As Cadillac was not in the business of producing high-performance cars, the job of making the most well-adorned General Motors muscle cars fell to Buick. And the name Gran Sport (GS) took those honors beginning in 1965. That included the mid-size Skylark, which out-styled the Pontiac GTO and others at GM. This 1966 Skylark GS has at least been partially restored (new interior) and has Buick’s powerful 401 cubic-inch “Nailhead” V8. Located in Palm Desert, California, the car is available here on craigslist for $29,000 (which may be negotiable). Once again Barn Finder rex m comes through with a cool tip for us!
Buick created the GS to market cars that were fun to drive and yet had a luxury approach. In the Skylark, it had the then-largest engine that GM brass would allow in a mid-size car, the 401 Nailhead. It got that name from enthusiasts for the motor’s unusual vertical alignment of its valves, brought about by putting both intake and exhaust valves on the intake manifold side of the “pent-roof combustion chamber” used in this engine series. For 1966, Buick would build just 13,816 Skylark GS cars, of which 9,934 would be 2-door hardtops like the seller’s machine.
The VIN provided by the seller identifies this as a real-deal GS. At 325 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque, we’re told the car is no slouch in getting the job done. It will get you where you want to go quickly and in style. The odometer reading is under 21,000 miles, but the seller says the needle is broken so the accurate mileage of the car is not known. We don’t know if the motor has been rebuilt either, but the engine compartment is mighty tidy. The car has power steering and front disc brakes (which may be a conversion item) and the engine is paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission (another conversion?).
From the photos provided, the body, paint, chrome, glass, and vinyl top all look good and – if original – make for one sharp-looking automobile. If there has ever been any rust on this Buick, we don’t see signs of it. The interior is said to be completely new, including the foam in all the seats and the dashboard and steering wheel were redone as well. The lights in the dash are now LED green, which should improve visibility at night. A new set of 225-R70-15 white-wall tires have also been installed.
Hagerty estimates the resale value for a ’66 Buick Skylark GS to be $21,500 in Excellent Condition. Concours would take the number closer to $35,000. The seller looks to have settled in the middle for what he believes the car to be worth. Compared to the other GM muscle cars of the era, fewer of these autos were produced, and thus fewer survive today. Something different to show off compared to a GTO or SS 396!
It wasn’t a GS but this is the car I bought new and traded my ’65 Monza for. Great looks, good power, one of the best I ever owned.
My grandmother traded a Corvair on. ’66 Skylark, same color but no vinyl top, same black interior but a bench seat, 340 4bbl (Wildcat 375) and a powerglide. This one brings back memories.
Always loved the ’66 Skylark and I’ve knocked my head several times for passing on a ’66 Sportwagon some years back…😣 IMHO The Skylark is a much, much prettier A-body variant than same year Chevelle, and this comes from a Chevy guy. Actually I find there’s only one GM car looking better than the Skylark this year; the new Riv!
It’s worth mentioning that GS Skylarks ’65-67 received the convertible frame so it should probably have better handling than its corporate cousins.
The Grand Sports never got the accolades that they should have. They were without question, stylish, powerful muscle cars. Came real close to buying a black Stage II before I bought my black 454 Super Sport Monte Carlo. The Grand Sports should have gotten more attention than they did.
True enough, but for those of us desiring a Skylark GS that’s good news – even if 29K is a lot of $ how much legit ’66 SS396 or GTO will we find for that sum in today’s market…?😏
And IMHO the Skylark is both prettier AND more unique than either of those
Wish I found this car in my barn!
The “Nailhead got its name from having the valves angled in such a way to obstruct less flow. This angle required slightly smaller valves, hence “nail” head.
Kind of like “wedge” “hemi” “pan” “knuckle” Who knew?
This looks to be in BEAUTIFUL shape. Swap out the dash lights and put in a trunk liner…..and you’d have a real show piece.
Now that’s a really nice looking car.
The turbo 400 cane out in 64 in the Buicks so I would assume that is original equipment in this car. I would have my doubts that they could of got a turbo 300 behind the 401.
I had a ’67 GS 400 which was the first year for the turbo 400 and the front discs. Those brakes were a nightmare with their 4 piston calipers.
Very nice car in a classy, dignified color scheme. I wouldn’t say it out-styled the GTO, though. I’m not sure anything out-styled the ’65-’67 GTO.
In 1966, the only transmissions available in the Skylark were a three and four speed manual and a two speed automatic. In 1967, the three speed automatic was added. Disc brakes were not available in 66. Four wheel aluminum drum brakes was it. Wheel size was 14″, not 15″.
I had one in 1973 it had the turbo 300. My car was silver and black exactly like this one. Damn I miss that car !!!
Wow, my dream, except for no stick. I am having a buddy run by to take a look. Maybe!
Nice car – funny it doesn’t have A/C but that was a costly option back then. Should be a fast seller at close to the asking.