New to me 1965 Buick GS

[GS66]

Going the custom route does allow you to take more liberties like adding air conditioning, great sound system, disc brakes, etc. and probably will cost you less while maybe being more driveable. Keep us posted on what you do! These are great cars no matter what you do with it.

[elagache]

Dear Larry, Jim, and mid-60s Buick victims of temptation . . . . .

I am trying to decide whether I want to do a restoration (stock) or a custom build.

Going the custom route does allow you to take more liberties like adding air conditioning, great sound system, disc brakes, etc. and probably will cost you less while maybe being more driveable. Keep us posted on what you do! These are great cars no matter what you do with it.

Hmm, Air Conditioning . . . . check!



Great sound system . . . . check!



Disc brakes . . . hmm, only front for now and no pictures, but . . . check!

And something was forgotten here, . . .  Big-block Buick engine with lots of horsepower and oodles of torque . . . . check!



. . .  Who me?  I was just quietly minding my own business and whistling Dixie . . .   . . . .

Cheers, Edouard 

[WkillGS]

.... All the chrome will be getting powder coated so not a concern. .....

What color powder coat are you doing the chrome parts with?

I tried some 'almost chrome' on some pitted headlight bezels and they only turned out fair. The pits tend to outgas and leave blisters in the powdercoat. Sometimes aluminum does that too.

For wheels, a 7 inch wide rim likes about 4.5" back space, 8 inch rim-> 5 inch backspace. That'll center the tire in the wheelwell.
I personally like the later 15x7 Buick mags (with 4-3/8" backspace). If you can find some for around $50 each, it's a good price!
The repo's from Wheel Vintiques run about $200 each.

[Buick65gs]

Nice ride Edouard. Did you do any suspension upgrades? I'm thinking of going full Hotchkiss with 2" drop spindles.

[cwmcobra]

.... All the chrome will be getting powder coated so not a concern. .....

What color powder coat are you doing the chrome parts with?

I tried some 'almost chrome' on some pitted headlight bezels and they only turned out fair. The pits tend to outgas and leave blisters in the powdercoat. Sometimes aluminum does that too.

For wheels, a 7 inch wide rim likes about 4.5" back space, 8 inch rim-> 5 inch backspace. That'll center the tire in the wheelwell.
I personally like the later 15x7 Buick mags (with 4-3/8" backspace). If you can find some for around $50 each, it's a good price!
The repo's from Wheel Vintiques run about $200 each.

Walt,

I'm in the process of deciding on a front disc brake kit and I've been looking at how they change the spindle alignment.  I have a couple of sets of the later 15x7 mags that I plan to use.  How sensitive have you found the GS to be to changes in spindle location?  One of the kits I'm considering would move the wheel centerline outboard by about 5/8" on each side.  Do you think that would be a problem with the 15x7 wheels?  I haven't tried to measure clearances with the stock 14s.  I'm hoping someone will have some experience.

Thanks,

Chuck

[elagache]

Dear Larry, Walt, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick fans,

Nice ride Edouard. Did you do any suspension upgrades? I'm thinking of going full Hotchkiss with 2" drop spindles.

I'm not planning anything too extreme on the suspension because, believe it or not, my real goal with this wagon is to use it to tow a vintage travel trailer.  Here is some overall pictures of my trusty wagon if you are curious:

http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=2610.msg16479#msg16479

For the suspension I was thinking about upgrading the front anti-sway bar and putting one on the rear.  I was also thinking about getting boxed rear control arms.  As a road-trip cruiser, I don't want to make the ride rough, otherwise it won't be any fun spending hours on the road.

I have a friend who went with something equivalent to the Hotchkiss setup and he is very happy with the improved handling.  So if that is what you are after, it will definitely make you happy!

Cheers, Edouard 

[WkillGS]

...... front disc brake kit and I've been looking at how they change the spindle alignment........

I didn't realize discs moved the front wheels out, I never checked! I don't have any fender clearance issues with 235/60-15's or 215/70-15's and near stock ride height on my '66's.

[Buicknut65]

Rust bad around windows leaking into car , both fenders doors etc . I would have made a rat rod out of it . Sanded to original paint , patched in rust best I could , spot with primer and clear car .
Slam and put on dog dish caps and leave rest ratty . Maybe do seats and dash pad other than that fun daily driver .
Enjoy and I've had 65's may ways if need help or ideas .

[cwmcobra]

...... front disc brake kit and I've been looking at how they change the spindle alignment........

I didn't realize discs moved the front wheels out, I never checked! I don't have any fender clearance issues with 235/60-15's or 215/70-15's and near stock ride height on my '66's.

I'm told that when disc brakes were added in production that they too moved the front wheels outboard by about that same 5/8".  My restoration is all torn down, so no opportunity to check it.  I'll take a look at the 14s on my red convertible and see what I can learn.

Chuck

[elagache]

Dear Walt, Buicknut65, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

I'm told that when disc brakes were added in production that they too moved the front wheels outboard by about that same 5/8".  My restoration is all torn down, so no opportunity to check it.  I'll take a look at the 14s on my red convertible and see what I can learn.

My trusty wagon got a front disc brake conversion from SSBC back in 2010 when I was simply trying to get her safe after years of neglect.  I don't remember the model, but I don't think that changed the location of the front wheels.

Alas, da' fellers at Orinda Motors didn't tell me back in 2010 that what I - really - wanted was a Buick big-block, TH200-4R, Vintage Air, etc., etc., etc., and . . . in particular 15" rally wheels.  As a result, the front brakes aren't taking advantage of the extra radius that the 15" wheels will provide.  So some "adjustments" will be required. 

Still, unless you want a really original car, this may be a place where aftermarket solution is worth it.  Losing 5/8" of clearance could really hurt. 

Cheers, Edouard 

[Buick65gs]

Hi Larry,

Also consider adding your car to the registry here. Welcome to the forum!

Mark

Maybe just me being a  newbie, but I do not see the registry anywhere.

[cwmcobra]

Click on 65GS.com at the left top corner of this page.  That takes you to the home page for the website.  Then click on 65 GS Registry.

Thanks for adding to the Registry!

Chuck

[Buick65gs]

What are the correct wheel size, offset, width bolt pattern etc that fit these cars?

Welcome to the forum !!

The stock wheels are 14 x 6 with 5 x 4.75 bolt pattern. Backspacing was originally about 4-1/2" but most of the Buick Rally, or road, wheels you currently see on cars have 3-1/2" of backspacing.

Dan

Will 17x7 front and 17x8 rear with 0 offsets work on these cars?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[dsags]

That combination works on our cars. The standard American Racing back spacing of 4" in front and 4-3/4" in the rear works if the front tires aren't too wide. Otherwise, the fronts need 4-1/2" of back spacing or taller coils.

Dan

[GS66]

That's what I have on mine, 17 x 7's and 17 x 8's.