It was troublesome to search out an American producer that did not produce some type of efficiency automobile in the course of the muscle automobile golden age, and Buick was no exception. Iconic fashions such because the GSX Stage 1 wowed onlookers, although when the top got here within the early Seventies, Buick stepped away from the efficiency automobile sector considerably.
It experimented each every now and then with creations just like the mad 1987 Grand Nationwide GNX, although it had utterly retired from the efficiency market by the point the Nineties rolled round. To have a good time its contribution to the fanatic sector, CarBuzz tracked down its ten strongest manufacturing automobiles.
Associated
Buick has a wealthy historical past of nice automobiles, however these ten pushed the boundaries.
How we made our mannequin choice:
CarBuzz
thought of each manufacturing automobile ever made by Buick. Every entry chosen is listed from the least to essentially the most highly effective, with any tiebreaks being determined by which has the upper torque determine or failing that, the quickest 0-60 mph time. All automobile data was sourced from Buick.
10 1960 Buick Electra 225: 325 hp
1960 Electra 225 Specs
Engine
6.5-liter V8
Energy
325 hp
Torque
445 lb-ft
0-60 mph
10.0 seconds
The Buick Electra was the model’s full-size luxurious automobile for over three many years, the automobile designed to move its passengers in peace and luxury. This doesn’t suggest it might’t include a little bit of grunt although, and fairly the opposite, as additional energy permits the automobile to effortlessly collect pace with out having to be revved to oblivion.
The 1960 model of the 225 mannequin got here with a 6.5-liter V8 that introduced alongside 325 hp. Resulting from its heavyweight body, do not count on to hit 60 mph in below ten seconds. In the suitable fingers, they may also be automobile present showstoppers.
9 2025 Buick Enclave: 328 hp
2025 Enclave Specs
Engine
Turbocharged 2.5-liter I4
Energy
328 hp
Torque
326 lb-ft
0-60 mph
6.5 seconds
With Buick’s sporting days lengthy behind it, the marque focuses these days on offering mid-to-high-range luxurious experiences. The 2025 Enclave SUV is an ideal illustration of this, the mannequin getting plush leather-based seats and an ultra-modern infotainment setup as commonplace. It additionally will get a whopping grille on the entrance, and everybody is aware of that the larger the grille, the extra essential the automobile is, proper?
Do not underestimate it although, as its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-pot is able to producing 328 hp. This is sufficient to get it to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, a good effort for a big luxurious SUV.
8 1971 Buick Riviera GS: 330 hp
1971 Riviera GS Specs
Engine
7.5-liter V8
Energy
330 hp
Torque
455 lb-ft
0-60 mph
8.1 seconds
The second and third-generation Riviera is without doubt one of the most distinctive-looking automobiles ever made by Buick, particularly from the rear with the massive energy bulge featured on the trunk lid. Whereas not constructed for tempo, the 1971 mannequin 12 months automobile obtained an enormous 7.5-liter mounted on the entrance of the automobile.
With 330 hp and 455 lb-ft on faucet, the Riviera actually wasn’t wanting would possibly. It may attain 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, although suppose twice about attempting to hold that sort of tempo by tighter corners.
Dialogue
With the discontinuation of the 2020 Buick Regal, the American automaker transitioned to an SUV-only lineup on this market. Do you suppose it was a mistake for Buick to desert the sedan phase solely?
7 1969 Buick GS 400: 350 hp
1969 GS 400 Specs
Engine
6.5-liter V8
Energy
350 hp
Torque
440 lb-ft
0-60 mph
7.7 seconds
The GS 400 is arguably the primary true muscle automobile on this checklist, with its curvy mid-size physique housing a 6.5-liter V8 that sends 345 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque to the rear tires. The GS 400 additionally got here with the choice of getting a limited-slip differential to maintain these rear wheels below management, whereas the selection of a 3 or four-speed handbook transmission was accessible.
For drivers on the lookout for a extra relaxed muscle automobile expertise, the GS 400 could possibly be had with a three-speed computerized gearbox too.
6 1965 Buick Riviera GS: 360 hp
1965 Riviera GS Specs
Engine
7.0-liter V8
Energy
360 hp
Torque
465 lb-ft
0-60 mph
8.0 seconds
Whereas the 1971 Riviera was fairly stout, essentially the most highly effective of the bunch was the 1965 Gran Sport mannequin. Its 7.0-liter V8 got here loaded with 360 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, which was made potential by a pair of rabid four-barrel carburetors and a dual-exhaust system. A limited-slip diff additionally got here as a part of the deal, whereas heavy-duty suspension was additionally accessible as an possibility to make sure it may deal with the bends extra successfully.
