1971 Buick GS Stage 1          $59,995

Buick’s proud tradition of performance continued with the model redesigns for 1973, but few realize a special package flew from Flint that year. Based on the new Century body featuring the distinctive Colonnade restyling for the first time, several-hundred buyers opted for the noteworthy top-of-the-line Gran Sport Stage 1 455 CI engine package, but only 92 of them also chose to equip theirs with a 4-speed transmission in 1973.

• 1 of 92 Stage 1 Gran Sports built with a 4-speed in 1973
  
• 1 of only 41 hardtops built with factory air conditioning
• Frame-up restoration in its original color of Medium Blue
• The paint was applied by a professional award-winning paint specialist
• Original interior in excellent condition
• The factory-installed original engine was rebuilt to the high performance specifications of the 1970 Stage 1 engine
• Correct NOS radial tires, first year available
• Sold new at Len Immke Buick in Columbus, Ohio.
• Immke Buick was well known as a performance dealer, and actually raced a similar '73 Stage 1 of their own.
• Documented by the VIN designation as a Stage 1 and by Sloan Museum certification from Buick archives.
• Highly optioned Stage 1
• Performance ratio Positraction rear end
• AM/FM stereo, chrome styled wheels
• Radial tuned suspension
• Factory air conditioning
• Fast ratio power steering
• Power disc brakes
• Power windows and seat
• Electric door locks and trunk release
• Tilt steering column, Rallye steering wheel
• First year of the redesigned Colonnade body style
  

In fact, the list becomes even more exclusive in that only 41 of these hardtops were built with factory air conditioning. The example here is the beneficiary of a frame-up restoration, refinished with its original Medium Blue color by an award-winning paint specialist. A highly optioned Stage 1 to begin with, its original factory-installed engine has now been rebuilt to “better than new,” using high-performance specifications from the legendary 1970 Stage 1 455 package. This adaptation is fitting, as the car was sold new at Len Immke Buick in Columbus, Ohio. Immke actually campaigned a similar '73 Stage 1 of his own, and was a known Buick performance dealer in this era. A Positraction differential completes the driveline. Beginning from a solid original meant that the original interior could be retained, and it remains in excellent condition. This is equipped with luxuries like an AM/FM stereo, power windows and seat, electronic door locks and trunk release, tilt steering column and a Rallye steering wheel.

Driving is pleasurable and direct thanks to fast-ratio power steering, power disc brakes, chrome-styled wheels, radial-tuned suspension and rarely seen correct NOS radial tires, this model year being the first the design was available. Documented by both the VIN designation as a Stage 1 and accompanying Sloan Museum documentation from the Buick archives, the Gran Sport legacy is far from over when considering the complementary facets of this 4-speed luxury muscle car.