1970 Buick GSX Stage 1 455: Ten Things To Know About The Torque Monster Muscle Car

 

From 1970 to 1072, Buick sold their rare GSX muscle car to the public, finally getting an edge over their other A-Body competitors. The Chevelle SS, GTO Judge, and Olds 4-2-2 weren’t quite their enemies, but Buick needed to bring something to the table to compete with them. The GSX and the GSX Stage 1 did that and more for Buick. Hosting more power and torque, better times at the race track, a sportier suspension, and a more comfortable interior with better materials, these classic cars put Buick at the top of the muscle car list.

With eye-catching stripes, a front and rear spoiler, a hood tach, and the GS ram air hood, the GSX was definitely a car that would get you noticed when driving down the road. And if you felt like you weren’t getting noticed enough, a pedal-to-the-metal action to activate Buick's massive torque offering would burn the tires off with ease—letting everyone around you know that your Buick GSX meant business. Tough to drive when you lack traction, but fun to drive if you knew what you were doing.

All the muscle cars from this era were fun, but they were being produced on borrowed time. When the full weight of stricter emissions standards was implicated, the muscle car industry and its success in pleasing gearheads were over.

10. The GS455 Stage 1 Didn't Draw Enough Attention

Although the Buick GS Stage 1 shared the same A-body structure as the GTO Judge, Chevelle SS, and the Oldsmobile 422, Buick just couldn't get their sales up because they couldn't shake the stigma of being a car that your grandmother would drive. So mid-way through the production year of 1970, Buick came out with the stout, sporty-looking Buick GSX.

9. The Buick GSXs Are Limited Edition

It may not seem like it because there is an abundance of GSXs out there, but many of them are clones. If you go to the GS Nationals in Kentucky, it’ll seem like there are way more than just the numbers that are shown to be produced. But thanks to companies like T/A Performance from Arizona—people have the opportunity to own an almost identical GSX without paying the price of a low-mileage real GSX.

Nowadays, with the way technology is, it is very hard to tell the difference between a real GSX and a clone without an official build sheet. But to put the numbers in perspective, there were 678 Buick GSXs built in 1970, 124 built in 1971, and only 44 built in 1972. Sure, building a clone for a good price as an average car guy is a good thing, but for the serious car collector, it makes it seem their super rare numbers matching GSX is a little less important or rare when you can’t tell the difference between a real one and an imposter.

8. Autmoblies to "To Light Your Fire" Buick's Slogan

Depending on who you ask, either the Buick slogan campaign helped both Buick and the Doors or it helped Buick and hurt the Doors. The Slogan comes from a famous Doors song, “Come on, Baby, Light My Fire.” GM paid the touring band $75,000 for the use of the words in print, radio, and TV ads. 

The new GSX sport appearance package and the 1966 song lyrics were a campaign to bring the fire that the GSX needed to help Buick shake the grandma’s church-going grocery-getting reputation it acquired in the past.

On tour at the time, minus Jim Morrison, the Doors had no problem with the idea, but Morrison was furious. Apparently, Morrison was so enraged that he threatened to set a Buick on fire on stage during their next concert. He wanted his bandmates and the band’s label (Elektra) to cancel the contract, but the damage had already been done.

7. Underrated Horsepower And Torque Rating

It was widely known that the advertised 360 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque was underrated by a lot. Of course, Buick wanted to let people know, but then they would have to worry about being restricted and ultimately forced to eradicate the building of the powerful GSX Stage 1 455 in 1970.

Most people, including NHRA, claimed that the engine probably put out 400+ horsepower. Using the GSX's time in the quarter-mile and the weight of the car, experts who tested the Buick knew that there was more horsepower than what was being advertised.

6. Motor Trend Names the 1970 Buick GSX “The Quickest American Production Car” 

Although the 1970 Buick GSX was named the quickest, the 1971 and ‘72 GSXs fell victim to the emission laws and received lower compression V8 engines. In fact, you were even able to order up your GSX with a 350, 400, or a 430 cu.-in motor, unlike in 1970 when a 455 cu.-in. engine was your only option. You still got the sporty look, but the power the Buick had was starting to take a huge hit. The only good thing for Buick was that everyone else in the industry had to follow the same emission rules and regulations, making your typical car guy very sad.

