1
Parts Wanted / Re: chrome trim recommendations
« Last post by Aussie Skylark on Today at 06:10:26 PM »Thanks Loren,
I will have a look.
Regards
Marcus
I will have a look.
Regards
Marcus
Buick Gran Sport Discussion
Recent Posts
2
New Members / Bio's / Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Last post by Clatter on Today at 06:09:05 PM »So glad to be here..! 
Where to source a correct headliner?
The one in our car is completely gone.
Interior color was saddle.
Is there a specific headliner color for this interior color?
Or are all of the headliners the same color?
About to just gamble on SMS knowing full well how its likely to work out.
Maybe just get one from Legendary as a back up?
What other choices are there?
Where to source a correct headliner?
The one in our car is completely gone.
Interior color was saddle.
Is there a specific headliner color for this interior color?
Or are all of the headliners the same color?
About to just gamble on SMS knowing full well how its likely to work out.
Maybe just get one from Legendary as a back up?
What other choices are there?
4
New Members / Bio's / Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Last post by Loren At 65GS on Today at 02:52:01 PM »I've heard the same thing about Just Dashes being too puffy.
It's sad and maddening regarding the guy in Texas. I worked with him to remanufacture the '65 Skylark/ Gran Sport dash pad. We ended up with a super product in the end. It fit exactly like an original and had the correct grain to the vinyl. Now he won't even return messages or calls to me.
SMS should have the correct headliner but as you noted, they aren't the quickest with delivery time. It took just over a year to get the headliner for my Sportwagon from them. Finally got it after reporting them to my credit card company.
If you are in the neighborhood of Strongsville, Ohio July 10-13, The BCA National meet will be going on. It's posted in the Events Section here.
Don't hesitate to ask questions here. That's why I keep the forum going. We have a small but very dedicated group willing to help and we love to see pictures. lol Members here have restored some really fine cars whether they be a Special, Skylark, Gran Sport or even the Sportwagon. We've chased down the parts and people to get the right stuff.
Best wishes with the Gran Sport restoration.
Loren
It's sad and maddening regarding the guy in Texas. I worked with him to remanufacture the '65 Skylark/ Gran Sport dash pad. We ended up with a super product in the end. It fit exactly like an original and had the correct grain to the vinyl. Now he won't even return messages or calls to me.
SMS should have the correct headliner but as you noted, they aren't the quickest with delivery time. It took just over a year to get the headliner for my Sportwagon from them. Finally got it after reporting them to my credit card company.
If you are in the neighborhood of Strongsville, Ohio July 10-13, The BCA National meet will be going on. It's posted in the Events Section here.
Don't hesitate to ask questions here. That's why I keep the forum going. We have a small but very dedicated group willing to help and we love to see pictures. lol Members here have restored some really fine cars whether they be a Special, Skylark, Gran Sport or even the Sportwagon. We've chased down the parts and people to get the right stuff.
Best wishes with the Gran Sport restoration.
Loren
5
Parts For Sale / 65 dash housing
« Last post by Jim on Today at 12:50:07 PM »65skylark dash housing windshield channel is ok$ 200. Obo jim
6
Parts For Sale / Re: Rear Clip (in California)
« Last post by kcombs on Today at 11:17:33 AM »Steve:
The rear clip will replace your trunk floor all the way to the sheet metal seam under the back seat. It will also fix rust around the rear wheel well opening if needed. It will require a butt weld in the area that has chrome trim on a non-GS. If you are okay with laying out where to cut and making the welds, it is the best solution to rusty quarter panels and trunk floor you will find. I will get back to you soon.
The rear clip will replace your trunk floor all the way to the sheet metal seam under the back seat. It will also fix rust around the rear wheel well opening if needed. It will require a butt weld in the area that has chrome trim on a non-GS. If you are okay with laying out where to cut and making the welds, it is the best solution to rusty quarter panels and trunk floor you will find. I will get back to you soon.
7
Parts For Sale / Re: Rear Clip (in California)
« Last post by Clatter on Today at 10:50:48 AM »Just sent a PM.
Ready and willing to make the drive.
This is just what we need?
Much thanks,
Steve
Ready and willing to make the drive.
This is just what we need?
Much thanks,
Steve
8
New Members / Bio's / Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Last post by Clatter on Today at 10:01:24 AM »Aw, shucks, guys, thanks for the kind welcome.
At this stage (stage 1?
) -sorry- *cough*... I'm just a babe in the woods.
My plan at this point is to comb through any/all info already written here that might help us.
That way i don't have to bug y'all with questions that have already been answered 100 times.
I did indeed order the interior directly from Legendary.
They're sending samples of their headliner material that they admitted wasn't perfectly accurate.
Perhaps one of you guys knows where to get the right material, or even a whole headliner?
SMS has a reputation for taking years and years... Maybe that's our only choice?
Any of you guys use Just Dashes?
They did one for my friend's car and it came out kind of "puffy".
This is an example of what makes an accurate resto so difficult.
Aftermarket parts are often the only choice.
It's a real burden having an experienced eye.
So many things that 99% of the world would think are fine can really bug a guy who knows and cares...
Man, i would -so- love to head East and meet up with a couple of you guys at a show.
Seeing someone pick apart a car would be most educational.
I can do that with VWs now.
Could be a show judge with them for sure.
-But-
The VW scene has changed massively since the 80s.
