Vehicle Description
1965 Buick Skylark Convertible
The Buick Special was an automobile produced by Buick. It was
usually Buick's lowest-priced model, starting out as a full-size
car in 1936 and returning in 1961 after a two-year hiatus as a
mid-size. The Special was built for several decades and was offered
as a coupe, sedan and later as a station wagon. When GM modernized
their entry level products in the 1960s, the Special introduced the
modern Buick V6 that became the core engine for GM for several
decades and lives on in current upgraded V6 products. By 1970, the
Special was no longer offered as a standalone model but the name
would later be used for the entry trim on 1975 to 1979 and 1991 to
1996 Century models. The entry level Buick can trace its heritage
to the Buick Model 10, a companion to Buick's first car, the Buick
Model B. The Model 10 started out as one of the independent brands
merged into Buick, called the Janney.
This 1965 convertible example of the Buick Skylark provides the
viewer of it with a combination of 1960's cool, and early muscle
cars disguised as family sedans. Displaying a mere 67,348 title
verified actual miles and one of 10,456 produced convertibles, not
counting the ones that are no longer with us it is definitely
lower! This year Skylark sports some fab seats with tuck and roll
and plenty of buttons, a long trunk deck with a bar of rear
taillights stretching from rear quarter to rear quarter A pointed
nose raked forward and overall thinner and wider car, giving the
impression of speed and style. Our consignor is believed to be the
3rd owner, the car has a new top and top boot, the original
interior, and has been treated to a power front disc brake
conversion. With its sleek styling and 60's good looks, I'm
inclined to agree with the ad-men of the day..."a Howitzer with
windshield wipers"
Exterior
A Flame Red repaint, the original color, covers the exterior
surfaces. Overall a very nice application for the paint but it does
have some slight areas of orange peel paint, a few touched up chips
and at the lower driver's door some evidence of prior bodywork. The
iconic Buick trio of front quarter venting are present on the car
and are covered in chrome and morph into a side spear running
rearward on the slab steel sided body. Grille, dual headlights and
surrounds are in good condition with mirror-like finishes and we
note the BUICK in block letters and the Buick Tri-Shield hood
ornament have been shaved from the leading edge of the hood. A
nearly new black canvas top is clean with no tears or rips and the
rear window is scratch and sun fog free, which can be electrically
raised and lowered. And for when the top is down, a newboot is
included to dress things up a bit. Chromed and polished 15-inch
Buick Rally wheels are wrapped in deeply treaded 205/65R15 tires. A
thin rocker trim runs the length of the lower part of this car and
shows in good condition as well along with the rest of the chrome
and the front and rear bumpers.
Interior
Sporting its original interior, the vinyl is in excellent
condition. Beautiful black vinyl vertical ribbing is covering the
low back buckets in front, and bench seating in back. An
aftermarket console with cupholders covers the hump and the seats
sport plenty of buttons lined up on the backs as well and the seats
are just fab! Clean original door panels show black vinyl trimming,
horizontal ribbing, and more buttons, and have plenty of chrome
accenting attached encompassing the actuator, window cranks and
mirror joystick. A panel of black carpet is on the bottom and just
below we note a blemish in the vinyl. The dash chrome and black
trim is in good condition with barely any tarnish or wear and all
gauges and knobs are clear and working. The upper padded dash is
crack free and in black and we note the factory AM radio, vertical
chrome ribbed speaker grille and power top switch occupying dash
central. Black carpet with light fading floods the floors and black
carpeted mats are on for extra protection.
Drivetrain
A 300ci Wildcat V8, finished in aqua paint is within the clean and
original engine bay. This mill has been upgraded to a Holley
4-barrel carburetor for a little extra kick in the seat and we note
the addition of an open element Edelbrock chrome air cleaner
assembly. This is attached to a 200R4 4-speed automatic
transmission, which is incorrect for this car but with the
overdrive fuel economy will be boosted. A 10 bolt axle in the rear
takes the power hand off and spins the tires via 2.78 gears.
Undercarriage
Overall a patinaed and surface rusted environment for the
underside, very structurally sound for the flooring and rockers,
however we do note some invasive rust on the insides of both of the
frame rails near the firewall. Rear power drum brakes are seen
along with a 4 link and coil springs suspension and for the front,
new updated to power disc brakes and we see an independent coil
spring arrangement. A new dual exhaust with Xlerator mufflers
snakes its way rearward and is looking nice.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and effortless drive for the test area. Smooth
acceleration, and a smooth ride too, fully functional all in the
comfortable confines of the convertible top.
I imagine dad behind the wheel, flat top cut, Wayfarers, white
shirt and thin necktie, with mom next to him with her Oliver
Goldsmith Manhattans, silk bandanna covering her low beehive, and
matching paisley dress, rolling down the highway with top down
smiling and just enjoying life. This convertible is drive away
condition, can be you, 58 years later with that same smile, and
sense of satisfaction in your 1965 Buick Skylark
Convertible...goose it!
444675H294231
4-Buick
44-Skylark V8
67-2 Door Convertible
5-1965
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
294231-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
06B-2nd Week June
ST 65 44467-1965 Skylark 2 Door Convertible
BDY FB241538-Flint Body #
TR 158-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT R2-Flame Red, Black Top
W-Tinted Windshield Only
2X-ST300 Automatic
4F-Remote Outside Mirror
5K-Door Guard Moldings
W-Deluxe Front Seatbelts With Retractors
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