5. The Ram Air Hodd and Housing Never Really Functioned

In theory, the ram air hood on the Buick GSXs should have helped whatever powerplant you had under the hood gain about 8% horsepower, at least that’s what Buick was claiming. Unfortunately, it didn’t. In fact, most experts who tested the ram air system claim to have noticed no difference. Even worse, in race testing, experts noticed that the housing and the scoops themselves were too oddly shaped and even restricted flow.

Taking the whole ram air system off and letting the carburetor breathe without the ram air housing actually promoted a little better performance. These air cleaner housings do look cool, but they don’t serve up any extra horsepower gains.

4. There was an Internal Band on Large Buick cu.-in. Engines

Lifting the large engine band was a no-brainer for Buick because they weren’t just competing against their A-body siblings, but they also had to throw down with Fords and Hemis. Buick knew if they were going to keep up with all the other muscle cars, a 400 cu.-in. engine just wasn’t going to cut it. They also knew they were going to have to make more changes than just engine displacement upgrades.

3. Heavy Duty Suspension, Disc Brakes, Wheels, and Tires

To add to the performance of the GSX, Buick made sure that the suspension could handle the power. A front anti-roll bar was included, along with stronger shocks and rear lower control arms. All the suspension bushings were upgraded to stiffer high-performing bushing. Also included was a quick-ratio steering gearbox to give the driver a better road feel.

For the brake system, there were a few different options. There were 11-inch ventilated rotors in the front with signal-piston calipers as long as you order the Stage 1 455 GSX. In the rear, there were upgraded drum brakes and power assist was optional. On different orders, you might have received drum brakes all the way around.

2. Find That GSX Build Sheet 

Finding the build sheet for a GSX is a big deal. What the build sheet says will give you an idea of how much you should be paying for a particular vehicle. Even if a true GSX is a little beat up, paying big bucks for one isn't uncommon and could still be very well worth the money. But if you pay big bucks for a GSX, and it’s really just a Skylark in disguise, you can lose big money.

There is no particular place to look for a build sheet. Buyers have mentioned finding them in all kinds of different places. If the owner hasn’t found one yet, you can try looking under the carpet, in the rear seat cushion springs, under the dash, but on top of the gas tank in between the sound deadener is the most common place to find a lost build sheet.

1. The Little Extras That Make The GSX Different From GS

There were some other features that you would get with the GSX that you wouldn’t get with lower-trim level Buicks. Color-matching mirrors and headlight bezels added to the colorful look of the GSX. The rear spoiler was an option on some GS Buick 455s but with the GSX package, it was standard.

Other features were a standard heavy-duty cooling system, the option of a close-ratio four-speed or three-speed manual, or a TH400 automatic transmission. For the rear gear ratio, if you order a Stage 1 package, you would get bumped up to a positraction 3.64:1 axle that would help you burn the tires and create smoky hole shots whenever you wanted to.

2009 Corvette ZR1: The Era’s Most Pinnacle American Sports Car

 

Corvette ZR1 Comeback

Corvette has always made a big splash with their Z-Series sports cars. Badass Vettes such as the ZO6, ZR1, and ZL1 would receive more power and torque, handling capabilities, and all-around upgrades for better track performance than any other vehicle General Motors was pushing on the market at the time (expectation 14 and 15 Camaro Z28). 

Chatter started around 2007 about a new version of the ZR1, a ZR1 that would be so performance-packed it would give it a supercar status that would have its name mentioned in the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. 

This first 2009 ZR1 was auctioned off for a Million bucks to Dave Ressler. He is also the owner of the oldest known Corvette in existence, #003. 

2009 ZR1 Motor and Transmission

A 6.2-liter LS9 aluminum V8 with a Twin Vortices Series supercharger and a top-loaded intercooler powers the ZR1. Hand-built in Wixom, Mi., this powerhouse motor puts out 638 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 604-lb.ft. of torque at 3800 RPMs.

