Frame Up Restored Saturn Yellow GSX 455 V8 TH400

Most classic car enthusiasts agree that 1970 was the pinnacle of the muscle car era. Prior to that year, General Motors had a ridiculous rule that said no more than 400 cubic inches of raw American power could go under the hood of any mid-size car. Immediately after that year, OPEC, the Environmental Protection Agency and the insurance industry all did their absolute best to end the horsepower wars forever. And with that in mind, many people ask us what we think the ultimate muscle car is. Even though we're hesitant to pick just one, we always remind them that, at the time, Motor Trend said the Buick GSX was the fastest car they'd ever tested. And with a staggering 510 lb./ft. of torque straight from the factory, Buick's coveted GSX continued to hold the title of highest torque-producing American car until the introduction of the 2003 Dodge Viper. The funny thing is, despite their superior performance these gentleman's hot rods still change hands for far less than their much more common corporate siblings. And, as a mostly original head turner that spent most of its life in a high end Japanese car collection, this non-Stage GSX is undoubtedly one of the finest investment opportunities we've ever featured! If you're looking for some killer Detroit metal that has an outstanding history and an impressive level of performance, Buick built it and RK Motors Charlotte is selling it!

Pretty much all of our investment grade offerings come with significant historical documentation; and, in keeping with tradition, the sale of this bright yellow A-Body includes a small packet from the GSX Historic Society which states the car was equipped with the following items upon its shipment to Zimbrick Motors in May of 1970:

* A-9 option group
* ----- Distinctive GSX hood and body stripes
* ----- Front and rear spoilers
* ----- GSX ornamentation decal on rear spoiler and rear quarters
* ----- GSX grille and instrument panel emblems
* ----- Rocker panel moldings with distinctive black GSX stripes
* ----- Color-coordinated headlamp bezels
* ----- Color-coordinated racing mirrors
* ----- Hood tachometer
* B-3: 4-speed manual transmission
* B-7: Consolette
* B-C option group:
* ----- Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 3-speed transmission
* ----- Full length console
* C-1: Power disc brakes
* C-D option group:
* ----- Quick ratio power steering
* ----- Power disc brakes
* D-1: Sonomatic radio
* F-7: Chrome wheels with G60-15 Super Wide Oval, white billboard lettered tires
* G-1: Performance axle with posi-traction 3.42 gear ratio
* H-6 Rally Ride Control Package:
* ----- Firm ride springs
* ----- Rear stabilizer bar
* ----- Rear lower control arm assembly
* L-2: Soft Ray tinted windshield
* U-9: Instrument gauges and Rally clock
* X-2: Rally steering wheel
* 3-N: Special paint

If you wanted a 1970 Buick muscle car you had two color choices: GM code 10-10 Apollo White or GM code Q-Q Saturn Yellow. Yellow outsold white by about three to one with only 187 Apollo White coupes traversing the assembly line in 1970; and when you take one good gander at this broad shouldered beaut, you'll begin to understand exactly why. Looking sinister and feeling solid, this GSX carries 100% of its original sheetmetal and today, thanks to one repaint and a life of collection and museum time, the car's mirror-like profile is a largely flaw-free celebration of factory authenticity. When this Buick was ordered there was no way to avoid a blacked-out hood and black side stripes, but why the heck would you? It looks incredibly aggressive, yet tasteful at the same time, and is exactly what one would expect from a brand that was synonymous with doctors and lawyers. Naturally, panel gaps are excellent throughout, everything seals up tight and rattle-free, and there's just something about this Buick that feels more substantial than its Chevy and Pontiac cousins. The car's finish is brilliant, using modern pigment to achieve a depth and gloss that makes it impossible to ignore at a show or on the street. And overall, this GSX is about as close to factory perfect as a four decades removed classic can get!

For 1970 Buick's GS line sprouted a flashy $1,100 options package that featured small aesthetic tweaks and a lot more attitude. The result was this car, a substantial looking piece which managed to feel more upscale than its GM stable mates while retaining the same confident, all-American attitude. At the front of the car's long body, a broad chrome bumper centers crystal clear marker lamps between a new chin spoiler, four halogen headlights and a deep-set grille that hangs a bright “GSX” emblem inside a thick chrome border. At the top of that grille, large diameter intakes and a famous exterior-mounted tachometer front a flat hood, which flows to factory glass that's capped by chrome drip rails, bordered by well-maintained stainless trim and cleared by hidden wiper arms. At the sides of those wiper arms, black rocker trim combines with fresh stainless wheel well trim to parallel color-keyed racing mirrors, traditional chrome door handles and revered “GSX” quarter decals. And at the back of the car, a second chrome bumper centers like-new tail lamps and a subtle “BUICK” script below a large, “GSX” branded decklid spoiler.

