1968 · Buick · United States
1968 Buick GS 350, GS 400 and Stage 1: the new A-body
On the new 112 in two-door body the GS 400 was joined by a GS 350 hardtop, and a dealer-installed Stage 1 package arrived for the 400.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
For 1968 Buick's intermediates moved to General Motors' new split-wheelbase A-body, with two-door models riding a 112-in wheelbase. The GS 350 was offered as a single hardtop model, while the GS 400 came as both a hardtop and a convertible. Car Life's March 1968 test described the new Stage 1 Special Package as a dealer-installed option for the GS 400, adding a special camshaft, 11:1 forged pistons, stronger valve springs, and carburetor and spark-timing changes, with a stated rating the magazine gave as 345 bhp at 4,800 rpm.1,2
Production is given as 13,197 GS 400s, split into 10,743 hardtops and 2,454 convertibles, alongside 8,317 GS 350 hardtops. This record's own production notes are explicit that no citable count of Stage 1 cars, or of California GS cars, was found anywhere in the available sources, and separately flag that the same compiler's image captions for 1968 actually repeat its own 1969 table values, such as a GS 400 convertible figure of 1,176 and a GS 350 figure of 4,933, so those captions are not used as 1968 figures in this record. All Buick intermediate production shown in the same production table, across the Special DeLuxe, Skylark, Skylark Custom, GS 350, and GS 400 lines together, totaled 204,549 for the year.1
Prices show some spread depending on source: a GS 400 hardtop is given at $3,528 by one compilation, while Car Life separately reports a list price FOB factory of $3,104 for its own test car, and an as-tested price of $3,839 once equipped. The GS 400 convertible is priced at $3,672 and the GS 350 hardtop at $3,295. The standard 400-cu-in V-8 is rated 340 hp at 5,000 rpm and 440 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm at 10.25:1 compression; the Stage 1 package raises that to a stated 345 bhp at 4,800 rpm at 11:1 compression, though Car Life itself calls this a "paper rating" in its own text, and this record's own conflict entry shows a separate secondary source giving the Stage 1 engine as 340 hp at 5,000 rpm instead, identical to the base GS 400 figure. The 350-cu-in V-8 standard in the GS 350 and California GS is rated 280 hp at 4,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm.1,2
Three transmissions are documented: a three-speed manual with floor shift standard on the GS 400, a four-speed manual optional across the California GS, GS 350, and GS 400, and the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic optional on the GS 400. Car Life's Stage 1 test car, running that automatic on a 3.91 limited-slip axle, ran 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.4 seconds at 93.3 mph in stock trim; the same article separately reports a 13.5-second quarter mile at 104.68 mph once the car was fitted with Mickey Thompson headers and cheater slicks and run at Irwindale, a figure this record's own performance entry keeps distinct from the stock test as a modified and tuned result rather than a factory-condition run.1,2
Nineteen exterior paint codes are charted, from Regal Black and Midnight Teal through Cameo Cream and Inca Silver Mist. Six GS 350-specific interior trim codes and five GS 400-specific codes are documented separately, covering black, blue, green, buckskin, parchment, and white vinyl combinations across the two lines. Identification detail includes the GS 350's 43437 hardtop body number and the GS 400's 44637 hardtop and 44667 convertible numbers, a decoded example VIN, and two engine codes, PP for the 350-cu-in, 280-hp GS 350 engine and PR for the 400-cu-in, 340-hp GS 400 engine. The two-door bodies' wheelbase is given as 112 in and the GS 400 hardtop's overall length as 200.7 in; Car Life's own test car is given a 3,648-lb curb weight and a separate 4,030-lb test weight in the same article's acceleration data, two figures this record carries as the source's own distinct measurements rather than a single reconciled weight.1,3,2
Fact sheet · 1968 · United States
The numbers
1968 Buick GS 350, GS 400 and Stage 1 — On the new 112 in two-door body the GS 400 was joined by a GS 350 hardtop, and a dealer-installed Stage 1 package arrived for the 400.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS 400 (Skylark Gran Sport V-8)1 GS 400 · hardtop and convertible · 400 · not stated by source | 13,197 | built, model-year | Reported |
| All Buick intermediates in table1 Special DeLuxe, Skylark, Skylark Custom, GS 350, GS 400 · not stated by source | 204,549 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS 400 hardtop coupe (44637)1 GS 400 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 400 · not stated by source | 10,743 | built, model-year | Reported |
| GS 400 convertible (44667)1 GS 400 · 2-door convertible · 400 · not stated by source | 2,454 | built, model-year | Reported |
| GS 350 hardtop coupe (43437)1 GS 350 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 350 4-barrel 280 hp · not stated by source | 8,317 | built, model-year | Reported |
