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When you think of modern Buicks, the general consensus is not of performance and style, but rather of stuffy grocery-getters. But Buick didn’t always have the reputation of making cars only you’re grandmother would drive.
Buick actually used to be ahead of the game when it came to performance and spiffy good looks, resulting in some of our favorite models making General Motors’ list of Buick’s top collector cars.
1937 66C Century Convertible Coupe
In 1937, Buick’s next most collectible car was produced. The 66C Century convertible coupe was equipped with a 320cui inline-eight engine capable of 130hp, an amazing power rating for the time. Only 843 of the convertibles were made in 1937, making it a highly sought after vehicle from the year that Buick sold over 20,000 of the seven different Century models.
1940 Super Model 59 Woody Estate Wagon
The “Woody” is probably one of the most well-known, well-marketed cars that ever existed. Even though the Woody model was made some 70 years ago, most generations know about the cars’ existence thanks in part to their use in movies, advertisements and coastal propaganda. Of the Buick Woody models made, the ‘40 Super Model 59 Woody Estate Wagon is the most collectible. In 1940, Buick used the Biehl Body Co. in Redding, Pennsylvania for the Woody model.
This is significant because 1940 was the only year that this body company was used, giving the ‘40 Woody model exclusive wood working and details that were “cheapened” on the other model years. With 107bhp created by a 248cui inline-eight engine, the ‘40 Super Model 59 Woody served as a fantastic wagon to head to the beach in.
1947 Roadmaster Woody Wagon
Another Woody model also made the top 10 list, the ‘47 Roadmaster Woody Wagon. The 1947 model year was the first year for the Roadmaster Woody Wagon. Only 300 of the ‘47 models were made, making owners of these exclusive cars rather lucky. Equipped with a 320cui inline-eight engine, the wagon boasted an impressive 144hp. With the most expensive Buick price tag of that year ($3,249), the ‘47 Roadmaster Woody Wagon has been equated to a luxury Mercedes Benz.
1949 Roadmaster Convertible
Just two years after the Roadmaster Woody Wagon was introduced, another one of Buick’s top 10 collectible models hit dealerships. The ‘49 Roadmaster convertible was among Buick’s most prestigious models and offered a 320cui inline-eight under the hood capable of 150hp. The Dynaflow transmission that was introduced in 1948 was standard in the elegant convertible that offered the first major postwar restyling of the Roadmaster models.
1953 Skylark Convertible
In 1953, Buick celebrated their 50th anniversary with the introduction of the Skylark. All ‘53 Skylark models were convertibles (as well as all 1954 models) and offered buyers a 322cui Nailhead V8 engine capable of nearly 190hp. As a limited-production car, only 1,690 of these beauties were made, an impressive figure considering the car cost upwards of $5,000.
1963 Riviera
The 1963 Riviera also made the list of the top 10 collector Buick models. The first year car didn’t share its body with any other GM model, which was unusual back then. Created to compete against the growing popularity of Ford’s Thunderbird and Chrysler’s 300 model, the Riviera was available with either a 325hp 401cui or 340hp 425cui Nailhead V8 and came standard with Buick’s unique Twin Turbine automatic transmission. Production of the Riviera was limited to 40,000 units with only 2,601 cars produced with the 425cui engine option.
1970 GSX Stage 1 Hardtop Coupe
For the muscle-car era, the ‘70 GSX Stage 1 Hardtop Coupe took the torch for optimal performance. As the high-performance option on the GS 455 model, the GSX Stage 1 came with a special GSX ornamentation package and was powered by a 455cui Stage 1 engine capable of 360hp. With 510 foot-pounds of torque, this car was a beast on the road and the track, but wasn’t very popular.
In 1970, only 678 GSX models were produced with 400 being of the Stage 1 variety. Unfortunately, the GSX’s popularity only grew weaker in 1971 and 1972, so the model was dropped and the GSX became an option on the Grand Sport.
1987 GNX
Buick’s real performance models ended with the ‘87 GNX. For the final year of the second-generation G-body Buick Regals, the GNX was introduced as the “Grand National to end all Grand Nationals.” This meant a special Garrett T-3 turbocharger strapped to the 231cui V6 engine underrated at 276hp and 360 foot-pounds of torque.
The car was also equipped with a special GNX low-resistance exhaust and a reprogrammed Turbo-Hydramatic 200-R4 transmission. Quarter mile times were an impressive 13.2 seconds on the car. Only 547 ’87 models were ever produced, making a real GNX very hard to come by.