You probably noticed that I opened this description with the words “non-Stage Buick”. That's because this GSX actually carries the more street-friendly version of Buick's 455 that is rated at 350 horsepower and 510 lb./ft. of torque. Think that's a bad thing? Think again. Only 278 of Buick's 1970 GSX units were equipped with the non-Stage 455, as opposed to 400 Stage 1 cars. So, if you're looking for a highly collectible tri-shield, you've definitely found it! Hoist this coupe's three-color hood and you'll find a mechanically freshened, and aesthetically pleasing, Buick big block which wears a correct 1231738 casting number, an April (D) 28th (28) of 1970 casting date and a correct partial VIN. At the top of that vivid red block a familiar Rochester Quadrajet carburetor mixes oxygen from functional ram air hood scoops with dino juice that's supplied by original stainless fuel lines. At the sides of that carburetor, free flowing heads hang stamped steel valve covers over deep breathing cast iron exhaust manifolds. In front of those manifolds, a traditional points distributor shoots fire through new Packard TV R Suppression wires. And in front of that distributor, a gloss black radiator circulates coolant through pliable hoses and authentic tower clamps. In addition to its killer powerplant, this GSX maintains a correctly detailed engine bay that's complete with a '70 model washer tank, a Delco Energizer battery and what appears to be an original brake booster. Visually, the car's satin black fenders perfectly complement both its bright red engine block and factory-equipped hood insulation. And mechanically this awesome Buick is in outstanding original condition, performing just as well now as when it rolled out of Zimbrick Motors' Madison showroom.

At the bottom of this mildly restored A-Body a clean undercarriage tells a long story of excellent maintenance and carefully chosen road time. Naturally the hot 455 needed a better drivetrain to effectively establish street credibility, so Buick complemented the car's styling tweaks with a few mechanical adjustments and a number of strengthened components. At the center of the floors a rugged, and original, Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission hangs a correct partial VIN and a non-Stage 455 (BA) assembled on April 28th (483) of 1970 (70) build plate in front of a familiar 10 bolt rear end that's complete with tall 3.90 gears. At the ends of that drivetrain an original Rally Ride Control suspension, which includes stiffer springs, a rear stabilizer bar and a rear lower control arm assembly, combines with factory power steering and factory power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide quick stops and great handling. And at the corners of that chassis, torque flows to the pavement through four chrome Magnum 500s which spin fresh 245/60R15 Goodyear Eagle STs around clean red, white and blue center caps. Speaking of floors, the car's straight and solid pans, which are bolted to a damage-free frame, still hang 99% of their satin black paint over satin black suspension components that still retain much of their factory shine. Spent gases flow through the aforementioned manifolds to original factory pipes and fresh, factory replacement mufflers. And, based on a quick visual inspection, all the car's hardware and bushings appear to be in good, road-ready condition.

Climb inside this timeless Buick muscle car and you'll find a mostly original GM code 188 interior that is both comfortable and appealing. Covered in pliable Madrid Grain surfaces (Buick speak for high quality vinyl), the car's firm front bucket and rear bench seats are comfortable, solid and provide spacious seating for at least four. At the center of the cockpit, an optional stainless-trimmed console props an original horse shoe shifter above like-new black carpet, heavy duty rubber floor mats and new sill plates. Above that console, a warp-free dash hangs bright wood applique between original Rally gauges and an original Sonomatic radio. At the sides of the seats, smooth black door panels feature bright “GS” emblems, great looking trim, crack-free armrests and shiny chrome handles. And at the top of the car, a tight black headliner looks as good as the day it left the assembly line. Connecting the driver to the road is a great looking original steering wheel which carefully positions three satin-finished spokes around a small “BUICK” branded horn button. And behind the passengers, a virtually untouched trunk frames an original factory decklid decal, a full-size spare tire and a high quality houndstooth mat.

The sale of this brazen old Buick includes the GSX Historic Society documents outlined above, some Japanese paperwork from a 20 year stint overseas, and a small stack of receipts for items that have been bought to keep the car fresh and ready to go.

If you're a fan of ultimate Detroit muscle cars that are as pure as they are cool, it just doesn't get any better than this awesome yellow Buick! We all know that pristine, mostly original classics are hard to find; and this non-Stage, investment grade GSX is one of the rarest of the bunch! If you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind collector car that you can watch appreciate year after year, your search is officially over!