It used to have spectacular customs and perfect restos,
Now it's success if the car arrives under its own power.
Unlike a real show,
Most VW events,
People get super offended if you show up and start critiquing.
Having incorrect stuff is a point of pride for many of them.
My friends and i have developed nonverbal signals to communicate when checking out cars,
So not to get someone's little panties all in a bunch...
Really looking forward to a change of scene.
I'm the opposite.
If someone knows something i don't and points it out,
I'm totally stoked.
It's an opportunity for me and my car to improve.
So, by all means,
I'm 100% -all ears- when it comes to missing and incorrect things with this car.
We have the opportunity to save another GS from extinction.
Between my skills and facilities,
(And Buddy's money)
We'll all hopefully live long enough to save another nice example for posterity.
At this stage (stage 1?
) -sorry- *cough*... I'm just a babe in the woods.My plan at this point is to comb through any/all info already written here that might help us.
That way i don't have to bug y'all with questions that have already been answered 100 times.
I did indeed order the interior directly from Legendary.
They're sending samples of their headliner material that they admitted wasn't perfectly accurate.
Perhaps one of you guys knows where to get the right material, or even a whole headliner?
SMS has a reputation for taking years and years... Maybe that's our only choice?
Any of you guys use Just Dashes?
They did one for my friend's car and it came out kind of "puffy".
This is an example of what makes an accurate resto so difficult.
Aftermarket parts are often the only choice.
It's a real burden having an experienced eye.
So many things that 99% of the world would think are fine can really bug a guy who knows and cares...
Man, i would -so- love to head East and meet up with a couple of you guys at a show.
Seeing someone pick apart a car would be most educational.
I can do that with VWs now.
Could be a show judge with them for sure.
-But-
The VW scene has changed massively since the 80s.
It used to have spectacular customs and perfect restos,
Now it's success if the car arrives under its own power.
Unlike a real show,
Most VW events,
People get super offended if you show up and start critiquing.
Having incorrect stuff is a point of pride for many of them.
My friends and i have developed nonverbal signals to communicate when checking out cars,
So not to get someone's little panties all in a bunch...
Really looking forward to a change of scene.
I'm the opposite.
If someone knows something i don't and points it out,
I'm totally stoked.
It's an opportunity for me and my car to improve.
So, by all means,
I'm 100% -all ears- when it comes to missing and incorrect things with this car.
We have the opportunity to save another GS from extinction.
Between my skills and facilities,
(And Buddy's money)
We'll all hopefully live long enough to save another nice example for posterity.
9
Parts Wanted / Re: chrome trim recommendations
« Last post by Loren At 65GS on Today at 09:42:45 AM »Both can be found at AMES Performance.
The front set is part number G120. Retails for $149. The rear set is part number G129L and retails for $169.
Many Pontiac items cross over to our Buicks.
Loren
The front set is part number G120. Retails for $149. The rear set is part number G129L and retails for $169.
Many Pontiac items cross over to our Buicks.
Loren
10
New Members / Bio's / Re: New Guy from California - 65 GS Resto
« Last post by WkillGS on Today at 09:36:15 AM »Hey Steve, great to have you here! 
It looks like a solid car and a great candidate for restoration.
Body panels and chrome can be tough to find replacements for. The mechanical stuff (other than engine) is mostly shared with the other GM divisions and generally available. With that said, Ames Pontiac is a respected supplier here. Many of their GTO parts will fit our Buicks, so get one of their catalogs. CARS (in NJ) is a Buick supplier which has parts repo'd. They make many unique parts, which are sometimes sold by other retailers. I haven't dealt with the big retailers like Year 1, OPGI, etc. Some of their products are hit/miss when it comes to quality.
The 'Documentation' section of this site is a gold mine.... start with the 65 Buick Chassis manual and the GS supplement manual. The Body manual and Parts book can be invaluable as well.
The 'Gallery' contains lots of literature ranging from dealer info to old magazine articles... great stuff.
I'm primarily a '66 GS guy, I have a bunch of those, and a 65 GS vert project I picked up years ago.
I did get diverted to the other side with a daily driver '88 Saab 900 turbo around 1998. They're fun cars. My dad had a '64 VW squareback I learned to drive in. I'd like to see a pic of your fastback if you'd care to post.
Looking forward to your progress!
It looks like a solid car and a great candidate for restoration.
Body panels and chrome can be tough to find replacements for. The mechanical stuff (other than engine) is mostly shared with the other GM divisions and generally available. With that said, Ames Pontiac is a respected supplier here. Many of their GTO parts will fit our Buicks, so get one of their catalogs. CARS (in NJ) is a Buick supplier which has parts repo'd. They make many unique parts, which are sometimes sold by other retailers. I haven't dealt with the big retailers like Year 1, OPGI, etc. Some of their products are hit/miss when it comes to quality.
The 'Documentation' section of this site is a gold mine.... start with the 65 Buick Chassis manual and the GS supplement manual. The Body manual and Parts book can be invaluable as well.
The 'Gallery' contains lots of literature ranging from dealer info to old magazine articles... great stuff.
I'm primarily a '66 GS guy, I have a bunch of those, and a 65 GS vert project I picked up years ago.
I did get diverted to the other side with a daily driver '88 Saab 900 turbo around 1998. They're fun cars. My dad had a '64 VW squareback I learned to drive in. I'd like to see a pic of your fastback if you'd care to post.
Looking forward to your progress!