Maybe I will have to take after Kevin and buy a 65 GS Convertible. Seemed to have all original sheet metal in good shape; but I would have to craw under it to make sure floor and trunk are good. It has a poor paint job from 1981, so eventually I would need new paint; but acceptable to drive as is, otherwise it didn't appear to need any other sheet metal repair. All original chrome looked good. Appeared to have original interior is good shape.Original factory chrome rims in good shape with good radial tires. Appeared to have never been off the frame or have body bushings replaced.
Data Plate, with original trans and rear and a 65 dated; but NOM. Has air; but not hooked up with most of the original air stuff, except for compressor. Auto/console, tilt steering wheel, tack, PB, PS, PW, up graded to dual cylinder front disc brakes, remote mirror, power windows, new top. Aftermarket radio.
Talked to another 66 GS owner and he seemed to think the price was a little high, since it needed paint and a little work to get the body panels straight. He seemed to think the hardtops were worth more than the convertibles at least in the Buck world.
What do you guys think something like this is worth? Here is a photo.
I remember seeing that car as well that day. I felt it was overpriced as well, by quite a bit actually. The Buicks still dont get the love like the GTO and Chevelles's do which means they dont get the abundance of reproduction parts. My older brother has the 65 Skylark coupe that my deceased grandmother bought new locally in 65. His isnt a GS though.
dashboard said
Jun 20, 2014
Buick only made about 2000 Gran Sport convertibles; it was a mid year (65 ½) production model. Those 401 Nail Heads where absolute torque monsters and with the 300ST transmission they could surprise some folks, I think the cars are under valued as are the early 442s.
Jon H said
Jun 20, 2014
I wonder where the car is today?
jim larson said
Jun 22, 2014
Jon H wrote:
I wonder where the car is today?
Jon, if you are interested, I think the owner/seller was the president of the MN Buick association.
Jon H said
Jun 22, 2014
Thanks Jim.
I actually looked at the car the other day.
Jon H said
Jun 22, 2014
I found out the Buick has been sold. Here is a recent photo of the car with the top down.
Barbie drove it up the driveway Saturday night, well sorta. Stan texted me a picture of the car back in May from the Fair Grounds Buick show, I texted him right back and asked for more pictures. A few phone calls with the owner reviled we actually knew each other and had parked next to each other at the Stillwater Buick show last fall.
I recruited Jon to check it out, it was in his op area and I can’t think of a more meticulous car guy to check it out; gosh the club connection still works, Stan finds it and Jon checks it out. After Jon looked it over and test drove it he reported back that it’s a nice car but if I’m really interested, have a Buick guy check it out. So I called my Buick buddy Leo in Burnsville then worked on making the three way connection so Leo, Jon and the owner could hook up and see the car together.
Leo armed with his large inspection mirror and a 1000 watt flashlight spent the afternoon all over and under the car while Jon and the owner could only wondered how he could talk so fast. Reports where positive with only some minor early A body common issues and it needs paint.
The owner and I agreed on a price and kind of shook hands over the phone Thursday night the car was pickup Friday and delivered here Saturday. I like it, the GS stuff is all there, and it’s very complete, the car has lots of potential, it will become the next project but not until next year.
Special thanks to Jon and Stan for making this thing work.
-- Edited by dashboard on Monday 23rd of June 2014 05:10:25 PM
Lost in the 60s said
Jun 23, 2014
dashboard wrote:
Barbie drove it up the driveway Saturday night,
Special thanks to Jon and Stan for making this thing work.
That is one spoiled wench, having 2 convertibles to play in now.
Hopefully, you will keep this one original...
jim larson said
Jun 23, 2014
Glad to see you got it Kevin. I liked it; and thought of you. Being you were in Ohio, I just posted it on the NCC site. I thought it could be bought for around 14.5 as he was asking 15.7
Chris R said
Jun 23, 2014
Wow, cool story. What company did you use to ship it Kevin? Sounds like they have excellent service to get it to you so quick.
