If you were standing in a Buick dealership in the fall of 1966, you were probably looking for something "sensible." Maybe a LeSabre for the family. But tucked away in the corner of the showroom was something that didn't quite fit the doctor’s-car image Buick had spent decades cultivating. It was the 1967 Buick GS 400. Honestly, it was a bit of a deviant. While GTO owners were busy screaming about Tri-Power setups and Chevelle guys were bragging about their cheap speed, the Buick owner just sat there, comfortably, in a vinyl bucket seat, knowing they could probably out-torque almost anything on the block without breaking a sweat or deafening the neighbors.
It wasn't just a trim package anymore. For the first time, the "Gran Sport" became its own distinct series. It was a statement.
The Engine That Changed Everything
Most people don't realize how much of a departure the 400 cubic-inch engine was for Buick in 1967. Before this, they were relying on the "Nailhead" design. If you know your engine history, you know the Nailhead was famous for torque but breathed through valves the size of thimbles. It was old tech. The new 400 changed the game. It featured a completely fresh top-end design with much larger valves and a vastly improved intake manifold.
Bucking the trend of high-revving screamers, Buick engineers focused on "useful" power. We’re talking about 340 horsepower and a massive 440 lb-ft of torque. That torque peaked at a relatively low 3,200 RPM. What does that mean in the real world? It means when the light turns green, the car doesn't just rev; it lunges.
The 1967 Buick GS 400 used a quadrajet carburetor that, frankly, can be a pain to tune if you don't know what you're doing, but when it's dialed in, the secondaries open up with a roar that sounds like a jet engine muffled by a velvet pillow. It’s a specific sound. You can’t mistake it for a Chevy.
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It’s All About the "Star Wars" Air Cleaner
If you open the hood of a 1967 GS 400, the first thing you’re going to notice isn't the block or the chrome. It’s that wild, red plastic air cleaner assembly. Enthusiasts call it the "Star Wars" air cleaner because it looks like something straight out of a 1960s sci-fi flick. It’s huge. It’s aggressive. And it was only used for one year.
Because it was made of plastic, many of them cracked over the decades due to engine heat. Finding an original, un-cracked red air cleaner today is like finding a needle in a haystack made of smaller needles. Expect to pay a premium—sometimes over $1,000 just for that piece of plastic—if you're doing a concours-level restoration. It’s one of those weirdly specific quirks that makes the '67 stand out from the '68 or '69 models.
How It Actually Drives (Beyond the Spec Sheet)
Heavy. That’s the first word that comes to mind. But it’s a controlled heavy. Unlike the Pontiac GTO of the same year, which felt a bit more "rattly" and raw, the 1967 Buick GS 400 felt like it was carved out of a single piece of iron. The suspension was tuned for "Gran Sport" duty, meaning it had stiffer springs and a thicker anti-roll bar than your standard Skylark.
You’ve got to remember that Buick was the "luxury" muscle car. You could get power steering that felt like you were turning the wheel through butter, yet the car stayed surprisingly flat through corners. Well, flat for 1967 standards. It still leans, but it doesn't feel like it's going to capsize.
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One of the coolest options was the Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission. It featured a "switch-pitch" stator. Basically, when you floored it, the vanes inside the torque converter would change angle, effectively giving you a higher stall speed for better launches, then switching back for efficient cruising. It was genius tech that disappeared shortly after because it was expensive to build.
The Competition at the Time
- Pontiac GTO: Faster in a straight line if you got the Ram Air, but much noisier.
- Oldsmobile 442: The closest rival. Very similar "gentleman’s muscle" vibe.
- Chevelle SS 396: The brawler. Cheaper, faster, but lacked the Buick's interior refinement.
Interior: Where the Luxury Lives
Step inside and you’ll see why people paid more for these. The dashboard in the 1967 model is a masterpiece of brushed aluminum and high-quality vinyl. You could get a "Consolette" or a full-length console with a tachometer mounted right on it—which was honestly kind of hard to read while driving fast, but it looked incredibly cool.
The seats are wider than what you’d find in a Camaro. It’s a car you can actually drive for four hours without needing a chiropractor. Buick wasn't just selling speed; they were selling the ability to arrive at your destination without a headache. They used extra sound deadening in the floors and pillars. It’s quiet. You can actually have a conversation at 70 mph, which was a luxury in the muscle car era.
What to Look for if You’re Buying
If you are hunting for one of these, you need to be careful. Cloning was—and still is—a big deal. People take a standard Skylark, slap some GS badges on it, and try to upcharge you ten grand.
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Check the VIN. For 1967, the GS 400 was its own model, so the VIN should start with "446." If it starts with "444," it’s a 340 car. If it’s "435" or "433," it’s a Skylark. Don't let someone tell you it’s a "special factory order" if the numbers don't match.
Rust is the enemy of all GM A-body cars from this era. Specifically, check the rear window channels. Water gets trapped under the stainless trim and rots the metal from the inside out. Also, check the frame rails near the rear wheels. If you see scaly rust there, walk away. It’s a nightmare to fix properly.
Why the 1967 Still Matters Today
The 1967 Buick GS 400 represents the peak of a very specific philosophy: that performance shouldn't be punishing. It was the end of an era before the 1968 redesign made everything look more "fastback" and aggressive. The '67 has those classic, crisp lines and the beautiful "sweepspear" side styling that pays homage to Buicks of the 1950s.
It’s a thinking person’s muscle car. It’s for the guy who wants the big-block power but doesn't feel the need to prove it to everyone at every stoplight with a loud exhaust and a vibrating hood scoop. It’s subtle. It’s fast. It’s expensive-feeling.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring GS Owner
If you’re serious about getting into the Buick world, don't just jump on the first eBay listing you see. The Buick community is tight-knit and incredibly knowledgeable.
- Join the V8Buick forums. This is the holy grail of information. The guys there know every bolt and casting number for the 1967 GS 400. They can help you verify a car’s authenticity before you drop forty grand on a fake.
- Verify the "Star Wars" air cleaner. If the car is missing it, use that as a bargaining chip. They are incredibly difficult to source, and your engine bay will look "naked" without it.
- Check the Cooling System. The 400 big-block runs hot. If you buy one, plan on upgrading to a high-quality aluminum radiator or a heavy-duty four-row copper unit if you want to keep it looking stock. These engines do not like being overheated; the heads can be prone to cracking if pushed too far.
- Look for the "Star Mist Blue" or "Sapphire Blue" paint. These were iconic 1967 Buick colors that show off the body lines better than the standard reds or blacks you see on every other muscle car.
- Budget for the Transmission. If it still has the switch-pitch ST400, find a specialist who understands how to service the solenoid. Most modern transmission shops will have no clue why there are extra wires going into your casing.
The 1967 Buick GS 400 is a rare bird. With only about 13,000 hardtops and 2,000 convertibles produced, you aren't going to see another one at your local cars and coffee. That’s the whole point. It’s the muscle car for those who prefer a handshake to a shout.