Sure, nowadays there are some stout performers that make more horsepower and torque, but not 13 years ago. 

Controlling all this power is easy with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and a high-capacity, high-performance clutch that makes anyone sitting in the driver's seat feel like they are driving a professionally-built race car. 

Performance Stats

This General Motors engine and transmission combination is responsible for the staggering numbers that it puts down while going in a straight line. This ZR1 gets from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds while reaching 100 mph in a matter of 7 seconds. The Corvette has no problem covering the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. With a top speed of 200 mph, without a doubt, this was the most capable, powerful Corvette put into production.  

Frame and Suspension

The ZR1 comes standard with an aluminum frame structure that weighs in at a mere 138 pounds. The frame was the exact frame used on the C6.R race car, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 5.2 pounds per horsepower. 

The aluminum frame rides on a Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension. The Magnetic Ride Control was the most sophisticated suspension of its kind. This ride-control system gives the driver two different driving modes to select—Sport ride-control, ideal for the racetrack, and Touring mode, which is ideal for everyday driving. These modes can be easily switched back and forth in the cockpit by the driver with a push of a button. This may not seem like much of a wow factor today, but back in 2009, this convenience was just starting to become a top technology on American vehicles. 

Tires

With all that power and such a capable suspension, you have to have some way of keeping the tires and wheels sticking to the ground, and in this department, GM spares no expense. When testing the Corvette at the Virginia International Raceway, the stock Michelin tires were eventually replaced with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. With this change, the ZR1 was able to shred a considerable amount of time off of each lap. And that’s when the decision was made, the Michelins that performed the best would come on the best Corvette ever produced.

Braking

You can't have a vehicle with all that power and ability without having an effective way of stopping it. So massive Brembo Carbon Ceramic 15-inch front and 15.5-inch rear vented cross-drilled rotors were added. These rotors can withstand heat of 1000 degrees Celsius before warping. The brake system includes six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. When this system all works together, it creates the stopping power you would need for a 200 mph supercar.

The Looks Of A Supercar

With a wider stance than the average Vette, the ZR1 is designed to take corners better and get around the track faster. Sporting 19x10-inch wheels in the front and 20x12-inch wheels in the back, the look of the ZR1 says nothing but supercar. All buyers would have had the option to choose the color of the wheels, which include a bright silver coated finish, a deep black coated finish, or a chrome finish. All three colors look great, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. There are nine color options for the exterior finish, all of which are in an exotic tint, helping give the ZR1 the supercar look that Corvette is ultimately after. The spoiler on the back is both functional and proportional-looking, and the see-through carbon fiber hood really makes a supercar statement.

Interior Options For The ZR1

When it comes to the interior, the ZR1 came with an abundance of options and colors. The buyer was able to request almost everything from the steering wheel to the door panels be wrapped in rich leather. They would also have the option of different model-specific badges to be placed on the inside of the vehicle.

Power-adjustable heated leather seats with microfiber inserts could be purchased for a better day-to-day driving experience. Corvette also offered a package called the 3ZR. This package included a nine-speaker Bose system, Bluetooth wireless technology, a head-up display, and a SiriusXM satellite radio, making sure that ultimate convenience and comfort could be achieved.

Price Tag And Gas Mileage

With supercar looks, power, and track times to match, this ZR1 puts otherworldly supercars to shame when you compare price tags to performance. When brand new, the MSRP price tag was $112,000.00, which was much cheaper than a higher-powered Farria, Lambo, or Porsche at the time. The ZR1 also rated very high in gas mileage for a 2009 sports car. With an EPA-estimated 14 city/20 highway mpg, the Corvette did better than most vehicles with that size engine. 

The best thing about the ZR1 is for the first time ever, Americans who were in the market for a supercar could finally buy an American-built supercar, minus the outrageous cost of maintenance, luxury tax, and everything else that comes along with owning an overseas supercar.  

