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Cruisin'
A: In 1970, Buick rewrote the muscle-car book with the introduction of the GSX line, an option that could be added to the GS. The base GSX came with a huge 455-inch V-8 that produced 350 horsepower and 365 pound feet of torque. But, if you ordered the optional Stage 1 GSX 455, with hotter cam, richer carburetor and better breathing cylinder heads, it developed a "tame" 360 horsepower and a whopping 510 pound feet of torque. Muscle-car insiders say the engine produces closer to 425 horses in true numbers. Anyone who ever drove or rode in a 1970 GSX Stage 1 knows it can run side by side with the kings of the sport - the Hemi Roadrunners and Chevelle SS 454s. Surprisingly, Buick's GSX is lighter than a Chevelle SS 454 and can easily run the quarter-mile in the 12-second range with headers, tires and a minimum 4:30 rear. The GSX came with a body length black stripe outlined in a red pinstripe that went over the rear spoiler. The hood was mostly black and featured a Pontiac Judge style hood-mounted tachometer. Two colors were available in 1970 - white and yellow. Thus, of all the Buick muscle cars ever built, the 1970 GSX is the most famous GS model of all. Only 678 GSXs were sold that year, 400 of which were Stage 1 equipped. Numbers like this make the 1970 GSX a true collector piece that commands high dollars. For 1971 and 1972, the GSX suffered some horsepower losses due to government unleaded fuel regulations resulting in lower compression and less powerful engines, but they are still desirable cars. Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send an e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com. (c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc. |
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