Buick GS
When the Buick Gran Sport was released, it represented an attitude that was unheard of in the American car market and hardly ever seen anywhere else. As the premier brand in the General Motors lineup, luxury was of paramount importance. As one of the oldest car makers in history, the Buick name came to represent the rich history of American automotive engineering and impressive performance. When the GS package was released as a package option for the Buick Riviera in 1965, it was not only one of the most luxurious American cars ever made but also one of the most powerful. That sentiment was carried through to the mid-1970s and became a name that was immediately recognized by car enthusiasts all around the world. In this article, we cover the famed Buick GS throughout its 10-year production cycle.
1965-1975 Buick GS History
Before the introduction of the Buick GS, the company, founded in 1899, was not particularly known for the sporty nature of their vehicles. In the early years, their focus was firmly on the luxury camp. By the 1960s, it became increasingly obvious that high-power, lightweight, sports cars were the next step forward. With the introduction of cars like the Pontiac GTO and Chevrolet Impala SS, General Motors embraced the muscle car craze with open arms. Buick released their first OHV V8 engine in 1953, marking a new era of performance for the brand. Buick was known for their straight-8 engines prior to their V8 endeavors.
By the end of the 1950s, the Buick “Nailhead” V8 was a staple in many of Buick’s higher-tier models. Despite the respectable 325 horsepower output, the Buick Nailhead V8 wasn’t a popular engine among hotrodders initially. However, once it became known that you could squeeze much more power out of the V8 with engine modifications, hot rodders began to take notice. In the early 1960s, the Buick Skylark was their most popular vehicle. The Buick GS was born out of the Skylark’s success and the want from customers to have a more muscular version of the luxury sedan.
The first Buick Skylark GS was released in 1965 and was an immediate hit. In the first year, Buick sold over 15,000 Skylarks with the GS package. Included in the package was the largest V8 engine available in the entire General Motors lineup, a 401 cid Nailhead Buick V8. While the Buick GS remained an iconic vehicle, most muscle car buyers were more focused on performance than luxury. As a result, it was often outsold by cars like the Pontiac GTO and Chevelle SS.
Buick GS Competition
Before we delve too far into the Buick GS itself, let’s first talk about the stiff competition that it was up against. The mid-1960s was an unquestionable golden era for American cars. As newer engine technology, like overhead valves and performance carburetors, became widely used, horsepower figures increased and increased. In a similar way to the space race, the American car giants were in a race themselves, yet for performance and to capture the emerging muscle car segment of car buyers.
Some of the most iconic American cars ever made were the product of this period. Due to the sheer number of fantastic cars coming out of Detroit at the time, the Buick GS got lost in the pack somewhat. A lot of that boiled down to the fact that Buick had never been known for their high-performance vehicles. As a result, they had to fight their own reputation in addition to competing models.
Throughout the Buick GS’ production cycle, its most serious rivals included the Pontiac GTO, Oldsmobile 4-4-2, and the Chevrolet Chevelle SS. While the Buick GS had a lot going for it, and many unique characteristics, it was often the more expensive option that didn’t quite offer as much performance. If we look at performance exclusively, the GS is a very comparable machine to its competitors, especially in the earlier years. However, with a base MSRP of almost $3,500 more, converted for inflation, the Buick GS was a hard sell over Chevy, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile’s offerings.
1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
Buick ventured into the world of muscle cars and created their own masterpiece following the triumph of the 1964 Pontiac GTO. Despite General Motors setting a limit of 400 cubic inches on their intermediates, Buick ingeniously incorporated their 401 cubic inch engine from their full-size cars into the Skylark, forming the Buick Skylark Gran Sport. Nicknamed the Wildcat 445 due to its remarkable torque rating, this engine, known as the “nail head engine” for the size of its valves, originated in the 1950s. Buick beefed up the convertible’s frame and overhauled the suspension for all Skylark Gran Sport models, including the hardtop, pillared coupe, and convertible. They also added heftier anti-roll bars, improved front brakes, and valved shocks with uprated springs.
The GS package for the Skylark wasn’t cheap by any means. In 1965, the GS upgrade cost $253 in basic trim, $420 with the option of a four-speed manual, and $457 with the Super Turbine 3000 automatic. In today’s figures, the top GS package equates to $4,519. Despite the hefty price, the model was an instant success, with nearly 16,000 units sold in 1965.
| 1965 Buick Skylark GS Production Figures | |
| 2-Door Coupe | 2,282 |
| 2-Door Hardtop | 11,351 |
| Convertible | 2,147 |
| 1965 Buick Skylark GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 325 bhp @ 4,400 RPM | 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 1965 Buick Skylark GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 7.8 Seconds | 16.6 @ 86 mph |
1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport
The 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport received more power and new styling for its second season. It was also the first time that the GS stood on its own four wheels as an independent model of the Buick Skylark. All Skylarks gained new rear sloping sail panels that extended the rear roofline beyond the back window while Gran Sports were distinguished by blacked-out grilles, GS badging, nonfunctional rear-facing hood scoops, and simulated front fender vents. The old 401 engine returned producing 325 bhp, but now there was a hotter 340 bhp version. The hotter version of the Wildcat V8 came with a mighty Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carb that boosted horsepower noticeably. This engine dropped 0-60 and 1/4 mile times by 1 second and 1/2 second respectively. Despite these improvements, the Buick’s higher price compared to other GM intermediates resulted in a large drop in production, as only 13,816 were produced.