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Chevrolet Chevelle: The Muscle Car Legend

 

Chevrolet Chevelle the Legend

The Chevelle was one of the few muscle cars that Chevrolet put into production between 1964 and 1973. Outside of the '73 Chevelle, the muscle car enjoyed some great success through its strong run and continues to be celebrated by all kinds of car enthusiasts. From drag strips to car shows and car auctions, you'd be hard-pressed to go to any car event and not see a few awesome-looking examples.    

Most Chevelles hold their value very well because they look great stock and when customized, and they are a very important part of the Muscle Car era. Read on to learn a little more about the Chevelle and how it etched its name in muscle car history. 

1964 - 1967 Chevelle

In 1963, when the Chevelle made its way into production for the first time as a '64, there were a of couple different motors to choose from. The largest and the most powerful of them all was a 300 horsepower 327 cubic inch small block. This really didn't hit the nail on the head for consumers, as it was a little underpowered for the power-to-weight ratio. 

In 1965, Chevelle upped the ante with a 396 cubic-inch motor that produced the type of power that the public was waiting for. The new Z16, 396 V8 produced 375 horsepower. The engine pushed the Chevelle from 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds and drop a quarter-mile time of 14.66 @ 99.8mph. 

Minor Change In Style

The 1966 Chevelle would see some body modification, and although the power rating stayed the same, times at the track would be cut from a 14.66 down to a 14.40 quarter-mile time. This was due to a solid lifter cam and bigger valves given to the 396 cubic inch motor. 

More Changes For '67

In 1967, Chevrolet would stick with the same body style for the muscle car but would make some performance changes. 

Front-wheel disc brakes were factory installed to help stop the wider tires and new 14-inch rims. A new reworked bumper and blacked-out rear panel were also part of the new features the '67 had to offer. 

Unfortunately, because of GM curb weight standards, it would experience less power and slower times at the track. The biggest engine offered was the L34 396, which only produces 350 horsepower and did 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 15.3 @ 94mph.

1968-1969 Chevelle

For 1968, Chevrolet would try something new with the Chevelle. A new body style would make its way off the production lines. This new look brought about a shorter wheelbase, a longer front end, and a shorten rear-deck lid, giving it a fastback look. Although the 1968 Chevelle got a new look, it received the same power sources as the previous year. 

The Chevelle's suspension would still be a sore spot with lots of body roll—and slow shifting from the Muncie four-speed left a lot of complaints from consumers. But the one thing that did change was the consumer's choice of rear gears. The axle ratios ranged from 2.73:1 to a dealer-installed 4.88:1 drag Cogs gear ratio.

Upping The '69's Power Output

With consumers still having complaints about power, Chevrolet would up the ante again for the '69 Chevelle. Although the badges and the build sheets would say the Chevelle was built with a 396 cubic-inch motor that produced 375 horsepower, it was well known that the motors were bored out to 402 cubic inches. The deceit was mainly to meet emissions standards and to gain a horsepower edge. This plan really paved the way for what was to come in 1970.

1970 Chevelle 

In 1970, Chevelle would see the most sufficient changes toward being a major contender in the muscle car world. Cosmetic changes included the first functioning cowl induction hood with racing hood pins. A newly styled front-end would be implicated, along with some new style rally five-spoke wheels. 

But the biggest change came in the size of the motor. General Motors lifted the band against producing any motors over 400 cubic inches, giving Chevrolet the green light to build and produce a Chevelle with what would become one of the most popular motors ever made, the LS6 454. Along with the functioning cowl induction hood and the huge displacement, also brought about better-performing engine components that helped produce 450 horsepower and left plenty of room for upgrades.

1971-1972 Chevelle 

Unfortunately, for 1971-72, the Chevelle would see some extremely harsh decreases in power. In response to GM's new rules that all engines must run on unleaded fuel and meet every EPA restrictive emission standard, the muscle car era was starting to become a thing of the past. There was one good thing about the years of '71-'72—although the big 454 motor's power was lowered due to EPA emissions standards, you could still order them, and if you knew what you were doing, upgrading them to make the power a 1970 455 did was not a huge task.

The 1973 Chevelle No Longer Looked Like A Chevelle 

For the last year of the Chevelle's existence, it got a completely new body style and the motors had even less power. These cars would be the least liked among the 9-year production run, and even to this day are not a big hit at drag strips, car shows, or auctions.

