The Muscle Car Era saw its peak in 1970. Cubic inches, horsepower, and torque reached their zenith, and for a brief shining moment, the gearhead faithful were able to worship their Big Block gods in all their glory. Then came the four horsemen of the muscle car apocalypse; broader safety regulations, stricter emissions controls, rising gas prices, and insurance companies targeting high performance models. It looked like our horsepower heroes, Buick GS Stage 1s, Chevy Chevelle LS6s, Hemi MOPARS, and Ford Mustang Super Cobra Jets, were doomed.
By 1973, most other manufacturers had given up on their big performance leaders, as power ratings had fallen, and the factory ground pounders were almost all gone. Somehow, Buick didn’t get the message. For the 1973 model year, the Buick GS Stage 1 could be had a with a 455 cubic-inch Big Block engine topped with a four-barrel carb, essentially the same engine as in 1971, but now rated at 270 net horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.
The 455 powered the new-for-1973 Colonnade body style. The wheelbase of the new design remained unchanged, but the Buick GS had grown longer with a roof that had been beefed up in the name of rollover safety. Convertible versions were no longer available.
Our feature 1973 Buick GS Stage 1 is claimed to be one of just 728 Stage 1s built that year. Its 455 build status is confirmed by the VIN. The frame-off restoration began with a rust-free car, and included some engine modifications, swapping the automatic transmission for a Muncie four-speed manual, and a power sunroof courtesy of ASC.
The restoration on this Buick GS Stage 1 was done around ten years ago. The paint presents quite well, with significant gloss and very little swirl. The front bumper looks to have been replated or replaced, while the rear bumper shows just enough patina that is likely original. Weatherstrip was replaced at the time of restoration. The forward half of the roof is white, and has an ASC-installed electric sunroof. This GS is equipped with power steering and power brakes.
The interior of the Buick GS Stage 1 is original to the car, and in better-than-average condition for its age. Some light discoloration is noted, but nothing unusual for its age. There are few signs of wear. The dash pad is free from cracks, and the headliner is new. The dash is home to a factory gauge pack. An aftermarket tach, oil, and temp gauges have been fitted.
Under the hood is a period-correct 455, but there is no word to its originality. Built with performance parts, the seller claims output is near 450 horsepower. It is dressed with Stage 1 chrome valve covers and black painted air cleaner cover. The engine bay has been painted gloss black.
This rare 1973 Buick GS Stage 1 is being offered by Volo Auto Sales for $41,998.
Comments
This era has become more appealing as they age. Bumpers really hurt overall styling.
It’s a really nice looking car.
What a gorgeous car! Fantastic lines. Looks terrific in that color combo.
The two things that make me shake my head are the “aftermarket” sunroof and swapping the factory auto for a manual. If you are going to do such a fantastic restoration, cutting the hole in the roof seems wrong in every way. I get that muscle car people like manuals, but if it came from the factory with auto, leave it that way.
The sunroof is considered “original” for hazy time period. ASC then was a well-known company that installed sun roofs back then and when a customer wanted a sunroof, that’s what the dealers had installed target than wait for an ordered car to be delivered.
As did a the transmission guess, I agree and it should have been left an Automatic.
Changes were probably made in the ’80 as they are very typical of what was happening then……..probably purchased as a used car by a young hot rodder who wanted to personalize it……probably also had aftermarket wheels, exhaust and maybe even air shocks at one time.
Wally: That could be the case, but I think the article said that the car was fully restored and the manual and sunroof were put in during the resto. Anyhow, still a darn nice looking car.
If the engine is not numbers matching, the price needs to be adjusted.
I had a 73 grand prix in black and white like that. Funny to see after all these years
This is a Buick Regal Gran Sport. I own a 72 GS with the Skylark style body. Nice care here.
The Gran Sport in 73 was CENTURY not Regal. I own a 74 Century Gran Sport 455 and have all of the documents for the car they are Century in 73 as well, no such thing as Regal GS.
Everytime I see this bodystyle, I remember hood up on the side of the road, gangster getaway car or someone’s out of work in a small town vehicle, being an ’80s/90s kid is the impression I have, I’ll drive this one although.
Strange that the car has the A/C HVAC controls and all the A/C vents, yet it doesn’t have air.
Wonder what gives with that.
Heater and natural air vents.
It looks like it has a cigarette lighter and ashtray. Yep, looks like a good deal.
41k for this hideous lump? You’d have to be out of your mind!
I have a 73 century GS. Not a stage 1. Just 5he 350/at,ps,pb.
Numbers matching, I have the original window sticker,build sheet, every piece of literature that was in and on this car brand new it has been in my family since the day it came off the showroom floor and his for sale. Located in Minnesota. Make a reasonable offer.
Additional information available? Condition?
Can you provide your email address?
Thanks
I ordered a GranSport in 1973 from Bill Yates Buick in Fort Smith Arkansas.
I took it home a week before Christmas. Mom hated it. Bucket seats although she would borrow it every Saturday to go to town to get groceries. Lol
455 modified stage one. 342 positrac rear end. Burgundy color with white collanade roof. White bucket seat console. Amfm radio. The radio would pick up channel 5 TV. Every option offered at that time.
This vehicle would get up and go. Unfortunately I planned to go to college and I couldn’t keep the car so I had to sell it and buy a cheaper car. If memory serves me I believe I gave $3450.00 for the car. I think I still have the original window sticker for the car somewhere.