| 1966 Buick Skylark GS Production Figures | ||
| 2-Door Coupe | 1,835 | |
| 2-Door Hardtop | 9,934 | |
| Convertible | 2,047 | |
| 1965 Buick Skylark GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 325 bhp @ 4,400 RPM | 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 340 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 445 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| 1965 Buick Skylark GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 7.8 Seconds | 16.6 @ 86 mph |
| Wildcat 401 V8 | 7.6 Seconds | 15.4 @ 90.5 mph |
1967 Buick GS 400
In 1967, Buick got rid of its old 401 cubic inch engine and brought out a brand new 400 cubic inch engine as well as a new name, the GS 400. The new engine put out the same 340bhp as the top 401 engine, but was a more modern design, better running, higher revving, and sported a futuristic air cleaner. Appearance-wise, the hood scoops now faced forward but were still non-functional. Performance-wise, a new 3-speed automatic was introduced, which many testers performed over the 3 and 4-speed manuals. 1967 also saw the introduction of the “junior” GS, dubbed the GS 340 in honor of its 340 cubic inch engine. It was no slouch either but was often overshadowed by its bigger brother.
| 1967 Buick Skylark GS Production Figures | ||
| 2-Door Coupe | 1,014 | |
| 2-Door Hardtop | 10,659 | |
| Convertible | 2,140 | |
| 1967 Buick Skylark GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| 340 CID V8 | 260 bhp @ 4,200 RPM | 365 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 400 CID V8 | 340 bhp @ 5,000 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| 1967 Buick Skylark GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| 340 CID V8 | 7.8 Seconds | 16.6 @ 86 mph |
| 400 CID V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 15.2 @ 95 mph |
1968 Buick GS 400
The Buick GS underwent a drastic structural change in 1968, losing 3 inches of wheelbase and 4.4 inches of overall length. Overall weight increase due in part to massive rear-end styling and sail creases along the sides. The junior GS’s powerplant received an increase to 350 cubic inches but the 400 cubic inch unit stayed the same. A new model was introduced, the California GS. Sold exclusively in California, this model was basically a GS350 but with special “California” badges and trim, a standard two-speed automatic transmission, a vinyl top, chrome exterior trim, and wheels, and the DeLuxe steering wheel.
A very rare dealer-installed option was also introduced in 1968 and it treated the 400 cid engine with a hotter cam, 11.0:1 compression, stronger valve springs, and a reworked transmission. Officially pegged at a mere 345bhp, or just a 5 bhp increase over the base 400 cid engine, experts believe that it was more like 390bhp and it dropped 1/4 mile times by 1 second or more. It was called the “Stage 1 Special Package” and was an indicator of great things to come.
| 1968 Buick Skylark GS Production Figures | ||
| 2-Door Coupe | 10,530 | |
| 2-Door Hardtop | 10,743 | |
| Convertible | 2,454 | |
| 1968 Buick Skylark GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| 340 CID V8 | 280 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 375 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 400 CID V8 | 340 bhp @ 5,000 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| GS400 Stage 1 V8 | 345 bhp @ 5,800 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| 1967 Buick Skylark GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| 340 CID V8 | 7.8 Seconds | 16.6 @ 86 mph |
| 400 CID V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 15.2 @ 95 mph |
| GS400 Stage 1 V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 15.0 @ 98 mph |
1969 Buick GS 400
To fend off increasing competition, the Buick GS finally received standard functional hood scoops for cold-air induction. Buick claimed this increased horsepower by 8% and torque by 6% throughout the rev band but did not change the ratings of the engines. The GS350 and California GS powered by the 350 cid engine continued but the big news for 1969 was the addition of two options for the 400 engine, Stage 1 and Stage 2. The Stage 1 boosted output to 345bhp while the even rarer Stage 2 boosted output to 360bhp.
| 1969 Buick GS Production Figures | ||
| 2-Door Coupe | 4,933 | |
| 2-Door Hardtop | 6,456 | |
| Convertible | 1,776 | |
| 1969 Buick GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| 340 CID V8 | 280 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 375 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 400 CID V8 | 340 bhp @ 5,000 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| GS400 Stage 1 V8 | 345 bhp @ 5,800 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| 1969 Buick GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| 340 CID V8 | 7.8 Seconds | 16.6 @ 86 mph |
| 400 CID V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 15.2 @ 95 mph |
| GS400 Stage 1 V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 15.0 @ 98 mph |
1970 Buick GS 455
1970 saw the greatest Buick GS of all time. GM finally lifted its corporate ban of engines larger than 400 cubic inches in an intermediate body and Buick responded by stuffing a brand new 455 cubic inch engine into its restyled GS. The 455 boosted more displacement, bigger valves, and a hotter cam than the 400 and was also mated to standard cold air induction through functional hood scoops.
