This Untouched 1972 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 Is a Collector’s Dream

“As the ’60s Golden Age of Piston Power Faded, So Did a Dream of Unbridled Horsepower! Discover the Shocking Impact of Environmentalism, Energy Crises, and Shifting Societal Priorities on Automotive Progress – Two Decades in Reverse!” 🚗💨🌍

“Unearthing the Muscle Car Unicorn: The Story of the 1972 Buick Gran Sport 455 Stage 1 – A Rarity Among Rare Gems!” 💎🚗

Revisiting the ’60s Muscle Car Era, it took years of technological innovation to recapture the glory days of horsepower. However, it was far from a smooth ride. Carmakers found themselves making painful compromises and, in some cases, nightmarish sacrifices to preserve their legacy and stay in the race.

While the Malaise Era is often pegged to 1973, the signs of struggle emerged as early as 1972. Cars began to exhibit weaknesses in critical areas, with performance stifled, first by the new Society of Automotive Engineering net ratings for engine outputs. The most significant blow, however, came from the automakers themselves, as they had to restrain their vehicles, anticipating the shift toward a more environmentally conscious paradigm.

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There were exceptions, but they were few and far between, reaffirming the merciless rule. In this landscape, 1972 represented Detroit’s last-ditch effort to deliver a performance punch before the impending decline. Buick, primarily known for luxury rather than high-performance vehicles, stood its ground in the face of emissions regulations.

This is where the Gran Sport (GS) enters the scene, initially as a performance package for the Skylark and later the Riviera, before becoming a standalone model. From 1967 to the fateful year of 1972, the ‘GS’ badge became an immediate attention-grabber, igniting the drag strip aspirations of anyone who encountered it.

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While Gran Sports were already strong performers, Buick took things up a notch with performance upgrades aptly labeled as Stage 1 and Stage 2 (though the latter was a rare choice). However, these hot cars remained scarce among Detroit’s other offerings. Buick wasn’t aiming to break sales records like Chevrolet; hence, the Gran Sports were a rare sight even fifty years ago.

Fast forward to today, and these cars are even rarer, pushing the boundaries of automotive unicorns. But let’s raise the bar even higher and focus on the 1972 model year Buick Gran Sport Stage 1 vehicles. To make it more challenging, consider only those equipped with the 455-cubic-inch V8 engine – a true rarity.

One such unicorn emerges, courtesy of passionate collector and former Buick dealer Dennis Doerge, known for his impressive car collection featured on Lou Costabile’s YouTube channel. His latest acquisition is a triple-black 1972 Buick Gran Sport 455 Stage 1, where the ‘455’ denotes the V8’s displacement – a robust 7.5 liters of raw Detroit muscle (although detuned for emissions compliance).

In its prime, this colossal powerplant boasted 510 lb-ft of torque (692 Nm) in 1970, almost resembling a naval engine. By 1972, emissions regulations had forced a detuning, reducing torque to 390 lb-ft (592 Nm). It’s important to note that this drop was due to the shift from ‘gross’ to ‘net’ output measurements after 1971, accounting for ancillary components.

Regarding horsepower, the ’72 GS 455 Stage 1 still managed an impressive 270 hp (274 PS) – a remarkable figure for its time. However, with insurers cracking down on high-performance cars, not many of these muscle machines rolled off Buick’s assembly lines.

In total, only 809 units were produced, with 81 convertibles (10%) and 728 hardtops. To put this in perspective, Buick’s total GS production for 1972 reached 8,575 units.

Now, let’s delve into the most captivating aspect of Dennis Doerge’s unicorn: its incredible originality and astonishingly low mileage. With just 14,850 miles (23,893 kilometers) since its birth in June 1972, this Buick remained meticulously preserved. Initially purchased by a Buick dealer, it resided in climate-controlled storage throughout its life. The original buyer wisely optioned Stage 1 with numerous extras, elevating its base price of $3,225.45 to a total of $5,091.45.

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Furthermore, the late build date of this exceptional Buick raises the intriguing possibility of being the last Stage 1 ever produced, a historical tidbit yet to be confirmed. Mr. Doerge acquired this gem last year, and it was listed for sale by a classic car dealer in Florida for $65,000.

Equipped with the 455 V8 engine, Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic transmission, a 3.42 Positive Traction rear axle, and Stage 1-standard dual exhaust, this Buick boasts a formidable powertrain. Additionally, it features the rare ‘through-bumper’ exhaust tips, available for only one year.

The options list is extensive, but the only deviation from the original setup is the replacement of the tires for safety reasons, with the iconic white oval billboard-lettered tires retained.

The current owner is understandably thrilled with this remarkable addition to his already impressive Buick collection. The A-body’s stance on the road from this era is celebrated and features like power disc brakes and power steering ensure an enjoyable cruising experience.

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