With a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds, this was a private luxurious automobile with angle.
Associated
It was fashionable, it was snug, and it even had a touchscreen. However do you keep in mind it?
5 1966 Buick Tremendous Wildcat GS: 360 hp
1966 Tremendous Wildcat GS Specs
Engine
7.0-liter V8
Energy
360 hp
Torque
465 lb-ft
0-60 mph
6.5 seconds
The Wildcat sat under the Electra in Buick’s vary because the extra performance-geared luxurious providing. Its smaller measurement, and due to this fact lighter weight determine, meant it was extra agile on the street, in addition to faster on the straights.
Its 7.0-liter V8 may push it to 60 mph in simply 6.5 seconds, a job made potential with the assistance of 360 raging horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The Tremendous Wildcat GS was a helpful sleeper, because it appeared largely like a standard mannequin except for the sportier wheels.
4 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1: 360 hp
1970 GSX Stage 1 Specs
Engine
7.5-liter V8
Energy
360 hp
Torque
510 lb-ft
0-60 mph
5.5 seconds
The 1970 GSX is without doubt one of the most iconic muscle automobiles to outcome from the golden period of the breed, particularly in its well-known yellow and black paint scheme. Its monstrous 7.5-liter V8 introduced 360 hp to the celebration, in addition to a sky-high 510 lb-ft of torque in Stage 1 type. This included a bump in compression ratio to 10.5:1, in addition to extra aggressive cam lifters.
It additionally got here with upgraded suspension and brakes to assist cope with the facility, in addition to purposeful entrance and rear spoilers. The GSX was accomplished with supportive bucket seats on the within.
3 1970 Buick Electra 225: 370 hp
1970 Electra Specs
Engine
7.5-liter V8
Energy
370 hp
Torque
510 lb-ft
0-60 mph
7.1 seconds
Because the Seventies kicked off, the age of the ultra-high energy massive block V8 was coming to an finish. Tightening emissions and authorities laws meant that energy was beginning to be capped, although producers pushed on within the meantime. Buick’s mighty 7.5-liter V8 discovered a house in lots of its automobiles, such because the Electra 225.
Whereas it made the identical 510 lb-ft of torque because it did within the GSX, the engine was tuned to create an additional 10 hp. With 370 hp now on the mercy of its driver, the Electra may transport its essential occupants to their vacation spot with barely a whimper.
Associated
Buick is reinventing itself and trying to the longer term with a brand new design language, and the alternatives it is making are rigorously thought of.
2 1970 Buick LeSabre 455: 370 hp
1970 LeSabre 455 Specs
Engine
7.5-liter V8
Energy
370 hp
Torque
510 lb-ft
0-60 mph
7.0 seconds
Gearheads on the lookout for a extra moderately sized sedan may go for the LeSabre, which in 1970 was supplied with the identical 7.5-liter V8 as within the Electra and GSX. Making 370 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, the LeSabre 455 may attain 60 mph in solely 7.0 seconds.
Not like the sportier GSX, the LeSabre could not be chosen with a four-speed handbook gearbox. The three-speed handbook, in addition to the three-speed auto, could possibly be had as an alternative. Because it was designed extra for every day use than its muscle automobile cousin, it additionally got here with air-con, entrance, and rear carpets in addition to a full smoking set as commonplace.
1 1970 Buick Wildcat Customized: 370 hp
1970 Wildcat Customized Specs
Engine
7.5-liter V8
Energy
370 hp
Torque
510 lb-ft
0-60 mph
6.9 seconds
Whereas the LeSabre was geared extra in the direction of common on a regular basis use, the Wildcat Customized was accessible because the sportier luxurious possibility. It got here as commonplace with the 370 hp and 510 lb-ft 7.5-liter V8, with the identical three-speed handbook or computerized transmission choices.
Being the extra purposeful of the Buick status vary, it additionally had the model’s Accu-Drive suspension system. This consisted primarily of re-tuned entrance suspension to make it extra reactive by corners, the setup usually mixed with a faster-ratio steering format. Because it’s able to a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, it actually wanted it.
Sources
Buick, Mecum Auctions, Craigslist