be the most lavishly equipped muscle cars under the General Motors umbrellas as Cadillac did not participate in that arena. This 1969 GS 350 – based on the intermediate Skylark Sport Coupe – is numbers matching and comes with Ram Air induction for the car’s small-block V8. Located in Escondido, California, this Buick looks impressive and would be a terrific addition to a collector’s entourage. It’s available here on craigslist where the ante is $32,000. Our thanks to Pat L. for finding this sweet GS!
Initially, the mid-size GS models came with 400 cubic inch powerplants. In 1967, they gained a GS 340 counterpart for those buyers having a lighter right foot, and it was replaced just a year later by the GS 350. With optional Ram Air, the 1969 GS 350 produced 280 hp and 375-lbs.ft. of torque, making for a potent right-sized vehicle that came with all sorts of goodies. Buick would send 12,465 GS models out the door in 1969, of which 4,933 were the GS 350 like the seller’s car.
This ’69 GS has been babied for its 53 years. It’s a single-owner automobile with the original drivetrain under the hood. This model year had styling that was toned down a bit from the year before, whose profile might best be called “swoopy.” The car has traveled an average of just 1,000 miles per year. The seller describes the machine as a barn find, but this sure doesn’t look like a car that was left hanging around in a drafty old structure.
Everything looks to be in order here, from the silver paint to the black vinyl interior with buckets seats, and a console. No rust is evident, past or present, and all the chrome and glass look to be quite tidy. The same can be said for its Buick mag wheels from the factory. In excellent condition, Hagerty pegs one of these hot vehicles at just shy of $30,000, so this one is priced in similar territory. The seller will consider a partial trade for something built before 1975.
An Olds 350 4bbl in 1969 had the same 10.25:1 compression ratio and was rated at 310 hp with no OAI. Surprised that the hp rating on this is so much lower.
What was the torque?
Buick 350 torque is lower, too, (375 lb-ft vs 390 lb-ft for the Olds) but they both reach peak torque at 3200 rpm. Not knocking the GS engine at all, just surprised by the rating. I originally assumed Russ used the ratings from another engine application by accident, so I had to check. For a 350 V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, a 4 bbl, OAI, and dual exhausts, I would have expected a higher hp rating than 280. The low compression 2bbls Olds 350 in 1969 was is only 30 hp less.
I don’t know why the 69 4bbl Buick 350 was only rated at 280, but I think Buick usually underrated their engines.
For 1970 the regular 4bbl Buick 350 was bumped slightly to 285 hp, while the ram air 350 in the 70 GS was rated at 315. The GS 455 Stage 1 was only rated at 360 hp, just 45 more than the 350, but anyone who raced a Stage 1 back then, knew that figure was low! The Stage 1’s may have been rated lower than the Hemi’s, LS6’s, Ram Air I & II’s, etc, but they were just as fast, or faster.
The 69 Skylark was a good looking car, but I prefer the more chiseled look of the 70-72. I think they were the best looking of all of the 68-72 GM A-Bodies.
I’m an Olds guy with a ’70 A-body convertible, but I do agree that the ’70-’72 Buicks are great looking. It’s the interior styling, however, where the Cutlass takes the cake in my book.
Hi: my name is Joe, I like to know what the price on the car is? Can he call me at 813 998 6103 let’s talk Joe
Back about 35 years ago a neighbor had a 69 GS 350, I think it had a 4 speed though in it. It was a nice car, very nice design. I helped him change the rear end in it when the original blew up. I’m not sure what he got the replacement out of but the spring mounts were an issue as the replacement had different mounts on it.
My mother owned one of these that she bought brand new and when I turned 16 years old I took and passed my driver’s license test with that car and drove it alot, loved that car ,it was burgundy with black vinyl roof ,automatic on column.wish I still had it
Buick was known to underrate everything…I believe that stayed true through the early-’70’s. The 350 and the 400/430/455 were all torque monsters and would regularly prove it at the strip. The typical muscle car buyer was not who Buick went after. They were more expensive and they catered to a more affluent customer. They did a great job of keeping their abilities on the down low, so to speak.
I had a buddy in high school that had this same car only black with A/C , I had a 69 442 with a 400 and 400 turbo . I’d spot him 2 car lengths and get him by a half a car in our 1/4 mile (more like 3/8’s) . It was a beauty and fast enough to get him killed . I think about him every time I see a 68 or 69 GS .
My story on the 1969 Buick GS 350 is similar. My mom bought it new from Len Immke Buick in Columbus, Ohio. I took and passed my driver’s license road test in 1972 in the gold Buick. In 1974, I bought the car off my mother for the offered trade-in price of $800 when she got a new vehicle and used it to commute to Capital University. I kept it until near graduation in 1976. The GS 350 had good acceleration and a stylish body. But my memories are not all good. The black vinyl bench seats were scorching in summer and ice cold in winter. The car overheated and blew hoses and spewed hot coolant constantly. I finally found a gas station mechanic who found the problem on my first visit their and replaced the stuck thermostat. The drum brakes required regular turning and 1969 cars needed short interval oil changes and tune-,,(ups unlike cars today. My GS did not have air conditioning, (it was not popular then on a “performance” car) so was unpleasant to drive on warmer days. I love old cars and the styling and power but having driven them daily tells me 2022 is the good old days
You still live in Columbus, Lance? Several of us on here hail from there and remember Immke well, as well as other legends such as Norm Chesrown, and Bob McDorman.
I live in Dayton and own a 1969 GS400 4-speed car with a factory Chevy 12-bolt Posi, 3.55 gears, Rally Road and Ride Control (sway bars, boxed lower control arms, etc.). Signal Red with a Black top/Black buckets and only has 67K miles on it…pretty much as nice and original as you’ll find. It was purchased new at Jack Kitsmiller Buick in Lancaster, Ohio. I lived in Columbus until about 6 years ago.
Poppy,
I live outside of Columbus now but grew up there. I bought a new 1970 Duster 340 for $2700 from Bill Swad back in 1971… they had dozens of them to get rid of as the new models rolled in. Also bought a new Chevy Van in 1973 from Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington.
Mom bought our 69 GS at Bouchat Buick Natrona Heights Pa.brand new, and I loved the car but it did not have a posi rearend I special ordered a 1976 Buick Sport Regal there in 1976. Still have it ,it’s the same t top car as the Hurst Olds but it’s a Buick 38,000.00 original miles and in excellent shape
My Dad bought his Burnished Brown Poly w/Black bench interior 1969 GS350 4-speed car in December of 1968 at Tatone Buick in Fairborn (Dayton), Ohio. I was less than a month old. It was the first car that I remember riding in when I was about three years old. It was totaled shortly thereafter in a snowstorm.
I love this body style because of my childhood memories of seeing these bodies go by my street on car carriers going from Fisher Body #1 to the Buick plant in Flint, MI
Poppy, I first left for military service on the 1980s then returned before leaving Columbus for good in 1997. I bought 2 used cars from Chesrown Oldsmobile, (Cutlass blew an engine shortly after I got it and Chesrown worked out a deal on a used Thunderbird,). After my Army service, I bought a used Chevrolet Cavalier from Bob McDorman.I bought two used cars from Marte Pontiac after the Buick. Great dealership but they sold their 960 Morse Road building in 1982.