310 in a 65 GS?

[Caeser]

Hi,
Great forum I have read it through hoping not to have to bother anybody but I can't seem to find my answer. I am in the process of negotiating for what the owner says is a 1965  skylark gs. It has a 310 motor in it. I thought all GS had the 401 or bigger. Is this bogus.
Also the vin doesn't match up to anything i have seen for the 65 GS. Can someone please decipher all these codes so that I know whether or not to buy the car. Hate to ask but this is kind of an emergency because the guy wants to sell.
01B
ST 66-44467FL1 134116 BODY
TR 167-C             N-1       PAINT
W 2X
4F              5KY           &

These are the exact numbers that are on the plate. Would appreciate any help possible,Thanks,Ed.

[Chris]

Hello Ceaser and Welcome,

Since you are in a hurry, I'll give you some immediate feedback.

Watchouts:

1.  No known 65 GS's came with a 310, this is a small block and the GS was a big block 401 performance package in 65.

2.  Look at the plate on the drivers side door jamb (hinge side).  The last set of numbers should match up with the numbers on the block.

3.  If this is a coupe or sedan (hardtop or hardtop post) look for a boxed frame.  If you need to know what a boxed frame looks like, look at the Gallery section or some of the resto links in this forum and you'll be able to see how it's enclosed.

4.  In the VIN, notice the second line - ST 66-   Are you sure this is a 65? If it is, it looks like someone may have played musical VIN tags since 66 would mean this is a 1966 Skylark.

5.  Look at the fenders.  Fender trim differences:

Skylark had simulated vents and is more often referred to as spears because of their shape.  They are one piece and are meant to be part of a group of moldings that run down the doors and quarter panels. 

Special had three simulated vents and were also cast.  These are smaller and consist of three seperate pieces.  The Special had no moldings down the side of the car typically unless dealer / owner installed. 

GS has a more complicated cast and stainless vent style fender emblem.  These are multi piece and square in shape.  The GS had no side moldings unless again, dealer or owner installed.

Refer to the Gallery for pictures of each under the GS - Skylark - Special picture groups.

Check the title and see if it matches up to the VIN tag / jamb tag, again if this is a 65 body, then something is up with the plates.

So far everything I'm seeing has sent my "warning light" flashing and personally I'd be a little scared to spend more than the money I'd recover from parting it out especially if you are buying it from out of state and it'll require an out of state inspection... my Spidey senses are tingling and I perdict title issues.

If you need, email me some pictures or post them here and I can give you a better opinion of it.

[Caeser]

Chris,
Thanks for the quick reply. The 66 sent bells off in my head also. Also the FL1 after the 44467. I couldn't get the pics to post so i will try and describe. The side of the car has trim running the length of the car right at the rockers .It proceeds around the front  fender well . About halfway up the fenderr well there are 3 squares . The rear of the car has small tailights in each corner . Chrome is painted black (chrome that runs all the way across to connect tailights and on the passengers , right next to tailight ,it says gran sport. It also has chrome vents in the center of the hood that are sort of wide and low profile. It is a convertible. Let me know what you think. Thanks Ed.

[Mark Ascher]

Caeser

Welcome to the forum. Definitely sounds like a 66 to me. The 66s should have the 401 as well, only painted red for this year, not Buick green.

Mark

[Caeser]

Mark,
Thanks for the post. The car I am looking at is just like yours! Convertible, small tailights, chrome along rockers,3 squares just behind front fenders, gs in appropriate places.
From what i have deducted from you and chris I am probably negotiating for a 66 skylark that has been made to look like a gs  and not a 65 skylark gs. If i can work out the title issues I am still going to get the car. My dad drove buicks all his life and my first car was a 66 LaSabre 4 door with a vinyl top that I got back in 75. Loved that car. Excited about getting back into buicks. I still can't figure out what the FL 1 meant after the engine and body code? Thanks you guys have a great site and hopefully I will learn how to post some pics and show you my car.

[Mark Ascher]

Caeser,

Glad I could help identify the car. It is not mine though! I just grabbed it off the web.
If Walt sees this thread, he could help with more of the particulars on a 66 as he is
an expert on them.

