Which is the ultimate Buick: the 1987 Buick GNX or the 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1?

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by RussXLR8s

Well Sam, if you really read the history of these cars, you'd know better then to comment as you did. Only in 72' was the GSX an appearance package. 70' was the most modified and the peak performance GS & GSX's. In 71' was the beginning of the downturn in Horsepower due to increasing gas prices, but mostly government regulations, putting an end to the growing horsepower muscle car wars.
The 70's GSX stage1 was claimed at 360 - 365 horse power / 510ft/lbs of torque. The GS 455 was 350HP, / 510ft/lbs. If you read it's history at many websites available, there was a bunch of changes to the 70' GSX, rear gearing changed, hood Tach, suspension etc. In 71' the horsepower dropped off 15 HP to 345, and much lower in 72' when they started to go by Net HP rating, not at the crank. So every year of those 3 bodied years, they were different.

Not quite. Sam is correct the GSX was an appearance package. You are confusing the ratings between the regular '70 455 (350/510) vs. the '70 Stage 1 455 (360/510). The Stage 1 performance engine was available in a non-GSX regular GS455 car. Same engine, same performance, less glee.

Also, I'd like to point out that the ratings are bandied about quite a bit, but please understand that many (most) supercar engines were underrated for insurances purposes and in GM's case, to make it seem like buyers of more expensive cars were getting more hp. eg. corvettes and full size cars. According to Musclecar Magazine, the true output of a Buick 455 Stage 1 is 420hp (which puts in the #8 spot, FWIW of regular production musclecar power producers).

As far as this poll goes, my vote is for the GS. My reasons are that while I recognize the advantages of the GNX, I view musclecars as art as much as vehicles. Looking under the hood of the GS, I know exactly what everything is, there is no plastic, computers, etc. etc. And you can't beat the visceral appeal of a high performance Big Block. I could care less about the gas mileage; neither car would be a daily driver if I owned it.

Dave

[airgazem]

tuff one but I say GNX.You gotta love boost.

[Mjollnir]

Originally Posted by Musclecarclub

Which is the ultimate Buick: the 1987 Buick GNX or the 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1? Do you prefer an all black pillared coupe packing a 300 bhp (SAE net) turbo 3.8 V6 or a yellow or white hardtop coupe with a 360 bhp (SAE Gross) 455 V8. Or do you lust for something else?

Neither. The 1971 Riviera. Sure, the GSX and GNX have ponies and the ability to utilize them, but their pimp factor is close to zero.

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by Mjollnir

Neither. The 1971 Riviera. Sure, the GSX and GNX have ponies and the ability to utilize them, but their pimp factor is close to zero.

Yep, the "pimp" factor is what I worry about when buying a car!


....I must be getting old.

Dave

[Mjollnir]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

Yep, the "pimp" factor is what I worry about when buying a car!


....I must be getting old.

Dave

There's always a place for old pimps.

[Hi Tech]

Modern cars have Modern problems.

There's no replacement for displacement! Test results of GSX vs. GNX showed that the little V6 never had a chance!

Different kind of acceleration and performance between both cars, and they each deserve a different kind of respect!

As an Owner/Collector of GS cars, I like both, the GSX and the GNX, but I still prefer Classic Muscle with Big Block Power; The GSX still reigns Superior!

I'll take one of each, please!

Oh, and a '65 Riviera GS, 425/Dual Quads, and TH200/4R!

[462cid]

I vote GSX

Why? Well that v6 Turbo GNX can be made real fast, cheap. faster and cheaper than a GSX Stage 1

Unless of course, you put a turbo or two on the GSX

The GNX is great. The GSX is great now, and was great, during a time when making the baddest musclecar in the land was the goal of the car makers. The GNX didn't have much competition (Monte SS? Yawn. 442 Quad 4? No way)

Put boost into a Stage 1 or Stage 2 GSX and then tell me how the GNX is faster The GSX is all motor, stock, the GNX isn't, stock. Give the GSX the same advantages of technology and look out

But performance numbers aside, the GSX gets the edge on it's stand-out styling and colors alone. Black is beautiful, it's true, the GNX looks great. It's not eye-catching, though. Everybody has a black car

[Fleet 472]

Originally Posted by 69WiLdcaT

and musclcarclub.... do you remember reading on here about how a guy asked you how you could think a 340 cuda wasn't a musclecar? i think i have to side with you on that but... the rest of the cars you consider or reject as musclecars don't make any sense... like mine... :\

The 340 'Cuda definitely is a muscle car. With 3.23 gears, they could run consistent mid- to high-14 sec 1/4 miles; Motor Trend (Nov., 1968) tested a 69 340 'Cuda with a 3.55:1 rear axle and got these times:
'69 340 'Cuda, curb weight 3,440 lbs, 4-speed manual:
0-30 mph........ 2.5 secs
0-45 mph........ 4.4
0-60 mph........ 6.3
1/4 mile.......... 14.22 secs @ 99.10 mph

These times are better than many "true" muscle cars, like 390 Fairlanes, 396 Chevelles and 383 Road Runners!

Anyway, by all means I would choose the '70 Buick GSX over the '87 GNX. I much prefer a huge, big-cube engine with tons of torque over a small 6-cylinder engine which needs modifications to make power.

[williamskinner16]

Originally Posted by Gary Wells

The fact that a GNX, compared to a GSX, Stage 1, everything else being equal, might bring a little more money should be an indicator of something.

Ditto, look I think the regal platform as in the T-Type/GN/GNX were great especially for the time they were produced. I believe they are one reason detroit has been on the upswing ever since. However, If I had a choice I would go for the Conventional power of yesteryear. I wish an auto maker today made cars that the average owner could work on or upgrade, and better yet made as solid as those from the late 60s. The only upgrades I would incorperate are HEI distributers, tires and suspension/chassis improvements, made since then.

[Mines69Olds]

I liked the GNX's cool sleek look and the turbo was pretty nice but there is nothing like the feel of the BB throwing you back into your seat. BB 455 is a hell of a motor.

[MuscleCarFacts]

I would have to go with the GSX. Big engine, outrageous paint and a certain sleeper appeal is enough for me.


The GNX was great too. But it was very expensive and every gear head out there new what it was and how fast it could go.


It’s amazing that two of the fastest and coolest muscle cars ever were produced by the “old mans” division of General Motors.

[MagicRat]

This thread is so old it belongs in a senior's home and not at AF.

Thread closed.