Author Topic: 65 Skylark  (Read 1242 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Rickesota

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 70
65 Skylark
« on: November 17, 2016, 04:56:32 PM »
Hi,

I recently purchased a '65 Skylark that looks exactly like the car on your home page, sans the GS script. Mine is a 225 V6/300 2-speed - total opposite end of the spectrum from most of the cars here! I was hoping to convert it to a 4-speed but research shows it's easier to find a Trump supporter at UC Berkley. Looking forward to asking silly questions and getting a little more oomph outta this car, eventually going to some iteration of Buick V8.

Regards,

Rick
'65 Skylark 225/ST300
working towards 350/Super T-10

Offline GS66

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 2300
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2016, 06:24:32 PM »
Welcome! And good luck with your project.
Jim
North Mankato, MN

65 Gran Sport HT auto
66 Gran Sport Conv. 4 speed
66 Gran Sport Conv auto
66 Gran Sport Post auto
66 Gran Sport HT auto

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2016, 06:27:16 PM »
Welcome  Rick,

  The community of 65GS.com is more than Gran Sports.  We appreciate all the '64-'66 Buick A-body cars. I think the parts to mate a 4 speed up to the V6 or small block V8 are easier to come up with then the nailhead big block.
If I recall correctly, one of our members has a NOS bell housing for the V6/V8 .

 Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline Rickesota

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 70
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2016, 06:59:27 PM »
Thanks, guys! Mine's a 2-dr post BTW and not a hdtp. She looks good at 20 feet but has some sketchy bodywork underneath and was told by the seller that the floors are a bit soft. So if anybody in and around the Twin Cities has a line on some floors I'm all ears. First is to just improve the running and stopping. Lots of FedEx/UPS packages over the last few weeks that I have yet to open LOL!
'65 Skylark 225/ST300
working towards 350/Super T-10

Offline Rollaround

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 724
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2016, 08:23:40 PM »
Welcome Rick,
 I started out with a 65 Special convertible with the Fireball V6 and ST 300 trany then did some upgrading. The 225 V6 is a very reliable and economical drivetrain. For overall drivability and handling with a four speed,I think the small block 300 would be hard to beat.
Welcome to the National Support Group for early A body Buick addicts. 
Lots of good Buick folks in your neck of the woods, don't miss the season's opener at the fairground in St Paul. 
Kevin   
Kevin
Northwest Ohio
Working the endless restroation.

Offline Rickesota

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 70
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2016, 08:33:14 PM »
I'm intrigued by the 225. Just bought the Pertronix kit with the Flamethrower coil as well as a deluxe rebuild kit for the 1BBL. Hoping I can sufficiently wake it up on the cheap before I stick a V8 in it.

I don't want a race car. I don't want trophies. I want a good-looking 20-footer car that makes the right sounds and can haze the tires when I want. Just a working-man's hot rod circa 1975 with haphazard bodywork, big and littles, and a nice lope at idle.

This is gonna be fun!

Rick
'65 Skylark 225/ST300
working towards 350/Super T-10

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2016, 08:57:09 PM »
Rick,

 There was also  2 barrel manifold available on the V6.  One of the guys on here has a Special four door with the 225 with 2V.

 Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2016, 09:17:00 PM »
Welcome Rick!

Where are you in the Twin Cities?
Here's a thread from V8Buick about small V8/4 speeds not to be missed:

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?164721-1964-65-SBB-4-speed-information

Mark
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline Rickesota

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 70
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2016, 09:32:21 PM »
I'm in Shakopee. Can't wait to meet the locals!

BTW...my buddy Bob restored his fathers '68 GS400 4-speed 'vert - rare car! Funny thing...is they own another one and t's the exact same light metallic green. But calling that one rough is an understatement lol.
'65 Skylark 225/ST300
working towards 350/Super T-10

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2016, 09:38:56 PM »
Nice looking Lark!

Be sure to make time for the Spring Extravaganza at the state fair grounds the first Sunday of May.  We early Gran Sport and Skylark folks get together on the Saturday before the swap on Sunday.  Good time .

 Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline elagache

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3033
  • Caretaker of one assertive "billy-goat" wagon
Welcome! (Re: 65 Skylark)
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2016, 10:03:33 PM »
Dear Rick, Jim, Loren, Kevin, Mark, and 65GS.com welcome wagon!

First things first!  Welcome to 65gs.com!!!

I recently purchased a '65 Skylark that looks exactly like the car on your home page, sans the GS script. Mine is a 225 V6/300 2-speed - total opposite end of the spectrum from most of the cars here! I was hoping to convert it to a 4-speed but research shows it's easier to find a Trump supporter at UC Berkley.


. . . Awe shucks!  I don't think the situation is that bad!  Besides I got my PhD at Cal Berkeley and I'm sure you could find a Trump supporter or two there . . . . try the sciences, or engineering!! . . . Of course they never would admit it openly on campus!! . . .

Looking forward to asking silly questions and getting a little more oomph outta this car, eventually going to some iteration of Buick V8.


By all means welcome!  Who knows, you might even end up with the sort of V-8 that ended up in my 1965 Buick Special wagon:



Not to brag or anything, but it should be capable of around 500 horsepower!! . . .  . . . . Which makes her quite a welcome wagon!! . . . .



Once more welcome to 65GS.com and I hope you find many of your questions answered!!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:

Offline Rickesota

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 70
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2016, 01:23:32 AM »
I'll put it on the calendar.

I really like this car. I love how solid it feels and sounds when you close the door. It looks like somebody had started a resto on it, as the dash pad looks new and the interior rubbers and seat covers all seem new, as well. The engine looks like it's been repainted. It smells pretty mildewey, though. 2 days with an ozone generator helped for about a week, but the smell crept back, though it's not nearly as bad as it used to be.

It drives ok once you get going, but any throttle off idle once in drive and she wants to die. You need to keep one foot on the brake while you feed it gas to get it into the garage or when leaving a stop sign. Hopefully the carb rebuild and Pertronix will help.
'65 Skylark 225/ST300
working towards 350/Super T-10

Offline cwmcobra

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 2360
  • The Verde Howitzer
    • Ginky Weeds Restoration Project
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2016, 07:13:50 AM »
Welcome Rick!

Nice looking Lark you have.  Glad you joined us.  Enjoy your adventures in upgrades.  I hope you get her purring soon.

Chuck
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Verde Green/401/2x4 BBL/4-speed - AACA First Grand National - AACA National Award - BHA Outstanding GS - BCA Senior Gold
1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

BCA 48497
AACA 91100

Offline option B9

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 734
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2016, 07:31:41 AM »
  Hi Rick , I own a 65 Buick Special with a V6 225 its been in my family since 66. The V6 is an odd fire motor so it will never run smooth at idle, but to improve performance 100 % we installed a 2 bbl manifold from a 66 Buick V6. Its a very easy swap and the engine runs so much better, I also installed a Pertronix  system then added a turbo muffler, new coil springs and front & rear sway bars from a GS, The Special runs & looks  great and very reliable too. Plus the gas mileage is unbelievable. I've driven the Special all over the northeast and never once have we had any problems.   Once you change the manifold and get the correct Rochester 2bbl carb on it your cold starting problems should be gone. The odd fire V6 with the 1bbl carb was not one of Buicks great ideas!!! but in 66 they corrected it... and all the V6 is, is a 300V8 with two cylinders shaved off.... And Welcome to GS.com             Tony 
65 GS Hardtop 401 Silver, Black Vinyl top, Black interior,  
65 GS Thin Pillar coupe 401 Red on Red interior (Steve Shuman's) undergoing restoration.
65 GS Convertible 401 White, Red interior, Black top. BCA # 15317

Offline GS66

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 2300
Re: 65 Skylark
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2016, 01:05:13 PM »
Nice car Rick! Maybe we can cruise together sometime!
Jim
North Mankato, MN

65 Gran Sport HT auto
66 Gran Sport Conv. 4 speed
66 Gran Sport Conv auto
66 Gran Sport Post auto
66 Gran Sport HT auto