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This 1971 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Stage 1 convertible is one of the most unique versions of the Divisionandrsquo;s classic-era muscle machines. Buick built just 81 Stage 1 GS convertibles in 1971, equipping 72 with the 400 Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed transmission. It is estimated that 25 of those were built in one day in August 1970 for use as Zone Demonstrator models to be used by zone office executives until being re-purposed as dealer demos before their eventual sale to the public. As demonstrator vehicles, these Stage 1 convertibles were built with virtually every available option to show off Buickandrsquo;s best to prospective customers, and all were visually set apart by their bright combination of new-for-1971 Cortez Gold paint, Pearl White-on-black interiors and white convertible tops. In addition to the Stage 1 engine and 400 Turbo-Hyrdramatic automatic transmissions, every Gran Sport Stage 1 Zone Demo convertible was equipped with a 3.42:1 Positraction differential, F41 Rallye Ride suspension, power steering, power front disc brakes, and N25 rear bumper dual exhaust outlets. External features included G60-15 raised white-letter tires with chromed 15x7 wheels, front and rear bumper guards and Sport mirrors. Interior trappings rivaled those of Buickandrsquo;s contemporary full-size luxury models, including such welcome extras as air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, power locks, front split-bench seat with fold-down armrest, custom front shoulder belts, Convenience Lighting Group, Rallye gauges and tachometer, Soft Ray-tinted glass, Rallye steering wheel with tilt column and AM radio with 8-track tape player. Just thirteen so-called Zone Demo convertibles are currently known to exist, and this exampleandrsquo;s extraordinary quality makes it a prize candidate for any group of exceptional muscle cars. Originally shipped to the Jacksonville, Florida, Buick Division zone office in the last week of August 1970, the carandrsquo;s VIN sequence number, build date and trim tag all verify its authenticity. As such, it is listed in the 1971 Stage 1 Zone Demo Registry. This outstanding Buick has been pampered its entire life, and has been restored in body-off fashion to a very high level of finish. However, it was built to drive and enjoy and as a result has been slightly modified and while this Stage 1 is still powered by a 455 cubic inch engine, which has been dynoed at 416 horsepower and 541 ft. lbs. of torque, it is now backed up by an upgraded 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission. Additional under hood upgrades include an MSD distributor, headers, and an upgraded exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers, which provides a deep yet pleasing tone. This exceptionally rare Buick GS runs and drives like a dream, making a trip back to 1971 a simple matter of dropping the top and heading out onto the open road.
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