Except for Cadillac, all of General Motors’ divisions offered a mid-size muscle car back in the day. Chevy had the SS 396/454, Pontiac the GTO, Oldsmobile the 442, and Buick the Gran Sport. New for 1970 in the Buick was a 455 cubic inch V8 that – without the Stage 1 option – was rated conservatively at 350 hp. That appears to be what the seller’s car is, an original car whose second owner has only had it a year or so. Located in Wrens, Georgia, this Buick needs a little TLC and some cosmetic work. As such, it’s available here on craigslist for $24,750. We appreciate the heads-up from T.J. on this one!
The 1970 Gran Sport, which was based on the intermediate Skylark, was arguably the most luxurious GM muscle car, given Buick’s position in the corporate hierarchy. A little more than 20,000 GS Buicks were built in 1970, with 25% of them having a non-Stage 455 engine with an automatic transmission. This car’s original owner kept it for 52 years, putting most of its 96,000 miles on it. The seller is reluctant to let it go but has recently retired and has found another muscle car that better suits his needs (a 1987 Regal Turbo T).
Matching numbers is the name of the game with this Buick, engine and transmission. The car was built without a posi-traction rear end. It runs good for the mileage and the seller thinks that a tune-up might help it do a little better. The exhaust has a minor leak that could actually make it sound cooler. The GS comes with a plethora of paperwork from its original owner. The car has a current Georgia title though it was in North Carolina previously.
We’re told the body is largely rust-free, but the paint is tired, and the vinyl top is beginning to come apart. The seller painted the hood flat black (why?). The interior is generally okay, but one armrest is missing, the bucket seats have some tears, and you may want to change the carpet. Providing comfort, the Buick has factory A/C, but the seller doesn’t know if it works. Does this GS seem reasonably priced in today’s market?
Looks like there’s a wee bit of a vacuum leak going on…
I had a 1970 Buick GSX I found it in a barn in Salinas California I had it for a while my girlfriend she didn’t have a car and her mother well I sold the car so I could get them a car I ended up marrying this beautiful woman for 35 years now I know I wish I had my car so I sold my car for my beautiful wife
I can’t fathom what is going on in people’s minds these days. I wouldn’t pay half that asking price. Maybe 7-9k at most.
But on second thought, maybe that little hose pops into the air cleaner housing…
Yep, goes into the air cleaner.
Ford man thru & thru right here. However, there’s always an exception 2 the rule. I always have said that this vehicle is the ONLY non Fomoco car I’d ever buy. These cars scream. Period. And are sharp. Surprised by no posi tho. It came from NC to GA. WOW, I did too! After my career, I retired 90 miles from Augusta where this beauty resides. Okay Russ, ole buddy of mine, could ya plz get the Go fund Me Page started so my BF pals can start contributing? Thx. 😂 😂 😂
Back in ’78 I picked up a low miles ’72 GS with the 350.
Painted it ’72 Corvette blue and with the white bucket seats it was beautiful in my opinion. I reluctantly sold it when my first born came along. Truly the one car I miss and Ive had more than a few classics.
500+tq no posi be an absolute scream 🏁😂
Love the car but 24 grand & needs everything? Let’s not forget the Buick 455 was the last big block designed by a GM division & the lightest big block & certainly one of the best! But I think it’s over priced IMHO
Not overpriced when compared to a Chevelle SS. And despite being heavier, it’s faster from 0-60 than even an SS454. Take care of what’s needed and this one rocks!
Not with an open differential it isn’t. But might have a higher top end.
Those 455 cylinders that stuck down into the crank area had a tendency to crack and or break off under some real hp/rpm. Rare to find one in good shape these days. Loved the big bore short stroke of the 455.
#7&8 rod bearings starved for oil due to the 1/2″ gallery from the front as well. I always open mine to 5/8″ and radius the bend at the end.
The olds 442 and the Buick GS are my favorite muscle cars.
All the one-legged burnouts you want.
Dang! My brother ORDERED one in 1970, non stage 455 but it was only a console delete bucket deat 4 speed car with AC and loaded. Sold it to me in 1972; hated the insurance $$$ ! I was 17 and the baddest ass kid in High School. SS 396 Chevelles? LOL… 455 /442s? Hah! Even a pal with a 426 1970 Charger was nose to nose. NOTHIN’ COMES ALIVE LIKE A 455! 20 GS’s later I have a 72 Stage I GSX (one of 75), and my ’64 Special with a 465 (that IS four SIXTY five incher) with a 4 speed. Ein Blud, Ein Buick!
Was the Pontiac Trans Am 455 SD the same as the GS’s? My best friend had one of those and yes, it was impressive!
Looks to me that hood is a 71 or 72. The 70 has a scallop along the leading edge.
96000 miles without an air cleaner,amazing!
owned the car for over a ear and does’nt know if the A/C works? My 70 GS455 convertible is one of 18 with a 3 speed and a console less than 42000 miles
Actually, that is not a crazy price on this car. If the body is solid it could be a high money example without a huge investment. If I didn’t already have one I would be a buyer on this one.
Would it be possible for someone to come and take a look at your 1970 gs
Depends on where you live also have to understand it’s not for sale. I have copies of titles documenting mileage. I live in northern Illinois
I think the 70 is the best looking of them all, I had a 70 skylark convertible 350 that was a nice car but I really wanted the gs , this one is nice doesn’t look like any rust but the vinyl top scares me a bit. If I had the $$ I’d have a look at it.
the numbers russ mentioned are a little confusing almost 10,000 of 20,000 1970 gs were 350 , the other half were 455 and about half of those were non 455 stage gs, the ad is suppose to be about 455 gs , not 350 engine gs, my 2 cents
I had a 70 convertible with the standard 455. The car was a beige color with black dash and white upholstery. A fully loaded one with power everything, trunk opener, cruise and so on. I bought it in 1984 for 400.00 from a neighbor. I had a friend that worked at a Buick dealership and he ordered anything that was available which included fenders, rear spoiler, dash facia, grille and a few other items. Well of all things my mother gets in it while I am at work and off she goes and go she did straight into a concrete center divider. The crash destroyed the chassis, engine, and busted the tranny case. Its air cleaner hangs on the wall and the rest of the stuff lies instate in the rafters of one of my buildings. A sad end to a great car. My favorite of that year. I never found another like that and couldn’t justify the expense today.