I have a few questions. In 1970, what was the difference between the GS455 and the GSX? Other the the cosmetics and stuff like that. I have looked at some pictures and it looks as if the headlights are slightly different. Did the standard GS350, 400 and 455, not stage 1's have a posi-traction rear-end? I have read all sorts of places, that the 455 stage one produced more than the 360 horsepower it was rated at. If so, how much did it really make? Thanks for the help!
GSX = Basically an appearance package. Headlamp covers on 70 non-GSX, GS cars were chrome plated and on the GSX painted either the artic white or the Saturn yellow. Could have come with either stage 1 or non stage 455 engines in 70. After 70 could have been a 350 engine too. Buick dyno for stage 1 = 376hp @ either 5 or 5.1K rpm but the torque was 510 ft lb. Do not get too caught up in the hp ratings without considering the torque rating.
The 1970 GSX has a few difference. In 1970 Disc brakes and quick ration steering were standard on the GSX and an option on the GS. The GSX also had spoilers, sports mirrors, a thicker steering wheel, GSX badging, and a posi track rear end. There was no difference in the motors other than you could only get a GSX with a 455 where you could get a GS with a 350. You could get either the standard 455 or the stage 1. The stage 1 was rated at 360HP but some articles have suggested that it was as high as 425 HP and only given as lower rating because of insurance reasons. Mark
Dennis Manner the head of deveopment for the 455 engine says the 425hp stuff for a stage 1 is untrue. We saw a copy of the actual Buick factory Dyno runs at Flint last summer. I believe that I quoted them correctly above. For Stage 2 well that is another story.
It's not the headlights themselves, it's the surrounds that go around the headlights. They are called 'bezels'. On Skylarks and GS Sport Coupes (base model) and the GS455, these bezels are chrome on the part that rings the headlights, and then body color on the very edges. On the GSX these bezels should be painted body color on all areas, with no chrome surrounding the headlights. The part is the same part, just with no chrome plating. You see a lot of Skylarks and GSs now with painted bezels because the chrome on the bezels is notoriously bad and the easiest solution is to paint them. The rocker panel chrome for the GS and Skylark Custom models should have red stripes. The base model Skylark and GSX, if I recall correctly, should have black stripes. I also seem to recall that a hood tach was not available on the GS until after the GSX debuted. I'm sure somebody can confirm this for me. In 1970 Buick would not officially allow a vinyl roof on a GSX. I beleive in 1971 and 1972 it was not recommended, but technically available. Positraction should have been an option. I do not have my reference material in front of me, but I think it's possible to have had a non-posi GS in 1970. What I have heard is that the Stage 1 made an honest 360-370 hp on the dyno, consistently
NHRA factored it up around 420 HP so it had to run with the likes of 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs after it began to dominate in the early 70s. The Buick graph shows 376 HP so it was slightly down rated at 360. I hate it the way alot of new car companies come up with 247 HP or 222 HP, come on round it off, all motors vary anyway. But I guess it sounds "more precision" to the idiots that buy them. I read recently where some manufacturers are being chalanged on their HP claims. Subaru was one that was mentioned. Bruce
The 1970 gsx is the only year of the "gsx Model" in other words the car came with the hood tack, front and rear spoilers,striping, etc as a package, with the choice of a 455 with or with out the stage one option, and the choice of either of two colors. The 1971,1972 gsx was a base gs with every item in the 70 gsx an option to create a 71 0r 72 gsx. For example you could of ordered a 71 or 72 gsx without a hood tack or spoilers and you could of had a 350 engine, with a choice of several colors. owen
