Independent · Source-led · American performance history Issue 01 · 1951–2023
American Muscle Car Facts

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1971 · Buick · United States

1971 Buick GS, GS 455, Stage 1 and GSX: one series, lower compression

Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.

United States · researched through 2026-09-22

Brochure photo: gold 1971 Buick GS hardtop with Stage 1 fender badge on a beach, surfers behind
1971 Buick GS Stage 1, from the 1971 Buick brochure

For 1971 Buick merged the GS 350 and GS 455 into a single GS series with the engine chosen as an option rather than a separate model line, and the GSX became an appearance package available on any GS rather than its own model. Compression across the line fell to 8.5:1 for the year, a figure Motor Trend's preview of the car reported directly without stating a reason for the drop.1,2,3

Over-Drive's production table lists 9,170 GS cars in total, 8,268 hardtops and 902 convertibles, with the table's own note stating that these counts include both GS 350 and GS 455 cars together rather than separately. A more detailed engine-level split comes only from the compiler's image captions rather than its table itself: 5,986 GS 350 hardtops, 1,481 standard GS 455 hardtops, and 801 GS Stage 1 hardtops, the last split further into 114 four-speed cars and 687 automatics, with the convertible body showing the same three-way split at 656, 165, and 81. This record's own production note is careful to flag that these caption-derived figures come from one secondary account whose captions in other model years of the same compilation have contained errors, so they are treated cautiously rather than as confirmed as the table's own headline totals. The GSX package itself totaled 124 cars, a figure the compiler states without citation and which Wikipedia repeats equally without one. All Buick intermediate production shown in the table, across Skylark, Skylark Custom, and GS together, totaled 181,154 for the year.2

Prices are given for the 350-engined GS specifically: $3,666 for the hardtop and $3,857 for the convertible. The standard 350-cu-in V-8 carries two ratings in this record, a gross figure of 260 hp at 4,600 rpm and 360 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm alongside a separate net figure of 195 hp and 290 lb-ft without stated rpm, both at the year's 8.5:1 compression. The optional 455-cu-in V-8 is rated 315 hp at 4,400 rpm and 450 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm. The Stage 1 version of the 455 carries no rating at all in this record: its own engine note explains that the same secondary source's own "Engines" tab is internally inconsistent, heading itself 345 hp while its body text instead gives 315 hp at 4,400 rpm and 460 lb-ft at 3,000, so this record's own conflict entry leaves the rating blank pending the registered 1971 AMA specification sheet being transcribed, rather than choosing between the source's own two figures.2,1

Three transmissions are documented: the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, optional on the GS 455 and scoped in this record's own production data specifically to the 687 automatic Stage 1 hardtops; a four-speed manual, optional on both the GS 350 and GS 455; and the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350, optional across the GS line generally. Motor Trend's October 1970 preview tested a pre-production GS Stage 1, built on what the magazine describes as a 1970 body fitted with the 1971 engine, running the Turbo Hydra-Matic and a new 3.42 axle to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and through the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 92.5 mph, though this record's own performance entries are careful to label the car a prototype or pilot-line example with two people aboard rather than a production-representative test.2,3

Twenty-four exterior paint codes are charted, from Arctic White and Platinum Mist through Rosewood. Interior trim is documented separately for the two bodies: ten codes for the GS two-door hardtop and five for the GS convertible, covering green, sandalwood, black, saddle, and pearl white vinyl, with this record's own interior note explaining TeamBuick's own 1971 legend behind the codes, an asterisk marking bucket seats and a pound sign marking notchback or 60-40 seats. Identification detail includes a decoded example VIN breaking Buick, series, body, year, plant, and production-number digits apart, and four GS engine codes, TB and TD for the 350-cu-in engine at 260 hp, TR for the 455 at 310 hp as listed, and TS for the 455 Stage 1 at 345 hp as listed, all at 8.5:1 compression; this record's own identification note adds that these ratings are carried as printed by the source, since the 1971 gross-versus-net basis behind them is not stated. The two-door bodies' wheelbase is given as 112 in and overall length as 203.2 in, with the Stage 1's axle ratio given as 3.42:1 regardless of whether it was paired with the stick or the automatic.2,4,3