1969 COPO Chevelle 

In 1969, Chevrolet offered one of the rarest Chevelles to date, the '69 COPO. The COPO was designed specifically for the drag strip. It came with a 427 cubic-inch powerplant that produced an underrated 425 horsepower and was capable of producing quarter-mile times of 13.3 @ 108mph. The COPO Chevelle was undoubtedly the fastest production Chevelle that Chevrolet ever produced. Like the other Chevrolet COPO Muscle Cars, this Chevelle has a cult following and draws big crowds and big numbers at auctions.  

The Reasons for Chevelle's Popularity 

What makes the Chevelle so popular among consumers and muscle car fans? 

The price, the size, the style, and the power. As a mid-size car, you could put your whole family in one and head to the grocery store, go shopping, come home, drop the family and the grocery off, and then head to the drag strip for some race time. 

Saying Good-Bye to the Chevelle and Many Other Muscle Cars

Although the Chevelle was canceled after 1973, it was not the only muscle car that got the ax. The GTO, Oldsmobile 422, the Plymouth Roadrunner, and many other muscle cars would see the same fate right around the same era due to the pursuit to find more fuel-efficient and economy-friendly cars. But the Chevelle and all of its Muscle Car brothers and sisters, still to this day are extremely popular among car enthusiasts.

GMC Syclone and Typhoon: First Factory-Built All-Wheel-Drive Drag Racing Performance Success

 

Back in 1991, the dog days of the sad, slow, so-called economy-efficient sports cars were starting to come to an end. The Tuned-Port Injection (TPI) setups that General Motors was using for their sports were about to be replaced by a much more stout performing LT1 350-cu.-in. engine.

But before the change, the GMC truck division of General Motors made an interesting move to get involved in some of the performance hype GM was encouraging at the time. GMC signed a contract with an aftermarket performance company called PAS (Production Automotive Systems). PAS and GMC joined forces to create the fastest production trucks of its time: the 91 GMC Syclone pickup truck and the 92-93 GMC Typhoon SUV.

The PAS company was no stranger to this type of work. Pontiac called upon them to help build the now-famous

1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition. Oddly enough, Pontiac kept it simple when building this sports car and went with what already worked for Buick by using the very successful 86 and 87 Grand National drivetrain setup. The turbocharged intercooled 3.8-liter V6 was already tormenting sports cars on the streets and at the track.

A Turbocharged Truck Was Buick's Idea

Originally, Buick came up with the idea for the turbocharged truck, but to avoid conflict with the GMC truck production branch, Buick handed the idea over to GMC. There was some hesitation to take on the project since Chevrolet already had a similar black regular cab pick-up truck on the market with a 454 cu.-in. engine. 

But some forward-thinking engineers and designers saw the potential in smaller engines. Assuming Buick could make it work in a G-Body grocery-getter with much success, doing the same in a small truck and an SUV should work just as well, and to nobody's surprise, it did.  

Similar Buick Setup But A Bigger Engine For The Syclone and Typhoon

The PAS company engineered a 4.3-liter Vortec engine equipped with a turbocharger and an intercooler to fit in both the Syclone and the Typhoon.

To efficiently transfer engine

power to the wheels, both models would receive the four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission, the same transmission that many GM vehicles came with including GM sports cars and the Buick turbo cars.

The First Factory-Built All-Wheel-Drive Technology Used For Drag Racing Performance

What made the Syclone and the Typhoon so unique from other trucks is that they used a very performance-efficient all-wheel-drive system. This technology helped these trucks with an underrated, unofficial horsepower rating of 280 get down the quarter-mile with times that would stop the clocks somewhere in the high-to-mid 13-second range. 

Since the GMC 4.3-liter turbo technology was so similar to the successful Buicks 3.8-liter turbo cars, aftermarket part dealers and car enthusiasts knew exactly what easy upgrades could be made to make these trucks amazingly performance efficient. I've personally seen Typhoons run in the high 10-second range and Syclones being lighter in weight, stop the clocks in the 9s. 