No count of Stage 1 cars or California GS cars was found in a citable table. The Over-Drive image captions for 1968 repeat the compiler's 1969 table values (e.g. GS 400 convertible 1,176, GS 350 4,933) and are not used.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| GS 400 hardtop (44637)1 | $3,528 | factory price as given by secondary compilation, 1968 |
| GS 400 hardtop, list FOB factory (Car Life test car)2 | $3,104 | list FOB factory as reported by Car Life, 1968-03 |
| GS 400 convertible (44667)1 | $3,672 | factory price as given by secondary compilation, 1968 |
| GS 350 hardtop (43437)1 | $3,295 | factory price as given by secondary compilation, 1968 |
| Car Life Stage 1 test car, as tested2 | $3,839 | equipped as tested, 1968-03 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 V-8, GS 4002,1 400 cu in · one 4-barrel | 340 hp @ 5,000, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | standard, GS 400 | Not yet sourced |
| Stage 1 · 400 V-8 Stage 1 Special Package2 400 cu in · Rochester 4-barrel, recalibrated | 345 hp @ 4,800, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (stated rating, per Car Life)) | dealer-installed option, GS 400 (per Car Life) | Not yet sourced |
| 350 V-8 4-barrel, GS 3501 350 cu in · one 4-barrel | 280 hp @ 4,600, 375 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (as listed by secondary source)) | standard, GS 350 and California GS | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual, floor shift1 | standard, GS 400 | Not yet sourced |
| 4-speed manual1 | optional, California GS, GS 350, GS 400 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic 4001,2 | optional, GS 400 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Regal Black1 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Midnight Teal1 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Arctic White1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Blue Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Deep Fathom1 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Teal Blue Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
G |
Ivory Gold Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Aqua Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Medium Teal Blue Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Burnished Saddle1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Maroon1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Tarpon Mist Green1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Scarlet Red1 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Olive Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Desert Beige1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Charcoal1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Silver Beige Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Buckskin1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Cameo Cream1 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Inca Silver Mist1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
118, 178 |
Gs350: Black, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
111, 171 |
Gs350: Blue, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
170 |
Gs350: Green, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
173 |
Gs350: Buckskin, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
114 |
Gs350: Parchment, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
172 |
Gs350: White, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
158, 178 |
GS 400: Black, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
171 |
GS 400: Blue, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
170 |
GS 400: Green, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
173 |
GS 400: Buckskin, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
152, 172 |
GS 400: White, vinyl3 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase2 | 112 in | two-door bodies |
| Overall length2 | 200.7 in | GS 400 hardtop |
| Curb weight, GS 400 Stage 1 test car2 | 3,648 lb | Car Life test car |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Car Life, 1968-0320-60 mph | GS 400 2-door hardtop, Stage 1 (345 bhp), 3-speed automatic, 3.91 limited-slip axle, 7.75-14 tires, test weight 4,030 lb | 6.1 s |
| Car Life, 1968-032standing quarter mile | GS 400 Stage 1, automatic, 3.91 axle93.3 mph | 14.4 s |
| Car Life, 1968-032standing quarter mile | GS 400 Stage 1, automatic, 3.91 axle, with Mickey Thompson headers and cheater slicks (modified)104.68 mph; tuned and modified, Irwindale | 13.5 s |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
- Body numbers
- GS 350 43437 hardtop; GS 400 44637 hardtop and 44667 convertible.1
- VIN
- E.g. 444377H101555 as printed: 4 = Buick; 2-3 = series (34 = GS 350, 46 = GS 400); 4-5 = body (37 GS 350 hardtop, 37 GS 400 hardtop, 67 convertible; TeamBuick lists 37 as hardtop coupe); 6 = year (8); 7 = plant (H, C, Z, X, Y, D, B, K, V, I); last six = production number.3
- Engine codes
- PP: 350 cu in, 280 hp, 10.25:1, 4-barrel (GS 350); PR: 400 cu in, 340 hp, 10.25:1, 4-barrel (GS 400).3
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1968 Buick VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1968
- AMC AMX AMC's two-seat AMX arrived mid-year on a 97-inch wheelbase. The enthusiast production table counts 6,725 cars, two-thirds of them with the 390.
