This incredible 1969 Buick GS400 is the kind of car that you want to buy already finished. Looking at the long list of upgrades, you couldn't build this car for twice the asking price and if it were a GTO or a Chevelle, the asking price would be quite large indeed. The short list is this: 500+ horsepower 455, 4-speed manual with Gear Vendors overdrive, 4-wheel disc brakes, full coil-over suspension, and an upgraded interior to put it all to good use. Oh, and it's wrapped in gorgeous, laser-straight bodywork that still screams "Buick!" but doesn't get too loud about it, which is what owning a Buick is all about. This slick green GS is the very definition of "walking softly but carrying a big stick."

Buick's GS was the muscle car for adults—no wings, no stripes, and only a few discreet badges gave it away. The Skylark bodywork was ideal for the low-key look, offering elegance and sophistication instead of brash horsepower advertisements, and if you could afford one of these in 1969, you were definitely doing all right. But that's not to say that a good thing can't be made better, especially now that we've had nearly 50 years of experience making cars faster. Fortunately, the guy who built this car chose to leave the bodywork 100% stock, and that includes the original color, Verde Green. One glance down the flanks of this car and you'll see just how straight it is, and like all dark colors, the green paint doesn't allow much margin for sloppy workmanship. Check out the razor-sharp crease that creates the Buick "sweep spear" effect along the sides of the bodywork, the super smooth quarter panels, and the excellent gaps all around. That kind of work doesn't come cheap. The paint is two-stage urethane that's perhaps five years old but shows a fantastic shine and only a few demerits, mostly a handful of small nicks on the trunk lid. Otherwise, this Buick looks far more expensive than it is.

Some of that is due to the restrained use of chrome, all of which was likely refinished or replaced when the car was built. We love the functional vents on the hood, the gently concave rear bumper, and the bright trim that outlines the vinyl top, which is also in excellent shape. Bright wheel arch moldings accentuate the big rubber hoops inside, giving the car a very athletic look. This isn't a frumpy old man's Buick, but it is for someone who has outgrown being the center of attention.

That guy will be rewarded by the upgraded interior, which starts with a pair of ProCar bucket seats in place of the original bench (the factory bench is included if you'd like to reinstall it). Unlike the original slippery chairs, these buckets grab you and hold you in place, which is a good thing because this GS moves like it's decades younger than it is. New carpets, reproduction door panels, a fresh headliner, and a reupholstered back seat that matches the front seats rather well all point to a cost-no-object restoration. Factory gauges were limited to fuel level and speed, so they've been augmented with a column-mounted tachometer and a pair of high-end liquid-filled Auto Meter dials for temperature and oil pressure. Obviously, someone meant business here. You'll also note the switch panel under the dash, which manages the Gear Vendors overdrive unit linked to the Muncie M21 4-speed manual gearbox. Flip the switch, hit the button on the shift knob, and voila! You're cruising at a relaxed 2000 RPM on the highway. Talk about no compromises! There's also a decent-sounding AM/FM/cassette radio and neatly installed retractable seat belts for safety. The trunk is properly finished and spotless, needing only a reproduction mat to look factory fresh.

OK, we're getting to the hardware, don't worry. The engine is a 455 cubic inch V8 pulled from a 1972 Buick and rebuilt to the tune of about 500 horsepower. There are upgraded internals, a big Lunati cam that gives it a fantastic lopey idle, Stage 1 heads, and a giant Holley double-pumper on a Buick aluminum intake. An MSD ignition system lights it up reliably and easily, and there's a massive radiator up front to keep it cool. We reinstalled the original GS air cleaner assembly so it takes advantage of the cold air induction through the hood nostrils, a feature that's just too cool to ignore. Bright Dante Red engine paint makes it look correct and the fabricated aluminum valve covers are race-grade cool. And despite the rather aggressive specifications, it still runs like a Buick should. Turn the key and it fires easily and idles well, even when it's cold, indicative of a lot of tuning. Once it's warmed up, it pulls ferociously in any gear but never gets too wild to handle—this is still a car you could drive daily if you wanted to. It totally nails the performance/comfort equation.

The Muncie M21 4-speed is indestructible, so go ahead and slam the Hurst shifter through the gears, and it's backed by an expensive Gear Vendors overdrive unit that gives it great flexibility. 4th gear + overdrive means effortless cruising at highway speeds with reduced noise and decent fuel economy, but we've also found that 2nd gear around town and punching the button to turn the overdrive on and off is a ton of fun, too. There's a built Moser Engineering 12-bolt rear end with 4.11 gears and a Posi limited slip inside, so this sucker is a weapon on the roll, but the overdrive makes it totally usable at any speed. I'd call that $3500 well spent. And this is no sloppy luxury car, either, because it's fitted with a custom StrongArm tubular front suspension with adjustable RideTech coil-over shocks and a massive NASCAR-style anti-roll bar, while the rear end is suspended on another set of coil-overs and held in place with heavy-duty control arms that keep the rear end planted no matter what. Stopping power comes from 4-wheel disc brakes, with a set of heavy-duty Baer cross-drilled rotors and 2-piston calipers up front. Ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed a beautifully built 3-inch exhaust system that sounds wicked but mellows out at speed, again reminding you that this isn't some half-baked kid's car. At a glance you can see that the floors, rockers, and other critical parts are in fantastic condition, and there's no evidence that this car was patched together from a rust bucket. All the lines and hoses are new, the gas tank is new, and even the fasteners are new throughout. Those gorgeous Torque Thrust style wheels are brand new and carry staggered 245/45/17 front and 275/40/18 rear performance radials with less than 100 miles on them.

This incredible Buick includes extensive documentation such as the original owner's manual, a factory shop manual, receipts for the upgrades (adding up to more than $50,000 just in parts!), and a lot of spares, including the original bench seat, A/C equipment, gaskets, trim pieces, and other original parts.

As I said, if this were a Chevelle or a GTO with these upgrades and this much performance, it would easily be a $60,000 car. Buicks remain insanely affordable and this one is probably the biggest bang for the buck we've ever seen. It's fully sorted, beautifully finished, bulletproof reliable, and totally ready to rock. Don't miss this opportunity to own the ultimate gentleman's hot rod. Call today!