If you were to buy an affordable classic today, would you choose Buick? The chances are, you're reading this because you have a soft spot for this brand. Buick has been around for many years and is known for producing luxurious but reasonably-priced cars. Thus, it's one of the favorite choices of drivers who value its rich automobile history and unique approach to the industry.

Speaking of Buick's classics, one of the most notable models is the Gran Sport. You've probably heard about this name already. It was used on several high-performance cars built by this prominent American brand. The first model to bear the Gran Sport nameplate was the 1965 Buick Skylark, a muscle car designed to compete with the Pontiac GTO. Over the years, the optional package added to existing models became a model on its own.

When the Gran Sport entered the 1974 production year, it was a fully-polished model that delivered excellent performance and brought good looks. Today, we take a more detailed overview of the 1974 Buick Gran Sports, from its drivetrain over the design to the pricing. Stay with us to learn more about this pretty classic.

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The 1974 Buick Gran Sport Was A Road Rocket At Its Time

A closer look at the front of the 1974 Buick Gran Sport.
Via: Mecum Auctions

As we mentioned, the 1974 Buick Gran Sport mostly copied what previous models achieved (with a couple of updates). Thus, the drive trains were the same offered in 1973. The noticeable changes were mostly in the interior and exterior styling, which we'll talk about later on.

Now, let's briefly discuss the power of the 1974 Buick Gran Sport. There was a 350 two-barrel V8 engine available, producing either 175, 180, or 190 horsepower. The more impressive version included a 455 cubic-inch V8 engine capable of making 250 or 270 horsepower. While the 250 engines were paired with either 3-speed manual or 4-speed manual or automatic transmission, the 455 alternatives only offered a 4-speed manual/automatic transmission.

Now, the Buick Gran Sport from 1974 was available in two main models: the Century Gran Sport 455 and the Century Gran Sport 455 Stage 1. The former was built in 579 units and the latter in 487. According to drivers who got the chance to buy the brand new 1974 Buick Gran Sport, the car was a real rocket on the road, delivering exceptional performance and a fun experience on the road. That's one of the main reasons why people seek this Buick model, even after so many years.

RELATED: Hemmings Find: Black-On-Black 1970 Buick Gran Sport 455

A Closer Look At The Elegant Vintage Interior Of The 1974 Buick Gran Sport

The interior of the 1974 Buick Gran Sport.
Via: Mecum Auctions

At first glance, the 1974 Buick Gran Sport features the same interior as many other cars of its time. What we now consider as vintage styling is an elegant design devoid of all unnecessary features. The 1974 Buick Gran Sport is 48 years old, after all, so we can't expect it to have the frills of modern cars. But that's not the point in the first place.

The interior of the 1974 Buick Gran Sport features vinyl seats, an electric clock, a radio, a glove box, an ashtray, and lamps. Basically, everything you need for an enjoyable ride. The interior is pretty intuitive and offers that wonderful vintage feeling every time you step inside.

Without a doubt, the 1974 Buick Gran Sport would make a great addition to every collector's garage, both for the visually appealing exterior and the elegant interior. If you perform a couple of aftermarkets tweaks as well, you can expect to make the Buick Gran Sport a beauty ready to attract all the eyes on the road.

A Rare Find: The 1974 Buick Gran Sport Is Not A Regular Ride

The 1974 Buick Gran Sport on a parking lot.
Via: Mecum Auctions

As we already highlighted, the 1974 Buick Gran Sport came in limited numbers. In fact, the entire nameplate didn't see mass production ever since its early beginnings. While that makes the Buick Gran Sport a unique ride, the low production numbers also have a negative side — it's quite challenging to locate this vintage car on auctions and used car markets.

We looked for the 1974 Buick Gran Sport and noticed other production years are easier to find on the market. The very few 1974 Buick Gran Sport models we spotted were in good condition and brought a $35,000 price tag (approximately). While that's the good news for those who run on a limited budget, you still may need to wait to spot the Buick Gran Sport you desire.

Not all 1974 Buick Gran Sport models are the same, and that refers to both engine performance and exterior and interior design. So, we recommend patience in this case, as it'll be worth it. You may need to wait for your perfect Buick Gran Sport or even work on it after the purchase, but this model is worth the effort as a powerful and good-looking ride.