Q: Greg, what is a 1970 Buick GS coupe worth? I'd love to buy one, and am checking the ads in the many collector magazines. I want to buy one that's already been restored.
Harry, Detroit, Michigan.
A: Harry, I've always had a special place in my heart for Buicks. My grandfather had a black 1948 four-door straight-eight, which I utilized as a playroom for many years as a growing boy. I used to sneak in his garage and sit in that car for hours, dreaming of the day I, too, would become a driver. Along the way, I owned a 1951 two-door Special, which I bought in 1969 for only $300, and a 1983 Park Avenue, which served my family well with 115,000 trouble free miles.
Buick also made strong impressions during my high performance years. Many a Chevelle SS396, Roadrunner or Tri-Power GTO were surprised by the strength and winning ability of the '67 to '71 Buick Skylark Gran Sport line. These screamers, especially the Buick Stage I and GSX models, not only looked good, they ran like the dickens. A friend of mine had one in 1969, a 400-inch Stage I model, and we had that car running in the 12.9-second range in the quarter mile will add on equipment like Hedman headers, 3-barrel 950 Holley carb, aluminum intake, 4.33 posi gears and a Mallory ignition and slicks.
As for pricing, a show quality, fully restored 1970 Buick GSX will run $30,000 plus; expect to pay $24,500 for the Stage I; $18,500 for the GS 455; and around $15,000 for the GS350. Remember, these are approximate prices at best, and could be escalate or decline depending on the buyer and how willing one is to part with such a great machine, especially those Stage I and GSX models. Good luck, and if you buy one, send us a photo! By the way, if money is no object, go for the GSX.