Vehicle Description
1966 Buick Skylark GS Hardtop
When General Motors authorized engines up to 400ci in its
intermediate cars, Buick seized the chance to create its first
muscle car, the 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport. In actuality, the
division's big block V-8 displaced 401ci. Undeterred, Buick simply
renamed it the "400." Teamed with a heavy duty radiator and dual
exhausts, the 401 carried the same 325hp rating as in Buick's full
size models.
For consignment, a 1966 Buick Skylark GS with a 401ci V8 that is
likely the original engine. The VIN stamped number is one digit off
from the actual VIN and this was likely a production line error. It
was probably built on a Friday. The automatic transmission was a
$245 option in 1966 and the Gran Sport Package was an extra $236.
This car also has power steering,($86), power brakes, ($43), and
two tone paint, ($17).
Exterior
Two stage Silver Mist on the body is complemented by Regal Black on
the roof which is a great design element to pick up the black
wheels, faux fender vents, grille, and faux hood scoops. The
handsome lines and vertical fascia of the mid size offerings from
GM are exemplified on this car, looking both muscular and at the
time, probably run of the mill. An epic Gran Sport emblem sits to
the right on the black band of the tail and the simple taillights
contour beautifully to the body lines and subtle angles of the car.
With the red in the GS emblems and that of the taillights, the red
double pinstripe that travels the length of the car at the mid
panel level is a nice feature. Flying buttresses on the C-pillar
are another feature that makes this car stand out in design. The
paint and metal are very nice on the car with imperfections noted
such as bubbling paint and small areas of painted filler that's not
smooth, none glaringly obvious.
Interior
Black door panels striped with silver trim pieces and wearing a
carpeted bottom and black painted top are stylish and neat. The low
back black vinyl bucket seats up front have a stitched pattern on
relatively flat surfaces split by a center console while the back
bench is robust and clean and accompanied by the door panel design
on the walls along with an armrest and ashtrays. A simple steering
wheel with a cross spoke and horn fronts a horizontally displayed
speedometer with other square gauge and knobs on a metallic paneled
dashboard in clean condition. An AM radio is embedded in the center
and a vertically finned dash welcomes the passenger and reminds
them they're in a Skylark GS. A circular, raised Buick motif fronts
the center console which extends rearward to collect the polished
shifter in a simple indicator plate which gives way to a center
storage compartment sculpted into the console. Black loop carpet
under Buick rubber mats looks clean and so does the gray stitched
headliner up above. The trunk is also clean and lined with a gray
rug.
Drivetrain
Clean conditions prevail under the hood where we find the correct
and possibly numbers matching 401ci V8, (note this engine carries
the correct MR stamping code and a partial VIN of 124230 while the
vehicle VIN reads 125230), with a 4-barrel carburetor and rated at
325 horsepower. An ST300 2-speed automatic transmission sends power
to the rear 10 bolt with 2.93 gears. The car is equipped with power
drums in the front and rear.
Undercarriage
The belly pans appear to have been undercoated and there's not much
surface rust underneath. One side of the dual exhaust looks newer
than the other which is colored by surface rust but intact, and
there's a stock muffler on that side and a Flowmaster on the newer
run and they exit discreetly before reaching the back bumper. Some
oil is noted on the oil pan and some residual fluid on the
transmission pan and there's a bit of grime by the wheels but we've
seen worse. There is some flaking rust around a body mount being
the worse of the corrosion. For suspension, the car comes with coil
springs up front and a four link with coil springs in the back and
Delco spiral shock absorbers demonstrate more vintage hardware
underneath.
Drive-Ability
The big V8 cranks to life and a muscle car tone left the tailpipes.
We roll onto the loop and the car tracks straight, brakes well, and
has acceleration to spare! The cabin is a pure time capsule and
it's 1966 all over again. The reverse lights do not light up but
everything else functional works. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
This well proportioned car might be less common at car shows than
Chevelles and GTO's of the era, but that doesn't make it any less
cool. In fact, we think it adds to the desirability. Clean
interior, great color combo, straight body panels and the correct
401ci V8 makes this Buick one for your collection! Pick this one up
and head out the GS Nats in Bowling Green next year!
446176B125230
4-Buick
46-Skylark Grand Sport
17-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
6-1966
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
125230-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
02C-3rd Week February
ST 66 44617-1966 Skylark GS 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY B1186-Baltimore Body #
TR 198-Black Vinyl Buckets
PAINT WA-Silver Mist & Regal Black
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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