My first-ever experience riding in a bona fide muscle car was in a 1971 Buick Gran Sport, a day that changed life as I knew it at the rather young age of 14. It belonged to an older high school friend who lived in my neighborhood, and for some unknown reason, actually thought I was cool. One of the memorable things about that car was that it was also comfortable, and would still blow the doors off most other vehicles with the A/C running, but that was the whole idea behind the Gran Sport. Often deemed a gentleman’s muscle car, it combined power and comfort into a great package, with this 1970 model here on eBay appearing ready for the next owner to get behind the wheel of and enjoy. This GS is located in Clarkston, Michigan, and we’d like to thank reader Curvette for the great tip here! So far, the current bid of $22,100 has not met the reserve.
Standard in the Gran Sport for 1970 was a 350, a potent V8 offering 315 horsepower, which was enough to satisfy most buyers. However, an optional 455 upped the ante to 350, with the Stage 1 package tipping the scales at 360 HP, though that’s long been regarded as underrated. The seller reports that this one is a true factory Stage 1 car, with documentation from the GS Historical Society to prove it, but unfortunately, it’s no longer equipped with the original engine. A date-correct 455 is said to presently occupy the space in the bay, with a set of ceramic headers and an MSD ignition system among the upgrades. A Turbo 400 automatic handles the shifting, and the rear axle is said to have 3.64 gears, which is the factory-correct specification.
There’s no information provided on whether any significant bodywork has been done here, or if this one’s been so well cared for that it’s always looked this sweet outside. The owner states that this one is indeed an original Regal Black example, a hue that makes any imperfections underneath hard to hide. I’m not spotting any panels that don’t appear solid, and if any repairs have been made in the past, they all seem to have been performed to a high-quality standard. The sporty Buick wheels and Radial T/A tires also work ideally here.
The Gran Sport was recognized for its luxurious interior, and this one looks as good on the inside as it does outside. Factory items are said to include the bucket seats and console, with some aftermarket gauges and a Retrosound stereo among the upgraded components. The NOM appears to be the only downside here, with just about everything else ticking all the right boxes. What are your thoughts on this 1970 Buick GS Stage 1? Any speculations about where the reserve might be set?
What a beauty! This will undoubtedly bring some serious coin from a serious fan.
Southern Motors,,,Clarkson, Michigan….Had a few dealings with them, buyer beware= do your due diligence…
No pic of the trim tag, so, just taking the dealer at their word, if this is a factory regal black car, that’s a rare exterior color, but with burnished saddle interior, Buick couldn’t have made more than a few in this color combo. That alone makes it cool in my book. Not sure why the dealer does not include pics of the trim tag and the Wayne Roberts report that they state confirms the car as a legit Stage 1 though? I think BAT and proper pics, including the WR docs would serve the car better. On eBay, I highly doubt that it meets the reserve. Being a NOM, the price should be in more “affordable” territory. Hopefully it finds a new caretaker. It only needs a set of Polyglas to finish off the look.
The anti-Chevelle or Camaro. This is a beautiful car that you don’t see anymore.
Lots of people make claims of how rare their car is, but never seem to back up that claim with photographic evidence. The ad says “documentation from the GD Historical Society”, but where is the evidence and how to the GDHS verify this? Most GM vehicle require a window sticker, POP, or a build sheet. If a car has the original motor or trans, that can help to verify the car’s status. I’m actually shocked that more sellers fall short on adding any documentation, to the ad.
Original motor likely lost at the track 🏁
These Buicks were built for running.
as soon as i saw $22k I knew that original engine was long gone
NOM?
Non-original motor.
Google is your friend 😄
He’s on Google
I had a 70 Stage I for several years. 4spd, factory ac. A real rocket. Triple green.
David, I had the same car as yours only in gold. 24,000 miles all original including for 4sp and air-conditioning. Apparently those were pretty rare, (around 60 or so), but the problem was I was afraid to drive it anywhere. It even had the original glass and I was afraid to even drive it on the freeway for fear of chipping the windshield! Traded it for a later model Ferrari Monial (plus some cash) which is not a collectors item but is a joy to drive and it now my every day driver. The only thing I miss is the gut wrenching torque of my Stage1!
I had a triple green GS I bought in 1973, fast car but being a mopar guy I traded it for 72 Road Runner GTX Package with the air grabber in basin street blue.
I don’t see exhaust cut outs in the rear bumper , thought all GS had those ?
That was the N25 option code and was only available on the ’71’s and ’72’s.
Typical Ebay dealer description, bereft of the pertinent information that would authenticate the car. There are many GS cars out there with Stage 1 fender badges purporting to be the real deal, so a much closer inspection/investigation is required before ponying up Stage1 money for what presents as a very nice GS with a 455 motor.
What a beauty!
I owned a black on black ’71 GS Stage 1 (with the ultrarare 14″ rally rims) and although it was down on power from the ’70 it was still a very hard charging car that would smoke the hell out of most rubber available in those days. More importantly, the ’71 was far easier to live with on a daily basis because the lower compression and hardened valve seats let it live on the shitty fuel we started to get back then (and still do) and it let us use unleaded which was becoming the norm then. I often would simply shut off the A/C, put it on the brakes at c. 2,500 RPM and launch it at a stoplight, then watch the 4 speed Road Runners et al thrash around beside me while all I had to do is steer it straight. It walked away from just about everything on the street with it’s huge gobs of torque. The soft spot in those engines is their relatively poor oiling – if you pushed it much past 5,000 RPM you would likely lose the mill. Most muscle cars – including these – outlived their original engines for obvious reasons (automatics usually fared better than 4 speeds where a bit of overzealous throttle application could be the last time). Kenne Bell was our friend – they had all the good parts for those 455’s and were very helpful with advice regarding getting the most power out of the mill while keeping it alive. The car is a sleeper compared to most muscle cars – not unlike my current ’68 Cougar non-GT-E, W code 427 Cougar (no fake hood scoop, no quad tail pipes, no screaming birds on the hood or running down the side of the car, etc…..
The rear bumper (N25) was an option on 71 and 72 GS cars only.
My first car was a 1970 stage 1 . Sea mist green with brown leather interior. I wanted to buy a 66 chevelle with a 427 4 speed . Metal flake blue with blue velour interior . I saved my money as a 14 year old washing dishes in a restaurant . My mom took me to the bank to borrow the rest of the money . The banker said you should look at my car for sale . It’s a Buick . No mom I want the Chevelle . I got the Buick and lost my license about 2 weeks later then again and again . And again . I finally traded it in at Marty rip Chevrolet in Monroe Wisconsin while visiting my dad in 1977 . Would love to find that car again .
looks like the front springs are broken. this thing is laying on the ground. no info on replacement motor either. lot of questions.
My daughter was conceived in the front seat of mine over forty years ago. Ahh, good memories.
Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?
engine code between cylinders 5&7 and the code on the trans tag will tell the whole story if its live or Memorex. that simple
I don’t see the mileage on this car
Ended at $26100.
Reserve Not Met.
21 bids.