Fact sheet · 1971 · United States

The numbers

1971 Buick GS, GS 455, Stage 1 and GSX — Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.

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

  • GS series 9,170: 8,268 hardtops and 902 convertibles (GS 350 and GS 455 combined).2
  • Stage 1: 801 hardtops (114 four-speed, 687 automatic) and 81 convertibles, per image captions.2
  • GSX production 124, per the compiler.2

Production

Totals
What was countedCountBasisStatus
GS series (GS 350 and GS 455), all bodies2 GS · hardtop and convertible · 350, 455 and 455 Stage 1 · not stated by source 9,170 built, model-year Reported
All Buick intermediates in table2 Skylark, Skylark Custom, GS · not stated by source 181,154 built, model-year Reported
By body style and series
What was countedCountBasisStatus
GS hardtop coupe (43437)2 GS · 2-door hardtop coupe · not stated by source 8,268 built, model-year Reported
GS convertible (44667)2 GS · 2-door convertible · not stated by source 902 built, model-year Reported
GS convertible, TeamBuick style number 434674 GS · 2-door convertible · not stated by source Same count as the existing convertible row, which gives body 44667. 902 built, model-year Reported
By engine
What was countedCountBasisStatus
GS 350 hardtop2 GS 350 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 350 4-barrel · not stated by source 5,986 built, model-year Reported
GS 455 hardtop (standard 455)2 GS 455 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 455 · not stated by source 1,481 built, model-year Reported
GS Stage 1 hardtop2 GS 455 Stage 1 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 455 Stage 1 · not stated by source The three hardtop engine rows (5,986 + 1,481 + 801) equal the table's 8,268; that agreement is the compiler's. 801 built, model-year Reported
GS 350 convertible2 GS 350 · 2-door convertible · 350 · not stated by source 656 built, model-year Reported
GS 455 convertible (standard 455)2 GS 455 · 2-door convertible · 455 · not stated by source 165 built, model-year Reported
GS Stage 1 convertible2 GS 455 Stage 1 · 2-door convertible · 455 Stage 1 · not stated by source 81 built, model-year Reported
Engine transmission
What was countedCountBasisStatus
GS Stage 1 hardtop, 4-speed2 GS 455 Stage 1 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 455 Stage 1 · 4-speed manual · not stated by source 114 built, model-year Reported
GS Stage 1 hardtop, Turbo Hydra-Matic 4002 GS 455 Stage 1 · 2-door hardtop coupe · 455 Stage 1 · TH400 automatic · not stated by source 687 built, model-year Reported
By package or option
What was countedCountBasisStatus
GSX package, all engines2 GSX · not stated · 350, 455 or 455 Stage 1 · not stated by source Wikipedia also gives 124 without citation. 124 built, model-year Reported

Engine splits come from the compiler's image captions, not its table; the captions for other years of this compiler contain errors, so treat these as one secondary account.

GSX and Stage 1 rows are subsets of the GS body rows.

Prices when new

ModelPriceBasis
GS hardtop (43437), GS 3502 $3,666 factory price as given by secondary compilation; stated to be for 350-engined cars, 1971
GS convertible (44667), GS 3502 $3,857 factory price as given by secondary compilation; stated to be for 350-engined cars, 1971

Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.

Engines

EngineFactory ratingAvailabilityBuilt
350 V-8 4-barrel, GS 3502,1 350 cu in · one 4-barrel 260 hp @ 4,600, 360 lb-ft @ 3,000 (SAE gross (as listed by secondary source)); 195 hp, 290 lb-ft (SAE net (as stated by secondary source)) standard, GS Not yet sourced
455 V-8, GS 4552 455 cu in · one 4-barrel 315 hp @ 4,400, 450 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross (as listed by secondary source)) optional, GS Not yet sourced
Stage 1 · 455 V-8 Stage 12,1 455 cu in · one 4-barrel optional, GS 455 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

TransmissionAvailabilityBuilt
Turbo Hydra-Matic 4002 optional, GS 455 6872 Reported
4-speed manual2 optional, GS 350 and GS 455 Not yet sourced
Turbo Hydra-Matic 3502 optional, GS Not yet sourced