GMC Syclone and Typhoon: Unbeatable Deal

With great gas mileage, excellent performance, and the fact that they were limited production, the GMC Syclone and Typhoon were and are still collector items for all car enthusiasts alike. 

With production numbers of only 2,998 '91 Syclones, 2,500 in '92, and 2,200 '93 Typhoons built, the price tags on these rare trucks still stay up in the $15,000 to $25,000 range for the ones that are still in good condition.

Unfortunately, the PAS company based in Troy, MI., which was responsible for the GMC Syclone and Typhoon's engineering and design would go out of business sometime after GM decided not to go forward with any more specialized GMC vehicles. 

The decision to move forward without PAS-specialized vehicles was mostly due to the progression of the Corvettes, Camaros, and Trans Ams, and the need to focus on the new technology of electric vehicles.

That may have sounded silly then, but now, all auto companies have moved in the electric vehicle direction, and GM predicts by 2035, the only vehicles they will be producing are going to be all-electric vehicles. We'll see how that works out!

             

Syclones and Typhoon GENERAL SPEC

Type:      V6 GMT300

Disp.:      262 C.I. (4.3L)

Transmission: 700R4

Drive: All-Wheel Drive

Syclone Horsepower: 280 Horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of Torque

MPG: 17 city and 19 highway

Typhoon Horsepower: 285 Horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of Torque

MPG: 14 city and 17 highway

1951 Buick LeSabre Concept | Harley J. Earl Advanced Technology The World Wasn't Ready For

Back in 1951, this convertible Buick LeSabre was not just extreme looking, it was way ahead of its time. It had technology advancements that weren't even thought of yet and would give us a sneak peek into the future of the automotive industry. 

Harley J. Earl was the lead designer of this beautiful piece of machinery. From 1927 to 1958, he was General Motors' Head-of-Styling and had his hands in the cookie jar of many breakthrough designs and technology projects that would change the auto industry for years to come. 

One of the first things that really set this car apart was that it could function on gasoline and methyl alcohol. There were separate fuel cells for both sources and an easy way to switch between the two from the convenience of the driver seat. It also had one of the first smaller engines that could produce high horsepower, much like what we see in today's vehicles. This Buick used a 215 cubic-inch V8 HEMI aluminum block topped off with dual carbs, aluminum heads, and a supercharger that produced 29.5 PSI. All these goodies made the engine good for 335-hp @5,500-RPM. In 1951, that was an outstanding number for such a small engine.

The styling was nothing short of artwork for this concept Buick. Earl designed the first wraparound windshield that gave the driver a panoramic view of the road and surrounding areas. It also saw the likes of GM's first rear brake coolers that used functioning rear scoops on the back quarter panel. The scoops were designed and positioned to cool the brakes and the battery located in the back.

One of the very noticeable features that people hadn't seen too much of was the hidden futuristic headlights that would pop out from behind the grille with a flip of a switch. Also, the Buick LeSabre had a feature on it that, to this day, is only really used on Indy and Formula-1 cars. The automatic jack system was the first of its kind and allowed you to work under your car without a floor jack or jack stands. Maybe today, the feature doesn't sound like much but think back to 1951 and the stock emergency jack that would be provided for you if you had an unfortunate flat tire. Remember, in '51, there were no cell phones to call AAA or a friend and no OnStar-type systems.

Another feature that would really stun you back in 1951 was the automatic sensors that could recognize rain and put your rag-top and windows up without you being around to control them. The Buick even had a backup source of power, so if your battery died, you could still at least control features like the radio, windows, and the rag-top.

This concept was designed from Earl's imagination and his love for jet airplane designs. The sleek styling lines and the flamboyant curves are what really sets this Buick apart. The interior even showed a little bit of aeronautical passion, with a dashboard that included an altimeter, tachometer, and a compass.

Earl adopted this 1951 Buick LeSabre as his own and drove it till he had about 50,000 miles on it before handing it over to the GM museum in the 1960s. Earl was a well-respected engineer who became a legend along with his creations like this one.