Early Car Questions

[halfmoontrail]

Steve,

Here is what I have for your option codes.
I have the decoder for 1966, and many are the same for 1965.
Some 1965 codes we are still gathering data for.

Second Group:
K= Air conditioning YEP
X= ST300 automatic trans YEP
G= Long console YEP
P= Back-up lights or ?? Has backup lights, didn't all?

Fourth Group:
F= Outside remote mirror YEP
S= Tilt steering wheel?? I'll check...

Fifth Group:
K= Door edge guards I'll check
W= Seat belts with retractors. I'll check

Please let me know if these match your car (or not)
Nice to see you decided to keep the car!

Thanks for the additional information, I'll check on those other few.

Steve

[halfmoontrail]

Today's ignorant question...how does one tell a GS from a regular Skylark from the cowl tag or VIN?

Steve

[Mark Ascher]

Steve,

It's not an ignorant question. You can't.

Mark

[jaredyocum]

I figured as much , I knew my car never had a vinyl top but then again the original owner also claimed my car was suppose to have a racing stripe over the hood top and trunck but he would not let them put it on, I have never heard or seen that on one before. Ma be it was a dealer specific idea.

[Mark Ascher]

Jared,

The stripes were a dealer installed accessory. I'll post something on that soon. They were also available on the 65 442. Check out:

http://www.442bro.com/

Look at the "Resto Tips" and "History" sections.

Mark

[halfmoontrail]

Steve,

It's not an ignorant question. You can't.

Mark

LR motor specific to GS?

Another question on the "B" date code from the cowl tag...described as February. On my '69 Corvette, the trim tag date code is K23, meaning the 23rd day of June 1969. This is because production started in September '68 with letter A, and so forth.

Did Buick just use a different system, staring over on the calendar year?

Steve

[WkillGS]

Yes, the LR engine code is specific to the Skylark GS. Internally, it is the same as the LT code 401 used in the other Buicks. Some Sky GS's did come with blocks that were stamped LT.... either by mistake, or due to low supply.
   The partial VIN is stamped on the engine block on the side opposite the engine code. It should match the VIN of the car/body if it is original.
   The transmission also may have the VIN stamped on it. I know the 4 speed will, but I'm unsure about the automatics. The ST300 automatic used in the Sky GS was specifically made for the 65-66 Sky GS with 401 nailhead.

Date codes:
Buick used a number/letter system on the cowl plate.
Number is the month, 1= January.....12= December
Letter A-E is the week of the month.
The 65 Sky GS had a mid-year release, meaning after the traditional fall release. Production started Dec '64 or Jan '65 (anyone know the earliest car?) and continued thru August '65.

[Mister T]

Hi Guys,

I'm Steve, and I have a '65 GS convertible "square emblem", see cowl tag below.

My original hood has the ornament but not the "BUICK" letters, and the front parking lamps don't have the "grilles".

Also, when I got the car 18 years ago (just shy of basketcase), I got a pair of wheel covers with spinners...could these have come on the car originally? I have heard along the way that all GS had the rally wheels, so that's what I put on the car.

Also, my cowl tag is attached, can you guys decode it for me, line-by-line?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Steve
halfmoontrail@yahoo.com

Walt got most of your codes, but I'll list them all anyway:

TR -159  Saddle bucket seats
L2 - White with black convertible top

E - Tinted glass all around

Group 2 options
K - Air Conditioning
X - Super Turbine 300 Automatic transmision
G - Long console (Automatic)
P - Back up lights

Group 4 options
F - Exterior remote mirror
S - Nobody has been able to accurately decode this to the best of my knowledge. I did ask Duane Heckman about this one last August, but he didn't have an answer at that time. I was supposed to follow up with him in September, but never did, whoops.

Group 5 options
K - Door edge guards
W- Seat belts with retractors.

[Mister T]

I also have questions about my cars specifics , I will try to get a picture of the tag but for now : my tag reads  first line (under the general motors corparation) is 0ID second line,ST 65-44437 FB 96025 BODY third line,TR 159 AA PAINT fourthline,2LP-3H-4FS and then of course at the bottom it has BODY BY FISHER

Hi Jared,

Walt nailed most of your codes, so I'll only slightly elaborate. ;D

AA Paint is Regal Black top and bottom. :D

2P is definitely backup lights, which were optional on the 65's
3H is belt reveal molding, which is the chrome molding on top of the door next to the window glass.
4S is still unknown at this time. ???

[WkillGS]

Thanks for the additions Tom!
I posted a build sheet from a 66 GS in the gallery. Many of the same codes are used.
I bet the 4S is some sort of body trim....maybe wheelwell trim?

[Mister T]

You're welcome Walt, but I actually got them from Duane when he decoded my trim tag. My car is fairly well optioned, and it also has wheelwell trim, so that elusive 4S could mean that. ???

[65GS]

Hi Steve

Just read your post from Oct.
My 65 GS conv. was also built 2nd week of Feb. at Flint.
I do have the square grill emblem.
I have the orig. shipping invoice from buick to my dealer here in Erie,Pa.

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any more ? i can help with.

Al