The Buick Gran Sport or GS was a high-performance option package available on a number of Buick models, including the Riviera and Wildcat. A special version of one model was given the package's name as its model name.
Contents |
Skylark Gran Sport
The 1965 Skylark Gran Sport was the intermediate Buick Skylark with the Gran Sport option added. Although a 300 cubic inch engine V8 was already offered in the Skylark, the Gran Sport had the largest engine permitted by GM - a 400 in³ Buick V8. This engine was actually 401 in³ but called a "400" by Buick because that was the maximum engine size limit set by General Motors for the intermediate body cars. This engine produced 325 hp (242 kW) and 445 ft·lbf (603 Nm) and was known as the "nailhead" engine. Buick sold more than 15,000 Skylarks with the Gran Sport option that first year, and almost that many the next. It was renamed the GS 400 in 1967, and the Gran Sport became its own model in (about) that same year along with a new "400" engine quite different from the notoriously reliable but growingly obsolete nailhead engine design that was first introduced in 1953. Sales fell somewhat in the face of increasingly more hot and popular muscle cars from other marques when compared to those from the more stodgy and expensive Buick. Buick, however stepped it up a notch when introducing the Stage 1 option in 1969. This limited (less than 1,500 cars in 1969) version produced 340 hp (253 kW) and 440 ft·lbf (597 Nm). The name Gran Sport replaced the GS moniker with the 1973 Gran Sport, and was again revived in the late eighties on the FWD Skylark model with various performance options added.
Gran Sport 340/350
In 1967 Buick added a 340 in³ version, the GS 340 or GS California. It produced 260 hp (193 kW) and 365 ft·lbf (495 Nm), and less than 4,000 were sold. It was replaced the next year with the GS 350, and similar GS California; these used Buick's 350 in³ small-block engine. Sales of the little-brother GS doubled, and were up to almost 10,000 for 1970. The Gran Sport 350 outlived its big brothers, lasting until Gran Sport production stopped in 1975.
A baby brother Gran Sport 231 was produced in 1975.
Gran Sport 455
The 400 was replaced for 1970 with the 455 in³ Buick V8, used in the GS 455. The base model V8 produced 350 hp (260 kW) and 510 ft·lbf (690 N·m) at 2800 rpm. In the optional Stage1 trim it produced 360 hp (371 kW) and 510 ft·lbf (691 Nm) at a low 2800 RPMs. As with all American engines produced prior to the 1972 model year, these were SAE Gross ratings, which are generally significantly higher than SAE Net ratings, which are indicative of what actual production engines produce in their "as installed" condition (with all engine accessories and full exhaust system in place). Magazines from the period obtained a Trap speeds in the 105 MPH range for the 1970 test cars that were provided to the press,leading some to suggest that the engine was truly "under-rated," relative to what was typical for the time. Road tests of this engine suggested the engine produced in the vicinity of at least 420 H.P. Many magazine road test editors commented on the unbelievable torque this engine produced and it's willingness to easily spin the tires.
The Stage 1 enigne option condisted of a more aggressive camshaft,higher compression, unique cylinder heads, unique 4 barrel carburetor, more aggressive ignition timing,5/8 inch oil pickup tube and a higher numerical final drive. The engine was available with either a firmer shifting Turbohydromatic 400 and a standard 3.42:1 posi-traction rear differential. A 3.64:1 rear ratio was standard when delivered with a Stage 1 without air conditioning.
The relatively unknown, very expensive, and very rare, when new 1970 GS 455 Stage 1 drew a great amount of attention and controversy in the muscle-car world when in the 1980's it was listed as faster than any of the Chrysler Hemi cars in the original "50 fastest muscle cars" list. This Hemi Vs. Stage-1 controversy has prompted several contests to settle the controversy which continues today and has been a great boon to car magazine sales over the years.
