Everybody got in on the hi-po bandwagon in the ’60s, even staid Buick, known more for near-luxury sedans and a wonderful tourer called Riviera. The apex of all that action, at least for GM and its various divisions, was 1970 and Buick’s contribution was their great Gran Sport (GS). But even the GS came with available upgrades that guaranteed more go. For your review, we have one such subject in the form of a 1970 GS hardtop that is “Stage 1” equipped. Larry D found the listing for this Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania resident here on eBay where it is available for a current bid of $23,978 with the reserve not yet met.
Buick’s ’70 GS could win an award for being understated but then it is, after all, a Buick. The GS’ stablemate, known as the GSX, was a horse of a different color – you knew one of those when you saw it but production was minimal with only 846 assembled between ’70 and ’72. The ’70 GS, however, fared better with a total volume 0f 19,418 copies according to The Parts Place. And of that 19K total, about 2,600 came with the vaunted Stage 1 performance package.
So what’s Stage 1 mean anyway? It was a $115 option that included a lot of engine mods that increased the big 455 CI V8’s standard power rating from 350 to 360 HP. If you examine the actual internal changes, one would expect a pickup of more than just ten measly horsepower but this car was built in the days of SAE “Gross” HP measurements and those sometimes came across more as suggestions than actual facts. GM also had a thing about not wanting to appear to be supportive of wreckless high-performance street antics so they encouraged being on the down-low when it came to all matters of hot-footin’ it. One thing that is certain is that the Stage 1’s 510 lb. feet of torque would allow a so-equipped GS to be used for stump pulling duty. The seller of this GS states, “The vehicle runs great and is mainly used for weekend drives” further adding that it is all original and numbers matching. The mileage recording is 20K miles but there’s no claim or documentation in support of that reading. As is often the case, a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission handles all things gear-related.
Not surprisingly, that automatic transmission is column shifted as are many Gran Sports from this era. The bench seat/column shift arrangement was standard equipment – bucket seats and a center console were extra-cost options. No worries though, the interior, which appears to be upholstered in Sandlewood vinyl (the seller refers to it as two-tone green?), looks great. It may not be the sportiest set-up around but sometimes less can be more. Accessories include power windows and seat (all working) and A/C – operation unknown.
The exterior shows as well as the interior. Other than a little loss of luster with the Sherwood Green finish, everything seems to check out. The seller thinks the finish is mostly original and if it is, it has survived well, probably owing to proper storage. I have spotted what looks like a ding or two but nothing really notable beyond that.
The seller adds, “you can daily drive this car if you want to I just don’t have the time to use the GS” which I guess is his way of saying that it needs no attention. As for not having time to drive it, I’d make time, right?
Torque is king! These cars leave the line in amazing fashion with some tires out back. The true sleeper of the muscle car era. There is more energy that can be extracted from that power house. This is a good looking survivor, someone will enjoy.
All this, plus a good gear 3.64 or 3.42 or so from the factory w the Hydramatic autoloader = perfection.
beautiful body style for GM back in the day and this one in the first photo closely resembles a Cutlass Supreme which is my other favorite. I think it’s interesting that this model and the Cutlass share visual similarities whereas I can’t think of an instance where that occurs anywhere else in GM’s line. love the car not fond of the colors at all. nice fine good right up as usual..thank youJim. and this time not too many zeros. 😘
The magazines back in this era were all about the Stage one and Hemi shootout with depending on driver was a match. Really says a lot about the underrating of this engine as far as Horsepower
It was the torque . The Buick big blocks first job was to propel a “duece and a quarter” to highway speeds which torque is key . Putting that in a mid size with a few modifications equated to the “Hemi Killer” . Or as some of us Buick guys say “Fast With Class” . A 70 Cuda had 425 advertised HP , the 70 Stage 1 GS 360 HP , Torque was 490 and 510 respectively . Torque = quick .
One of my friends Dad’s had a 455 Stage 1 GS we used to sneak out late at night when he was out of town. All I remember is it was scary fast and wrapped your spleen around your spine when you got off the line. No question the torque that thing put out was massive. But I’m not sure you can call it a “Hemi Killer” when the ’70 426 Hemi was rated at the same 490 ft.lbs. Maybe it’s a question of who was lying more on their ratings at the time.
I drove my Hemi roadrunner on the street a few years before deciding to put it back on the strip where it ran A/stock and had over a 100 class wins at National trails in 1970 and 1971. The second time around it ran 10.60s with slicks and a roller cam. Never worried about let alone thought of a Buick but I do want to thank Walter Chrysler keeping Buick solvent and making them a great car brand.
I still have the roadrunner.
Love to see a build sheet ETC . Wonderful car if it is what it is claimed to be .
“The vehicle runs great and is mainly used for weekend drives”…no, this is a standard, eBay canned listing line of bull, again, pretty much every eBay listing states this. It’s silly, and not worth mentioning.
If this car is numbers-matching it is a great car. It has been for sale for a while so, something is holding it back. Probably the color and the auto on the column. Still, it’s a great one if it could be bought reasonably.
This car would be in my garage if it were a 4-speed.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned any rust issues – ‘cuz this one has. Now while some corrosion must be expected in cars 50+years I’m not expecting that when shopping around in 30k territory. Obvious bubbling behind LR fender, behind RR lip molding there are even chunks missing. Also evident are holes at the bottom of backlight molding.
A ’70 GS is indeed an understated true muscle car and this specimen’s colors in and out also adds to the understated look. Definately a brute machine that deserves respect and I’m sure it’d be a fun vehicle to own (except I just HATE the look of those OE 2spoke steering wheels), however at current bid that’s more than I’d be ready to cough up…
Where are the Buick historical docs and engine block #s etc?
Prove it is a true Stage 1 car. I don’t believe it.
I would have to see some documented proof as well, the Stage 1 cars are a pretty rare breed. Buick does not have a service similar to Pontiac Historical Services that I know of. A build sheet, long-time service history, sales documents, etc would all be helpful. I’m sure there are experts that can help identify a real Stage 1 car. If this was mine, I would have lowered the gas tank and looked for a build sheet, under carpets, under seats, inside door panels, etc. Spending the time looking could add big value to the car. Other than that, kind of cool with the power bench seat and windows!
Buick has some not sure how many records kept in the Sloan Museum. Have read they have a pretty substantial data base. Maybe some one can feel everyone in on this service.