Vehicle Description
It's still shocking to many classic car enthusiasts that the big,
bad muscle car Buicks don't get more respect from the collector car
market. With more torque than anything this side of a Chevelle, and
a unique combination of luxury and performance, cars like this
beautifully restored 1970 Buick Skylark GS Tribute should be on
every muscle car fan's list of favorites. Featuring a powerful 454
big block V8, a quick-shifting 4-speed manual, and styling for
days, this 'Gentleman's Hotrod' may be the best bang-for-your-buck
in our showroom right now, so you better read fast...
The relatively unknown prowess of the Buick muscle car can work in
your favor, however, because there's a ton of performance in this
car for a fraction of the cost of a big block Chevelle or GTO. This
car started out as a regular Skylark Custom, but during the
restoration, it was upgraded with a built 454 that's an even bigger
horsepower factory than anything found in a real-deal GS. Gray
Metallic is the color (an upgrade over the factory Code 63 Desert
Gold in our opinion), and it looks fantastic on the Buick's curves,
perfectly fitting with the division's performance mission. Bodywork
was done not long ago, and everything fits together nicely,
including the ram-air hood, which was part of the GS package. It's
been driven a bit and there's some very minor evidence of use and
blemishes (most of which is on the bottom portion of the car), but
nobody's going to complain about how awesome this girl looks in
person. Proper GS 455 badges were procured for the transformation,
including the one on the blacked-out GS grille up front, and a
newer black vinyl top was installed that adds a touch of
sophistication to this 'Grown-Ups' muscle car. Chrome is quite good
throughout, especially the heavy-duty bumpers fore and aft, and the
unique red-trimmed rocker panel trim adds a racy look.
The black vinyl interior is in good order, including correct seat
covers on both the front split-bench and back bench seats,
reasonably plush carpets that fully insulate the cabin, and nicely
turned-out door panels with proper GS badge inserts. The original
gauges are in good condition inside the factory bezel, and this one
features an aftermarket tachometer that was installed to mind the
revs, and despite the colors not matching, it fits in quite well.
But those gauges only cover the basics, so a set of auxiliary units
were neatly integrated into the A-pillar to keep the dash free of
clutter. Woodgrain applique on the dash warms things up a bit
inside, the original AM radio is still fitted (although an upgrade
is due), and the dash pad is in great shape with no cracks or
fading to report. And yes, this Skylark was indeed a factory A/C
car, although all the hardware is gone now and would need to be
sourced and reinstalled. The three-spoke steering wheel is in fine
condition and includes a Buick horn ring, while the cue ball atop
the chrome Hurst shifter is just a short reach away from the driver
and adds an appropriately racy atmosphere, almost taunting you to
get in and bang through the gears. "Come on, just around the block
to scare the neighbors real fast", it beckons. Out back, the trunk
has plenty of space to accommodate almost any Power Tour gear you'd
ever need, and the painted sheetmetal presents well and offers
another opportunity to showcase just how solid the bones of this
Buick really are.
The original wheezy block that powered this Buick is long gone,
replaced by a thumping 454 V8 that's been built right and has
plenty of horsepower on tap. With a Holley 4-barrel carburetor,
Dart performance intake, a lopey cam, and aluminum heads it's
definitely got the hardware to take some pink slips, and it all
feels like it's barely getting broken in. The block's been fully
detailed and is topped with finned valve covers and a chrome Holley
open-element air cleaner, and even the wiring for the HEI ignition
is neatly organized and the inner fenders and firewall were nicely
painted to really make the motor pop. The 4-speed manual
transmission has a clutch on the firmer side, and once it's
mastered it's a whole lot of fun, but most importantly it shrugs
off the horsepower going through it with ease and spins a
heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end out back. Fat sway bars front and rear
help this big body devour corners, while power steering and power
front disc brakes make each drive a pleasure. Long-tube headers
feed a Flowmaster exhaust system that sounds awesome and it sits on
ever-handsome Weld Racing wheels with staggered 225/70/15 front and
275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials that finish off
the killer look.
This is a handsome, fast, well-sorted muscle car from arguably the
best year for performance and power. If you've been searching for a
clean A-body with a big block, perhaps you've just been looking
under the wrong banner. Take a long look at this GS Tribute and see
if maybe you'd prefer a little extra luxury with your muscle, then
give us a call!
