1968 Buick Gran Sport

The GS (Gran Sport) name was applied to several high-performance cars built by Buick since 1965, including the Wildcat GS, Riviera GS, Apollo GSX, Century GS, and Regal GS (and GSX). The 1965 Skylark Gran Sport served as the intermediate Buick Skylark and came with the largest engine allowed by General Motors - a 401 cubic-inch Buick V8 delivering 325 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Its engine was called a 400 by Buick due to its displacement size and was also known as the 'nailhead' engine. Cars equipped with this engine option were called the GS 400 by 1967, and the Gran Sport became its own model.

Buick added a 340 cubic-inch version in 1967, producing 260 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. The GS 340 was replaced the next year with the GS 350, using Buick's 350 CID small-block engine. The Grand Sport 350 would outlive its larger brothers, lasting until V8 Gran Sport production ceased in 1975, replaced by the Gran Sport 231.

The 1968 Buick GS350 and GS400 both rested on the 112-inch wheelbase intermediate coupe platform. Inside, the GS350 was trimmed in a similar fashion to the Skylark Custom. The exterior had an aggressive and muscular appearance and was coded as a Skylark Custom although it was more related to the GS400. On the front fenders were finned simulated air intakes, bright wheelhouse molding was used, and a lower body paint accent stripe replaced the bright molding. On the center of the decklid was a GS 350 plaque. In the front grille was more identification. The rear fenders and door panels had GS monograms.

The GS400 was available as either a hardtop coupe or a convertible. Like all General Motors convertibles of this period, the convertible was more robust than the hardtop, utilizing a full box frame chassis that had numerous lightening holes. The hardtop chassis was a 3/4 box frame devoid of lightening holes. The GTO Judge was the only GM hardtop ever built with the 'Swiss cheese' convertible chassis.

A total of 2,454 examples of the GS400 convertible were built and 10,743 of the hardtop. Pricing began at $3,125 for the hardtop and $3,270 for the convertible. They had a GS 400 plaque on each front fender, wide oval F70 x 14 white stripe tires, fake fender vents, and functional hood scoops. Standard equipment included folding seatback latches and an all-vinyl interior. Bucket seats could be ordered as optional equipment.

Power came from a 400 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 offering 340 horsepower. It had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a Rochester 4MV four-barrel carburetor with chromed air cleaner top. It was backed by a three-speed turbo Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission (commonly called the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400) with U-shape Hurst shifter and linkage, located on a center console. A standard three-speed or optional four-speed manual gearbox was also available.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013