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Unique Glass Skyroof: 1965 Buick Sportwagon

For some reason, the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser got most of the attention, and the sales, when it came to the sixties and seventies wagons that included the unique glass Skyroof. But Buick had a station wagon with the glassed roof as well. While Oldsmobile sold their version from 1964 to 1972, Buick sold theirs only from 1964 to 1969. They continued the Sportwagon model in 1970, but it was in name only and was missing the glassed roof. Here is a 1965 Buick Sportwagon for sale here on Craigslist in Marysville, Washington. Thanks to Barnfinds reader Miguel for bringing it to our attention.

Since Buick had stopped building its full-size station wagons in 1964, the Sportwagon used the intermediate Special/Skylark body but stretched the wheelbase to 120 inches. A shorter wheelbase station wagon with 115-inch wheelbase without the glass Skyroof was also offered, the Special and Special Deluxe.

We are sometimes skeptics when reading car ads, as we should be with this one. The seller is trying to convince us this is a rare vehicle. He/she says there were only 300 sold in 1965. Sorry, far from true. There were actually 28,356 Buick Sportwagons built that year. While it’s not a perfect car, it looks like there’s a good body to work with here. The car has some dings and dents and the paint is far from perfect, but there seem to be no rust issues with the body. There are no interior pictures provided, so we have no idea of what condition it is in. There is also no information if this is a 2 seat or 3 seat wagon.

The engine is the Wildcat 310 with 300 cubic inch displacement with 2 barrel carburetor and originally provided 210 horsepower. While the seller says the car runs and moves on its own, it probably is not road worthy. Nonetheless, I think this is a decent shape Sportwagon to be restored that could be worth quite a bit, depending on how much you want to put into it. The seller is asking a reasonable price of $2,500. Wouldn’t you really rather have this Buick?

Note: to anyone who may question the spelling of “Sportwagon”, in Buick’s 1965 sales literature it was spelled “Sportwagon”, however, we can clearly see in the picture the spelling on the car itself is “Sport Wagon”.

Comments

  1. Avatar TimS

    Original or not, that color must have looked great on that wagon when it was first applied.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar John m leyshon Member

    Vista roof and a small block. Way more fun than our old V-6 voyager !

    Very disappointed Barn Finds is apparently not sustainable per the powers that be. Daily limit now to view. $30 a month to become a member. Fun while it lasted !

    Like 31
    • Avatar Don Diego

      Me too !!

      Like 19
  3. Avatar Zerohero

    Yep, tapping out here too.

    Like 17
    • Avatar Carstories Member

      Hey John, it’s only 10 bucks a month, not 30 like you say.

      And c’mon guys, if you’re enjoying that many stories, why not have some respect for the work and expense it takes to put ’em out, and contribute a small amount to keep them coming?

      Plus, don’t forget, it includes other services that they provide us as members. Look ’em up, you may just need to use them some day.

      Well worth the investment, in my opinion. Take care.

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    Looked at one out here last.year…power windows and a similar beautiful color. Owner was a super nice guy but life got in the way..and it had a huge amount of rust around the roof glass….but the interior was beautiful as was the dash…had it gone through by my mechanic…should have pulled the trigger immediately…oh well

    http://www.dailyturismo.com/search/label/Project%20Car

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Doug B.

    On paper, and to some degree looks, they appear to be a cool ride. But quite the contrary. When I was a child, one of my friend’s parents had a Vista Cruiser. I live in Arizona. In June it regularly hits 115°. No A/C could keep up with that glass. Can you say, Convection Oven?

    Like 4
    • Avatar George

      Considering the only vents to the middle seat were under the front seats and there weren’t any vents all the way back…

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    My folks had a ’64 model. Ours was Tan
    with a brown vinyl interior. Pretty sharp
    car for the time with plenty of room and
    power to boot. Used to take it on camping trips pulling a small Shasta
    camper. Just drop the rear seat and presto! instant bed. That’s where I liked
    to sleep as the nightime views were
    just gorgeous looking up through that
    glass roof.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar ROBERT

    hi,
    my mom had a 1964 slylark wagon had power windows ,power rear window ,power front seat ,a/c i drove it 99% of the time it was dark green,yep it had a 300 v8 with 4 barrel carb. i really liked that car,when i was 19 i bought a 1965 buick sports wagon silver no power window no power seats had power rear window that also had a 300 v8 i bought that car for $500.00 back in 1976 both of the cars ran great

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Dale

    Because of the way the top windows were set and the chrome trim fitted, the area around those windows is a rust haven and the roof would often rust out. I would only consider one of these from a dry climate.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar stillrunners

    At that price it will go across the pond .

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    Although 1965 is my least favourite year for the Buick Skylark/Special Sportwagon, this is a beautiful looking car. This would make an awesome restoration project for whoever purchases this car, or possibly a restomod.

    Like 0

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