Stage 2 Clone: 1971 Buick Skylark GS
Buick used the Gran Sport (aka GS) moniker on several of its cars, but most often with the mid-size Skylark. Because Cadillac wasn’t into building performance cars, the Buick GS series were the most well-equipped GM sport models of their era. This 1971 Skylark is said to be a GS, but most likely an older clone of the Stage 2 (GSX) given the badging that appears on the automobile. Some older sheet metal work has been done and if a restoration is envisioned, it will need it done again. Located in Dracut, Massachusetts, the car is waiting for its first bid of $13,500 here on eBay.
With the heyday of the muscle car era starting to wane, Buick built 10,095 Skylark GS models in 1971. No VIN or fender tag information is provided here, so we’ll assume this was a GS to begin with. 75% of those cars were the GS-350 in coupe form, while the highly specialized GSX saw just 124 copies made. The seller says this car is equipped with an early 1970s 455 cubic inch V8 with a 1967 TH-400 automatic transmission. The 455 went into 1,481 coupes. So, the GS could be had with a 455 without it being a GSX.
Some time back, the seller’s Buick was treated to a re-do of its white paint and some patches were applied in both quarter panels and possibly the front fenders. We’re told that all body panels are going to need corrective measures taken, so it would not be surprising to find more bad stuff in places we can’t see. Yet, the seller says the floor, frame and trunk are all “good for the age.” The black interior looks to be in better condition than the exterior and the bucket seats are flanked by a console with a few add-on gauges.
This is a running car that could still be driven while the war chest is being built for the restoration. Once it’s fired up, the motor and exhaust are said to be louder than stock due to a few modifications that have been done to the motor, including the camshaft, headers, MSD ignition, and a rev limiter. Out back the car has a 3:42 posi-traction rear end. Since the Buick is wearing Stage 2 emblems, perhaps the buyer should do some homework on anything this car may be missing to truly be a Stage 2 clone and finish the job.
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Comments
Please park this in my driveway. I’ll love and care for it.
God bless America
The part missing to make it a stage 2 would be the ultra rare stage 2 motor and or the parts to make one. Nothing major.
But I would still love to have this car
There were no Stage 2 production cars ever built by Buick, Stage 1 was the top offering. So it’s really not a clone. It either has the over the counter stage 2 parts or just a trippy air cleaner sticker.
Neat old ride regardless.
From what I can see in the photos the interior looks nice. It doesn’t look like a rust bucket, but it also looks like a car that wouldn’t make you cry if the paint chipped. I love it.
Hey, Russ I have to disagree with your positioning of Buick being the top tier division just below Cadillac. It has always been my understanding that Oldsmobile held that spot and was next in the pecking order. Buick was above Pontic and it was above Chevy.
Buick was the next step down from a Cadillac.It’s been that way for years,irregardless I would love to have this in my driveway.
Nope, Buick was always 2nd to Cadillac, Olds 3rd, then Pontiac then Chevy. Look up old new car pricing and you will se that.
Yep. Grew up in a GM family. Individual model price variations notwithstanding, the hierarchy was always Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet. This, of course, was after the LaSalle (Cadillac), Marquette (Buick), Viking (Oldsmobile) and Oakland (Pontiac) brands went away.
I won’t pile on the corrections about brand placement in the GM hierarchy, but I will grant you that I think Olds often outclassed Buick on the interior and exterior styling during the ’64-’72 model years. Olds interiors and instrument panel layouts were especially nice looking.
I think a lot of cars had nice layouts inside and still looked good on the outside and not just GM IMO.
A GSX was an appearance package including rear spoiler, unique front air dam, hood mounted tach, and special striping. The Stage 2 was dealer available parts including round exhaust port heads. Never a production car, no fender badges from factory produced. This car looks to have some lower rear fender problems covered up. Nice looking interior.
Better check again. MSRP is more for a Cutlass than a Skylark. It’s Cadillac/Olds/ Buick/Pontiac/ Chevy. Of course the list is sadly a lot shorter today.
Sorry Bunkie, I shopped those brands for 55 years and although the overlap became smaller over the years, an Electra 225 was more expensive than an Olds 98, a GS more expensive than a 442, etc. I worked for General Motors for 40 yrs and know how they even had the corporate conference rooms set up in brand names hierarchy: Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.
Sorry Bunky, I’ve shopped GM brands for 55 yrs and although the overlap has become smaller over time, a Buick Electra 225 was always more expensive than an Olds 98, a GS cost more than a 442, etc. I worked for GM for 50 years and can tell you there was even a hierarchy in corporate conference rooms named after Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. Fancy Cadillac for upper management meetings to Chevrolet for safety training.
A 1958 Buick Limited cost more and bigger than a 1958 Cadillac 62,but Cadillac was still at the top of the heap.
1971 Oldsmobile F-85: $2884
1971 Buick Skylark: $3349
1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88: $3826
1971 Buick LeSabre: $4621
1971 Oldsmobile Toronado: $5449
1971 Buick Riviera: $5903
The hierarchy seems pretty clear to me.
This car is reasonably close to me and I could offer an inspection for a potential buyer. I’m not a professional, but I did own and rebuild a 71 Skylark Conv. I’m familiar with these cars.
Wow, well I stand corrected about the pecking order, I always thought Olds was ahead of Buick and to backup my misconception Oldsmobile interiors always seemed nicer to me than Buck. Oh well granddad always said you learn something new everyday, but only if you pay attention…