If you see a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible rumbling down a coastal highway, you aren’t just looking at a car. You're looking at a specific moment in GM history where luxury hadn't quite been strangled by corporate downsizing yet. It’s got those sharp, "Coke bottle" curves that define the mid-sixties.
People forget how weird the market was back then. In '65, the Skylark sat in this sweet spot. It wasn't as pretentious as a Cadillac, but it felt way more "grown-up" than a Chevy Chevelle. If you bought one new, you were basically telling the neighborhood you'd made it, but you still liked to go fast on the weekends.
What Actually Makes the 1965 Buick Skylark Convertible Special?
It’s all about the "VentiPorts." Those little chrome fender accents are pure nostalgia. For the 1965 model year, Buick leaned hard into the styling of the Wildcat and the Riviera, giving the Skylark a much more aggressive face than the 1964 version. The front end is wide. It’s imposing. The rear taillights stretch almost the entire width of the car, which looks incredible when you're cruising at dusk.
Under the hood, you usually find the "Wildcat 310." Now, don't get confused by the name. The "310" isn't the cubic inches—it’s the torque rating. The engine itself is a 300 cubic-inch V8. It’s a cast-iron block (though the '64 had aluminum heads, Buick went back to all-iron for '65 for better reliability). It’s a workhorse. It’s not a high-strung race engine, but it’s got enough grunt to make that heavy convertible frame feel surprisingly light when the light turns green.
Some guys will tell you to hunt for the Gran Sport version. Sure, that came out mid-year in '65 and stuffed the 401 "Nailhead" V8 under the hood. That car is a beast. But honestly? For a weekend cruiser, the standard 1965 Buick Skylark convertible with the 300 V8 is more than enough. It's smoother. It's easier to keep cool in traffic.
The Interior Experience
Slide inside one of these, and you'll notice the difference between Buick and the cheaper GM divisions immediately. The "Morrokide" vinyl seats feel surprisingly high-end even sixty years later. The dash is a masterpiece of chrome and horizontal lines. It feels like a cockpit from a private jet, not a grocery getter.
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Driving one is... different.
Modern cars are sharp. They're twitchy. The Skylark is like steering a very fast cloud. You have to "suggest" turns to it a few seconds in advance. But when you’re on a long stretch of blacktop with the power top down and that V8 humming a low baritone, nothing else matters. It’s pure therapy.
Common Myths and the Reality of Maintenance
You'll hear people say these cars are impossible to find parts for. That’s a half-truth. Because the Skylark shared the A-body platform with the Chevelle, GTO, and Olds 442, a lot of the suspension and brake parts are everywhere. You can go to a local auto parts store and get what you need for the chassis.
The trim, though? That’s where it gets hairy.
If you buy a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible that’s missing the "Skylark" script or those specific '65-only chrome bits, prepare to spend your life on eBay or at swap meets. Buick-specific trim is notoriously expensive compared to Chevy parts.
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And let's talk about the Dynaflow versus the Super Turbine 300 transmission. Most of these came with the two-speed ST-300. Some purists hate it because it only has two gears. But it has a "switch-pitch" stator. Basically, it changes the torque converter's pitch to give you better acceleration or smoother cruising. It's actually a brilliant piece of engineering if you take the time to understand it. If you find a car where the switch-pitch is still hooked up and working, don't swap it for a Chevy 350 Turbo transmission. Keep the Buick soul.
The Rust Problem
Look at the rear wheel wells. Then look at the trunk floor. Now look at the "A-pillars" near the windshield.
Convertibles are notorious for leaking around the top seals. If that water sat in the floorboards for a decade in a barn, you aren't just buying a car; you're buying a welding project. Always check the frame rails right behind the rear tires. That’s where the 1965 Buick Skylark convertible likes to hide its secrets.
Why Collectors are Moving Toward the Skylark
Prices for 1965 GTOs have gone into the stratosphere. They're basically six-figure cars if they’re mint. The Skylark, however, remains accessible for the middle-class enthusiast. You get 90% of the muscle car experience and 100% of the style for about 60% of the price.
It’s also a more sophisticated choice. At a car show, everyone has a Camaro. Everyone has a Mustang. But when you roll in with a clean, Arctic White or Flame Red Skylark, people stop. It has a presence. It’s the "thinking person's" muscle car.
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The 1965 model year was also the last year before federally mandated smog equipment started strangling performance and the last year before the designs got a bit more "bulbous" in the late sixties. It’s the peak of that crisp, linear design language.
Buying Guide Checklist
If you're actually serious about putting a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible in your garage, do this:
- Check the Vin. Make sure it’s a real V8 car. People love to swap engines, but a factory V8 car will always hold value better.
- Inspect the Top Frame. A replacement canvas is cheap (maybe $500–$800 plus labor), but a bent or rusted metal folding frame is a nightmare to fix.
- Test the "Switch-Pitch." While driving, floor it from a rolling start. You should feel the converter "shift" its stall speed. It feels like a half-gear.
- Look for the "Boxed" Frame. Convertible A-bodies have a "boxed" frame for extra rigidity. If you see a "C-channel" frame, someone might have swapped a coupe body onto a convertible frame, or vice versa.
The 1965 Buick Skylark convertible represents a time when Buick was "The Doctor's Car." It was for people who wanted speed but also wanted to arrive without a headache. It’s comfortable. It’s fast enough to be dangerous. It looks like a million bucks under streetlights.
If you find a solid one, buy it. Don't worry about the two-speed transmission or the fact that it doesn't have the 401 Nailhead. Just drop the top, put it in drive, and listen to that Wildcat breathe. You'll understand why these cars have such a cult following within five minutes of being behind the wheel.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you've just acquired a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible, your first priority isn't more power—it's safety and preservation.
- Upgrade to Front Disc Brakes: The original four-wheel drums are "exciting" in a bad way. Several companies sell bolt-on disc conversion kits that fit behind the stock 14-inch wheels.
- Replace the Rubber: Not just the tires. Check the fuel lines and brake hoses. Sixty-year-old rubber is a ticking time bomb.
- Service the Top Hydraulics: The pump and cylinders for the convertible top use automatic transmission fluid. If the top moves slowly or unevenly, check the fluid levels in the pump behind the back seat.
- Join the BCA (Buick Club of America): This is non-negotiable. The wealth of knowledge in their forums will save you thousands of dollars in "trial and error" repairs.
- Seal the Cowl: Water leaks in the cowl area are the number one killer of these dashboards. Make sure the drains are clear of pine needles and leaves.
Own the car. Drive the car. Don't let it sit under a cover for six months at a time. A Buick is at its best when the oil is hot and the odometer is turning.