Throughout its history, Buick has been known for manufacturing high-quality vehicles that filled the gap between Chevy’s affordable options and Cadillac’s luxurious flagship models. With the increasing popularity of factory-built high-performance intermediates in the 1960s, Buick decided to take a chance and ended up creating some of the most iconic muscle cars of that era. When discussing Buick’s most captivating high-performance models, enthusiasts often mention the 1968-1969 GS, the 1970 GSX, and the 1987 Buick GNX. However, many overlook the fact that Buick’s first true muscle car, which paved the way for the aforementioned legends and held its own against the competition, deserves recognition.
The Skylark, a model that played a significant role in Buick’s historyPhoto: Mecum
The Skylark name was first introduced in 1953 with a special edition Roadmaster convertible to commemorate Buick’s 50th anniversary. Following this one-year model, another Skylark was introduced in 1961, serving as a luxury trim level for the compact Buick Special. Eventually, in 1964, the Skylark became a standalone model in Buick’s lineup. Built on the A-body intermediate platform, it became the upscale counterpart to Chevy’s Chevelle and Pontiac’s Tempest. Inspired by Pontiac’s successful Tempest/LeMans-based GTO, Buick decided to enter the muscle car market by creating a more powerful version of its new intermediate. Thus, in the middle of the 1965 model year, the Skylark Grand Sport was born.
Aesthetically, the Grand Sport was very similar to the top-of-the-line Skylark. Apart from unique badges, there were no noticeable differences. Even the bucket seats, which were standard on the convertible and a required option on the other two body styles, could be equipped on non-Grand Sport trims. Available as a “thin-pillar” coupe, hardtop, or convertible, the new Skylark received enhancements such as a reinforced chassis, heavy-duty shocks, a thicker front anti-roll bar, and larger drum brakes. While these upgrades were welcomed additions, the most exciting and distinctive feature of the Grand Sport was located between its shock towers.
Exceeding GM’s 400-ci displacement limitPhoto: Mecum
The 1965 Skylark lineup offered various engine options, ranging from an entry-level V6 to a performance-oriented four-barrel version of the 300-ci (4.9-liter) engine, capable of producing 250 hp. However, for the Grand Sport, Buick decided not to extract more power from the 300-ci engine. Instead, they opted for the 400-ci (6.6-liter) “nailhead” V8, borrowed from Buick’s full-size models. This robust engine featured a sturdy cast iron block with five mains, a 10.25:1 compression ratio, a heavy-duty radiator, dual exhaust, and a four-barrel carburetor. With these enhancements, the powerful engine could generate 325 hp and 445 lb-ft (603 Nm) of torque.
Despite having a displacement of 401 cubic inches, the engine was marketed as a 400, with Wildcat 445 inscribed on the air cleaner to highlight its impressive torque rating. This was done to circumvent GM’s self-imposed ban on 400-ci displacement for all intermediate models.
The Grand Sport, developed using the same formula that propelled the Pontiac GTO to fame, may not have been the fastest or most remarkable muscle car of 1965, but it certainly held its own. In a test conducted by Car Life magazine that year, Buick’s high-performance intermediate was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in just under eight seconds and complete the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds at 88 mph. While it couldn’t match the acceleration of the GTO 389 Tri-Power, the fastest muscle car of the time, which achieved 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a quarter mile time of 14.5 seconds at 100 mph, the Grand Sport was still quite impressive considering its heavier weight. It outperformed comparable models like the Mercury Comet Cyclone 289 and even embarrassed high-performance pony cars such as the Barracuda Formula S and Mustang HiPo 289 on the drag strip.
Today, the 1965 Skylark Gran Sport is available at a significantly lower price compared to its counterparts. With only 15,780 units produced, the Gran Sport’s limited availability was partly due to its high price tag and the fact that it debuted in the middle of the model year. As a result, its value has not skyrocketed like that of the GTO or Chevelle Malibu SS396. A well-preserved, original example can be purchased for around $25,000, while a drivable but slightly in need of work version can be found for around $10,000. This makes the 1960s gentleman’s muscle car more than twice as affordable as a 1965 GTO. Therefore, if you are in the market for an iconic muscle car from the golden age, the 1965 Skylark Grand Sport should be seriously considered. Despite being overlooked by many, it remains one of the most captivating models from the early days of the original muscle car era. For more information on this underrated icon, we recommend watching the YouTube video below by Lou Costabile.
According to the Source autoevolution.com