True GS ending on e-bay

[35chevcoupe]

Thanks Mark .
First I plan to go out and inspect the car because I asked him a couple questions and he never got back to me on them . 
Number 1  , I asked if he had a clear title that matched the cars vin .
Number 2 if the frame was boxed . ( from what I understand it is supposed to be .)
But anyway I do plan on doing a full restoration on it . I do have many projects that I'm working on already but I want to start collecting all the parts that are missing for the car .
I go to a lot of swap meets around the country . Actually going to one this coming weekend in Sioux Falls SD
I would love to meet up with buick guys in the area to chat , and find out more about these 65 gs cars .
Cars is all I really know but until the last 5 or so years I couldn't really afford to own an older muscle car .
But times are good for me now so I'm buying a few of my favorites .
So with that said I welcome any good advice on this project .

[Mark Ascher]

John,

Chances are the frame is the right one. All 65 GS cars used the convertible frame.
By a full restoration, do you mean back to stock/original?
I can tell you from my experience that swap meets likely won't have what you'll need for this project. There might be something here & there you'll pickup, but the pickins are pretty slim from my experience lately. And you need to know what to look for.

That all being said, and just looking at the photos of the car, you'll need;
a late (64-66) 401 with a rear sump oil pan
65-66 GS exhaust manifolds
All the 65-66 GS clutch linkage parts, bellhousing, T-10 trans (it is not a Super T-10), shifter, etc.
8.2 rear end from a regular 65 Skylark which would fit, or a correct 65 GS/Sportwagon rear
65-66 GS engine mount plates, mounts, and frame towers
65 GS floor shift steering column
65 GS engine & starter wiring harnesses
4 speed or 3 speed driveshaft (depending on what trans you want)
65 GS specific left side battery brackets
65 GS radiator
65 GS fuel line brackets (bolt to pan)
all the right engine accessories and accessory brackets, hardware, etc.

Hard to find bits;
front bumper/parking light bezels/housings, etc.
decent tailight housings
rear tri-shield emblem
hood ornament
rocker mouldings
decent door panel emblems
decent inst. panel sections (the big die cast parts - there are 2)
good dash pad
arm rests & bases
grilles/headlight bezels
horn relay - looks like your car has that
correct core support "X" braces - if they are missing

That's just a list off the cuff. Since there is so much trim that is potmetal or diecast, it almost always needs to be rechromed.
Which can get expensive. And you'll need to find a rust free top.
You should make sure it has no title issues before going out there.

Mark

[35chevcoupe]

I would like to get it back to as original as possible , a lot of times what I will do is do all the body work , start putting it back together and running so I can drive and enjoy it while searching for the rest of the correct parts .
Thanks for the list of parts to start with  .  I'm actually bidding on a set of engine mounts right now on e bay that bolt to the frame . ( hope there the right ones ) .
But yes the title is definitely gonna be the first item .
If I could get info from some of you guys on here that would great when I get that far .
Thanks

[GS66]

John, congrats on the new project. I have a 3 speed 66 GS for parts if you need something, I may have it. Not far from you either.

[35chevcoupe]

Hey thanks Jim , when I get the car back here I'll maybe get in touch with you . I get through Mankato fairly often , I sometimes have a guy down there at Auto value do some machine work for me . (His name is Tom )
I'm hoping I made a good purchase , I actually thought the car was gonna go for a little more money than it did .

[schlepcar]

Good purchase....DO NOT just sell that 12 bolt. Look at the date and codes,it may be worth what you paid for the car. If it is a 65-7 you may be onto something.I know we are into Buicks,but some of the CHEVY stuff is getting slim pickings. Congrats on a good deal,Dan

[35chevcoupe]

Thanks Dan . I did notice the rear end and actually took that into consideration when bidding because I know what those early 12 bolt chevelle rear ends are bringing . I even asked the owner about that but he never got back to me .
I'm actually hoping its a factory 373 or 411 gear in it .  $$$$$

[65GS]

 
congrads on saving another 65. Allthough there is a LOT of work ahead of you. The orig. colors  were Verde Green/ with a Black interior & Black vinyl top. If top has to be replaced a 65 Tempest/GTO would work just fine. biggest prob. $$$$$$.
Al 

[35chevcoupe]

Thanks Al . In my world any old muscle car with a 4 or 3 speed is worth saving ( especially a buick )
Looks like a pretty big project but fortunately for me I do have the time and I'm totally ok with spending the money .  Appreciate all the info from u guys thanks a lot . Look forward to meeting u guys .

[GS66]

I know Tom. Let me know if you get to Mankato.

[Robk]

John,

This looks like a great project.  No need to be intimidated.  My body was MUCH worse when i started and I won an award 14 months after I bought mine off of ebay.  I also have some of the parts you might need lying around my shop.  I am just West of Minneapolis   Please keep us informed as to when you get the car home.  I would love to see it and I am sure that Mark feels the same way.   I am certain you will find lots of help on this website.   Have fun.

Rob K

[35chevcoupe]

Thanks Rob . I will let all you guys know when I get it home . I'm planning on going out there next weekend if everything works out .
I did talk to him thru e mail a little bit and he did ask if I was interested in buying the engine and trans , I'm sure there's a lot of variables but what do you think a good price would be for them ?
I know I need to look for a rear sump pan , anything else ?
I'm not real familiar with nail heads so could use some advice from you all or someone one this .
Are the 401 cores hard to find ?
Thanks

[35chevcoupe]

Well guys I just got off the phone with the owner of the 65 gs and he does have a clean , clear title so I paid him .
I'm gonna check the engine out when I get out there . But I'm a little confused on the trans. He says it is correct for the car and that he had a Buick guru come out and verify the trans . Says it has the correct date code dual shifter mount and GS symbol on the tail shaft which I might not have a problem with BUT he and the buick guru say its rare because it has 8 input splines and 8 on the output shaft , I've never heard of that on any trans let alone a buick t10 .
ANY THOUGHTS ?

[schlepcar]

Only two types in GM that year,fine or coarse....10 spline or 26. I saw the pics and it looks like a correct 10 spline GS trans. Anybody know the guy in Ohio that had the complete GS motor? I believe his name is Chris. I have also heard that 3-speed cars were faster than four speed cars because the gearing was too close in the T-10. I think if I was not doing a numbers match car it would be a 425 dual quad setup. It would not be any cheaper to build a 401.

[WkillGS]

He says it is correct for the car and that he had a Buick guru come out and verify the trans . Says it has the correct date code dual shifter mount and GS symbol on the tail shaft which I might not have a problem with BUT he and the buick guru say its rare because it has 8 input splines and 8 on the output shaft , I've never heard of that on any trans let alone a buick t10 .
ANY THOUGHTS ?

It was mentioned in post #2 that the pre-1964 trans had 10 splines on the output shaft.
EDIT: I see some 63-64 transmissions on eBay with fine spline output shafts.
The tailshaft with 'GS' on it was used 65-66 in the Skylark GS and even some of the big cars. The date on it is the casting date. I think they only made 2 or 3 batches during the whole year.... one in December and one in March.
It's very possible someone blew up the original box, swapped in an earlier one, and put the GS tail on it.
There would be other codes stamped on the box giving the build date. My 4 speeds even had the vin stamped on the top of the rear bearing support plate located between the main box and the tail housing.
The GS used a special gear set, it can be identified by 3 grooves cut into the splines, just in front of the bearing retainer.

There's been a GS 4 speed trans for sale here in Pa for over a year.... at $1500, it's above market value.
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/pts/4824509157.html