1965 Buick Skylark Sport Coupe

GM's success with its Pontiac GTO caused executives to quickly scramble to make the same kind of muscle available in the rest of its family of cars. This would help to ensure maximum sales, and therefore, maximum profits.

Prior to 1965, the Skylark, in its first couple of generations, suffered from an identity crisis as it was merely a sub-model. It had many features that were 'firsts', but it never was able to come into its own. After it finally did come into its own, it still shared parts in common with other vehicles of the General Motors family.

Then, in 1965, the same 325 hp, 401 cubic-inch, V-8 engine as in the GTO became available for the Skylark Grand Sport models. This was one component the car didn't mind having to share. While this did not propel the car into the same class of the memorable GTO, it did help to make the Skylark GS a potent, powerful beast.

Motor Trend tested a Skylark GS and it proved to have respectable muscle car numbers. The GS was capable of going 0-60 in just under eight seconds and could do a quarter-mile in a little over sixteen seconds, reaching a top-speed in the run of 86 mph. The heavy, but powerful, machine could reach a top speed of 116 mph.

Offered this year was a 1965 Buick Skylark GS. It featured a two-door, pillar-less hard-top coupe. It came with the 325 hp, 401 cubic-inch, V-8 engine, and a four-barrel Carter carburetor. The car also includes dual exhaust and its transmission comprised of a two-speed turbine 300 automatic transmission, complete with floor-shift and console.

This Skylark's independent front suspension consisted of wishbones and coil springs with a sway bar. Its rear sported a live axle and coil spring suspension. Each of the car's wheels receives its stopping power through four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

The Skylark's interior was finished out white on black and loaded with options. Those options included air-conditioning, power-steering, and windows.

The car had just undergone a restoration by an authority in Buick muscle cars, but, had benefited from being a California car. The odometer shows the car had been driven less than 63,000 miles.

Offered from Bill Jacob's collection, this Buick Skylark sported red-line tires and an engine dress-up kit to help accent the brute engine under this car's hood. With the help of some updates, restoration work, and the fact it comes with its big engine, this Skylark easily finds an identity of its own and serves as a reminder of Buick's days as a manufacturer of muscle cars.

Sources:

'Buy: View Lots (Lot 221: 1965 Buick Skylark GS)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r240&fc=0). RM Auctions Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r240&fc=0. Retrieved 6 January.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Buick Skylark', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 December 2010, 05:20 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buick_Skylark&oldid=402974838 accessed 6 January 2011

By Jeremy McMullen