The Buick Skylark Gran Sport was the first Buick muscle car introduced by the car maker. Released in 1965, GS became known for its powerful V8 engine, upgraded suspension, and other performance enhancements.
Released during the second part of the 1965 model year, the Gran Sport option turned the two-door Skylark into a veritable GTO challenger. But, while it never managed to outsell the highly popular Pontiac, the 1965 Gran Sport laid the foundation for a high-performance program that culminated with the 1970 GS Stage 1.
The 1965 Buick Gran Sport emerged as a formidable contender in the muscle car arena, a testament to American engineering and a symbol of raw power wrapped in elegance. Born from the stables of General Motors, this vehicle was Buick's answer to the burgeoning demand for high-performance cars.
Conceived as a direct response to GM sibling Pontiac's 1964 GTO and based on the same A-body platform, the Gran Sport was Buick's first foray into the realm of 1960s muscle.
Following Pontiac's resounding success with the Tempest/LeMans-based GTO, Buick decided to enter the muscle car arena with a beefed-up version of its new intermediate. Thus, in the middle of the 1965 model year, the Skylark Gran Sport was born. Aesthetically, the Gran Sport wasn't much different from the top-of-the-line Skylark.
Still, some manufacturers continued to offer performance-oriented models, and Buick was one of them. The 1973 model year saw a new thorough redesign of the A-body intermediate that was now called Century, not Skylark. Thankfully, the Gran Sport returned, and it wasn't rebranded.
Today, the 1970 GSX Stage 1 is one of the most sought-after muscle cars of the era, and for many, it's Buick's greatest muscle car. Only three years after the epic GSX debuted, stricter emission regulations, higher insurance rates, and a fuel crisis spelled the end of the muscle car era.
WEBApr 30, 2024 · When Buick introduced the first Gran Sport, it equipped it with a 401-ci (6.57-liter) "nailhead" V8, but to go around the ban, the division simply marketed the V8 as a 400.
WEBFeb 15, 2024 · 1965 Skylark Gran Sport: The Forgotten Buick Muscle Car That's Still Affordable Today. Published: 15 Feb 2024, 19:32 UTC • By: Vlad Radu. 13 photos. Photo: Mecum. Conceived as a direct...
WEBSep 24, 2023 · 1. 1965 Buick Skylark GS (Gran Sport) The Buick Skylark Gran Sport was the first Buick muscle car introduced by the car maker. Released in 1965, GS became …
WEBMar 24, 2024 · In 1968, a redesigned Skylark was introduced, and while still based on the intermediate, the Gran Sport became a separate model. A year later, the GS returned …
WEBJan 17, 2024 · The 1970 Buick Gran Sport emerged as a titan of American muscle, a testament to an era when horsepower reigned supreme. Born from the stables of …
WEBA unique fact that sets the 1965 Buick Gran Sport apart is its introduction of the first-ever production V8 engine to breach the 1 horsepower-per-cubic-inch output, making it a …
WEBJun 7, 2023 · The 1970 Buick Gran Sport is a car that commands attention and admiration from classic car enthusiasts around the world. Its captivating design and powerful …
WEBMar 10, 2024 · When the Skylark Gran Sport was created in 1965, it was only available with a 401 “Nailhead.” When that engine was discontinued and replaced by the all-new …
WEBDec 14, 2023 · This 1974 Buick Gran Sport is one of 3,355 built, with only 579 featuring the 455 four-barrel engine (as evidenced by the “U” in the VIN). “This Buick is a 1974 …