65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: wheelz on November 22, 2014, 02:17:29 AM
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Some of you have known that I spent a good 45 years restoring 70-72 GS cars for many, many people. That era is gone now, and I am selling off 45 years worth of parts. If you need anything 70-72, I might have it, so email me direct PenWheelz2@ij.net
I have actually considered closing up shop altogether to complete the resto that began back on May 3rd, 1975, my 65 Vette Roadster. Stuffed long ago into my folks 5 car garage, patiently awaiting my attention.
Then.
THEN. . ., I STUMBLED upon this 65 GS, one owner car, (a USARMY Korean/Vietnam Pilot), bought the car as soon as he was sent home back in early 65. The widow of the late owner, had the car stored in an off airport hanger for the last 10 years along with war memorbilia AND an old P47. An interested collector called me after seeing my parts for sale on C/L in May, inquiring about restoring the car for him.
Long story short, I ended up buying the car basically at a very VERY realistic price... :thumbsup: This Flame red & white GS still sports the original lacquer, (chequing and all) Numbers motor, numbers trans, correct distirbutor, matching carb, correct wheels, RED LINE original spare tire, UNBELEIVABLY original and at 50 years old, with just 53,000 documented miles, it was basically driven 1000 miles per year. :icon_thumright: It has some trunk floor rust spots and tail light panel rust issues but, other'n that...it is solid!
I have a renewed Buick interest and I am now finally BUILDING ONE FOR ME... :love4:
I have nice plans for this 65 GS and more details to come as the tinkering begins!
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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Congratulations! Looks like a great GS!
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Nice find, congrats! :thumbsup:
Forget building it.... just drive it!
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Awesome score. [emoji106]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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:occasion14:
Congrats on a find of a life time. What ever you do ENJOY IT . That's what I'm doing with "Mr T's" bronze ht.
Al
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Very nice find indeed!
And original '65 sport wheels also. I'd be inclined to drive it for awhile before going headlong into a restoration.
Can you get it in the registry ,please.
Loren
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Very nice and fortunate find! Isn't that how it go's; just when you think you're done, you take one more leap and splash it starts all over again; that keeps us young. Drive the wheels off it and do the rehab latter.
Give some thought to bringing it to the 50th GS Anniversary dance (wherever it's going to be) as it is.
Please post more pix's.
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Nice score. Clean it and drive it. Are those later 15 inch wheels? Skinny bird center cap instead of fat bird. Still a dandy.
Bob
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Very Nice. I agree, drive it. It looks too good. It's interesting how cars continue to come out of storage after being hid away for years. I also looked at the wheels and also the steering wheel and wondered if it had been changed. Great find. Vinnie
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I agree with driving it. Bring it on the Power Tour. Seems like we have enough trailer queens already. Life is short, drive your Buick! (applies to many of us)
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What a find! Drive it for sure! It is the same color combo as my gs , except mine is a 4spd. !
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...and this is gonna raise some eyebrows from you guys but, I am actually considering converting this car to a 4 speed. :idea1: I have been collecting the original parts, correct 65 GS T10, Rebuilt CORRECT shifter, flywheel, bellH, all the zbar nightare parts and a few years ago, I totally restored a complete consolette, with tach, and all 3 boot PINS AND both trim rings... READY for such a project.
ya I know. I know what some of you are prolly thinking... :violent1: However, I will hold onto everything original to the car, ie: trany, mounts, etc , well wrapped up and crated...
Just a consideration at this point... :icon_scratch:
Meanwhile, I have some bodywork that requires immediate attention before I can just "toool around town".. you can see what I mean in the pix...
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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Yes..the later model sport STEERING WHEEL is incorrect.... BUT the 14" wheels are absolutely ORIGINAL to the car....
I have not cleaned these yet, but now that the tires have been removed, I can see these date coded stampings PLUS the "bead welded" areas and NOT the whole welded bead...
Im on the right track here, right?
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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You do have a serious issue with the rear panel and trunk areas. Seen worse repaired.
Check the bottom corners of the rear window, under the trim. Also a common rust area.
On the wheels, notice the polished center , '65 only, and how far out the center is on the rim. Also the outer edge of the centers in '65 and '66 are a little wider then latter years.
As I mentioned in my first post, definitely '65 wheels.
Loren
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Glad to see you back on the board here Dennis!! :thumbsup: I'm with most of those who say driver it, albeit after taking care of the rust issues. Hopefully, you won't fix one spot, then find two more that you want to fix, which inevitably leads to a frame off. :nono: :nono:
Oh yes, I have no problem with you converting it to a 4 speed.
:occasion14:
Congrats on a find of a life time. What ever you do ENJOY IT . That's what I'm doing with "Mr T's" bronze ht.
