The title above offers more information about this 1965 Buick Skylark Convertible than you’ll learn from the auction listing here on eBay. At least seven bidders have raised the soft top Buick’s market value above $2900 in the listing’s waning hours. Bidders should assume this is a long-parked, rusty Skylark with a locked-up and non-operative base V8. The Richmond, Virginia classic shows an inspection rejection sticker, a locality sticker from 1992, and a registration sticker from 1993. Reading between the lines, we surmise a failed inspection sidelined the mid-sized ragtop and now, three decades later, dreams of of fixing it have faded.
Based purely on a web search, this air cleaner housing belongs to the middle engine choice, the Wildcat 310. Luxury brand Buick named its engines in these days after their prodigious torque, 310 lb-ft in this case (and 210 HP), from a two-barrel 300 cid V8 running regular gas. Thanks to OldCarBrochures for some details. One year after Pontiac shook things up with its 400 cid (6.6L) GTO, power-hungry Buick buyers could order up a Skylark GS (Gran Sport) with the 335 HP 400 cid V8 making 445 lb-ft of torque.
Interesting options on this soft-top Skylark include power windows, power steering, power brakes, and seven-position tilt steering wheel. The automatic transmission would be Buick’s two-speed Super Turbine unit. The only nailhead-powered two-speed automatic car I’ve driven was my late father’s 1953 Buick Roadmaster Riviera two-door hardtop, and even that heavier car with its lower-powered V8 accelerated with satisfying authority. Despite its vintage and larger size, this Skylark compares closely with the weight, horsepower, and torque of an ’80s Fox Mustang convertible.
The new owner should plan on a new convertible top for this garage find, and I’d consider white instead of black, though either matches the stylish two-tone interior. I owned a 1976 Buick Skyhawk with an interior like this, one of my favorites. GM brought high style to its upscale brands in the ’60s, and positioned the Skylark as a luxury car in a maneuverable and easy-to-park envelope. If I didn’t have two project cars already, I’d consider this one while the laissez-faire presentation keeps the auction price low. As muscle car values rise beyond the reach of entry-level enthusiasts, cars like this fill the gap. Would you take a gamble on this stylish drop-top Buick?
Has one of the best tail end / tail light treatments ever. Too bad we can’t see this particular one…
I always really liked these cars. Good size, nice styling inside and out. It looks like it will need a lot of work, but I’m sure it will be worth it when it’s done.
This was a Seafoam Green with parchment interior, nice color combo for this A body Buick. With the off white top, it is a real looker. I own one and wish mine had the power window and tilt treatment. These make for a great driver when brought back to life. I noticed this old girl is missing the tri-shield hood ornament and original arm rests. The ornament is a rare one year only item and could set you back $300-500 if you can find a decent one. The odd 14″ long arm rest is another hard-to-find item. Hope the new owner has some deep pockets and lots of time to bring this back.
Owned a wicked 4-speed GranSport years ago, before I defected to Mopar from GM. A very tight and aethetically pleasing design that Buick would F-up for 66. I kept my 66 Coronet ragtop instead. Another great looking design, but those Buick tail lights are just plain awesome.
These were capable of big mileage. I had 65 for about 13 years and over 300,000 miles. ( from new ) Lots of oil changes. Had to replace one exhaust valve and two pinion shafts. The pinion shaft had a weak point caused by a sharp corner machined on the bearing area at the base of the pinion gear. The last one snapped two days before my trade in. Being so well mannered the Buick decided to break down outside a transmission and drive train shop with a convenient down hill approach.