This 1965 Buick Skylark will undoubtedly check off a lot of boxes for many people: it’s a mid-1960s GM A-Body, it’s a coupe, it’s all original, and it’s running and driving! Although it’s almost 60 years old, this car has been cared for over its 106,000 miles, and appears to need very little from its next owner. It is up for sale here on eBay in Sauquoit, New York, and bidding has reached just over $5,600 at the time of writing with the reserve not yet met.
Originally introduced as a trim level for the 1953 Roadmaster as a way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Buick, by the time this car was made the Skylark name had become a model in its own right, and a very popular one at that. Made in a variety of configurations, the 2-door coupe is one that remains extremely collectible today, even with the narrow center post. The body of this Skylark looks to be in very good shape given its age and mileage. The seller states that the majority of paint is original, and from the photos it looks like the drivers door may have had a repaint at some point. You can also see a few locations on the passenger side where some touchups may have occurred. There are a few minor dents around the body as well as some light surface rust along the hood and front fenders, although nothing that looks to be an immediate problem. The large chrome bumpers don’t have any damage visible in the photos, and the rest of the trim looks to be in good shape and all present. Notice that the traditional Buick venti-ports were integrated into the front fender trim.
The interior of this Buick has been preserved very well. The dash and door panels look to be almost brand new. Even though the seats have been protected by the plastic covers, there are still a couple splits in the driver seat cushion and backrest. Hopefully they can be fixed, because the rest of the front and rear seats look to be near perfect. No word on whether all the switches and gauges work on this car, although with the overall condition of this car being so good, I wouldn’t be surprised if everything still functioned correctly.
The seller doesn’t give the specifics of the drivetrain other than saying it has a V6 with automatic transmission, but it’s most likely the standard setup from 1965 with the new cast-iron 225 cubic inch V6 that put out 155 hp, mated to the base 2-speed automatic. This wouldn’t have been an especially fast car, but at least an enjoyable cruiser. The engine bay looks dusty but otherwise untouched, which means that there has likely not been any major repairs needed over its life. The seller also included a few shots underneath the car, and everything looks to be original and free of major rust as well. Its not often an original car is found in this great of shape with this age and mileage, but this Buick should be thoroughly enjoyed by its next owner without any work needed!
Hmmm, I wonder why this wouldn’t have the 300 CI V-8?
My first car in 1967 was a 65 Skylark, great car, drove it all over. Gave it to my dad when I was drafted. Our family owned it for twenty years. It was totaled in a car wreck. Bought a second one when I got out of the Army with a three speed. Also a great car. Sold in 78 for a new Pickup. Love these skylarks. The V6 will run for ever with proper car and treatment
The 225 was standard; 300 optional (or the 401 if you ordered a GS).
Looks like a nice car overall with the lack of significant rust a big plus. The treatment to the roof is unusual but an interesting take on two-toning. Certainly not the speediest of motors bit good enough for a cruiser. I’d get rid of the worn out seat covers, repair the front seat and maybe install a new carpet, all of which should really let the interior show at it’s best. If perfection is the goal, a fresh paint job will be warranted but you could try buffing out the paint and go with the survivor look. I disagree with the sellers description of “nice patina” as I don’t believe there is such a thing.
Not familiar enough with V6 engines, is this related at all to the Buick 231(3.8) that saw extensive use for several decades? Not that it matters, its a nice looking car for sure. Maybe a bit lacking in power.
I think it might be this combination:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/buick/special_skylark_2gen/skylark_2gen_2-door_hardtop/1965.html
Yes. The 225 V6 was introduced in 1964 for use in this generation A body Buicks and Oldsmobiles. Buick created a 198 cu in V6 in 1962 which was also used in 1963. In 1964 and 65, this enlarged 225 V6 was used in these cars. It may have been used in 66 also but I’m not sure. By 67 though, the Chevrolet 250 inline 6 became the base engine. Buick sold the V6 tooling to Kaiser-Jeep in 66 or 67 for use in Jeeps. Jeeps used this engine from the late 60s until about 1974 – by which point AMC had purchased Jeep. GM bought back the tooling for the V6 from AMC after the energy crisis. Buick then enlarged the V6 to 231 cu in, and began using them in Buicks in 1975. They redesigned the engine in 1978 when the smaller A bodies came out to be “even firing” – which resulted in the engine running more smoothly. More changes were made in the 80s – to fuel injection and other improvements, eventually resulting in the 3800 V6 by the 90s, which is known to be a very reliable and powerful engine. I wouldn’t worry about reliability on this – most all Buick engines from tis time period were known to be good engines.
We had several of these 231 V-6’s donated to our high school auto shop. They were factory rejects, but all that was needed was to drill out 1/4 inch more of an oil gallery to the lifters. The students learned a lot from these engines and Chevy 283 Lab Engines. Sadly due to politics of all kids going to college, the auto shop was closed.
I’d love to drive this – just to see how the odd fire V6 performs.
