I enjoy all of the BOP A-Bodies. I think it's time we spread some love for the Gentlemen's version, the Buick Grand Sport. Nailheads available early: Hemi-Killer 510 ft*lb 455s late: I remember back in the mid 90's, during the St. Paul Midway cruising hey days. There was a triple black 70 GS that was the first car I had ever seen with the 3" Buick One exhaust setup. Man that thing sounded killer. Before my time, dad had a 70 GS, silver with a black vinyl top. Any time that car comes up at family gatherings, the car people aunts and uncles claim that his Buick was wicked fast with that 455. What say you guys? Is the Grand Sport worthy to be included with the others?
My youngest brother's first car was a '70 GS. I used it to get to work a few times while my Mustang was down for repairs and it was a great driving car.
I had a 70 GS 350, pretty quick but nothing like the 455. Sold it like a dummy, have a pic someplace, where not sure. The GSs were good solid almost bullet proof muscle cars. The 350s had 315 hp and 375 lb-ft torque vs the 455s 350 hp and 520 lb-ft torque. My understanding is that the only thing the GS had vs run of the mill engines was a bump in compression, no special cams etc I believe. Dan
Per Hot Rod regarding the stage 1: Conservatively rated at 10 horses more than the standard 455, this top factory option added a hotter hydraulic cam, stiffer valve springs, increased oil pressure, 3.64:1 limited-slip gearing, a richened-up Quadrajet carburetor, recalibrated ignition timing and auto trans functions, and the previously mentioned oversize valves in the standard GS455 cylinder head castings.
The 350 came in 70 Buick 350 came in three different versions. The premium wideblock 350 toted 10.25:1 compression and had a reported 315HP. I personally think it was underrated. My 2 dr custome has that engine and it was wickedly quick. I had visions of adding GS goodies to it since my initials are GS. But the wife talked me into giving it to her middle son. So it sits waiting for some tlc. If everything else gets done ( not likely) and he hasn’t done anything with it, I might just have to reclaim it.
'64 and '65 Skylark GSs are one of my favorite cars, and I had a pretty solid obsession with '70-'72 GS and GSXs when I was younger. I'd love to have a Lime Mist '71 at some point. Brian Bass has a pretty tough looking '65.
I grew up with a friend who moved to Cali from Ohio when we were in 5th grade. He returned when we were in HS (early 70s) driving a '65 Skylark GS, yellow w/black roof, 4spd. Used 29 qts of oil from San Bernadino back to Ohio. We swapped in a 327 he got from his stock-car racing uncle Walter. Used ramps, a chain fall, and an oak tree. My first engine swap! I've always had an affinity for those early GS's ever since! Thanks for bumping the memory @Anderson !
I love em! Never seen one with the little 1st Gen Camaro trunk spoiler before (car on the right). I'm used to seeing the with the wing like the one on the left. Also, big fan of the hood tachs!
Why were these and 442s were mostly automatic cars????.... You hardly ever see those with 4-speeds...
Never heard of a switch pitch converter being considered as adding an extra gear to the transmission. But that is the only way I can see that they are calling a th400 a 4 speed automatic as the windshield sign is claiming.
1967 was the last year for a switch pitch T400. Further down on the sticker it does say turbo 400,so just a miss print
I love BJ's. I mean Barret Jackson window stickers. I have known of many fakes and forgeries to have crossed that block. some caught, some not. This one of one color "fireglow" looks to be hugger orange (Chevy) or carrousel red (Pontiac). All the same paint code. Hmmm.
It may look off in the pictures, but I assure you it was very very different from hugger orange. It was almost pink.
I prefer 4 speeds as they are more fun to drive IMO, but automatics are faster. Not a lot of 4 speed quarter record holders out there. My 442 is an auto, more than once I considered the swap. I'd give up some tenths of a second for the fun of rowing gears.
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