Genuine GS?

[Pete Phillips]

To the guys who contributed the information on this thread, would you give me permission to quote your replies and make an article about this for the Buick Bugle? I think it's been a good learning experience, with a lot of good information that isn't always available. and I can document it with photos of parts of my car. It would be good publicity for this group, I think.
What would REALLY make it a great article would be to match the photos of parts of the Gran Sport with photos of the same areas on a regular '65 Skylark or Special. Anybody have access to one? If so, take photos of the frame, the radiator, the battery tray, the side moldings, the roof trim, etc., and email them to me, and I will put the article together.
Pete

[WkillGS]

It would be an interesting article, just don't title it "How to clone a '65 GS" !! 

We could add a lot more info, we've only touched on the differences.
There was a booklet included in the service bulletin package that covered many the items specific to the '65 GS models.
Some of the less-known items included:
- Rear axle housing with larger wheel bearings, specific to GS and Sportwagon.
- Steering column has a removable steering box flange to allow removal.... GS has little clearance between the upper Arm shaft and exhaust manifold.
- Bucket seats were a required option.
I had scanned the booklet years ago, I just have to find it.

[Loren At 65GS]

I agree it would make for a good article.  I'm sure that there is more then enough knowledge here to help with that.

To me, looking from a $$$ stand point, it does not make sense to "clone" a '65 GS. Unfortunately, a '65 GS doesn't command the big $$$ like say a cloned GTO might.
Without a serious amount of work, unless the Skylark is a convertible, there is the boxed frame difference that a hardtop or post Skylark won't have. In my humble opinion, the difficulty of finding the GS specific trim parts is bad enough, much less going through the work and expense to change out a frame.


 Loren

[Mark Ascher]

Pete,

You have my permission. Someone with a nice Skylark will have to step forward, I know there are some nice ones here.
If there is anything you need, we will help. Thank you!

Mark

[dsags]

Pete,

The article sounds like a good idea. Feel free to quote me. Finding a really nice Skylark will be difficult. Maybe another BCA member could help you out.

Dan

[elagache]

Dear Pete, Walt, Loren, Mark,

What would REALLY make it a great article would be to match the photos of parts of the Gran Sport with photos of the same areas on a regular '65 Skylark or Special.

I don't know if there is any interest, but if there is a need for photos of a Special specifically, my wagon's exterior is essentially completely original.  As far as I remember the exterior trim was different between the Specials and the Skylarks and GS.

To me, looking from a $$$ stand point, it does not make sense to "clone" a '65 GS. Unfortunately, a '65 GS doesn't command the big $$$ like say a cloned GTO might.

Perhaps something equivalent to that sentence should be included in the article.   Any article like this will have to touch on the value of these cars.  So pointing out that an attempt to clone a 1965 GS isn't worth the effort is basically giving the readers an honest assessment of the situation.

Thanks Pete for the suggestion! 

Cheers, Edouard

[cwmcobra]

If needed, you have my permission to use any of my comments.  I know we have lots of pictures of 65 GS cars and that there are some Skylarks and at least a Special or two.  Kevin (Rollaround) has a nice Special and I'll bet he has some pictures that could be used.

Sounds like a great idea, both informational and to put the 65 GS in the limelight again!

Cheers!

Chuck

[Mark Ascher]

These are images of the handwritten sheets found in my GS. Small one was in the bucket seat cushion, jammed between the springs and foam. Never saw it until I started taking the seats apart for Loren to do his upholstery job.
I have images of these from 2 or 3 other Fremont cars.

The next unsolved mystery is what is the circled number in the upper left corner for? All the ones I've seen have this.

I should clarify - these are from Fremont cars.

Mark

[WkillGS]

....The next unsolved mystery is what is the circled number in the upper left corner for? All the ones I've seen have this.

Could be the sequence number....in your case, car #719 on the assembly line in that day.

The Fisher Body cards I've found in my 66's have the sequence number in upper left corner.

[option B9]

 Hi Pete you have my permission too, we should all post how many years that we each have been working on Gran Sports or just Buicks. The amount of years must be quite a staggering number. I started working on Buicks with my father 41 years ago and purchased my first 65 Gran Sport 27 years ago, time sure flies when you are having fun with Buicks !!

                                        Tony

[GS66]

You have my permission too, just in case I said something intelligent. I have continuously owned at least one or more nailhead Gran Sports since 1975.