- AMC Javelin AMC's first pony car, launched in September 1967 as base and SST hardtops. Production of the two combined was about 55,000.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine Now badged AMC, the Rebel came in 550, 770 and SST trims and could be ordered with the 315-hp 390. It is host-car context for the 1970 Machine.
- Buick Riviera Record Riviera sales of 49,284, including 5,337 with the GS handling option.
- Buick Wildcat 73,561 Wildcats with the 430 V-8.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The restyled Chevelle kept SS 396 as its own series and added an SS 396 El Camino: 62,785 SS 396s in three bodies.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS engines per the source: L48 350, L34 396 and L78 396. Enthusiast-compiled production: 183,552 cars; Super Sport 5,571.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The first factory Super Sport El Camino: a separate SS 396 model, 13880, built 5,190 times.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport becomes an option again (RPO Z03): 36,432, plus 1,778 SS427 (RPO Z24).
- Dodge Charger The redesigned 'Coke bottle' Charger and the new R/T multiplied sales roughly sixfold over 1967.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The redesigned Coronet kept the 440-powered R/T and added the budget Super Bee coupe, a 383 car with an optional Hemi.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The new Dart GTS brought a 275 hp 340 or a 300 hp 383, and in February Dodge released 80 Hurst-completed LO23 Hemi Darts for Super Stock drag racing; GTS production was not reported separately.
- Ford Fairlane The restyled intermediate split into Fairlane, Fairlane 500 and the new Torino series; the Fairlane 500 fastback shared the Torino GT body and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived on April 1, 1968.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT carried Torino GT trim; 1,669 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird The new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 arrived as the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 hp.
- Ford Torino Torino arrived as the new top series of the restyled Fairlane line, the Torino GT fastback became its volume performance car, and the 428 Cobra Jet was added on April 1, 1968.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone moved to the new Montego-based intermediate; the fastback outsold the notchback hardtop by about ten to one, and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived mid-year.
- Mercury Cougar The year of the 427 GT-E, the mid-year 428 Cobra Jet, and the XR7-G, with production down to 113,741.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 Neither the S-55 nor the Marauder model appears in the sources for 1968; no performance full-size Mercury production figure was found.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The restyled 4-4-2 became its own series, the W-31 small-block arrived, and Hurst built the first 455 Hurst/Olds: 515 cars in the tabulation.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The new 340 arrived in the Formula S alongside the 383, and Plymouth issued a competition-only Hemi Barracuda under order code BO29.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The GTX became its own model on the restyled 1968 intermediate body, still with the 375-hp 440 standard and the Hemi at $605, and outsold its first year.
- Plymouth Road Runner Plymouth added a stripped Belvedere-based coupe and hardtop with a special 335-hp 383 as standard and the 426 Hemi as the only engine option, and sold 44,599 of them.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The first full season: the six grew to 250 cu in, the 326 gave way to a 350, and output rose to 107,112.
- Pontiac GTO A new 112-inch-wheelbase body with an Endura nose, the sport coupe dropped, and 87,684 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The last full-size Grand Prix: 31,711 hardtops, with a 390 hp 428 HO at the top.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The new two-door body arrives, and a 350 HO replaces the 326 HO.