There was also a rare Stage 2 option produced. This was a dealer-installed package that was first offered in 1969 and included a cam, headers, intake manifold, high compression forged pistons, hollow pushrods, and some calibration changes to the ignition and carburetor. If the car was ordered with the Stage 2 package, the parts were shipped in the trunk of the car but were installed at the dealership. In 1970(?) the Stage 2 package included special D- Port exhaust port Stage 2 heads, matching Kustom brand headers, a radical cam, high compression forged pistons, Edelbrock B4B aluminum intake,Holley carburetor, and other equipment for racing. Few stage 2's were ever used on the street and Buick only ever factory assembled 15 Stage 2 test units. One of which was a factory GSX test mule with 4 speed manual transmission used for speed testing. That GSX test mule was equipped with 4.78 gearing and was driven on the streets and tracks on the west coast. The Stage 2 package's existence was not made public until 1972 when the Stage 2 parts could be ordered in any combination. There is little documentation about the 12 Stage 2 cars that were sold. One was campaigned by Kenne-Bell/Reynolds Buick and the other was known as the Jones-Benisek car. The Jones/Benisek car was the one that was known to have been delivered as a Stage 1 car with all the Stage 2 components in the trunk in GM boxes.
Output and sales for the assembly-line cars were down after 1970 largely due to reduced engine compression ratios and a change from gross to net horsepower ratings. In later years, air quality regulations further limited the power in part due to the addition of catalytic converters and single exhaust pipes. However, Stage 2 parts were available over the Buick parts counter although the stage 2 heads were discontinued after about 75 sets were produced. The discontinuation was due to porosity problems with castings.The discountinuation of the Stage 2 also was due to the ever tightening emission standards which resulted in lower performance.
GSX
GSX / GSX Stage1 was the optional high performance package available on the GS 455 starting in 1970. The GSX ornamentation package was a $1,100 option on the GS455. The GSX was made to attract attention and to help showroom traffic in an effort to increase sales. The GSX was Buick's answer to Pontiac's GTO Judge and Buick advertised it as "A Brand New Brand Of Buick" and "Another "Light Your Fire Cars From Buick". It was only available with the standard big block 455 engine or the optional Stage 1 engine the first year. It was not a very popular model and not too many people bought them, and only 678 GSX'S were produced in 1970. Just 278 were equipped with the standard 455,with 400 being equipped with the optional Stage 1 performance package. GSX or any GS Stage-1 performance is comparable to that of the 'Hemi' 'Cuda with a much more luxurious car. This is partly due to the light weight of the 455 which is roughly 150 lb (68 kg) less than the Chevrolet 454. The engine's performance also relies on the tremendous torque this engine produces,510 lb/ft at a low 2800 rpm. Quarter mile times in the 13.30s were reported in numerous magazines in 1970. Production dropped in 1971 to only 124,and 44 in 1972. These numbers include the available 350-4 bbl option, the standard 455, and the Stage 1 engines. The 1970 Buick 455 Big block V8 with stage one heads produces around 420 hp and 510 ft·lbf (690 N·m). of torque.
In 1970, the GSX option was available in only two colors, Saturn Yellow and Apollo White (in 1971 and 1972 6 other colors were available for the GSX). All GSXs had the distinctive full body length black stripe that crossed over the standard equipment rear spoiler and was outlined in red pin stripes. A large area of the hood was also black with a hood mounted tachometer (Buick engineers disliked the hood tachometer because it was a Pontiac part) and black front spoiler. Also standard equipment were black bucket seats, floor shifter, wide oval tires, quick ratio steering and anti-sway bars. Some other options were automatic transmission or four speed manual.
After 1970, the 1971 and 1972 GSX became an option that was available on any Gran Sport. Many GSXs survive to this day and can be seen at the Buick Gran Sport Nationals held annually in Bowling Green, KY in the middle of May along with many other examples of '60s, '70s and '80s Buick performance models. Another Buick event is the Buick Performance Group Nationals which is held at National Trail Raceway in Columbus,Ohio during the early month of August.
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. Three engines were available on the 1974 GSX: the Chevrolet supplied 250 6-cyl.,and two Buick engines:the 350 2 barrel and 350 4 barrel versions.
Riviera GS
The Riviera GS was a high-performance version of the Buick Riviera, produced from 1965 through 1975.