Jeep called it “Dauntless” – of course, they had the benefit of lower gears. If this is the same engine. Or did Jeep get the 231 CID?
I had a 231 in my 85 Culass. Underwhelming, but with emissions (snog pump, etc.) and a 2.41 rear gear, that’s expected.
Buick sold the tooling to the 225 v6 to Kaiser Jeep around 1967 and used it until 71. After that, AMC started using their own straight sixes. Buick bought the tooling back after the Oil Embargo and began producing the new 231 v6 debuting in 1975.
Well its got the metallic mint green paint, but does it have independent rear suspension, and positraction?
Needs to be driven by two yutes.
Got it, GT750!
BTW, what is the ignition timing on a 1955 chevrolet with the 327 cubic inch engine???
Cheers
GPC
That’s a bogus question!
Love that movie, especially Marisa Tomei!
Wasn’t Tomei’s character talking about a Tempest or F-85? I didn’t think the Buick had any of that…..
Macchio was in a ’64 Skylark convertible, in this color. The crooks had a (presumably) ’63 Tempest/LeMans.
I could see this as a really fun sleeper. Because this shares the same chassis as a Chevelle, one option is: Bolt in a 454 (bored and stroked to 496?), TKO 600 trans, and a 9″ rear (you can buy a housing narrowed, with brackets welded on & aftermarket axles, that will bolt-in off that well known auction site).
Leave the exterior as is, some seat covers & carpet inside and maybe an underdash AC if you live in a hot climate. You could have a lot of fun without paying big bucks. Maybe even spank an SS 396 Chevelle or two. Drive it on the Hot Rod Power Tour, Vintage Air Road Tour, to the Street Rod Nationals or whatever.
To me, having an overdrive transmission, air conditioning and cruise control makes these old cars a lot more useful and fun!
Is this even right engine most these had either 300 v8 or 401 nail head something doesn’t add up on this buick
Had a 65 with the v6. Put on a ton of miles. Odd firing made it shake idling. The only problem was the spring loaded tensioner for the timing chain. Replaced it and the chain and top gear once. Top gears were plastic gear teeth and would strip off over time. Same as the 300 v8. Had them in 64 lesabre’s. Owned of few of them.
This was the base engine in Specials/Skylarks. While most were optioned with the 300 V8, not all were. This is a very basic car–post body, no PS, no PB, so the V6 makes sense. There were about 4200 of these V6 post coupes made vs about 12K of the v8 coupes. The only 65 Skylarks w/the 401 were the Gran Sports. There weren’t huge numbers of those built as they were a mid-year model.
This is the correct base engine for this car. Very dependable engine. Add a four barrel carb and dual exhaust, almost the same power as the 300 c.u. engine.
My cousin Vinnie had one of these back in the day. Good times.
Had a 65 special 4 door 225 v6 same color ran forever
I’m very much a fan of this car. I really like the two tone paint treatment – it’s unique. I like how Buick did this. I also like the full width tail light and “W” front end. Overall great styling in a decent sized car. This generation is one reason why the Skylark model became so popular. It was obviously loved. Nice to see an original one still around!
My first car in 1967 was a 65 Skylark, great car, drove it all over. Gave it to my dad when I was drafted. Our family owned it for twenty years. It was totaled in a car wreck. Bought a second one when I got out of the Army with a three speed. Also a great car. Sold in 78 for a new Pickup. Love these skylarks. The V6 will run for ever with proper car and treatment
I had a 65 hardtop with the 300 V8. Amazing long life. I estimated about 300,000 mi when I traded it. One flaw is the machining on the pinion shaft. The machining for the bearing has a very sharp angle at the base of the gear. This stress point results in cracking and failure. I had two break off. The last one snapped in front of a transmission shop so I rolled it downhill and had them put in another rear end. (entire axle from a wrecker). This was one week before the trade in time. 13 years, one valve, two pinion issues. still didn’t use oil !
SOLD for $6,300.
We had the ’65 Buick wagon……… stripper….and not the fun kind. Still want a ’65 Sportwagon. Looking at the dash gave me that weird feeling you get when you see something that looks familiar and yet you haven’t seen it forever. A nice survivor. Amazing it brought 6K plus………..cant get more basic than this for an A body. I guess the coupe “styling” moved it along.
had a 65 skylark with a 355 wildcat 300 4brl 2 speed 300 turbo hydromatic it also had special emblems not Gs but special under the skylark onthe glove box never seen one like it anyone know any thing bought from my wife’s Grandfather had 42000miles on when parked
I’ve had all sorts of configurations of the Skylark/Special/Gran Sport/Regal. I believe in these years you could order everything to make a Special into a GS wannabe. But I’m not aware of any “Skylark Special” badging. Buick did do a lot of off-the-wall model changes Skylark Custom, Special Deluxe, and later Regal/Century tributes to the earlier Gran Sports. Someone will chime in to correct me I’m sure.