Vehicle Description
It's still shocking to many enthusiasts that the big, bad GS Buicks
don't get more respect from the collector car market. With more
torque than anything this side of an LS6 Chevelle, and a unique
combination of luxury and performance, cars like this 1970 Buick
GS455 should be on every muscle car fan's list of favorites.
That 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. This car started out as a real GS455, but during the
frame-off restoration, was upgraded with a built 1972 455 that's an
even bigger horsepower factory than the original. Fire Red is the
color, and it looks fantastic on the Buick's curves, perfectly
fitting with the division's performance mission. Bodywork was done
a few years, 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 evidence of use, but nobody's going to miss
this big red Buford. Proper GS 455 badges were procured for the
transformation, including the one on the blacked-out GS grille up
front. Chrome is quite good throughout, 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 and back bench seats, reasonably plush
carpets, and nicely turned-out door panels. Gauges are in good
condition, and this one features an optional speed minder
speedometer. To help monitor the engine's vitals, three auxiliary
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 steering wheel is in fine condition and adds an
appropriately racy atmosphere to the driver's compartment and the
original AM/FM radio is in the dash, although it's probably due for
an upgrade. In the trunk there's a correct mat and large spare tire
that'll fit front or rear, just in case.
The original, numbers-matching engine was pulled and set aside
(it's included with the car), then the rebuilt 455 cubic inch big
block dropped in. With an .030 overbore, a Kenne Bell cam, and
10.25:1 compression, it's definitely got the hardware. Up top
there's a Rochester carburetor that matches the one you'd get on a
Stage 1 car, a set of TA Performance heads that were ported and
polished, plus those aluminum Buick valve covers. With 12,000 miles
on the build, it's broken in and ready to rumble The TH400 3-speed
automatic transmission shrugs off the horsepower going through it
and spins a correct 12-bolt rear end with 3.64 gears and a Posi
inside. Long-tube Mickey Thompson headers feed a 2.5-inch exhaust
system that sounds awesome and it sits on ever-handsome Buick road
wheels with staggered 215/70/15 front and 225/60/15 rear Dunlop
radials.
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 and see if
maybe you'd prefer a little extra luxury with your muscle, then
give us a call!