Sheltered in an enclosed car carrier somewhere near Bellport, New York, a “muscle car” fully worthy of that name awaits a new owner to finish its restoration, twist its key, and lay down two black marks with a simple squeeze of the Go Pedal. If a 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 sounds boring, call 911 and ask them to check for a pulse. Over 80 bids here on eBay have driven the market value beyond $10,000.
With many parts stripped to bare metal, it’s easy to see the imperfections. Some builders leave their hot rods in bare metal for a cool industrial look and to show off the seams of their chopped tops and other metal work. Many pictures and an excellent account of the car’s original equipment accompany the listing. The seller has pledged to include aftermarket and NOS parts according to the final selling price; the higher the bidding, the more parts come with the car.
My Aunt had a Skylark of this vintage, a red two-door with black interior, black vinyl roof, and the 350 engine, so I remember this classy dashboard and the “Disc Brakes” lettering on the brake pedal. Other options include power steering and beefy TH400 automatic transmission. The seller knows his Buicks and decodes options such as bucket seats and full-length console. This one appears to have gained some extra switches, perhaps “Oil Slick,” and “Eject Passenger.” I don’t think James Bond ever drove a Stage 1 Buick, but he would have relished it.
Buick rarely built the flashiest cars in the GM line-up. Buick appealed more to those who like to “walk softly and carry a big stick.” Designed with copious torque in mind, the 455 cid V8 made an advertised 350 HP and a foundation-wrecking 510 lb-ft of torque. The Stage 1 option included higher-compression heads, bigger valves and cam, and have proven to make closer to 380 HP on real-world dynomometer tests. Thanks to hemmings.com for some details. Where do you think bidding will end on this Christmas-list-Topper?
The monster that kept up with or outran the Hemi? Big nuts
Both of those cars were highly modified, neither was representative of a production line car.
Steve R
A highly modified Hemi, is a Top Fueler!
Missing the chrome valve covers.
Still just a buick. Nothing to see here.
Yes just a Buick I wouldn’t mind owning.
So true, these cars are monsters in good tune.
Nothing to see because the GS is already across the finish line and parked while the competition is still going through the motions! :)
You don’t need to see it. With this car you feel it. This is the “King of the Hill.”
Bellports not far from the Atlantic and was flooded in Sandy and later Noreasters, I’d look it over closely. Not far from where we lived a few years ago.
That aint your daddys buick. Unless he was a bad ass. There is a 70 gs 400 close by for sale. red and white for 12k has all the induction stuff, orig. paint. is that a deal? craigs in Spokane,wa fyi
No, because there is no such thing as a 1970 GS400. There was a GS350 and a GS455. Now, if it’s a GS455, it could be worth it. Only a close look will tell.
The remains of what must have been a mean looking machine long, long time ago all dressed up in black.
The cylinder heads and compression were the same as a regular 455 except the larger valves.
Guy local to me owns an autobody and is multiple Buick owner. I believe he has the triple black sister to this car. Dont remember if his is stage 1 or not. Either way is a sinister car. He casually races his, love watching it run. Would love to own this one.