The 455’s were rated at 350bhp and a stump-pulling 510lb-ft of torque. This was the highest torque rating of any production engine besides Cadillac’s 472 and 500 cid V-8s, and no engine achieved it at a lower rpm (2,800rpm). If that wasn’t enough, a Stage 1 package brought a hotter cam, bigger valves, and a revised carburetor. Buick said this amounted to 360bhp but most testers believed that it was more than 400bhp. To top it off, Buick also introduced the GSX appearance package.
Available in only Saturn Yellow or Apollo White, the GSX package added front and rear spoilers, contrasting body stripes, meaty tires, hood tach, and a heavy-duty suspension. All this added up the ultimate Buick muscle car of all time. The GS350 was also available, but the California GS was dropped. The 350 V8 received a significant increase in power up to 315 bhp and 410 lb-ft. Not bad for a small block.
| 1970 Buick GS Production Figures | ||
| GS Coupe | 9,948 | |
| GS 455 2-Door Hardtop | 8,732 | |
| GS 455 Convertible | 1,416 | |
| 1970 Buick GS Engine Options | Horsepower | Torque |
| 350 CID V8 | 315 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 410 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 455 CID V8 | 350 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 510 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| GS455 Stage 1 V8 | 360 bhp @ 4,600 RPM | 510 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM |
| 1970 Buick GS Performance | 0-60mph | 1/4-Mile |
| GS400 Stage 1 V8 | 6.5 Seconds | 13.8 @ 101 mph |
1971 Buick GS
Comments: 1971 was the official beginning of the end of the muscle car era. Pressured by increasing government regulations and increasing insurance premiums and gasoline prices, GM decreed that all its engines must run on low-lead gasoline, leading to a drop in compression ratios and a corresponding drop in power ratings. The 350 engine lost 55bhp to 260bhp while the 455 and 455 Stage 1 lost 35bhp and 15bhp to drop to 315bhp and 345bhp, respectively. The GSX trim package was now available in a wide range of colors, including red and black.
Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: 8,268
GS Convertible: 902
Engines:
350 V8 260 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.
455 V8 315 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 450 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
455 Stage 1 455 V8 345 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm.
Performance:
455/315: 0-60 in 6.9 sec, 1/4 mile in 15.3 sec @ 96 mph.
1972 Buick GS
Comments: Continuing government restrictions and a dwindling muscle car market would make 1972 the last year the GS was based on the Skylark line. Government regulations now required engines to be rated with all accessories in place, a “net” rating. Although the actual engine output hadn’t changed from 1971, the power ratings dropped considerably. The standard 350 dropped to 195 bhp while the 455 and 455 Stage 1 dropped to 225 bhp and 270 bhp respectively. The GSX was still available, and the standard ram air induction piece changed from having two square induction pieces to one square one and one triangular one.
Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: 7,723
GS Convertible: 852
Engines:
350 V8 195 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
455 V8 225 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm.
455 Stage 1 455 V8 270 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 390 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm.
1973 Buick GS
Comments: With the end of the Skylark based GS, the GS banner was carried on by a GS option on the 112 inch wheelbase Buick Century coupe. This was distinguished by discreet decals, blacked-out headlamp surrounds and grille, fat wheels and tires, and the only manual transmission option in the Buick lineup for 1973. Gran Sport engine options started as low as a two barrel 350 cid V8 producing a mere 150 bhp (net), but started to get interesting with the 225 bhp (net) 455 cid V8 option, which was available on any Century coupe.
Exclusive to the Gran Sport, however, was the 270 bhp (net) Stage 1 455, which had camshaft, carburation, and air cleaner changes and came standard with a Posi-Traction limited slip rear end. Few cars for 1973 were faster than a Stage 1 455 Buick GS, which shows how far performance had fallen by this time. Only 728 Stage 1 GS’s were sold in 1973.
Production:
GS 2D Hardtop: ?
GS Convertible: ?
Engines:
350-2 V8 150 bhp.
350-4 V8 195 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
455 V8 225 bhp @ 4,000rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 2,600 rpm.
455 Stage 1 455 V8 270 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 390 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm.
Performance:
455 Stage 1 – 455/270: 0-60 in 8.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3 seconds @ 90 mph.
1974 Buick GS
Comments: The GS name moved over to the Apollo platform for 1974. The once mighty 455 V8 was dropped. The GSX package was still available, and consisted of a Rallye steering wheel, a special suspension, power front disc brakes, styled wheels with trim rings, sport mirrors, a stripe package, and body side molding. Engine choices were either a two-barrel 350 V8 rated at 165 bhp, or a four barrel version rated at 175 bhp. A total of 1,562 GSX’s were built.
Production:
Engines:
350-2 V8 165 bhp.
350-4 V8 175 bhp.
1975 Buick GS
Comments: The GS name moved back to the Century platform for 1975 but it was just a mere shell of its former glory. True Buick GS production ended in 1972 and Buick performance would not surface again until the turbo-charged Buick’s of the mid 1980s.
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