Al
Hi Al, glad to see you're enjoying my old car. :occasion14: :hello2: Hope it's treating you well. :icon_thumright:
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Glad to see you back on the board here Dennis!! :thumbsup: I'm with most of those who say driver it, albeit after taking care of the rust issues. Hopefully, you won't fix one spot, then find two more that you want to fix, which inevitably leads to a frame off. :nono: :nono:
Oh yes, I have no problem with you converting it to a 4 speed.
:occasion14:
Congrats on a find of a life time. What ever you do ENJOY IT . That's what I'm doing with "Mr T's" bronze ht.
Al
Hi Tom
We had a ball with the ht so far, one of our guys at the fire hall took it for a short ride. the kid is 22, when he got out I have NEVER seen anyone with a bigger grin on his face. he could not believe the power of the old girl.
I think we have another convert to the Nailhead.
Al
Hi Al, glad to see you're enjoying my old car. :occasion14: :hello2: Hope it's treating you well. :icon_thumright:
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Wheelz ,the road wheels are the second in the first style design the C with the 5 in the center means built in 65! The first of the early style had unistyle stamped on them with No three digit number code . I see the ones that you have pictured are stamped 833 where most and the set, I have are stamped 813. What is the build date of your. GS? And what plant?
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Hi Tom
We had a ball with the ht so far, one of our guys at the fire hall took it for a short ride. the kid is 22, when he got out I have NEVER seen anyone with a bigger grin on his face. he could not believe the power of the old girl.
I think we have another convert to the Nailhead.
Al
Very cool for you to do that to a 22 year old! Perhaps planting the seed, just in case you decide to sell it?? :nono: :laughing7: :icon_biggrin:
I sort of miss that cars exhaust sound when stomping its go pedal. Must content myself with replaying a few videos I shot when I still had it. :headbang:
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:hello:
Hi Tom
I have been meaning to contact you about the exhaust on the hardtop. Did you change it?, if so what did you use? Ihave never heard such a sweet, smooth sound on a 65. Usually cherry bombs were used. the problem with them is they had a very sharp bark to them. These pipes and mufflers have a very low authority sound to them. Definetaly a very nice sound. One of the best sounding systems on a nailhead I have ever heard. :headbang:
AL
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:hello:
Hi Tom
I have been meaning to contact you about the exhaust on the hardtop. Did you change it?, if so what did you use? I have never heard such a sweet, smooth sound on a 65. Usually cherry bombs were used. The problem with them is they had a very sharp bark to them. These pipes and mufflers have a very low authority sound to them. Definetaly a very nice sound. One of the best sounding systems on a nailhead I have ever heard. :headbang:
AL
Hi Al, that exhaust is what the car came with when I bought it from Maryland. I loved the sound the first time I started the car the day my brother Randy and I picked it up.
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I think a 4 speed is a great idea, if you really want to have some fun cruising install a 5 speed OD.
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TIRE SWAPPIN'... I removed the wheels & separated BFG'S. I've been cleaning & scrubbing the 5 original 65 GS wheels inside, outside, underside, overside, rimside, scummside etc, ... with a concoction I've used for 20+ years, ZUD cleaner and tide...
INSIDE: sanded, scuffed up and applied a nice (but incorrect) dusting of a metallic gold to the wheel inside center section.. the original spare wheel center section had some kinda zinc dichromate plating..so I tried to match as best possible...
Then I applied a light dusting of silver metallic to the rest of the surface rusted rim. I KNOW silver its also incorrect but hey, I wanted to protect what is still worth protecting here, K?
OUTSIDE: I met a fello who offered me 2 spraybomb aerosol 2K cans of correct 65 WHEEL SILVER... after cleaning and masking the lug areas, I applied a light DUST COAT of silver, when that dried to touch, 2 full medium final coats. When that became tacky, I sprayed 2 coats of MATT FINISH RUSTOLEUM CLEAR as a top coat to the silver.
When the paints dried in our warm Florida sunshine... :sunny: I hand applied 3 coats of 4 SEASONs TREWAX, the ONLY pure carnuba wax on the market these days... btw~GOOD STUFF!
I am about to mount 4 new Firestone Red Line tires on these wheels on tuesday along with the original spare redline for the trunk!! Yeeeeahh Budddy! I am feel'n pretty goood at how this is coming along so far.
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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few more pix:
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...and, more ~ including the original spare IN original silver...a dern near perfect MATCH HUH?:
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Nice wheels Wheelz. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Very nice job.
Dan
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..and finally:
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I ordered a new set of center cap medallions from Mitch... and I've already drilled out, tapped and prepared the original and YET VERY DECENT ribbed caps for when they arrive!!!
Completed wheel/tire combo pix coming to a computer near you SOON!!!
STAND BY. :thumbsup:
Wheelz, Tampa Bay
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Good One, Dan! :headbang: