1971 Buick GSX Stage 1 coupe
Highest performance Buick available in 1971
Stage 1 package included 455 engine with high lift cams
Named by Motor Trend as the “quickest American Production Muscle Car”
The Buick GSX Stage 1 was built to show that the performance features found in their popular Wildcat and Riviera GS models could also build and sell a muscular mid-size car in a very competitive market. The Skylark GS Line of mid-sized Buick coupes were upgraded with large displacement powerplants to create the GSX model cars and then taken one step further with the release of the limited production Stage 1 option package. Besides the engine upgrade to the massive 455 V8, a hood mounted tach, front and rear spoiler, race style gauge package, and wide black race stripes put the Stage 1 squarely in competition with other GM muscle cars like the Chevelle, GTO, and 442.
For 1971, Buick added the brand new 455 cu in engine into its restyled GS. The Stage 1 package had an even hotter cam, bigger valves in special high-compression heads, a distributor with a different timing curve and a modified Rochester carburetor. 455 big blocks retained the choice of a 4-speed manual shifter or 3-speed automatic on the floor.
It was widely suggested that the 360 horsepower and 510 lb. ft of torque claimed by the builder was underrated by a lot to address rising insurance cost and fuel economy concerns. Most people, including NHRA determined that the engine achieved over 400 horsepower. Running a 13.38 E.T. and reaching 105.5 mph in the quarter-mile, this prompted Motor Trend Magazine to name the 1970 GSX “The Quickest American Production Muscle Car”.
Specifications:
Engine: 455cid/7.46L V8
Transmission: Turbo Hydramatic automatic
Engine output: 360 bhp, 510 ft/lbs torque @2800 rpm
Performance: 0-60mph 6.0 seconds; quarter mile 13.38 seconds; top speed 115 mph