Buick Gran Sport 400 

Production	1965 to 1969
Class	Sports Car
Make	Buick (GM)
Produced by	General Motors
Total Production	34.542
Engine	400 cu in V8
Market	U.S.A
Wheel base	115 in, 2.921 mm
Overall length	205 in, 5,207 mm
Overall width	75.40 in, 1,915 mm
Overall height	53.10 in, 1,349 mm
Dry weight	3,573 1b, 1,621 kg

The Buick Gran Sport 400 is a muscle car of the American car brand Buick from the mid to late 1960s.

History

Buick loaded its GS model with luxuries, but also gave it a powerful engine so it could hold its own amongst the muscle cars of 1969.

As with Oldsmobile of 442, is at the Buick GS or the GranSport a so-called high-performance-option package, which gives the vehicle based on a Skylark the new name. The Gran Sport name has been used on several high-performance cars built by General Motors for its Buick brand since 1965 The GS package was also available for the Buick models Riviera and Wildcat. In 1965, Buick built the first Gran Sport based on the mid-range Skylark. At that time, you could order a Skylark with a V8. Interiors were all-vinyl, with a bench front seat standard and buckets available option A DeLuxe steering wheel was standard, alone with foam-padded seats, ash tray light, glove box light and upper interior light.

The Gran Sport, however, the strongest Buick V8 was installed. This had 6.6 l (401 in³) capacity known as the "nailhead" engine a bored and stroked version of the 340 and brought according to the manufacturer 242 kW (325 hp) and 603 Nm (445 ft.lbf) of power. Vehicle Identification Numbers began with 446008.

Buick sold over 15,000 Gran Sports in the first year and again as many in the second year. So claimed Buick in Muscle car competition. In 1967 Buick built the Gran Sport 400 with a newly developed 400 cui engine, which now produced 253 kW (340 hp) and had a torque of 597 Nm (440 lb-ft). In 1968 and 1969 Buick offered the GS 400 in a convertible and hardtop model The fastback coupe was the most sold body style, though the convertible has remained the most desirable, as just 1,776 were made in 1969.

PERFORMANCE

• Max power (SAE): 340 hp at 5,000 rpm
• Max torque (SAE): 440 1b ft, 60.7 kg m at 3,200 rpm
• Max engine rpm: 5,800
• Specific power: 51.9 hp/l
• Power-weight ratio: 10.6 lb/hp, 4.8 kg/hp
• Max speeds: 38 mph, 61.2 km/h in 1st gear; 81 mph, 130.4 km/h in 2nd gear; 122 mph, 196.4 km/h in 3rd gear.

In 1969, the GS400 with new bonnet with ram-air Air intakes, these should increase power up to 8% and torque by 6%. At the same time ran the first Buick GS400 with the Stage 1 option off the line with three speed turbo Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission with centre U-shape Hurst automatic shifter and linkage and Positraction limited-slip differential. This was a limited edition of less than 1500 cars, with the engine's performance increasing to 257 kW (345 hp) and maximum torque to 597 Nm (440 ft.lbf). So, the 1/4 mile was driven in 14.4 seconds. 

Buick offered even more power with the rare Stage 2 option. Officially, the Stage 2 engine modified 268 kW (360 hp), which was understated. Some customers measured 368 kW in their Stage 2 Buicks. Buick himself advertised in a brochure with the inscription "360 hp, quarter Mile in 12.5 Seconds". 

Buick Gran Sport 400 Production

• Total Production 1967
  Body Type
  2-dr Thin pillar Coupe 1,014
  2-dr H.T Coupe 10,659
  Convertible 2,140
• Total Production 1968
  Body Type
  2-dr H.T.Coupe 10,743
  Convertible 2,454
• Total Production 1969
  Body Type
  2-dr H.T Coupe 6,356
  Convertible 1,176
• Total Production
• 2-dr Thin pillar Coupe 1,014
  2-dr H.T Coupe 27.758
  Convertible 5.770

In Total 34.542 were built by 1970, the GS 400 was replaced by the GS 455.