Vehicle Description
1972 Buick GS 455 Convertible – Rare Drop-Top, Fire Red, Stage 2 Upgrades, TH400, 3.42 Posi, One of 126 Built
Although flashier muscle cars grabbed headlines and admiring glances in the burger joint parking lots, the Buick GS was the subtle slayer on the street. Even in 1972, with lower compression than a few years before, its 455 engine cranked out a very strong 375 lb-ft of torque — and that was an SAE net figure, not gross. This 1972 Buick GS 455 Convertible is a rare drop-top version in Fire Red with a white bench-seat interior. Only 126 GS 455 Convertibles were built for the year, and this rust-free example has dry New Mexico and Colorado roots. It has been mechanically refurbished from front to rear, including a performance-minded rebuild of the 455 with Stage 2 specs for even more axle-twisting grunt.
Powertrain
- 455-cu.in. V8 engine (correct 1972 455, not original) – approximately 5,000 miles on rebuild
- Cam and heads upgraded to Stage 2 specs – all internals upgraded
- Holley four-barrel carburetor (original Quadrajet included)
- Engine starts easily and idles smoothly without smoke – slight oil weeping at front of engine
- Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic transmission – rebuilt with higher-performance internals, shifts firmly through all gears
- Positraction rear axle with 3.42 gears
Exterior & Body
- Fire Red paint – respray of original color, in very good condition with a few minor dings and scratches
- Some scuffs on front bumper (particularly black rub strip) – rest of exterior trim chrome appears good
- Power-operated convertible top – works flawlessly, glass rear window, correct top bag included in trunk
- Remaining glass in good condition with minor scratches
- Seals for top, doors, and trunk all appear in good shape
- All exterior lighting works normally
- Exterior enhancements: hood tach, GSX rear spoiler, GSX front spoiler
- Rust-free example with dry New Mexico and Colorado roots
Interior & Comfort
- White vinyl bench-seat interior with column shifter – very good condition with minimal wear
- White seat covers free of cracks, rips, or holes
- Black carpet in like-new condition
- Steering wheel, door panels, and dash pad in very good condition
- All interior trim intact – some wear showing on rear-seat buckets for convertible top
- No issues with gauge functionality
- Air-conditioning system blows cold
- Original radio present – vintage Pioneer Super Tuner cassette deck mounted under dashboard
Chassis, Suspension & Brakes
- Chassis and suspension restored in the past with some performance upgrades – very good condition, no reported issues or needs
- Shocks and bushings appear nearly new
- Brakes work great
- BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires mounted on factory Buick chrome wheels – wheels in good condition for age
- Tires show estimated 70% of remaining tread (exact age unknown)
Rarity & Options
- Only 126 GS 455 Convertibles built for the 1972 model year
- Rust-free with dry New Mexico and Colorado roots
- Mechanically refurbished front to rear
- Stage 2 performance upgrades to cam and heads
- TH400 transmission with higher-performance internals
- Posi rear axle with 3.42 gears
- Hood tach, GSX front and rear spoilers
- Factory air conditioning – blows cold
- Original Quadrajet carburetor included
This 1972 Buick GS 455 Convertible is a rare and potent drop-top from the final years of the original muscle car era. With only 126 GS 455 Convertibles built, this rust-free example (originally from dry New Mexico and Colorado) is a genuine rarity. The Fire Red paint presents very well, complementing the white bench-seat interior and power-operated white convertible top with glass rear window. Under the hood, the correct 1972 455 has been rebuilt with Stage 2 cam and heads, upgraded internals, and a Holley four-barrel (original Quadrajet included), delivering even more torque than the already-strong factory 375 lb-ft SAE net rating. The TH400 transmission was rebuilt with higher-performance internals and shifts firmly, sending power to the Posi rear axle with 3.42 gears. Inside, the white vinyl interior is in very good condition with like-new black carpet, the A/C blows cold, and the original radio is accompanied by a vintage Pioneer Super Tuner cassette deck. Exterior enhancements include a hood tach and GSX front/rear spoilers. The chassis and suspension have been restored with performance upgrades, riding on factory Buick chrome wheels and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires with 70% tread remaining. For the collector seeking a rare, torque-heavy, open-air muscle car with subtle Buick style and serious street credentials, this 1972 GS 455 Convertible delivers.
455ci V8 | TH400 Auto | Stage 2 Upgrades | 3.42 Posi | Fire Red | One of 126 | Factory A/C | GSX Spoilers