1970 Buick GSX Hardtop

On General Motors' prestige ladder, Buick was traditionally positioned a step below Cadillac. It was an elegant and dignified car that was often described as a 'doctor's car.' As the muscle car era rumbled to life even Buick entered the fray with Grand Sport versions of several models. By 1970 the horsepower wars were in full force with factory big blocks contesting virtually every bleach box and stoplight. GM lifted its 400 CID limit on intermediates and Buick quickly dropped 455 cubic-inches into the restyled Skylark GS.

On the heels of Pontiac's GTO judge, Buick added the colorful GSX. It arrived with rear spoiler, body stripes, hood-mounted tach and Saturn Yellow or Apollo White paint. The Stage I version boasted bigger valves, ported heads and a hotter cam among other performance upgrades. Of 678 GSX's built in 1970, only 400 enjoyed the Stage I's 360 horsepower and 510 ft. lbs of torque. Enthusiast magazines of the day gushed over low 13 second quarter miles passes.

The current owner has owned this rare four-speed GSX since 2003 and recently treated it to a restoration. The owner also has a white 1970 GSX which gets driven regularly. It was his dad's GSX that led to this Stage 1 joining the family.