Did `65GS`s ever come with chrome.....?

[staged67gspwr]

Did the `65 GS`s ever come with the chrome molding going along the side of the car like the skylarks had?i recall seeing a `65 GS with it once,was this an option?


Thanks

[Mark Ascher]

Negative. The main exterior differences were the "venti-ports" in place of the side moulding, and the moulding around the lower c-pillar and rear window. All these were GS only.

That would not prevent a dealer or owner from adding those though, but they would have to punch a lot of holes in the side of that thing.

Mark

[staged67gspwr]

Whats the best way to tell a Skylark from a Gran Sport then?the boxed frame would be my next choice.

Thanks

[Mark Ascher]

George,

Yes, I guess the frame would be the next thing, although I have never seen a 65 GS with the Skylark side mouldings. Another thing to think about: It's my understanding that all the 65 Skylarks, not the GS cars, had the "halo" mouldings on the roof.

It would take a heck of a lot of work to fabricate a GS. There are a lot of mechanical changes that would need to be done, in addition to a frame change. I have seen a 65 convertible that had been "cloned" into a GS car. I think it was a Special convert to start. It makes no sense to do a hardtop, because the price to buy a good original is not high.

Mark

[staged67gspwr]

All Skylarks came with those roof moldings?i though only vinyl top cars?


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[Mark Ascher]

George, I believe they did, but don't hold me to it! I've seen them on vinyl top Skylarks, all-one-color Skylarks and contrasting painted roof Skylarks. I got some parts off 3 65s in a huge wrecking yard in New London MN (Windy Hill Auto Parts) sometime in the early 90's and they all had em.

The GS has that belt moulding on all of them, regardless of roof treatment on those too.

Mark

[staged67gspwr]

So maybe the car i had seen with the Gran Sport insignia with the skylark type molding along the side was a skylark GS clone?



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[Babeola]

George,

The best indicator for an original 65 GS is the engine. LR (65, 400) will be stamped on the front valley pan rail on the passenger side. The 8 digits stamped on the driver side of the front valley pan rail will match the last 8 digits of the vin # located in the driver side door opening. This way you know it is a 65 400 in the original car. The GS was the only Buick A body with a 400 (AKA 401) in 65. The GS automatic trans has an NK code and a 65 date code on the servo cover.

Cheryl

[staged67gspwr]

yea but over the years people swap motors and tranny`s so thats not so accurate?


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[Babeola]

Then it is not an original 65 GS.

[staged67gspwr]

Yea but its not so,because the body is still a GS,in other words what your saying is that if my `67 gs400 doesnt have a 400 and it has a 455 its not a GS anymore?no your not making sense the body is still a GS but it may not have the original motor?


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[staged67gspwr]

Yea but its not so,because the body is still a GS,in other words what your saying is that if my `67 gs400 doesnt have a 400 and it has a 455 its not a GS anymore?no your not making sense the body is still a GS but it may not have the original motor?


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[Babeola]

GS with non GS engine or GS clone using GS parts: 6 of one half a dozen of another. Neither are worth the price of an original GS
with its original parts.

[staged67gspwr]

I understand your point but that wasnt my question,my question was to try to locate a way to verify a Gran Sport from a Skylark thats all?


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[sore loser]

George,

Mark is right on the money about the mouldings and about the identifying a '65 GS. Just my .02 worth.

Don

[Mark Ascher]

Don,
Thanks for the support, I've researched the 65s pretty thoroughly, but you never know when there's an exception out there.

Case in point: Cheryl, need your attention here: My GS has an LT coded 401. I have most of the original documents for this car, and it came new with this engine, and the VIN is proper on the paperwork, engine and car. I have also been in contact with another 65 GS owner with an original LT coded 401. GM made mistakes like this. I have also talked to veterans who worked in GM assembly from the 60's, and have heard some pretty weird stories about what happened back in "the day."

George, that car was probably a Skylark with GS emblems stuck on. Just like the 2.63 million Malibus that are now an SS.
I would still say the dead giveaway on a 65 is the frame if it's a hardtop or post. For a convertible, your on your own!

Mark

[Babeola]

Mark,

What if your car had an engine with a JT or MT code and the digits on the other side of the rail did match the vin code? Would you believe that to be an original GS? There is a bridge near George I would like to sell you if so. Wasn’t that boxed frame made for a period of years? Couldn’t you slip a boxed frame from any of those years under a 65 Skylark almost as easily as you would swap an engine in? At least with the engine you can narrow it down to the right year and original car or not. The 65 GS was the sum of parts rather then a vin designation. There were exceptions, but even in that case (like yours) there is some supporting evidence (like the vin code on the block). My point is the parts need to be coded right if it is to be considered an original 65 GS. Otherwise, it is it does not matter what it once was.

Cheryl

[staged67gspwr]

I think the chances are slim for people swapping chassis rather than engines.


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[Mark Ascher]

Right on George.

Cheryl, I disagree with a lot of what you state, but we'll agree to disagree.

Mark

[Bill Bailey]

:rolleyes:
My GS has the words Skylark Gran Sport on the glove box door.
George, I was looking at the pictures of your 65 GS you posted and thought the engine compartment looked identical to mine even right down to the A/C lines except mine did not have the chrome on the air breather.
Bill Bailey

[staged67gspwr]

cool:TU: are the chrome aircleaner and chrome valve covers on my `65 a Option? or someone has chenged them was just wondering?


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[DugsSin]

I think the aluminum valve covers with BUICK on the side came with the dual quad swap many dealers did.
Chrome valve covers and air cleaner were probalbly added by one of the owners. Nice touch.
One of the guys at Duanes get together had the dealers book of what was offered in 65 I'll have to check it out next time. It answered my question about the stainless wheel well mouldings on our Larks being an option you could add on.
George hope to see you cruising your 65 next year so I'm not the only one.:TU:

[Mark Ascher]

The chrome steel valve covers & air cleaner body (not lid) was a dealer option you buy in 65. They all came in one humongous box. I've got a photo of one in the box somewhere, but it was available. Sounds like that's what you have George.

Neat!

Mark

[Dan K]

No kidding. I got this from the guy who was District manager in Dallas in '65. They sent it down to do a commercial in Terlingua, then sent it back to Detroit. I guess they didn't have the exhaust manifolds or motor mounts ready in time. I wonder if they crushed it or crushed it. I am sure they didn't sell it..... He says it was a red hardtop. Anyone out there have a #s matching V6 65 GS hardtop?