Vehicle Description
Cars such as this 1972 Buick GS455 tribute offer a ton of
performance for a fraction of the cost of a big block Chevelle,
never mind a real Buick GS. This car started out as a standard
Skylark, but during the build, it was upgraded to GS455 specs,
including a rumbling 455. Since it wasn't a super-rare original
piece, a few other liberties were taken with the build, and the
result is a gorgeous Buick with enough torque to change the Earth's
rotation.
Black is the color, and it looks fantastic on the Buick's curves,
perfectly fitting with the division's luxury/performance mission.
Bodywork was professionally done, and everything fits together very
nicely, including the ram-air hood, which was part of the GS
package. Proper GS 455 badges were procured for the transformation,
including the one on the blacked-out GS grille up front, and
there's a wing out back, just as there should be. There are a few
signs of use, of course, and it's not perfect, but the car looks
predatory just the way it is. Chrome is excellent throughout, and
the unique red-trimmed rocker panel trim adds just the right amount
of color to the Buick's black flanks.
The black vinyl interior has been restored, including fresh seat
covers on both the front and back bench seats, new carpets, and
reproduction door panels. Gauges are in good condition, and a big
white-faced Sunpro tach has been affixed to the right side. To help
monitor the engine's vitals, three additional gauges have been
added under the dash, and I think if this were my car, I'd try to
find a hood-mounted tach at a swap meet and bolt it on. The
three-spoke Grant GT steering wheel is in fine condition and adds
an appropriately racy atmosphere to the driver's compartment, as
does the B&M shifter between the seats. There's also an
AM/FM/CD stereo head unit with speakers throughout the interior and
a subwoofer in the trunk.
This car is more than just a badge job, and while the body was
being restored top and bottom, a rebuilt 455 cubic inch big block
was dropped into the engine bay. Up top there's a correct dual
snorkel air cleaner that inhales using the nostrils on the hood,
and reproduction decals were used to make it look authentic.
Long-tube headers bolster the already fat torque curve and the
Flowmaster exhaust system sounds amazing. There's also an aluminum
radiator with electric fan that keeps it nice and cool under almost
any circumstances. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission was
fully rebuilt, and spins a stout 12-bolt rear end. The stance is
exactly right, hunkered down but not too low, and the front
suspension has been recently rebuilt. Wheels are ever-handsome
Buick road wheels wearing 225/70/15 front and 275/60/15 rear
white-letter radials.
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.