Mark

[Caeser]

Hi,
Hate seeing threads end without a conclusion.Didn't formally introduce myself so i will now. I am Ed. I love cars like everybody else on here. I am no gearhead but i love researching cars and doing as much as my limited mechanical skills will allow. I presently own a 88 Hess and Eisenhardt V12 Jag, A 76 harley Super glide completely chromed and chopped in the indian larry vein, A 77 MG Midget which I love to cruise in and for a 1500 with a 2bl. is a lot of fun,A 73 Opel GT(POOR MAN's corvette, because they look like a 68 Vette that you left in the dryer too long) . Everytime I get something looking great and should drive and appreciate it I will trade for something else. Drives my wife crazy.
 I bought the 66/65 convertible skylark/GS. The numbers on the title match up and is registered down here in Ky. It is registered as a 65 gran sport, but i am sure it is a 66  convertible skylark after some great help from you guys. I may yank the 310 out and put in a 401 if they are available. I will also need to get a new front bumper for a 66(hint...if you got that please contact me). This one is going to be a keeper.Love old buicks. If anyone knows what the FL1 menas on the plate please let me know.BAFFLED ???

[Loren At 65GS]

Chris,
  There was a "deluxe trim " option for the '65 Special . This was the same trim as a '65 Skylark. Order code W5. Referenced from " '65 Buick Features and Facts " book. This was a dealer only sales piece used as a sales tool in a dealership.
  This is just a FYI,
Loren
 

[Caeser]

Loren,
Thanks. do you happen to know what FL1 means on the tag? It is right after the body code (67-convertible). S/N reads 66-44467 FL1. I have the rest figured out but not the FL1.Thanks Ed.

[Loren At 65GS]

Ed,
  My knoweledge base is not in the '66  cars.  I am not able to help you out with the fine details of your vin code. I can tell you that by the info I have seen, what you have is a '66 small block v8 convertible. If it were a '66 GS , the vin should read 44667. As I recall, the first "4" designates "Buick". The second "4" designates "Skylark model " and the third  # being a "6" , specifies it to be a GS. Last but not least is the "67",this is the body style, convertible.
  My interests in Buicks started in the late '70's , early '80's when my oldest brother and I restored a '65 Skylark hardtop that scored 400 points at the BCA nats in'92. During the restoration, I stumbled onto a '65 GS convertible that i bought as a parts car. That was my GS startand since have owned a few.
  As Mark can attest, I do know my way around the '65.

Hope you can find out more about your'66.
Loren

[WkillGS]

Hi Ed, I'm a big fan of the 66's, having one since I was 15 in the 1970's. I now have several 66's. ;D
Recently added a 65 GS to my collection.
444xxx denotes a V8 Skylark. The GS had a 446xx VIN.
The FL1 means it was built in Flint, Michigan. 01B is the date....2nd week of January, 1966.
TR 167-C is the Trim code....Red bench seats
N-1 is the Paint /top color....Burgundy mist with white top
The codes after that denote the options. There is a decode sheet in the gallery.
W...tinted windshield
2X...Auto trans
4F...Remote side mirror
5KY...K is door edge guards, and Y is the seatbelts...I believe for the custom belts with retractors.

Sounds like a nice car! It's close enough to a 65 so we should be able to answer all your questions.
Welcome!

[Caeser]

Thanks guys! You saved me quite a bit of money. Still bought the car. The title is correct except it says  GS on it. When I get it tagged I will get that  corrected. He was as ignorant as I was about it until I enlightened him thanks to this forum. Bottom line: I bought a 66 Skylark with a 310 and convertible top. Needs some work but I am as happy as I can get. With some body work and a tuneup I should be good to go.Going to leave it a 310 which I understand translates to a 340 ???  I am thinking about leaving the GS emblems on it to pay Homage to one of the greatest cars ever built. Hopefully I will be the last owner of this car but if not I will let him know it is a clone. Thanks again Ed.

[Joe65SkylarkGS]

Ed sounds like a nice ride. How about posting some pictures?

[Doc]

I think......a 310 is the 300 cu. in. engine with a 2bbl carb..... at least it was in my 64 cpe.....       a 355 is the 300 with the ''optional'' 4bbl, 11;1 compression, dual exh....

[Chris]

Yes Doc.. that is correct.

Both the 310 and 355 were 300 CID engines and the 310 / 355 simply stood for the torque ratings (hence 401 = 455 Wildcat).

The 310 was the 2 bbl version and the 355 was the 4 bbl version with a little higher compression piston.

In 64 the 300 used aluminum heads and intake and in 65 they switched over to cast iron heads and intake.  The question always comes up if they can be interchanged (aluminum intake with cast iron heads) and the short answer is no, not without some milling and modifications to make them seal up correctly.

Chris