Page 61 - Experience Magazine Fall 2022

As Buick’s top performance car upon introduction for that of many competitors and GS interiors featured
the 1965 model year, the intermediate Skylark-based top-quality materials. Handling of the GS was
Gran Sport carved out a unique identity in a growing excellent to match the Stage 1 455’s forward urge,
market and took a quantum leap forward in terms of with the optional F41 Rallye Ride Control package.
performance when the marque’s all-new 455 cubic- While published sources place total Gran Sport
inch Stage 1 mill was unleashed for 1970. Underrated production at 20,096 units for 1970 – including
by the factory at 360 horsepower, the Stage 1 option the GS 350, GS 455, Stage 1, and GSX – the Stage 1
brought 10:1 compression, free-flowing big-valve hardtop was quite rare with just 2,465 produced in
cylinder heads, a hot yet maintenance-free hydraulic total. Today, surviving examples of the GS Stage 1 rule
cam and high-performance valvetrain, plus a big Supercar Showdown and F.A.S.T. (Factory Appearing,
Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor gulping fresh Stock Tire) drag racing events with their blistering
air through a ducted twin-scoop hood. Peak Stage 1 performance.
torque was a stump-pulling 510 ft/lbs at just 2,800 Exuding a mature, sophisticated presence with
rpm, delivering unreal race-winning acceleration with shocking performance and highly competent handling
wild, nose-high launches. characteristics, the 1970 Buick Skylark GS455 Stage
Stage 1 performance was equal to – or better than 1 spoke softly, but carried a Louisville Slugger of a
– all competing supercars of the era straight off the stick in terms of overall performance. Smart buyers
showroom floor. However, in sharp contrast to the appreciated these amazing machines when new
others, the Skylark Gran Sport was quite sophisticated and despite their explosive performance, they were
without the customary loud stripes and graphic classy and capable of being driven anywhere without
decals. Assembly quality was noticeably superior to the drama and onerous maintenance requirements

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