1969 Buick GS 400 Step 1: A Roadkiller That’s More Muscular Than Advertised

The Stage 1 Option was created in 1967 by a group of dedicated Buick engineers led by Dennis Manner.

The team saw real potential in the all-new 400 V8, which was capable of producing enough torque for a heavy-duty truck, but argued that its true horsepower was still untapped.

Therefore, the engineers developed a new set of cast-iron cylinder heads and larger valves, then added a series of high-performance components, including a higher camshaft, beefier valve springs, tubular pushrods, a fuel pump high-powered, a. New distributor, Quadrajet four-barrel carb with large jets and large diameter exhaust.

With the Stage 1 package installed, the 400 was rated at 345 or 350 hp (depending on the brochure) – just five to ten horses over the stock 400.

But, as you can imagine, Manner and his team didn’t go through all that trouble just to get five to ten horses.

As it was back in 1965 with the original Gran Sport, when the 401″nail head“Within the engine bay it was sold as a 400 in order to circumvent GM’s self-imposed displacement limit for the midrange, Buick purposely ignored the Stage 1-equipped GS’ output rating, this time, to keep insurance premiums at bay.

In fact, the package helped the engine produce closer to the range of 390-400 hp. Additionally, it gave owners a great platform to deliver more power and easy bolt upgrades.

It’s not as popular as it should be

Photo: Mecum

Although the 1969 GS Stage 1 was a poor street fighter, enthusiasts looking for factory performance chose their weapons based on factory output ratings, magazine reviews, and, last but not least, price.

Popular magazines of the era tested the GS 400 Stage 1 and noted that it seemed more powerful than the advertised 345-350 hp, but because it was more expensive than its main rivals from GM – Chevelle SS 396 or Pontiac GTO Judge – and had low horsepower rating, it failed to become GM’s most popular midsize of 1969.

When the model year ended, Buick sold only 1,256 GS sports coupes and 212 convertibles with the Stage 1 package. By comparison, Chevy sold nearly 90,000 SS 396 Chevelles in 1969, while Pontiac rolled 6,833 Judges onto public roads.

It is very rare but still limited

Photo: Mecum

More than half a century later, the 1969 GS 400 Stage 1 still lives in the shadow of its midsize rivals, with few muscle car fans showing it the respect it deserves.

Although only a few of the approximately 1,500 units remain in mint condition, their value rarely exceeds $60,000, while a GTO Judge from the same year can cost more than $100,000.

One example is the Fireglow Orange GS Special Order shown above. One of only three 1969 GS 400s presented in this unique color, it is sold at Mecum’s auction in 2021 for $57,200.

In 1970, GM allowed its division to produce a high-performance midsize with a V8 larger than 400 ci. This led Buick to launch the GS 455 Stage 1 and GSX Stage 1, both of which became the brand’s most iconic muscle cars.

However, it’s worth noting that the 1969 GS 400 brought the Stage 1 package to the masses, and while it was pretty underwhelming, it remains one of the all-stars of the golden era of muscle.

For more on this legendary ride, we recommend watching the YouTube video below by MuscleCarOfTheWeek.