Car: Buick GS-X Stage-I 2-Door Coupe
Year: 1971
What makes it special: GSX / GSX Stage 1 was Buick’s contribution to the Classic era American Muscle car list, based on the Skylark platform adding a high performance package available only on the GS 455 starting in 1970. The GSX Performance and Handling package was a $1,100 option on the GS455. Only 124 total GS 455’s were produced with the GSX option package. Gran Sport appearance details included a custom painted hood, accent striping, blacked out grille, rear spoiler, dual hood air scoops and GSX monograms. Heavy-duty suspension disc brakes, 3.42 rear end and a Hurst shifter rounded out the package.
What made it famous: For 1971, Buick added the brand new 455 cid engine into its restyled GS. The 455 had more displacement, bigger valves, a hotter cam and included standard cold air induction through functional hood scoops. Torque was rated at a tire shredding 510ft/lbs. The Stage 1 package upped the ante with an even hotter cam, bigger valves in special high-compression heads, distributor with more timing and a modified Rochester carburetor. Buick rated it at 360hp, but most testers believed it was more than 400hp.
Why I would want one: It was the ultimate muscle car you could buy from Buick for 1971.
Fun fact: The GSX and big-block V8 were dropped after 1974. In 1974, the GSX consisted of a trim package on Buick’s small, X-bodied Apollo.
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