In 1965, it was called Riviera GranSport and the later models were still officially called Gran Sport but showed GS badges instead of GranSport. Unlike the mid-size GS models, the Riviera and Wildcat GS package included a standard 3.42 positraction rear axle until 1973. The 1965 (and optional in 1966) Riviera GranSport also came with a 425 cubic "Super Wildcat" engine, with dual carbs and dual snorkel chrome air cleaner. You could add H2 option (Ride and handling package) for even better road handling. Shorter gear ratio for steering, 1 inch lower suspension.
Wildcat GS
Another GS option package was available on the Buick Wildcat and Wildcat Custom, hardtop and convertible. The GS package included a 3.42 ratio posi rear, variable rate suspension springs, quick ratio steering box, heavy duty sway bars, and a switch-pitch turbo-hydramatic 400 transmission. The addition of the Y48 option gave the purchaser a pair of Carter AFB four barrel carburators, and finned aluminum valve covers on the 425 nail head engine. This was a one year only option, existing in 1966 only. The Y48 option was delivered in the trunk and installed by the dealer.
Century Gran Sport
In 1973-75 and in 1986, there was a Century Gran Sport.
Regal GS / Regal Gran Sport
From 1988 to 2004, there was a Gran Sport version of the Regal. The 1988 body style was available with the 3,800 cubic centimetres (230 cu in) Series I V6 producing 170 horsepower (130 kW). The 1997-2004 body style featured a 3.8L Series II supercharged V6 with 240 horsepower (180 kW).
A Brief History of the Buick GS California
Buick touted it as "The Distinctive Personal Car for Americana on the GO". The merchandising creation of the West Coast's Mickey Garrett, the California GS became one of Buick's entries into what people now refer to as a Junior Musclecar. The intent of these autos were to provide the visual impact of the era's SuperCars with the low maintainence and price of a more economical car, while maintaining reasonable performance levels. When reviewed with these thoughts in mind the California GS delivered quite nicely. They were fitted with the small block GS drivetrain and the exterior received the full treatment including vinyl top, chrome moulding package, GS emblems, and special California scripts.
1967 was the maiden year for the California GS. It was available in California only and was not advertised nationally by Buick. Built on the thin-pillar coupe chassis it came equipped with the 340 ci/260 hp engine and Super Turbine 300 transmission. Bench seats were standard and accessories were kept to a minimum to help keep the price down. Car Life tested one in their June issue and ran the 1/4 in 16.7 seconds at 81 mph, they also recorded a top speed of 105 mph. The article contains a lengthy description of the car and how it performed during testing, it is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about the '67 California GS.
Mid year 1968 saw the official introduction of the California GS by Buick. Buick asked "Why settle for less when the California GS, built especially for YOU, costs no more?" Exclusively designed for Golden State motorists, Buick advertised the car nationally as a high performance family sports car at an economy car price. Though the car was not included in Buick's yearly catalog it was shown in a two-page black and white fold out brochure. Custom California GS emblems again graced the rear fenders while GS ornamentation could be found in the grille and sail panels. The drivetrain included Buick's, new for '68, 350-4 V8 with 280 hp and 375 ft-lbs. of torque. The Super Turbine 300 transmission and bench seat interior were again the only choices. Buick also added chrome plated wheels and air cleaner lid to the two-door thin pillar coupe.
1969 was the last year of production for the California GS. The car was for the first time featured in Buick's big brochure. A two-page color picture of the thin pillar coupe and pictures of the again standard bench seat interior were included along with equipment descriptions. Tom McCahill tested the car and recorded a 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph. Again the car came with Buick's 280 hp 350-4 engine but now it was mated to the new Turbo 350 transmission. Custom California emblems again graced the rear fenders and the rear marker lights were plain red without Buick's normal 350 or 400 script. Vinyl tops, as with previous years, were standard fare with the California's distinctive GS logo on the sail panel.
External links
- The Buick Gran Sport Club of America
- Buick GSCA GS Nationals official website - Annual Buick Performance Meet including the Buick Grand National
- 1965 - 1972 Buick VIN Decoding
- The Buick Performance Group
- Buick Club of America
- {http://www.freeengineinfo.com/buick-skylark-1.htm]
- http://v8buick.com/index.php
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
