Two 65GS Ebay listings

[Smitty]

As a newbie, vey curious to your opinions on the post and coupe posted on ebay.  When I do decide to pull the trigger on a 65GS I will be not be buying a show car but hopefully a period correct weekend driver with modifications as required in today's world.  So with that in mind I am not exactly sure what to look for to in order to avoid a clone and hopefully buy an true GS. I am aware of the bucket seats, the 401 etc.  Just looking for opinions on the cars below.....they both look good to me although I am drawn to the coupe more than the post (who knows why)

thanks in advance (and eventually I learn the tiny details of a period correct GS)


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-Buick-Skylark-GS-RARE-Post-Coupe-1-405-Factory-3-SPEED-401hp-GREAT-BODY-/251035237456?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a72ddbc50

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-Collectible-Classic-1965-Buick-Skylark-Gran-Sport-FAST-410-Nailhead-V8-/200744587441?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2ebd4f50b1

[Robk]

Looking on my cell phone it's hard to see, but the engine/air cleaner on the the maroon car do not look right to me.

Rob

[WkillGS]

Both look like nice solid cars.
The blue 3 speed car was recently sold by a board member in Oregon for $6200 to the guy in Philly. The new owner added the gauges, wheels, did a minor floor repair and installed new carpet. Considering shipping the car cost $1000, he's likely to have near $8000 into it, which is the current high bid.  It's reported to be a solid, good running car with an old cheap paint job.

The Maroon car in Ca looks nice as well. There's a guy over on V8Buick (Mike) that is a real 65 GS fanatic.... he's likely to know the car, or maybe he even owned it at some point! As Rob pointed out, it does have the wrong air cleaner.

The post cars/sedan use different door panels and hence rear seat than the hardtop/sport coupe cars.  I don't know offhand if repo seat covers are avail for the post cars.

Finding a car with a solid body and nice chrome will make the resto much easier.
GS's are rather difficult to clone since all body styles used the reinforced convertible frame. Other GS-specific items include rear axle, springs, brake parts, front sway bay, steering column, radiator,  battery mount, and of course, the engine and transmission. A clone could be made, but it would take a complete GS parts car to do so!

[jmos4]

Hi,

Both cars look nice, as stated the blue 3 speed car sold recently, Post cars are difficult to find some things like door panels and window regulator parts,  but they have started to reproduce the correct 2 tone seat covers believe both in blue and red last I knew

if you like a manual trans, go with a stick as they are hard to come and usually don't come around as often as the automatics do its all up to your preference both are fun to drive

Doing a clone like was said does take a Gran Sport donor as the engine mounts, are a minimum are unique to get a nailhead into A-body as the other parts you could do with std Skylark/Special running gear & frame though it would never be able to passed off as a real Gran Sport

I recently did a semi clone and when I am done, I will have much more into it than the 10,000 I heard was the reserve on the post car, it is sometimes much easier on the pocket book to get one done rather than gathering the parts, though sometimes the journey in getting the parts is half the fun.

good luck with the search,

[Smitty]

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.  As far as cloning is concerned, my train of thought was using a Skylark and adding the GS badges, buckets, 401 etc to make it appear as a real GS (as Jmos4 stated it would never pass to the trained eye).  My eyes are not that trained yet, in due time.

I will check out the V8Buick board as well.  I have briefly looked but have not registered yet.

I know pricing can't be pinned down but for the sake of the arguement let's use the maroon car... a solid car, not much rust, needing some tlc and minor restoration (not frame off) but can be driven now, would a decent purchase price be between 6-9K ?  Hoping I am not opening a can of worms here.

[WkillGS]

... a solid car, not much rust, needing some tlc and minor restoration (not frame off) but can be driven now, would a decent purchase price be between 6-9K ?

That would be a reasonable. There is a wide range of cars out there. I'd be hesitant to purchase a car without personally looking at it.

The guy I mentioned, Mike,  goes by NorCal.buicknut on V8Buick   or california_dreamin65  on eBay.
He seems to be buying and selling '65 GS's all the time..... he actually has one on e-bay now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170823771322&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

He might know the maroon car......

[Smitty]

Thanks again.  I will get in touch with Mike.  Not going to pull the trigger quite yet but as you mentioned I will definitely inspect a car in person prior to purchase.  The white convertible is a beauty.  White exterior with black or saddle interior is what I hope to own someday.  Although I will not be picky if the right car comes along.

[dagazio]

Doing a clone like was said does take a Gran Sport donor as the engine mounts, are a minimum are unique to get a nailhead into A-Body

Arggg... I'm trying to get a job back home and wanting to keep my GS instead of selling it. I had thought about putting the original engine back in and am wondering what parts got changed when it went to a 455 Olds/TH400. I have the original Nailhead and trans, but now I have to check out the parts stock thanks to this quote. The rest is all original, but I'm not sure about where the engine mounts are or if the trans crossmember changed. I know there are boxes with parts, but I'm sure there is no trans crossmember.

[WkillGS]

...... putting the original engine back in and am wondering what parts got changed when it went to a 455 Olds/TH400.

Crossmember needs to be moved back a few inches for a TH400 trans. Original crossmember may still be there, but it would need new brackets welded on the frame to bolt it to.
Short list of 'GS-only' items:
Engine mounts.... frame pads, adapter plates, and the rubber mounts are unique to the 65-66 GS. Hope you still have them!
GS exhaust manifolds are must-have items too.   
GS radiator should have outlet on top right (passenger side), inlet on drivers side.
Battery mounts on right side(EDIT>>>make that LEFT side!).... wiring harnes is repo'd.

[dagazio]

Thanks for your reply. The battery stuff is on the drivers side... isn't that considered the left side??? From what I remember changing Oldsmobile starters, they were on the drivers side too. Probably one reason it didn't change. That and who would change the battery location, for an engine swap? I have the original Nailhead and I remember the manifolds are on it; I can almost see them in the picture. I can't remember if the mounts were on it and I'm not sure where the crossmember engine mounts are. I haven't looked through the parts that came with the car. That goes for trans crossmember. I'm 650 miles from my car (home and family) :( Regardless, I'm sure I can fab up the parts I need to put it back in, even if those parts aren't original at that point. I mean, the paint and trunk pans won't be original.

After reading this thread, I'm kind of glad nobody responded to my posting in 'cars for sale'.