Dave Seitz said
Jun 23, 2014
BTW there is a black Buick Station Wagon in Elk River I just saw that would fit in along side of the convert. ;)
dashboard said
Jun 24, 2014
Chris R wrote:
Wow, cool story. What company did you use to ship it Kevin? Sounds like they have excellent service to get it to you so quick.
I used Alpine Transport in Iowa http://www.alpinetransportinc.com/# , I also used them to ship cars when we moved; they were recommended by a club member.
I called them Friday morning and it just happened they had a truck in Mound MN, which was great but the owner and I had not exchanged funds yet. So while both of us drove to our respective banks to do a wire transfer the truck was driving from Mound to just north of Forest Lake to pick up the car. The owner returned home just in time to load the car.
Here’s an oh by the way. If you wire moneys from bank to bank it’s not fast, takes one to three days because it must go through the Federal Reserve.
I just received the title and lots of paper work yesterday. It’s a three owner car, I have the names, it came with POP, receipts for an engine rebuild that was done in 1990, harden valves were installed, as well as several other receipts.
SShink said
Jun 26, 2014
dashboard wrote:Special thanks to Jon and Stan for making this thing work.
Always glad to help you spend your funds my friend!
dashboard said
Jul 8, 2014
Lost in the 60s wrote:
Hopefully, you will keep this one original...
Well we have put 300 miles on it and, I like it. She’s a cruiser 65-70mph and it's like being on rails. The suspension could use some help in turns and I need to rebuild the AC, but I like it.
I like originality also Mitch. I won’t be doing anything to the car until the winter of 2015, lot’s of time to think and look at parts and think and check Craig’s list and eBay, and see what’s in the hood …………….and get stuff ready. I could see an LS ? with a do it yourself 5 speed or a 401 Nailhead, ST300 with duel quads.
Lots to do before we start on this but we are happy with it.
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 8, 2014
dashboard wrote:
Lost in the 60s wrote:
Hopefully, you will keep this one original...
Well we have put 300 miles on it and, I like it. She’s a cruiser 65-70mph and it's like being on rails. The suspension could use some help in turns and I need to rebuild the AC, but I like it.
I like originality also Mitch. I won’t be doing anything to the car until the winter of 2015, lot’s of time to think and look at parts and think and check Craig’s list and eBay, and see what’s in the hood …………….and get stuff ready. I could see an LS ? with a do it yourself 5 speed or a 401 Nailhead, ST300 with duel quads.
Lots to do before we start on this but we are happy with it.
This is only my opinion and you know what they say about opinions...
You already have 1 Buick with an LS that it genuinely needed. This car deserves to keep it's Buick heritage with a nailhead. I would ditch the ST300 though for a 200 or 700r4 for better cruising and mileage. You could go the EFI carb/throttle body route on the nailhead, Pertronix pointless conversion and coil to open the plugs up to .045 for better starting and performance You would have a dependable, high torque BUICK engine.
Maybe I will have to take after Kevin and buy a 65 GS Convertible. Seemed to have all original sheet metal in good shape; but I would have to craw under it to make sure floor and trunk are good. It has a poor paint job from 1981, so eventually I would need new paint; but acceptable to drive as is, otherwise it didn't appear to need any other sheet metal repair. All original chrome looked good. Appeared to have original interior is good shape.Original factory chrome rims in good shape with good radial tires. Appeared to have never been off the frame or have body bushings replaced.
Data Plate, with original trans and rear and a 65 dated; but NOM. Has air; but not hooked up with most of the original air stuff, except for compressor. Auto/console, tilt steering wheel, tack, PB, PS, PW, up graded to dual cylinder front disc brakes, remote mirror, power windows, new top. Aftermarket radio.
Talked to another 66 GS owner and he seemed to think the price was a little high, since it needed paint and a little work to get the body panels straight. He seemed to think the hardtops were worth more than the convertibles at least in the Buck world.
What do you guys think something like this is worth? Here is a photo.
