Buick joined the mid-size muscle car race in 1965 with the Gran Sport, based on Skylark hardtops and convertibles. They became quite potent over the years, including the 1970 GS Stage 1 with a 455 cubic inch V8. The seller’s car is from 1970 and looks like a Stage 1, but the dealer’s wording implies the car might be a clone. A VIN or documentation would help clarify that, but none is offered. Located in Hammonton, New Jersey, this recently refreshed automobile is available here on eBay for $45,900 OBO. Thumbs up to “Curvette” for the tip.
Assuming this car is a real GS, more than 20,000 of them were produced in 1970. And nearly half came with a 350 V8. Another 5,500 copies had the 455 V8, and 2,500 more had the Stage 1 option that brought Ram Air induction. Unlike some other performance cars, this would be the Gran Sport’s second-best sales year and one of the last before engine detuning began to take the muscle out of the genre. The car’s odometer reads just 23,000 miles, but the seller makes no claim about it, and a lot of things have been done to the car contrary to what you would expect for the mileage.
For a dealer that specializes in performance and vintage cars, we’re surprised a better attempt at authenticity isn’t made. The package includes a rebuilt 455 engine from 1971 paired with an automatic transmission (TH-400?). The car comes with factory air conditioning that has a new compressor,and it’s a well-equipped machine with the likes of power windows. The paint is new, but the color doesn’t strike me as a 1970 hue (a pic of the cowl tag would help). The bucket seat interior has also been refreshed, but they didn’t vacuum it out before taking the photos.
The Buick sits on new tires backed up by new brakes. We’re told that parts are hard to find for these vehicles, and it took them years to round up the correct pieces. However, this statement leads us to suspect a clone: “This is a correct car in every respect except for a few items; it’s not a Stage one.” Whatever the case, it looks like a solid Buick and Gran Sports are rarer than Chevelle SS 396s and Pontiac GTOs.
Nothing like dirty carpets and mud on the tires on a 40k car.
Another over priced dealer car!
Beautiful looking car. The only thing I’d change are the gauges. I’ve never liked warning lights. They’re an okay supplement to the gauges, but I’d much rather see needle gauges, similar to that of the tach and the speedometer. Otherwise the car looks awesome!
Agree with bobhess, SAD presentation of a nice GS. Stage1 who knows without docs. Color is definitely off for the Gold. Seen many at the GS Nationals not that color.
Clone to me = junk
Would be embarrassed to tell anyone at a C& C even that it’s a fake! 25k for me. Not even a manual. Wow BF you got some winners today!!!
Amen. I never got the whole clone thing. One of the coolest things about a muscle car is its history. I don’t need a 350-2 Skylark Custom with some Chinese made emblems and engine swap. I also think a lot of less knowledgeable people are getting ripped off by less scrupulous second and third post-clone owners.
this car has been for sale since last year. this dealer is about 50 miles from me. he has been around a long time. most of his stuff is incorrect high price junk. i was told by a close friend that years ago a famous celebrity sued him over a GTO they sold him that was falsely represented during the sale. buyer beware
In one picture it has painted valve covers, in another picture it has chrome valve covers.