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Like Oldsmobile's 442, Buick's Gran Sport or GS was a high-performance option package available on a number of Buick models, including the Riviera and Wildcat. Also like the 442, a special version of one model was given the package's name as its model name.
Gran Sport 400
In the case of Buick, the 1965 Gran Sport 400 was the intermediate Skylark. Although a V8 was already offered in the Skylark, the Gran Sport had the largest engine permitted by GM - a 401 in³ Buick V8. This engine produced 325 hp (242 kW) and 445 ft.lbf (603 Nm). Buick sold more than 15,000 Gran Sports that first year, and almost that many the next. Sales fell somewhat in the face of hot muscle car competition, and Buick introduced the Stage 1 option for 1969. This limited (less than 1,500 cars) version produced 340 hp (253 kW) and 440 ft.lbf (597 Nm).
Gran Sport 350
A 340 in³ version, the Gran Sport 340, was added for 1967. It produced 260 hp (193 kW) and 365 ft.lbf (495 Nm), and less than 4,000 were sold. It was replaced the next year with the Gran Sport 350, and similar Gran Sport California, which used Chevrolet's 350 in³ small-block engine. Sales of the little-brother Gran Sport doubled, and were up to almost 10,000 for 1970. The Gran Sport 350 outlived its big brothers, lasting until Gran Sport production stopped in 1975.
A baby brother Gran Sport 231 was produced in 1975.
GSX
The 400 was replaced for 1970 with the 455 in³ Buick V8, used in both the Gran Sport 455 and new GSX. The monster V8 produced 350 hp (260 kW) and an stump pulling 510 ft.lbf (691 Nm). Output and sales were down for the next few years, with the GSX and big-block V8 dropped after 1974.
Riviera GS
The Riviera GS was a high-performance version of the Buick Riviera, produced from 1965 through 1975.
Wildcat GS
Another GS option package was available on the Buick Wildcat for 1966 only.
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