Performance Review: Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Buick GS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Buick GS has a 7458cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The GS shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the GS's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1702 kgs (3752 lbs) this makes the Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Buick GS shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 7458cc 16V V8 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 510 lb-ft (691.4 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Buick GS you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick GS.

The Buick GS has a Power to weight ratio of 205.6 bhp per ton and 299.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 GS competing with the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (230.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Buick GS generating around 299.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (324.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 Roadster (324.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs). This Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GS and the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260

When talking about the performance of the Buick GS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.98 secs @ 97.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 GS equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

1969 GS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Buick

Car Comparison