Vehicle Description
1972 Buick GSX Stage 1 Tribute. 455 V8 Automatic Transmission.
Power Steering. Power Brakes. Front Disc. Custom 5 spoke rims 1 of
2 set made. Hood Tach and correct working intake. If can't find a
factory GSX, this post factory GSX Tribute is absolutely gorgeous
covered period correct Sunburst Yellow paint correct black
stripping and GSX badging. This GSX is an is outstanding Priced at
Just $38,500. Terry 952-451-2104 GSX History. It's somewhat ironic
that the final year of GSX production offered the most choices and
sold, by far, the fewest cars- only 44 cars left the factory in
1972 with the GSX option. There are many reasons why the production
itself was so low- it's no secret that the entire industry was
turning away from the high compression muscle car bu 1972-
emissions requirements were taking hold and the game was changing.
Buick had great plans in place when GM made the unilateral decision
to lower compression effective with the 1971 model year in order to
run unleaded fuels. An entire proposal for a factory racer was
withdrawn, and future focus changed from power to fuel economy.
"What'll she do" became "What'll she get." The changing landscape
combined with the redesign of the GM intermediate bodies created a
very logical transition point for the GSX. The new bodies were
originally intended for 1972, but the long GM strike and the
adoption of new bumper regulations pushed the new model back to
'73, so the existing bodies were continued for one additional year,
and although GSX sales were minimal, there was no reason not to
offer it a final time for 1972. The package itself had deteriorated
to three cosmetic options on the GS coupe, and that approached was
retained for 1972 amid an even wider range of choices- the number
of GSX colors increased from six in 1971 to twelve, and in addition
vinyl roof coverings were offered for the first time, in four
colors. Stratomist Blue, Arctic White, Seamist, Heritage and Hunter
Greens, Sandalwood, Burnished Copper, Cortez Gold. Fire Red, Silver
Mist, Sunburst Yellow and Flame Orange were the exterior colors for
1972, and the newly optional vinyl roofs were offered in black,
white, beige and brown. Divide the total production of forty-four
cars by twelve colors and the average is about four cars in each
color. When the roofs are considered (and they were tracked), it
turns out that eighteen of the cars were finished in unique, one
off exterior combinations and the most produced in any one unique
exterior combination was five units. Interiors were a bit more
consistent- fifteen cars had white bucket seats, twelve had black,
and only three cars had unique interior choices- one each of Saddle
bench seats, white notchback, and black notchback. Powertrain wise,
24 of the 44 had the 455 Stage 1 engine, 4 had the base 455, and 16
were equipped with the 350. Forty of the forty four were
automatics, so the four speed is extremely rare- only two Stage
1's, one base 455, and one 350 are so equipped. Chassis options
were freeflow as in 1971, but remember that the option is still
limited to GS coupes. Production spanned the entire model year,
with the first invoice being generated on September 9, 1971 and the
last car produced on July 3. 1972. In all, the last GSX serves as a
fitting close to a unique and exciting chapter in Buick's history.
The extremely low production and high degree of one off examples
makes them particulary exciting to collectors and so far the GSX
registry has documented seven survivors. Hopefully that means the
rest of us have a chance at discovering the missing 37 in barns and
garages nearby. If you do see one, let us know. We have a trailer
and everything.
