For only the bodies (ignore drive-trains for now) of these two model years, what are the differences BESIDES the tail-light cut-outs?
The grills. The 64 looks like its smiling the 65 looks like its frowning... Both great cars. . I think the emblems are different, hub caps, and ornaments.
Front bumper and grill, front fenders. Side moulding/trim. Dash bezels, dash pad, glove box, knobs and escutcheons. Most of the "biggies".
I'm no pro. I just own a 2 door ht 65 lark and barley getting the green off my horn. You should join 65GS.com. those guys are nice and on point with 64/65/66/67 Skylarks specials and GS's. What you got planned? Ain't that a 64 in your avatar.. I've also heard you could swap the 64 and 65 grills. But ask a pro to confirm. Trunkmonky and Walt know there 64 and 65s here. Also greatsportssedan and yatsmanbill..
I've got a '65 and the body damage (back from the '70s and '80s) has never been fully fixed. After coming up empty-handed on finding replacement '65 bodies, I've been giving some thought to finding a '64 body and swapping out the tip of the tail-end in order to keep the full-length lights. I need to be sure it's a correct fit though.
Buicks sported a lot of chrome and the tu-tone paint. So it was mid 60s that saw those things rapidly diminish. It appealed to a different crowd/era. The halo was a delineator of the roof, and gave it a little accent.
The actual body line starting at the front fender heading back, the line is the same but the distance above and below, is different between the 2, I don’t remember if the 64 or 65 has the bigger “spacing”. Most noticeable by the “bird” on the front fender.. Gary G
It’s definitely different but it might just be because of the way the front bumper is shaped and the way it meets the fender.
Firewall back are the same, the 64 fenders are different at the front to accommodate the bumper turning up, the 65 bumper goes straight across so the distance from the body line to the bumper is about 2in different between the two, the body line itself doesn't change location just the amount of distance under it in front of the tire You can put a 65 front end on a 64 and vise versa with no issues
The side trim along the body line is different between 64-65. the body itself is the same. The doors, quarter panels and decklid are all interchangeable. core supports and hoods are the same but front fenders and bumper are different between 64 and 65
Yes. Pop the trim off, remove the clips and fill the holes. Are you doing a repaint? If so, that makes the process easier, if not you will need to spot paint. If you can lead or spot weld, that would be the best repair. If not, I would use fiberglass and good resin and maybe even squeeze some epoxy in each hole and let that set up, then blend before the glass to help avoid leaks.
64 body shells has the glove box lock in the dash ! 65 has the lock built into the glove box door! 64 doors use a external clip to hold the door lock in ! 65 use a internal clip that requires removing the door panel! Hoods fit either ! Front clip must be changed as a unit as the grilles , bumpers, and chore supports ! You can bolt a complete 64 clip on a 65 or vice versus! Taillight opening would involve cutting and putting in openings plus buckets! I have seen several cars with different front clips on them! I even had a 65 convertible with a 64 clip on it!