1970 GS 455 go fast!

When it comes to GM A-Body muscle cars, it's basically the Chevy Chevelle SS and Pontiac GTO Judge, with the Buick GS as well as Olds 422 relegated to afterthoughts. While the 442 is a cool, underrated classic ride, we picked the 1970 GS 455 because it's a superior car. In fact, the often-forgotten Buick was the most killer GM muscle car ever produced, even besting the '70 Chevelle SS 454 LS6, which is number one for collectors. GM lifted its silly big engine ban in 1970, and all of its divisions went nuts with high-displacement big blocks. Buick's 455-cubic-inch V-8 had an advantage over the rest because it used thin-wall construction and was much lighter than competitors' engines. 1970 GS 455 Power And Performance Engine 455ci Stage 1 V-8 Horsepower 360 HP Torque 510 LB-FT Transmission Four-speed manual 0-60 Time 5.1 seconds Quarter-mile 13.38 seconds Top Speed 135 MPH Conservatively rated at 360 horsepower, the GS 455 with Stage 1 upgrade, cranked out 510 pound-feet of torque, which is the most rotational force produced by an American car until the Dodge Viper came along decades later. That kind of torque is useful for a rocket-like launch and, as such, the '70 GS 455 could scorch a quarter-mile in under 13.4 seconds, something the Chevelle SS, GTO Judge, or 442 couldn't replicate. All the second-gen GM A-Body cars were similar in styling but with different front fascias and hoods, so it's difficult to state that one has a better design than the others. They were all seriously cool with bold muscular stances, but the Buick GS 455 had a slight edge in acceleration, and, really, that's what mattered most in 1970, and still should today.