Ive been offered a true 65, but no engine or trans. Body looks ok apart from a BAD bondo job on one rear corner from an accident. Rag top is rotten from being sat and the interior isnt too good. It was an old guys car thats been sat a while in a garage. Seller only wants a grand, he 'needs the space', which looked pretty true. Is this a good buy or am I wasting my money? Plus seen as it doesnt have an engine or trans, what are my options? Thanks for the help. :beer
65 GS Conv. Advice I'd personally pass it up. In 65 there was no clear VIN distingustion between a Skylark and GS and the only way to truely protect yourself from a clone that I know of, is to have a matching numbers engine that aligns with the serial number to prove it's real. Since the car has no engine, proving it's a real GS would make the job tougher not to mention seriously affect the resale price. If you like the body style, I'd look at the Skylarks and Specials with the smaller V8 as they are still a terrific value in really good condition. I hope this helps.. :beer Chris
OK ... so Ive had one yes and one no lol. Any good links so I can do my VIN homework? I would like to be prepared to knock this guy down if the VIN isnt a genuine GS one. Thanks for the input so far guys! Smoker.
the "46" meant GS from `66 and up,in `65 there was no number in the VIN indicating GS,it was under the skylark 44 VIN,Gran Sport was an option in `65. Thanks
I think the battery on the GS in 65 is on the dirver side I know it can be moved but if they were lazy and didnt move it.
Hope this helps... As much as I'd love to take credit for the information below, it was provided to me in helping identify my 65 GS convertible as original. I also have two 65 Special conv. - two Skylark conv. (310 & 355) and my newest addition, a 65 GS conv. In '65 Buick introduced the Skylark Gran Sport in May of '65. It was a mid year production car. Because of this, it does not have a serial number designation. Makes it a little tough to know if it is a real GS or a fake. That is the bad news. The good news is that there are a good number of differences from a Skylark to a GS. Of these is a GS had a heavier suspension. Most easy to notice is the front sway bar is larger diameter than it's little brothers, the Skylark. As for the engine, the GS had a special code.It is stamped into the block. Location is at the front top edge of the block directly behind the thermostat housing and before the valley pan. For '65 it will read "LR" followed by the serial number. The "L" is 1965 model year. The "R" is the speciffic code for the correct "GS" engine. If these letters are anything else , it is not the correct engine. Codes for other models of 401's is "LS" as used in Riviera, Wildcat and Electra. There is also the "LT" code . This is a 425 with two four barrel setup. Used in the Wildcat, Electra and the Riviera GS. All '65 GS's had bucket seats. No ifs, ands, or buts about it . The "GS" A9 option came with the bucket seats only and there was an upcharge cost. Located on the firewall is the cowl tag. You've found that ,because you gave me the paint code. On the other side of that is the "TR" trim code. 154 is for white bucket seats, 157 is for red bucket seats, 158 is for black bucket seats and 159 is for saddle color buckets. As a 65 convertible with a V8, your cowl tag at the 'ST' location should read 65-44467 Break down: 65 the model year 44 Buick Skylark 467 V8 convertible The 67 is for convertible body no matter model [special,skylark and GS] Some of the other differences between a Skylark and a GS are: GS had a different frame. All GS models [body styles] had a fully boxed frame with a heavier rear cross member. All GS had a special rear end. The gear set was a specially treated metal and the outer axle bearings were of greater diameter. As previously mentioned , the front sway bar is larger diameter . The coil springs are a heavier rate. The brakes are a wider shoes and the front wheel cylinders are larger. The front drumes are finned. The engine mounts and cast iron adapter plates are '65 and '66 GS only. The exhaust is 2 1/4 " and the exhaust manifolds are GS only.They are cast iron. Automatics ALL had a center console with floor shift. There were never any column shift '65 GS's. There were never any bench seat'65 GS's. All '65 &'66 GS's had a deluxe steering wheel. This is also used in a '65 Skylark and optional in a Special with deluxe trim.
A couple more ways to tell... Just thought of a couple more ways to tell a GS from a Skylark or Special: The battery tray should be on the drivers side because the starter on the motor is on that side. The small block & six cylinder cars have the opposite setup. The fenders should have the GS porthole emblems "& yes there is a difference". Look on the backside of the fenders if possible and check if the rectangles look factory cut as the emblems set inside the fenders as normal Skylark emblems are simple bolted on with studs. There should be no side moldings nor evidence of holes or clips that held on the moldings down the doors and quarters. Again.. if this car does not have these items.. then chances are pretty high is a small block Skylark and they can still be had complete at very decent prices.
Yank the carpet and check the floor pans front and back. How is the trunk floor around the body mounts rusted through yet? Check the frame carefully they can trap water easily. I love these cars but this one sounds very overpriced to me. If floors and frame are solid make him an offer you are comfortable with. You can drop a 430/455 in no problem or replace it with another Nailhead. Without the complete #'s drivetrain they lose value quickly IMHO.
More valuable info, thanks guys. I should be making a trip up there this weekend for a full examination of exactly what model this car is. I guess if I can bid him down and the body/frame are sound enough it'll be a nice preoject car. I'll try andget some digi photos so maybe folks on here can advise on the extent of the damage if there is any.
