[johnta1]

Here's a pic of the car Mike posted, but in the Craftsman Service news:

1973 New Models

[400 4spd.]

Compared to the other 1973 GM intermediates, I always thought Pontiac had the best design.

[U47]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Compared to the other 1973 GM intermediates, I always thought Pontiac had the best design.

As much as I would like to agree, the sides of the Pontiac...well they speak for themselves. Buick on the other hand is proportioned much better.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...33e02ac6dc.jpg

[4birds]

Here is a picture of my old '70 Judge and my buddy's '70 SS396 Chevelle. Probably 1983.

[Frank R]

Here's my 69 T/A next to a friends 69 Z-28 in 1976.

[MikeNoun]

A lot of people don't care for the 1973-up A-bodies, but back then, they were very popular. Pontiac broke an all-time sales record in 1973, shattering their previous high mark set in 1968.

The 1973-1974 Buick GS is one of my favorites (1973 pictured).

[MikeNoun]

Those are great photos from the 1980's! I have a lot of similar pics from the 1980's, just haven't scanned them in yet.

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Compared to the other 1973 GM intermediates, I always thought Pontiac had the best design.

X2

[trishieldchief]

I love the 73-77 GM A body.

Attached are a few pics of my original paint and stripes, 1975 Buick Century Gran Sport.

Rare,end of the line, Buick Century Gran Sport in 1975, only 1,288 built.

[trishieldchief]

Few more pics

[U47]

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

I love the 73-77 GM A body.

Attached are a few pics of my original paint and stripes, 1975 Buick Century Gran Sport.

Rare,end of the line, Buick Century Gran Sport in 1975, only 1,288 built.

Yep, best looking of the bunch. Nice car!

[400 4spd.]

I have to admit that my opinion of Buicks might be swayed because I was employed at a Buick dealer during the 70's. Too many warranty rust and body fit claims, I guess. Maybe that's why appreciate the Pontiac more. I will agree that Buick had Chevy and Olds beat in the styling department in '73.
By '77 the Olds Cutlass Salon and 442 were on top!!

[U47]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

I have to admit that my opinion of Buicks might be swayed because I was employed at a Buick dealer during the 70's. Too many warranty rust and body fit claims, I guess. Maybe that's why appreciate the Pontiac more. I will agree that Buick had Chevy and Olds beat in the styling department in '73.
By '77 the Olds Cutlass Salon and 442 were on top!!

I agree!

[Wareagle]

1977 Pontiac Styling - The Best

[hoosierGP]

I had a 75 Lemans Sport Coupe back in the day which I thought was sharp looking but my favorite of the period is still the 75 Hurst Cutlass W30. My high school buddy still has his and I think they nailed it on style.

[455firebird1969]

Originally Posted by Frank R

Here's my 69 T/A next to a friends 69 Z-28 in 1976.

That's nice! Two great muscle cars from back in the day.

[U47]

Originally Posted by hoosierGP

I had a 75 Lemans Sport Coupe back in the day which I thought was sharp looking but my favorite of the period is still the 75 Hurst Cutlass W30. My high school buddy still has his and I think they nailed it on style.

Then look what happens in 76. Pontiac retains it's hideous side profile while Olds gets better.
Pontiac:
http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8498/...5f699765dd.jpg

Olds:
http://car-from-uk.com/ebay/carphoto...ebay273154.jpg

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

Few more pics

That's pretty cool! You only hear about 1973-1974 Gran Sports, very little about the 1975's. The 1975 Gran Sport was reduced to an appearance and handling package, and with the new catalytic converter making its debut, the Stage 1 and 455 were not available, just the base V6, 350 2-bbl, or 350 4-bbl.

The 1974 GSX (on the Apollo body) was an odd one. Buick dropped the GSX after 1972, but they must have felt that bringing back the GSX badge in 1974 was justified when the GTO moved to the X-body platform in 1974.

[U47]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

That's pretty cool! You only hear about 1973-1974 Gran Sports, very little about the 1975's. The 1975 Gran Sport was reduced to an appearance and handling package, and with the new catalytic converter making its debut, the Stage 1 and 455 were not available, just the base V6, 350 2-bbl, or 350 4-bbl.

The 1974 GSX (on the Apollo body) was an odd one. Buick dropped the GSX after 1972, but they must have felt that bringing back the GSX badge in 1974 was justified when the GTO moved to the X-body platform in 1974.

The X platform Nova-Ventura/Phoenix-Omega-Skylark really didn't get together until the 75-79 versions. The suspensions and their shared components with F body Z-28, T/A, Cadillac Seville K body could really make a great car.
By using a assortment of spring rates from T/A or Z28, Sway bars and variable high effort quick ratio steering box from a 9C1 Police Nova, Cadillac Seville spindles with Large wheel bearings, 5 on 5 large bolt pattern 15" wheels and front 12" rotors and rear disc brakes from the Cadillac Seville instead of the 11" rotors from F or X body and rear drum brakes you could make a super grand touring car. I have one, and I bought it new It's a Omega Brougham. Only my wife could not figure out why after only a week old I did all of the above to a new car.
The car today, still in it's original paint and interior @ 115,000 miles; FYI those are widened Olds 98 5X5 15" wheels

http://www.pismoderelicts.com/photog...s/img_0124.jpg

[fiedlerh]

Buick dropped the GSX after 1972

Buick only sold 44 of them in 1972. I knew a guy who had the rarest of the rare: 72 GSX with a 455 4 speed. Unfortunately the GSX did not survive.