Buick Gran Sport, Silver, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $25,595.

What we have here is a real 1970 Buick GS455, and as any enthusiast will tell you, this car packs s a ton of performance for a fraction of the cost of a big block Chevelle. Although the engine isn't the original #'s matching 455, the car is powered by a period-correct Buick 455 that provides all the same thrills that the original did. Mated to the engine is the original TH400 automatic, and with both sporting a fresh rebuild, this car is ready to show you what it can do.

Silver Mist is the color, and it looks fantastic on the Buick's curves, perfectly fitting with the division's luxury/performance mission. Bodywork was professionally done, and everything fits together very nicely, including the ram-air hood, which was part of the GS package. Chrome is excellent throughout, and the unique red-trimmed rocker panel trim adds just the right amount of color to the Buick's silver flanks.

The black vinyl interior has been fully restored, including fresh seat covers on both the front and back bench seats, new carpets, and reproduction door panels. Gauges are in good condition, and this one features an optional speed minder speedometer. To help monitor the engine's vitals, three white-faced Sunpro gauges have been added under the dash. The three-spoke steering wheel is in fine condition and adds an appropriately racy atmosphere to the driver's compartment, and because this is a Buick, things like A/C and a Sonomatic radio were part of the deal. In the trunk, you can get an idea of the workmanship that went into this car, as the pan was replaced and the quality is excellent.

This car was done right; while the body was being restored top and bottom, the chassis was fully reconditioned. Starting from a bare frame, it was stripped and repainted correct satin black, then the rebuilt 455 cubic inch big block was dropped in. Bathed in Dante Red paint, the Buick 455 was famous for cranking out an astounding 510 pounds of torque in factory trim, a number that wasn't topped until the introduction of the modern Corvette ZR1 just a few years ago. Up top there's a correct dual snorkel air cleaner that inhales using the nostrils on the hood, and reproduction decals were used to make it look just like it did new. The list of new components is extensive, and there is a full photo album available which documents the thorough frame-off restoration this car was treated to. Along with the proper GS455 engine rebuild, the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission was fully rebuilt, and spins a correct 10-bolt rear end. The wheels are the ever-handsome Buick road wheels wearing 215/70/14 front and 225/70/14 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials.

With less than 1000 miles on the clock since the frame-off restoration was completed, this is a car that is ready to show and drive. It includes a nice package of documentation, including a reproduction window sticker where you can clearly ready the factory specs, owner's manuals, original Protect-O-Plate, and a package of documents from the Sloan Museum. There are also photos of the restoration that show just how thoroughly rebuilt this car is. Today it's a handsome, fast, well-sorted muscle car from arguably the best year for performance and power. If you've been searching for a clean A-body with a big block, perhaps you've just been looking under the wrong banner. Take a long look at this GS and see if maybe you'd prefer a little extra luxury with your muscle, then give us a call.