455-Powered 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Convertible

Description

Hagerty Marketplace is honored to offer a selection of vehicles from the SugarCreek Collection. This private collection in southeastern Ohio is supported by its own in-house restoration and maintenance shop, with a full-time staff of craftsmen. The garage is a true spectrum of car enthusiast dreams, ranging from unfinished restorations to the most recent SEMA-exhibited 1,000 horsepower 1962 Dodge Power Wagon. Sixteen select cars from the collection are being offered in time for the holidays. Whether awaiting restoration, preserved showroom stock, restored to like-new, or tastefully modified, these cars and trucks are truly SugarCreek quality.  

As the old advertisements said, “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?” Like, for instance, this gentleman’s muscle car: a 1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible. While better known for its big, powerful luxury sedans, Buick’s Gran Sport series was based on GM’s A-Body platform like the Chevy Chevelle, Pontiac GTO, and Olds 442. Power in 1965 was from Buick’s powerful 400 cu-in V8. With a distinctively upscale interior and exterior style, Buicks were just a small part of GM’s A-Body production in 1965, like this Astro Blue Gran Sport convertible. 

One thing missing from Buick’s Gran Sport lineup in 1965 was a 455 V8. That wouldn’t be available until 1970 with the introduction of the 455 cu-in, 350 hp V8, which produced massive torque, 510 lb-ft of it at just 2800 rpm. It would take more than 20 years for the Dodge Viper to beat that earthshaking figure. But it seems only natural that a 455 found its way into this Gran Sport, refurbished in 2008 and resprayed in its original Astro Blue with upgraded Ivory leather interior by the SugarCreek Collection. Now wouldn’t you really rather have this Buick? 

Highlights 

• Offered from the SugarCreek Collection  

• Uncommon 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Convertible 

• Refurbished in 2008 by The SugarCreek Collection in original Astro Blue with upgraded Ivory leather interior 

• Upgraded to later Buick 455 cu-in V8 and three-speed TH400 automatic transmission 

• 15 inch Rally wheels with 225/70 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires 

• The chassis number (444675H323004) decodes as: 

  • 4 – Buick 

  • 44 – Skylark 

  • 67 – Two-Door convertible 

  • 5 – Model year 1965 

  • H – Flint, Michigan, final assembly plant 

  • 323004 – Production sequence number 

• The Body by Fisher tag decodes as: 

  • 07B – Second week of July production 

  • Style 65-4467 – 1965 Skylark two-door convertible 

  • Body FB 264185 – Fisher body number 

  • Trim 154 – Ivory vinyl upholstery 

  • Paint D1 – Astro Blue 

Features 

• OE Style Exhaust Manifolds 

• Dual Flowmaster Mufflers 

• Wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel 

• Auxiliary gauges  

• Electric radiator fan 

• Power-assisted brakes 

• Power steering 

• Power convertible top 

• AM radio 

Known Imperfections 

• Gran Sport badges on quarters and trunk are chipping 

• Small paint chip on passenger corner of trunk 

• Minor chipping on black taillight finish 

• Small dent on hood 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• White convertible boot 

 Ownership History 

This 455-Powered 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Convertible was refurbished in 2008 by the SugarCreek Collection. It was sold to a friend who moved to Naples, Florida, a few years ago because he wanted a convertible; then SugarCreek built him a 1972 Corvette and purchased the Buick back. 

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Matt Lowney Phone: 623.308.2640 email: mlowney@hagerty.com