The Buick GSX 455 may not have been appreciated much in its own time, but it has been remembered fondly enough and vindicated by history to justify an exponential price increase. General Motors, Buick's parent company, didn't foresee how they had combined an unusual set of circumstances to create a powerful muscle car, and this rare combination of circumstances is unlikely to ever be duplicated in the future, contributing to higher resale values. But just how high are resale values for Buick GSX 455 in 2021?
Read on to find out just how wide and volatile prices for the Buick GSX 455 can be these days, whether it's from private sellers or from auctions.
Market Prices Fluctuate
There has been some volatility in the pricing of this model. The Buick GSX Stage 1 was in production from 1970 to 1972, achieving top-of-the-line fame at the time, thanks to both its Stage 1 engine performance package and its GSX performance package. This two-door coupe showcased a v8 engine, and was discontinued after 1972.
The average price, according to classic.com, is $123,350. The low end of the range is $55,000, while the high end of the range is $203,500. Buick GSX models can also be sold at auctions for various prices. For example, there will be an eight-day auction in Indianapolis, IN from May 14-22. Also of note is that, as with most older models, condition determines price. A “perfect” condition model ranges between $125,000 - $203,500. A step down from that is “excellent” condition, ranging from $82,500 - $125,000. “Good” condition is the third level, and the range there is between $59,400 - $82,500. Finally, “fair” condition, the lowest of the ranges, only ranges from $10,850 - $59,400.
When it comes to auction sales figures, which differ from private sellers' sales figures, the median value is $82,500. The low end of “fair” and the high end of “perfect” comprise the entirety of the auction price range.
A Brief Look At Its History
In its few years of production, the Buick GSX had quite the history. Its predecessors were the Buick Gran Sport, launched in 1964 to counter Pontiac's GTO, earning a second generation in 1968. The 1968 Buick GS was the next step in evolution that would ultimately become the GSX. When the first 455 GSX arrived in 1970, it put out 350 horsepower and showcased prominent black stripes on either a yellow or white body.
It had a rather limited production run of 678 models. Of those models, 187 were white, but the majority- 491- were yellow. It carried over a lot of the equipment featured in the standard 455 GS, including heavy-duty suspension, sway bars, and spoilers. The aforementioned GSX package came a year later, arriving in any color.
However, only 124 were sold in 1971 and only 44 were sold in 1972, making that package somewhat of a rarity. Oddly enough, the GSX didn't sell well at the time, but it was remembered fondly enough that they've earned a status as one of General Motors' “Premier Muscle Cars.”
Age Equals Appreciation
The Buick GSX only tends to get pricier as it gets older. Keep in mind that the current asking price hovers around $124,000, and this is a car that started around $4,880. Upon the GSX's arrival, fuel economy was hardly a concern, and the V8 engine put out a lot of power. When the GSX ceased production, its engines were known for putting out 360 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, which is a heavy amount of torque by today's standards. Because this particular set of circumstances is likely to not be combined again, the surviving Buick GSX 455 models have experienced an exponential price increase.
Powered Up And Restored
This vehicle had quite a powerful engine, and several models are being restored to achieve their former glory. As mentioned earlier, the engine of the Buick GSX 455 put out 350-360 horsepower. At the same time, Chevy had their LS6 Chevelle putting out 450 horsepower, with Ford's BOSS 429 following suit.
Also as mentioned before, the engine of the Buick GSX 455 had a strong amount of torque. This was born out of a desire to beat every other manufacturer of muscle cars at the time, and when they couldn't exceed the competition's horsepower, they decided to do so with torque.
After all, the Buick GSX 455 had 510 lb-ft of torque, and they did so without the aid of a turbocharged engine. It took 33 years before that record was topped, and it finally happened with 2003's V-10 Viper.
Sources: classic.com, hemmings.com, conceptcarz.com, hagerty.com, money.cnn.com, sheltonclassics.com,