With so many entries posted through the years, I’m always surprised when a model hasn’t appeared much at CC. The ’65 Buick Gran Sport is such a case, never appearing by the curbside until now. Then again, today most of these belong to the Car Show circuit.
So let’s enjoy this find by J. C. from the Cohort, sitting properly by the curbside, carrying a few nicks from wear just as we like them.
The Gran Sport was Buick’s take on the GTO, dressed in restrained Flint garb. It followed the established formula; drop a hulking V-8 from a full sizer into an intermediate body, and let it rip. Of course, after the GTO’s success, the challenge was how to do your spin on the concept. An idea easier said than done, as brands have to contend with their legacy and customer base. Any new product has to inevitably deal with such matters.
So, 1965 was the first year Buick took after the GTO template. With an understated approach, the new Gran Sport played to the brand’s traditional image and found enough buyers to justify itself in Buick’s lineup. Its numbers, however, paled against the GTO’s, and the Gran Sport would eventually turn more extroverted.
As can be seen, the first-gen Gran Sport indeed wears its musclecar credentials close to its chest (or hood). Not quite the approach to win over the masses back in the ’60s, but just the ticket for those who like musclecar power in discreet form.
Further reading:
Curbside Classic: 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport – The Understated Buick Of Musclecars
COAL: 1965 Buick Skylark Sport Coupe – Occasionally, Even I Get One Right
My son had a 1967 Buick GS coupe, what a great car .
-Nate
It sure looks frumpy next to a Riviera GS–but a fraction of the price.
Of the GM ‘senior compacts’, I liked the styling of the 1961-62 Olds F-85/Cutlass best.
But when they transitioned to intermediates in 1964, the Tempest easily became my fave. It was essentially a toss-up between the Olds and Buick for second place, with the blocky Malibu coming up the rear.
IOW, for the entirety of the sixties, with the exception of most years of the Riviera and Wildcat, I wasn’t impressed with any of Buick’s mainstream cars, and for that level of car, I probably would have chosen a Chrysler, despite the lesser quality.
One of my uncles bought a used ’65 Skylark convertible in this same color, with a white interior. I guess that he decided that it wasn’t right for him, maybe he was worried that his kids might jump out of the car while it was moving, or something. He let my Dad drive it for a couple of days. I talked my Dad into putting the top down. I thought that the prospect of riding around in a convertible to be pretty glamorous. My Dad being a practical guy, did not like open air motoring. The Skylark went back to my uncle who traded it in on a new Hornet. My Dad stuck to station wagons, which resulted in my love for longroofs.
I love pale yellow on larger ’60s cars, and you can’t beat a ’65 Skylark. I wish mine were a GS, but the 300 small block is not a bad engine if you don’t expect your car to be muscle car fast.
Regarding Ralph’s comment above on its looks relative to the Riviera, I’m not so sure that is true to the majority today. I get as many comments on the Skylark as I do my Riviera, and quite a few people I know like the Skylark best out of my fleet. I definitely agree that the Riviera’s a better looking car, but I’m looking at this as a person enamored with cars. And the Riviera’s one of my favorites.
Opinions are everywhere, as are backsides. I’m always interested is seeing other people react to some of my cars. It’s not always the most glamorous that get the attention, with most folks having never ever seen a Riviera or 60’s Skylark in the flesh to appreciate the rarity or history.
When I was about 18 I worked with a mechanic who was a Buick guy. He had a beautiful first gen Riviera with dual quad 425. One day he rolled in with one of these, red with white interior, 4 speed and not in bad shape. He had taken it in settlement of a debt that would otherwise never be paid and wanted to sell it.
He couldn’t get a serious offer, so he played with it for a bit. In went the 425 for a brief period while the Riv was getting painted. He surprised a few people for sure. Low end was amazing but it didn’t like to be much above 5000 RPM. I toyed with the idea of buying it, but 2500 bucks (with the stock 401 back in it) was a lot for me ca 1980 and it didn’t really light my fire for some reason.
If I recall it sat on a consignment lot for a long time before it went away. Robby, the Buick guy, complained about it for years afterward. I’ve often wondered if it is still around.
BTW, I’ll bet half the Buicks sold ca 1965 were the same yellow colour as the feature car!
65 GranSports were one of my favorite musclecars of the 60s. Sure, GTOs and 442s were faster, yes, but I just liked the Buick.
That is a beautiful advertisement.
Clean design. Buick had some of the best styling of that era. The ventiport trim, looked tacked on. Could have been more creatively integrated.
Agree on that trim piece, maybe placed above the bodyside crease and slightly forward would have been better.