There’s no denying that 1970 was a great year for muscle cars. General Motors’ own muscle car lineup that year consisted of icons like the Chevy Chevelle 454SS, Pontiac GTO Judge and Buick GSx, among others, while GM’s rivals had their own impressive offerings like the 1970 Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang Mach 1.
Our favorite muscle car-obsessed drag racing YouTube channel, Cars and Zebras, filmed a race between two of these 1970s performance icons during an amateur pure stock drag racing event in Michigan. This intra-GM battle included a tried-and-true LS6-powered 1970 Chevelle 454SS racing a 1970 Buick GSx Stage 1 – a throwback face-off that any true GM enthusiast would hate to miss.
These cars really need no introduction around these parts, but we’re happy to fill in any readers who may not be familiar with GM’s muscle car past. The 1970 Chevelle 454SS features the automaker’s 454 cubic inch LS6 V8, which produced a claimed 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque from the factory. The car in this video features a three-speed automatic and tips the scales at 3,848 pounds with the driver accounted for. In the other corner is the 1970 Buick GSx Stage 1 – the top performance model from Buick’s lineup in 1970. It features a 455 cubic inch V8 making an alleged 360 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, which is also linked up to a three-speed automatic in this example. The Buick is slightly heavier than the Chevy, weighing in at 3,950 pounds.
This matchup seems very close on paper. While the Buick has roughly 90 less horsepower, it’s basically even with the Chevelle on torque. The Buick is also heavier, however, and has taller 3.73 rear gearing, which will likely be a disadvantage in this quarter-mile shootout. Check out the video embedded below to see which GM performance coupe takes the winner’s crown.
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Comments
Guys, you claim that the Buick was a GSX but I was working for Buick in ’70 and bought a Blue ’72 Gran Sport Stage 1 4-speed. (one of ~ 100 built that year)
The GSX had a hood mounted tach, a deck lid spoiler, a stripe down the side, and initially only came in “Refrigerator” White or “School Bus” Yellow. Your blue Gran Sport may well have been a Stage 1 but I don’t think it has the GSX package. It does bring back fond memories though. Thanks
That’s not your Dad’s Buick !!!
Even with more weight and taller gearing, Buick is the King! I’ll bet the GS vs a hemi Charger or GTX would be a close race.
Not a surprise that the GS Stage 1 came out on top, but expected the LS6 Chevelle would be a bit stronger at the top end? The Stage 1 455 was a very stout engine especially with regard to low end torque. (The plate on the front the even says…”King of Torque”) The LS6 was a better breathing engine, hence the 450hp rating, but this particular car could not “run down” this particular Buick.
I can say from back in day, seeing these types of races between GM cousins, this would not have happened. The 454 A/C delete 4 speed was king. Many came close but no cigar… If it did lose, driver missed a gear.
Was not owner of either but seen these run at the track on Wednesdays test and Tune and weekend open class from the stands.
Just what I saw among the big 3
Here’s a crazy one, a white 65 Impala SS cleaned a lot of Camaro’s, Mustangs. Challengers, and Cudas The look on there faces… mine too….lol
I am not surprised the 1970 Buick Gs 455 stage 1 is fast
As been and always will be just be thankful it wasn’t a 1967 Buick wildcat putting the taillights to the Ls6