Boxed Control Arms or Not?

[9er3delta]

As we're disassembling our 1965 Skylark GS, I've noticed that we don't have boxed control arms.  I thought they were standard on GS's.  Any definitive information on whether they were used on all GS's or just some GS's?  Ours is a Flint car and it has the correct VIN on the LR-code 401, the correct front end and also is an S-code car according to the trim plate. 

Everything else is pure GS but even after a search here and out in the larger Googlesphere, I'm not finding the answer.  I've not pulled the rear end out yet, but have searched all over for a VIN stamp...to no avail.  Thoughts?

[dsags]

John,

The ‘65 GS did not come with boxed control arms. It also did not come with a rear sway bar. Both of those are nice upgrades for any GS. Definitely aids with handling.


Dan

[Mark Ascher]

John,

No VIN stamp on the rear end. There are VINs stamped on the frame (2 places) the engine block and the trans.
If you gat a chance, post a pic of the trim tag.

Mark

[9er3delta]

Thanks for the info Dan and Mark! 

Mark, here's the trim tag image.  From what I have deciphered, this is what it told me:

08B: Our GS was built in the second week of August, 1965.

65-44427: 1965 Model Year, Thin Pillar Coupe

FB: Manufactured at the Flint Michigan GM Plant

298378: Fisher Body Production Number

198: Black interior with front bucket seats

S2: Sahara Mist body color with a Black Vinyl Top

Group 1:
E: Tinted Glass

Group 2:
X: Super Turbine 300 Transmission
G: Long Automatic Transmission Console
P: Backup Lamps

Group 3:
H: Deluxe Trim/Wide Belt Molding

Group 4:
F: Remote Controlled Outside Driver's Mirror
S: GS Trim

Group 5:
W: Deluxe Seat Belts with Retractors

[GS66]

Sounds like a nice car. Are you putting it back the same colors?

[9er3delta]

Sounds like a nice car. Are you putting it back the same colors?

Yes, it will be black vinyl over Sahara Mist with a black interior and funky looking silverish headliner...exactly how it came from the factory.

[dsags]

Gosh, that color combo sounds familiar. Those are the colors of Mark Ascher’s car.

Dan

[Loren At 65GS]

Sounds like a nice car. Are you putting it back the same colors?

Yes, it will be black vinyl over Sahara Mist with a black interior and funky looking silverish headliner...exactly how it came from the factory.

 Funky looking ?  Elaborate  please.
 One of the '65 Gran Sports I had was white exterior top and bottom, black interior with a silver colored headliner that had the star pattern in it.
I don't recall seeing another GS with the star pattern.

  Loren

[9er3delta]

Gosh, that color combo sounds familiar. Those are the colors of Mark Ascher’s car.

Dan

Looks like Mark's is Champagne Mist, according to the Registry.  Mine seems to be more of a beige color.  Looks like only two other Sahara Mist cars in the registry, both hardtops from Pa if I understand my nomenclature correctly.  I've had a lot of difficulty locating others, especially thin pillar coupes in this color.

[9er3delta]

Sounds like a nice car. Are you putting it back the same colors?

Yes, it will be black vinyl over Sahara Mist with a black interior and funky looking silverish headliner...exactly how it came from the factory.

 Funky looking ?  Elaborate  please.
 One of the '65 Gran Sports I had was white exterior top and bottom, black interior with a silver colored headliner that had the star pattern in it.
I don't recall seeing another GS with the star pattern.

  Loren

Yes, funky looking.  Not the typical headliner material or pattern seen in normal Skylarks.  Star pattern might describe it.  I should have some of the material around in the shop.  I'll snap a photo of it later.  If not, I know that I sent a generous sample along with the car to the restoration shop.  I'll have Tim there grab me a shot of it next week if I can't find it around here this weekend.  Hope I can find it in reproduction fabric when the time comes to install it new.

[Mark Ascher]

John,

Yes, Champagne Mist. Sahara Mist is a close cousin and does have more of a beige tint.
Ive never seen a star pattern headliner in a 65 Skylark, but were common in other GM cars.
SMS is the only supplier I could find that has the correct metallic silver headliner material in the
Tier pattern. They can make the headliner for you. Get extra material for sail panels and visors.

Mark

[gearhead46]

Back to the original question posted - is it wise to weld in boxing plates to the control arms?  Shouldn't be too hard to do.  Probably some 1/4" plate (or a little thinner)  burned or cut out to fit and weld in place.

[dsags]

Thanks for the correction Mark.

Dan

[gs spoken here]

There are some sites that sell the ready made boxing plates, I have seen them on e-bay for as little as $29.00 with shipping. I have used a set and it is not hard to weld them and make them look like OEM. I used a pair of bolts to center and hold the plate in place to weld. I have also seen the complete set of boxing plates bolts, shims and a original style sway bar for about $120.00.

[WkillGS]

Back to the original question posted - is it wise to weld in boxing plates to the control arms?  Shouldn't be too hard to do.  Probably some 1/4" plate (or a little thinner)  burned or cut out to fit and weld in place.

If you go that route, also install some spacers where the sway bar bolts go through, to keep the arm from collapsing when the bolts are tightened. The weld-in kits Bill mentioned are bent to support the sway bar bolt area.