Options and packages

CodeOptionPriceInstalled
package GSX package (two versions: without spoilers, with spoilers), any GS2 — 1242 Reported

Paint

CodeColorBuilt
11 Arctic White2 Not yet sourced
13 Platinum Mist2 Not yet sourced
16 Tealmist Gray2 Not yet sourced
19 Regal Black2 Not yet sourced
24 Cascade Blue2 Not yet sourced
26 Stratomist Blue2 Not yet sourced
29 Nocturne Blue2 Not yet sourced
39 Twilight Turquoise2 Not yet sourced
41 Silver Fern2 Not yet sourced
42 Willowmist Green2 Not yet sourced
43 Lime Mist2 Not yet sourced
49 Verdemist Green2 Not yet sourced
50 Bamboo Cream2 Not yet sourced
53 Cortez Gold2 Not yet sourced
55 Cornet Gold2 Not yet sourced
61 Sandpiper Beige2 Not yet sourced
62 Bittersweet Mist2 Not yet sourced
65 Copper Mist2 Not yet sourced
67 Burnished Cinnamon2 Not yet sourced
68 Deep Chestnut2 Not yet sourced
70 Pearl Beige2 Not yet sourced
73 Sunset Mist2 Not yet sourced
74 Vintage Red2 Not yet sourced
75 Fire Red2 Not yet sourced
78 Rosewood2 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

CodeTrimBuilt
100 GS 2-Door Hardtop: Green, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
150# GS 2-Door Hardtop: Green, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
104 GS 2-Door Hardtop: Sandalwood, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
154# GS 2-Door Hardtop: Sandalwood, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
108 GS 2-Door Hardtop: Black, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
158# GS 2-Door Hardtop: Black, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
168* GS 2-Door Hardtop: Black, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
156# GS 2-Door Hardtop: Saddle, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
166* GS 2-Door Hardtop: Saddle, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
165* GS 2-Door Hardtop: Pearl White, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
134 GS Convertible: Sandalwood, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
138 GS Convertible: Black, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
150# GS Convertible: Green, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
155# GS Convertible: Pearl White, vinyl4 Not yet sourced
156# GS Convertible: Saddle, vinyl4 Not yet sourced

Specifications

MeasureValueApplies to
Wheelbase2 112 in two-door bodies
Overall length2 203.2 in two-door bodies
Stage 1 axle ratio3,2 3.42 :1 Stage 1, stick or automatic

Period road tests

TestCar testedResult
Motor Trend, 1970-1030-60 mph GS Stage 1 pre-production car ('70 body with '71 engine), Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3.42 axle, regular fuelprototype/pilot-line car; 2 aboard 6.5 s
Motor Trend, 1970-103standing quarter mile GS Stage 1 pre-production car, Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3.42 axle92.5 mph; prototype/pilot-line car 14.7 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

VIN
E.g. 452691H000000 as printed: 4 = Buick; 2-3 = series (34 = GS); 4-5 = body (37 2-door hardtop, 67 convertible); 6 = year (1); 7 = plant (C, G, H, I, X, Y, Z); last six = production number.4
Engine codes (GS)
GS engines TB, TD (350, 260 hp), TR (455, 310 hp as listed) and TS (455 Stage 1, 345 hp as listed), all 8.5:1; ratings as printed by TeamBuick (the 1971 gross/net basis is not stated).4

Decode a VIN →

Where the sources disagree

1971 Stage 1 rating

  • 345 hp (tab heading)2
  • 315 hp @ 4400, 460 lb-ft @ 3000 (tab body)2

Leave the rating blank until the registered 1971 AMA specification sheet is transcribed.

Identification

Read a 1971 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 1971

  • AMC AMX The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
  • AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
  • AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
  • AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
  • Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
  • Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
  • Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
  • Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
  • Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
  • Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
  • Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
  • Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
  • Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
  • Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
  • Ford Thunderbird The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.
  • Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
  • Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
  • Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
  • Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
  • Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
  • Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
  • Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
  • Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
  • Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
  • Pontiac Grand Prix Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
  • Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.