1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Fact Sheet
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications
While most of the line featured only minor upgrades, inspired by the sales success of the 1964 Pontiac GTO and Olds 442, a “Gran Sport” option appeared in January 1965, available as a coupe, hardtop or convertible. It was powered by Buick’s 401 CID V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor that produced 325 HP @ 4400 RPM.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars: Adding Power and Options
After the great success of the release of m Buick’s new mid-size cars in 1964, Buick concentrated on more options and the addition of the Gran Sport line.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Car Resources
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1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1965 Buick Mid-Size
1965 Buick Mid-Size Car – What’s It Worth?
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1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Current Market Values
NOTE; Gran Sport values included in specific models.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Car Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts
A very slightly face-lifted car in the mid-size was marketed by Buick under the Special and Skylark nameplates for 1965.In January, the Gran Sport muscle car was released. Significant was that for the 1965 model year, the aluminum cylinder heads were replaced with cast-iron versions on all engines.
The Special Deluxe model only was produced as a 4-door Sedan and as a Station Wagon. The Special model was produced as a 4-door Sedan, 2-door Sedan, Convertible and Station Wagon. The Skylark was produced as 4-door Sedan, 2-door Sedan, Convertible and 2-door Sport Coupe. The later released Gran Sport was produced as a 2-door Sedan, Convertible and 2-door Sport Coupe.
All Skylarks would have higher levels of exterior and interior trim than the Special and Special Deluxe as its major distinction.
NOTE: The Buick Sportwagon, the extended wheelbase station wagon, is NOT part of this Fact Sheet.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Factoids
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An exciting option was added in January 1965 called the Skylark “Gran Sport”, offered on the two-door coupe, Sport Coupe and convertible. The 401 CID V-8 producing 325 hp @ 4400 RPM was the heart of the option – with a 10.25:1 compression ratio and a single Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor. A heavy-duty cross flow radiator and dual exhaust manifolds with over-sized pipes were included as well as HD suspension. For more info, see the Buick 1965 Gran Sport Brochure HERE and the AMA Spec Sheets HERE.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered
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Special Standard – The Buick Special was still largely devoid of side trim, however the Special did have its name in script on the rear quarter panels and did have the trio of stylized “Ventiports” on each front fender. A Buick emblem was found on the the rear fascia, while the front horizontal grille bars were bare. Interiors were cloth and vinyl. Standard equipment included electric windshield wipers, directional signals, dual sunshades, ashtray/lighter set, dual armrests on sedans, courtesy lights, Step-On parking brake and carpeting in the convertible.
Models offered were 4-door and 2-door Sedans, Convertible, and Station Wagon. Both the V-6 and 300 CID V-8 were available.
Special Deluxe – The Buick Special Deluxe was a Special with a little more dressing, the Special Deluxe had bright bodyside moldings, bright window surrounds, and a rear cove insert panel. Interiors were plusher vinyls with some cloth combinations. Floors were carpeted and the instrument panel was padded. Dual horns added to the standard equipment list of electric windshield wipers, directional signals, dual sunshades, ashtray/lighter set, dual armrests on sedans, courtesy lights, Step-On parking brake.
There were only two models in the Special Deluxe line: the 4-door Sedan and the Station Wagon.
Skylark – There were three models in this series: 2-door sport coupe, Hardtop Coupe, Convertible, and Station Wagon. Skylark was Buick’s most luxurious intermediate. Identifying the skylark were specific full wheel covers, bright rocker and wheelhouse moldings, a unique rear cove treatment with full-width tail lamps and emblems centered front and rear. The Skylark badge appeared on front fenders, deck lid and roof quarters or rear fenders on the convertible. Interiors were of a more luxurious cloth and vinyl, or leather-grain all-vinyl. Front buckets were optional. Standard equipment on Skylark, in addition to that found on lesser series, included: foam-padded seats, paddle-type armrests, rear passenger courtesy lights on two doors, ashtray, glove compartment light and full carpeting. (see the image provided).
The Gran Sport option was available on all Skylark models except the station wagon and 4-door models, including the 2-door hardtop coupe, the 2-door pillared coupe and the convertible.
Key in the GS option was the 325 HP 401 CID V-8 and heavy duty (higher spring rates) suspension and a thinker front stabilizer bar. For more info, you can see a test of the GS in May 1965 Car Life magazine HERE.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Gran Sport option package included:
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- Available on Skylark Pillared Coupe, Sport Coupe (hardtop) and Convertible.
- 401 CID 325 HP high-performance V-8 standard.
- Special “Gran Sport” nameplates for the grille, C-panel and rear fascia.
- 3-speed manual transmission standard; 4-speed manual transmission and automatic transmission available.
- Special Handling package with HD springs and shocks.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines
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Base V-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 225 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.750 x 3.400 inches. Compression ratio: 9.00:1. Horsepower: 155 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 225 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 285°, Exhaust 295°, Overlap 67°, Lift 0.391″ (intake), 0.401″ (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester BC one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7024149 (automatic) 7024148.
Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 300 CID. Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.400″. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 210 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 310 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 286°, Exhaust 285°, Overlap 36°, Lift 0.389″ (intake), 0.390” (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7025047 (automatic) 7025046.
Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 300 CID. Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.400″. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 2600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 286°, Exhaust 285°, Overlap 36°, Lift 0.389″ (intake), 0.390” (exhaust). Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel (manual transmission) model 3827; (automatic transmission) model 3826.
Gran Sport V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 401 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.1875″ x 3.640″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 325 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 445 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 295°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 74°, Lift 0.431″ (intake), 0.431” (exhaust). Carburetor: (automatic transmission) Carter 4-barrel model 4453 or Rochester 4-barrel 7025040; (manual transmission) Carter AFB 4-barrel model 3922 .
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All : 115 inches.
- Overall length: All except Wagon: 203.4 inches; Wagon: 203.2 inches
- Front track: All: 58 inches.
- Rear track: All: 58 inches.
- Standard tires: Standard: 6.95 x 14. Optional: 7.35 x 14.
- Standard tires Gran Sport: 7.75 x 14 “Red Line” Nylon cord tires mounted on 14 x 6JK rim wheels standard, Optional on Skylark V-8 series only.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- V-6 & 300 CID V-8 1st – 2.58:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.58:1
- 401 CID V-8: 1st – 2.42:1, 2nd – 1.1.61:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.33:1
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 300 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
- 401 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.3:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.26:1
- 300 CID V-8l: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 1.765:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 2.49:1
- Max Stall V-6: Low – 2.75:1, High – 1.95:1
- Max Stall All V-8: Low – 2.45:1, High – 1.80:1
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
- V-6 AMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 210 HP SMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 210 HP AMT: 2.78:1;
- V-8 250 HP SMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 250 HP AMT: 2.78:1;
- V-8 250 HP 4-speed SMT: 3.23:1;
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
NOTE: For more powertrain information, you may access the 1965 Buick mid-size AMA Specifications Sheets HERE and the 1965 Buick Gran Sport Specific AMA Specifications Sheets HERE.
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Power Train Options
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- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional ($231).
- Three-speed manual transmission with floor shift ($48).
- Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift ($199).
- 300 CID 250 horsepower Buick V-8 ($34).
- Gran Sport Package option – The 325 hp 401 CID V-8 was included ($236).
- Positive traction rear axle ($47).
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning ($430).
- Bucket seats ($141).
- Clock ($16).
- Convenience lamps ($8).
- Outside mirror ($4).
- Padded dash ($16).
- Power antenna ($26).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power convertible top ($64).
- Power seats ($71).
- Power steering ($87).
- Radio, AM/FM ($150).
- Radio, deluxe push button ($88).
- Radio, super deluxe signal seeking ($124).
- Rear speaker ($16).
- Rear window defroster ($21).
- Tinted glass ($43).
- Trunk release ($10).
- Two-speed wipers and washer ($19).
- Two-tone paint ($17).
1965 Buick Mid-Size Car Downloads and Images
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1965 Buick Gran Sport Introductory Brochure
1965 Buick Sport Models Brochure –
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1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Print Ads
1965 Buick Gran Sport Print Ads
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars AMA Specifications Sheets
1965 Buick Gran Sport AMA Specifications Sheets
1965 Buick Gran Sport Road Test – Car Life Magazine
1965 Buick Gran Sport Road Test – Hot Rod Magazine
1965 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Images
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1965 Buick Skylark Convertible
The 1965 Buick Skylark Convertible was the top of the line convertible this year, with a total of 11,637 delivered, of which 10,456 were V-8s. Gran Sport versions comprised 2,147 units of this number.
1965 Buick Skylark 2-door Sport Coupe
The 1965 Buick Skylark 2-door Sport Coupe was the sportiest 2-door in the mid-size line. It was the best selling model that year with 51,199 delivered. Of that total, 11,351 were Gran Sports.
1965 Buick Skylark 4-door Sedan
The 1965 Buick Skylark 4-door Sedan was a very popular 4-door with 25,624 delivered, of which 22,239 were v-8 models.
1965 Buick Skylark 2-door Sedan
The 1965 Buick Skylark 2-door Sedan was the lowest level Skylark by price, but equipped the same as other Skylarks inside and out. 16,072 were produced, and 2,282 were Gran Sport models.
1965 Buick Special Convertible
Surprisingly, the 1965 Buick Special Convertible did not come as a Deluxe model, with those wanting a nicer interior having to move to the Skylark. 6,722 opted to get this version.
1965 Buick Special Deluxe Station Wagon
The 1965 Buick Special Deluxe Station Wagon and its counterpart , the lower trimmed Special version were differentiated by interior and exterior trim. 17,344 mid-size wagons were delivered that year, of which 10,800 were Special Deluxe models.
1965 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
The 1965 Buick Special 4-door Sedan shown here was the only other model available as an upscale Deluxe model. 54,890 chose a Special 4-door that year, with 36,636 opting for the Deluxe.
1965 Buick Special 2-door Sedan
The 1965 Buick Special 2-door Sedan was only available as the base model, with no Deluxe version available. 21,949 were delivered.