Hello All, I'm new to forum, I've been a big fan of some of the 80s Buicks and of course the muscle era. Had some questions for the group of you could. For the 60s and 70s, was the GS 340,400 & 455 just rebadged skylarks in body? Also was black a factory color for 65-70? What is a good book for those era cars or website? Regarding stage 1-2 and the ever whispered stage 3? What was the Buick performance options for the 50s? Thanks all!
In ‘65 and ‘66 the Gran Sport package was an option on the Skylark (and Riviera and ‘66 Wildcat). From ‘67 to ‘72 (not sure about the ‘73 and ‘74) the GS was a separate model (GS400, GS340, GS350, and GS455). Stage 1 was a factory installed package on GS400 and GS455 from ‘69 to ‘74. Stage 2 was factory parts offered over the dealer parts counter from ‘68 to whenever they ran out, including the super rare Stage 2 heads that appeared sometime after ‘68. Stage 3 doesn’t exist other than some will ask about a ‘what if?’ compilation of experimental this and secret that. Black was factory available every year but not real common; it wasn’t considered ’mean’ as much as stodgy in the ‘60s and ‘70s (so I’ve read). Steven Dove wrote one of the first good GS books; it’s hard to find hut worth searching for. Perry Zavitz’ book is worth a read, too. Or just browse this forum! There are some pretty knowledgeable folks here! And welcome! Patrick
Thanks so much! Did the skylark differ in those years when compared bodywise even with the GS being a separate model?
Since you like regals you understand how a regal ain't a grand national. But at ttype rides the middle line Regal = basic skylark with a v6 Ttype = skylark with a 401 or 455 swapped in GN = GS. In 65 the gs had a boxed frame, sorry after 1965 I cant help much. Only permorance in the 50s had to be added on from the factory, Pontiac and Cadillac were know for that more. Buick started in my opinion coming into the performance scene in 1965 and took over by 1970. What do you want all this info for are you trying to narrow down what u want?
At the risk of standing corrected by mire knowledgeable members, where the mid-size a body is concerned, the 68-69 gs400 and 70-72 gs455 were rebadged Skylarks, body wise.
They're even DownUnder! '71 Triple Black Stage 1 Skylark GS and yes Black is a rare colour for any Muscle Car. This fine example is now in my care in Australia.
He is asking about rebadging the Skylark to a GS.Mostly true,but I guess you don't know cars very much.All the manufactures did the same things,as to the Buicks,a heavy duty piece here and there,different shocks, different springs,a lot more parts super duty went into the bigger engines from the factory.The body itself,almost the same for the 2.By the way,S-3 and S4 comes from TA performance in aluminum,as does S-1 and S2 in also aluminum.Bruno.
I was just confirming your info was correct. Seems like there were a few similar posts in the last three years. Wasn't sure if anything changed.
Please state your question clearly, concisely and in a not too inebriated condition. Some of us are old, overworked, underpaid, tired or more inebriated than you. Do us a favor, throw us a bone...
This might help you. Book by Steve Dove regarding 1965-74 Buick Gran Sport (GS) and Stage 1 & GSX Cars. It's not cheap, it's cost is $120.00. It's on Ebay. Here is a link: Guide to Buick 1965-1974 Gran Sport By Steven L Dove Stage 1 & GSX | eBay VET (Navy)
As Trunkmonkey said, throw us a bone. If you have a specific question, ask it. If you want to know the general history of Buick Gran Sports, I think I wrote a decent quick summary. If you have a question about something specific I wrote, ask that question. If you want a thorough overview, get the Dove book. If you want to know specific minutiae, search the forum-someone’s probably asked it before. If you don’t see it, ask a really specific question. The way you asked, two years later, sounds like you want either someone to grade it or you want to copypasta it somewhere else. We have no idea who you are, what you’re really asking, or why, and if it takes two years between replies we’re all going to be real old before we csn really help you. Patrick
If you are new (2years ago), go to where it says Forums. Read anything you see that is of interest to you. I like particularly like Buick FAQ, has a ton of Buick info. VET Try
Sorry everyone, I’m looking into buying my first Buick and I’m trying to get information from a high overview first and pbr did that. Although I started to read a few other threads and some of them say something different so I was a bit confused. Example: some people say the GS wasn’t it’s own model etc but a rebadging. I have the dreaded OCD brain so it’s all about the details and being correct lol.
