The Muscle Car Seen... ?
 

Free Bird & Caged Lark'
 

Spotted in a Bethpage drug store parking lot, this Buick’s electric blue paint just screams out, “LOOK AT ME!”  Enhanced by the GSX black stripes and badging, the car visually makes no excuses.  With duals, Summit wheels and Firestone Indy 500’s, this Buick is pure steroid overdose.  Real GSX?  Who cares.  Its out and about doing for its owner what a classic muscle car should.  

Based on the midsize Skylark, the GS 455 was  named for its new 455-cid V-8.This monster mill sported large valves, free flow heads and a hot camshaft.  Though it was rated laughingly at 350 bhp, its prodigious 510 lb-ft of torque appeared at 2800 rpm.  Yikes!..!

As if not enough, Buick offered the 455 Stage I performance package with a hotter cam, larger valves & heavy duty springs, ported heads, and revised carb jetting. With Torque unchanged, Buick sheepishly put horsepower at 360, yet real world estimates put it over 400.  The Stage I package included a Positraction 3.64:1 axle and performance modifications to the available three- and four-speed Trannys.  

This caged ‘68 Skylark was spotted in a Richmond Hill construction yard by Cafe member “CrossCheck - Chris”.  Somewhat faded but not forgotten, it sits regally with all stock accoutrement, waiting for a new owner.  Is it a Muscle Car?  Well, it certainly wasn’t one in the day, looking more like a luxury - sport family boulevard cruiser.   But if V8 equipped, it could be one unique Muscle Project.  Unmolested muscle projects are hard to find.  I’m sure when the right person comes along; this ‘lark’ will fly the coup...

Engines: ohv I-6, 250 cid, V-8, 350 & 400 cid

Horsepower @ rpm: I6-155 @ 4200, (V8-2v)-230 bhp @ 4200 - (4v) 280 @ 4600 - 400 V8 (4v) 340 bhp @ 4700 rpm

Torque @ rpm: (2v)350 @ 1300 - (4v) 375 @ 2400 - 400 498 @ 2600

Performance: 0-60 mph, sec: 8.0-10.0  @ (mph): 105-120

1970 Buick GSX

1968 Buick Skylark

The 1970 Buick GSX Specifications  

Production: 687 Engine: ohv V8, 455 cid.  Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.  Horsepower @ rpm: 360 @ 4600Torque @ rpm: 510 @ 2800Performance:0-60 mph, sec: 6.51/4 mile, sec. @ mph: 13.8 @ 101