If you close your eyes and think about 1965, your brain probably goes straight to the Mustang. Maybe the GTO. It makes sense because those cars had the marketing budgets of small nation-states. But tucked away in the Buick showrooms—right next to the more "sensible" LeSabres—was something arguably better for the actual human being driving it. The 1965 Buick Skylark convertible wasn't trying to be a track monster, and it wasn't a cheap economy car with a fancy horse badge. It was something else. It was "small" by 1960s standards, yet it felt like a vault on wheels.
It’s a weird car. Honestly.
Buick was in a strange spot in '65. They were trying to capture a younger audience without alienating the doctors and lawyers who paid their bills. The result was the intermediate A-body platform, shared with the Chevelle and the Olds Cutlass, but given a dose of Vitamin B (for Buick). You got the sharp, "Coke-bottle" styling that defined the era, but with a level of interior refinement that made a contemporary Chevy look like it was furnished with lawn chairs.
The Design Shift That Changed Everything
The 1964 model was fine. It was boxy. It did the job. But the 1965 Buick Skylark convertible introduced a more fluid aesthetic. Look at the rear end of one of these. The taillights stretch across almost the entire width of the car, a design cue that would become a Buick staple for decades. It gave the car a wider, more aggressive stance than it actually had.
People often mistake the '65 for a '64 at a distance. Don't be that person. The '65 has a cleaner grille and those signature "V" shapes in the trim. It’s subtle.
Walking around a well-preserved survivor today, you notice the chrome. There is so much of it. But unlike the gaudy 50s, this chrome serves the lines of the car. It traces the wheel wells and runs the length of the rocker panels, making the car look like it's moving even when it's just sitting in a suburban driveway. The convertible top itself was a mechanical marvel for the time—heavy-duty hydraulics that actually worked without sounding like a dying blender. Mostly.
What’s Under the Hood (And Why It Matters)
Most people assume every cool 60s car has a 454 or a 426 Hemi. That’s just not reality.
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The base engine for the Skylark was the 225 cubic-inch V6. Yeah, a V6 in 1965. It was basically a truncated version of their V8, and while it was "efficient," it wasn't exactly a thrill ride. If you find a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible today, you’re likely looking for the "Wildcat" V8s.
- The Wildcat 310. This was the 300 cubic-inch V8. It produced 210 horsepower. It’s a sweetheart of an engine—reliable, relatively light, and enough to get the car out of its own way.
- The Wildcat 355. This was the high-compression version of the 300, pushing 250 horses. This is the one you want for a Sunday cruiser.
Then there was the Gran Sport. Late in the 1965 model year, Buick got serious and stuffed the 401 cubic-inch "Nailhead" V8 into the Skylark frame. They called it the GS. It was a beast. But even the standard Skylark benefitted from Buick's engineering obsession. They used "tuned" suspension bushings and extra sound deadening. While a GTO would rattle your teeth out over a pothole, the Skylark just sort of... glided. It felt expensive. Because it was.
The Interior: A 1960s Time Capsule
Step inside. Smell the vinyl? That’s the smell of 1965.
Buick didn’t do "cheap." Even the base bucket seats in a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible had thicker padding than the competition. The dashboard was a masterclass in horizontal design. Everything was oriented toward the driver, with bright metal trim and knobs that felt like they were machined from solid ingots.
You’ve got to remember the context. In '65, air conditioning was still a luxury. Power windows were a flex. If you find a Skylark with the "Sonomatic" radio and working factory A/C, you’ve found a unicorn. The convertible experience in this car is unique because of the cowl shake—or lack thereof. Buick reinforced the frames of their convertibles more aggressively than Chevrolet did with the Chevelle. It leads to a much more composed ride when the pavement gets nasty.
Real World Ownership: The Parts Struggle
Let's get real for a second. Owning a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible isn't all sunshine and car shows.
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If you buy a Mustang, you can build a whole new car from a catalog. With a Buick? You’re going to spend some time on eBay and specialized forums like V8Buick.com. While the A-body frame and some suspension bits are shared with Chevelles, the Buick-specific parts—trim, taillights, dashboards, and engine internals for the 300 V8—are getting harder to find.
Body panels are another hurdle. If you find a car with rotted rear quarters, be prepared to pay a premium for metal or spend a lot of time with a English wheel and a welder. The "Buick Tax" is a real thing. Because fewer of these were made compared to the mass-market GM siblings, the price for niche parts reflects that scarcity.
Why Collectors are Finally Waking Up
For a long time, the '65 Skylark was the "grandpa car." It sat in the shadow of the '65 Riviera (which is arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever made) and the '65 GTO.
But things are changing.
The market for mid-tier 60s muscle and luxury is heating up because people are tired of seeing twenty red Mustangs at every local meet. The 1965 Buick Skylark convertible offers a "gentleman’s muscle car" vibe. It says you value torque and comfort over raw, unrefined speed. It’s a sophisticated choice.
Prices for a clean, driver-quality convertible currently hover in the $25,000 to $40,000 range, depending on the engine. If it’s a genuine Gran Sport with the 401 Nailhead? Double it. But the sweet spot is a clean 300 V8 car. It gives you the look, the wind in your hair, and that unmistakable Buick V8 rumble without requiring a second mortgage.
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Common Myths and Misconceptions
People think these cars are boats. They aren't.
At roughly 115 inches for the wheelbase, the Skylark is surprisingly nimble. It’s not a Miata, obviously, but it doesn't feel like you're piloting the Queen Mary through a parking lot. Another myth is that the "Nailhead" engine was slow because of its small valves. While it wasn't a high-RPM screamer, the torque was instantaneous. It was designed to move heavy cars with ease, and in the lighter Skylark body, it’s a riot.
Also, don't believe the "all 60s cars are death traps" hype. While they lack airbags and crumple zones, the massive perimeter frame on the '65 Skylark provides a lot more steel between you and the world than a modern subcompact does. Just... maybe install some shoulder belts. The factory lap belts are mostly there for decoration.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are seriously looking to put a 1965 Buick Skylark convertible in your garage, stop scrolling and do these three things first:
- Check the Rear Wheel Wells: Buick's trim design tended to trap moisture. Pull back the trunk carpet and look for "Swiss cheese" metal where the wheel houses meet the trunk floor. If it's rusted there, it's rusted everywhere.
- Verify the Engine Code: Don't take the seller's word that it's a "Wildcat." Check the engine block stamp. A lot of these cars had their original engines swapped for later 350s in the 70s and 80s. A non-original engine isn't a dealbreaker for a cruiser, but it should definitely lower the price.
- Inspect the Convertible Top Frame: Replacing the vinyl is easy. Fixing a bent or rusted top frame is a nightmare. Make sure the "scissors" move smoothly and that the header bow (where it meets the windshield) isn't rotted through.
The 1965 Buick Skylark convertible remains one of the few ways to get a high-quality, 1960s drop-top experience without paying the "Icon Tax" associated with more famous models. It’s a car for people who know. It’s stylish, it’s built like a tank, and it still looks incredible parked in front of a modern coffee shop.
If you find a good one, buy it. You won't see another one at the stoplight, and honestly, that’s half the fun of owning a classic anyway. Just be prepared to explain to everyone at the gas station that no, it’s not a Chevelle. It’s better.
The next step is simple: start your search on specialized classifieds like Hemmings or Bring a Trailer, but don't ignore Facebook Marketplace. Often, the best Buicks are still being sold by the families who have owned them for decades, tucked away in suburban garages waiting for someone to drop the top again.