I remember seeing that car as well that day. I felt it was overpriced as well, by quite a bit actually. The Buicks still dont get the love like the GTO and Chevelles's do which means they dont get the abundance of reproduction parts. My older brother has the 65 Skylark coupe that my deceased grandmother bought new locally in 65. His isnt a GS though.
Jon, if you are interested, I think the owner/seller was the president of the MN Buick association.
I actually looked at the car the other day.
I found out the Buick has been sold. Here is a recent photo of the car with the top down.
I guess it's Barbies new ride in Ohio ????
Barbie drove it up the driveway Saturday night, well sorta. Stan texted me a picture of the car back in May from the Fair Grounds Buick show, I texted him right back and asked for more pictures. A few phone calls with the owner reviled we actually knew each other and had parked next to each other at the Stillwater Buick show last fall.
I recruited Jon to check it out, it was in his op area and I can’t think of a more meticulous car guy to check it out; gosh the club connection still works, Stan finds it and Jon checks it out. After Jon looked it over and test drove it he reported back that it’s a nice car but if I’m really interested, have a Buick guy check it out. So I called my Buick buddy Leo in Burnsville then worked on making the three way connection so Leo, Jon and the owner could hook up and see the car together.
Leo armed with his large inspection mirror and a 1000 watt flashlight spent the afternoon all over and under the car while Jon and the owner could only wondered how he could talk so fast. Reports where positive with only some minor early A body common issues and it needs paint.
The owner and I agreed on a price and kind of shook hands over the phone Thursday night the car was pickup Friday and delivered here Saturday. I like it, the GS stuff is all there, and it’s very complete, the car has lots of potential, it will become the next project but not until next year.
Special thanks to Jon and Stan for making this thing work.
-- Edited by dashboard on Monday 23rd of June 2014 05:10:25 PM
That is one spoiled wench, having 2 convertibles to play in now.
Hopefully, you will keep this one original...
Glad to see you got it Kevin. I liked it; and thought of you. Being you were in Ohio, I just posted it on the NCC site. I thought it could be bought for around 14.5 as he was asking 15.7
Wow, cool story. What company did you use to ship it Kevin? Sounds like they have excellent service to get it to you so quick.
I used Alpine Transport in Iowa http://www.alpinetransportinc.com/# , I also used them to ship cars when we moved; they were recommended by a club member.
I called them Friday morning and it just happened they had a truck in Mound MN, which was great but the owner and I had not exchanged funds yet. So while both of us drove to our respective banks to do a wire transfer the truck was driving from Mound to just north of Forest Lake to pick up the car. The owner returned home just in time to load the car.
Here’s an oh by the way. If you wire moneys from bank to bank it’s not fast, takes one to three days because it must go through the Federal Reserve.
I just received the title and lots of paper work yesterday. It’s a three owner car, I have the names, it came with POP, receipts for an engine rebuild that was done in 1990, harden valves were installed, as well as several other receipts.
Always glad to help you spend your funds my friend!
Well we have put 300 miles on it and, I like it. She’s a cruiser 65-70mph and it's like being on rails. The suspension could use some help in turns and I need to rebuild the AC, but I like it.
I like originality also Mitch. I won’t be doing anything to the car until the winter of 2015, lot’s of time to think and look at parts and think and check Craig’s list and eBay, and see what’s in the hood …………….and get stuff ready. I could see an LS ? with a do it yourself 5 speed or a 401 Nailhead, ST300 with duel quads.
Lots to do before we start on this but we are happy with it.
This is only my opinion and you know what they say about opinions...
You already have 1 Buick with an LS that it genuinely needed. This car deserves to keep it's Buick heritage with a nailhead. I would ditch the ST300 though for a 200 or 700r4 for better cruising and mileage. You could go the EFI carb/throttle body route on the nailhead, Pertronix pointless conversion and coil to open the plugs up to .045 for better starting and performance
You would have a dependable, high torque BUICK engine.