Want to try some bird watching—gearhead style?
Check out this amazing Skylark that flapped into Summit Racing’s Ohio retail store a while back.
For starters, this isn’t an ordinary bird.
Nope, this Lot Shots feature looks to be a tribute to the coveted GS 455.
We’re thinking it’s a tribute because it’s got a Skylark badge on the rear quarter and a Buick emblem on the nose of the hood. Speaking of hoods, the GS wears a different set of scoops compared to the louvers you see here—but we’re not Buick experts, so if you disagree, please correct us in the comments section below.
Regardless, it a super clean ride and obviously well cared for.
The GS 455 meant that there was a Buick 455 big block living under the hood. In contrast to the Pontiac 455, the Buick’s engine was part of a distinct Buick big block family tree which used different bore spacing when compared to a contemporary Buick small block.
Though power numbers were on their way down by 1972 thanks to lower compression and the whole “net vs. gross” thing, the 455 still cranked out around 250 respectable horses.
For even more performance, buyers could opt for a Stage 1 package which upped power output and added unique badging.
We won’t spend much time discussing the Stage 1 GS for this story, but you can check out an entire article on a 1970 GS Stage 1 here.
There was also an incredibly rare “Stage 2” option which, from what we understand, was made available through select Buick dealerships as a dealer-installed package of performance parts, namely a cam, cylinder heads, and headers.
Then, there was the GSX, which carried all of the performance of the Stage 1, coupled with some chassis upgrades and a host of cosmetic and interior updates—a true personal luxury musclecar.
The Gran Sport performance trim appeared on Skylarks as far back as 1965, as a response to the unexpected success of the GTO from GM’s Pontiac division (similar to how Oldsmobile concurrently developed its 4-4-2 package).
Though it began as an option on the Skylark, when GM redesigned its intermediate A-Body platform in 1968 though, the GS broke off into its own model designation—no longer a trim package.
Unlike the Skylark, which could be had in a mix of four- and two-door flavors, the GS was only offered in a fastback coupe and convertible.
For whatever reason, Buick dropped the Skylark nameplate when GM introduced the Colonnade-era redesign in 1973—the “Century” took over Buick’s midsize slot.
It was only a hiatus though, because the Skylark would eventually replace the Apollo name during Buick’s brief filtration with the compact X-body platform. (Learn more about that interesting 1970s N-O-V-A lineage here.)
The Skylark would enjoy a resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s as a front-wheel drive compact before soaring into the sunset after 1998.
It should come as no surprise that we’re big fans of 1960s muscle cars around here, but we’re particularly fond of the “other” GM A-bodies like the Cutlass and Skylark/GS that—undeservedly—were pushed into the shadows cast by the Chevelle SS and GTO.
So when this 455-powered Skylark rumbled into our office, suffice it to say, we had our cameras clicking.
It’s super clean with laser-straight bodywork and what really made us grin was the hitch ball popping out from under the rear bumper.
Hey, maybe the owner knows this guy?
Fun fact, the Skylark (alauda arvensis if you’re hip with ornithology) is native to Europe and Asia, which means we don’t get a lot of Skylarks around these parts—so we’re glad to spot this one at the Summit Racing retail store.
…And with 455 cubic inches of oomph, plus a trailer hitch, we’re thinking this one’s migratory—so be on the lookout and you may see it flying southbound on I-75 next winter.
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