Bought another GS

[Mister T]

Over the past couple of months, I have been quietly looking for another convertible. Chris P, aka cjp69 on V8 was very helpful in that quest. I was even ready to stray into the 70-72 territory, but just couldn't find the right car.

Earlier this week, Chris posted this car in another cars wanted thread on V8. Even though it's not a convert, it seemed meant to be. Since the seller was Mark Lob, I also knew it would be solid. A couple of phone calls later, it became mine.   Hoping to meet Mark in the Twin Cities area next weekend, working on those details now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-Buick-Skylark-Gran-Sport-GS-4-Speed-Dual-Quads-/190678831236?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c65581084

I will most likely put my running, driving, automatic, numbers match, needing resto car up for sale shortly. Pricing it will be the challenge, therefore expect me to ask for some help. 

[wildcat65]

Congrats!   What a cool car.   I hope you can make time to come down to columbus!  Cheers,
Ted

[Chris]

Awesome.. you now have a driver and this pulls off a little stress from having yours done by 2015.   

Very unique color combination.. I love it.

Chris

[Mister T]

This car is already in the registry, number 80 to be exact. Ted, I do plan on having it in Columbus this summer, gas prices be damned. Chris, I'm really looking forward to 2015 now!

[nut465gs]

Really nice looking GS. Bamboo Cream, 4-speed, dual quad and AC. What more could you ask for! Congratulations.

John

[dsags]

John,

You forgot to mention the tilt column. LOL Love those options. Great car. Congratulations.

Dan

[WkillGS]

GREAT looking car Tom! 
IMO, the saddle interior is the best looking of them all.... but I'm certainly biased. 
You did very well on that buy. Enjoy!

[Mister T]

My brother Randy and I made the trip down to the Twin Cities this weekend to meet with Mark, and get my car. We left my house at 1930 hrs Friday evening, arriving at the Mall of America around 1145 Saturday. Mark arrived a short time later, and here she was! 



After chatting for a bit, catching up on news, etc., off the trailer she came. 



With a brief engine warm up, it was time to get behind the wheel and take my first "test" drive.

Then it was off the visit Mark Ascher and a few other local 65 owners. From the left, Mark Ascher, Milton Dale, myself, Randy Balaz, and Rob Keena.



Rob brought his gorgeous 65 4 speed convert along.







After a far too short visit, Randy and I had to depart for Winnipeg, about 7.5-8 hour drive time. Yes, I drove it home!!

There are some special considerations involved with exporting a car from America into Canada. Since I had done my homework beforehand, the paperwork at both US and Canadian Customs went smoothly. I arrived home just after 1:00 AM Sunday, 29.5 hours total trip time.

Gas for two vehicles was $315.00, one night hotel in Alexandria, MN was $129.00, meals were $31.00 Making some new friends - PRICELESS!! Not to mention the smiles on my mug.

[Chris]

She's a beauty Tom!

Congrats and It's awesome to see that you are meeting up with other 65 owners.

Chris

[Mark Ascher]

It was a pleasure meeting Tom & Randy, and we had a great visit. Rob actually called me before they arrived, and asked if the car was yellow - he had seen it on Mark's trailer on the way to MOA. Rob had a chance meeting with Milton's first 65 GS earlier in the week too, so he's been in the right spot at the right time lately.

Tom's car is a late build Fremont car - 7E, so last week in July.

Mark

[mdkd]

Tom's pictures will be a forever reminder of another great get together visit at the Ascher's.

Thanks go out to Mark and his family for providing it.

As everyone can see, Tom has himself a real keeper.

Between Tom, Rob and Marks cars my camera was blazing with documentation pictures to help make all the corrections my cars needs.

Thanks

Milton

[Mister T]

I need to update recent happenings with this car.

Unfortunately during the drive home, the engine developed a lifter tick somewhere between Clearwater, MN, and Fargo, ND. It did not seem to worsen over the remaining 225 miles home, as the was plenty of pulling power. I changed the oil adding some ZDDP, plus took an oil sample to send away for analysis. I have not yet received those results

I then tried the old hot rodder trick of one quart of ATF in the crank case, in case it was simply a stuck lifter. Sadly, this did not solve the problem. Next, I pulled the right side valve cover to find that number 5 intake rocker has about 1/8th inch space between it and the valve. Not a good sign!!

I dare not drive the car as it sits, so I spoke with both Mark, and the engine shop he uses, to discuss this situation. Mark immediately made another offer to buy the car back, which I accepted. I forgot to say that he made a similar offer before even taking it off his trailer when Randy and I met him.

I will be sad to see the car head back south, as it was a blast to drive. The trip home gave me more smiles than I'd had in more than a month!!

I do not yet know what my next move will be, perhaps a convertible of some sort.