Some of you will recall a post sometime back on a wagon that I was considering. I beat the guy up really bad on the price even before looking. He said virtually all the trim was at the chrome shop and was being held for ransom for 1500 bucks. Well, finally today I drove out there and looked at the wagon. Here's the deal. I can get the wagon for way under 1K, there is only one seat in it, which is real nice, no door panels and it looks like the dash pad and some other stuff around the dash is missing. No door handles in or out. On the outside, missing the tail light assemblies. The chrome guy, very strange guy, has virtually all the trim pieces (he says) , polished and wraped in plastic, the bumpers as well. The bumpers looked new, if in fact they are for a 65 sports wagon. He said he'd have to look for the grill. I checked that stuff out and, while it's been sitting for a few years, it appears to be all there and looks really nice, very shinny, no dents or dings. Now there is a bunch of it, have no idea how many pieces, but a bunch. He originally wanted 1500 to get it "out of hock". I beat him down to 1200. I have not seen the grill but he said he had it and would have to find it. Here's the deal. The car body is perect, no rust, major dents or dings. The car was stripped, body work done and repainted kind of a metallic gold or some'n, not bad at all. Even the inside trim was stripped and repainted. How difficult would it be to get, say, the rear lights and lenses, and perhaps headlight pieces? I know this is a long reach but anyone out there have one they are beating to death, rusted away or the like? Would appreciate feedback and especially email pics of a 65 sportswagon, front view and rear view, close up of inside dash and doors, plus front and rear bumpers. if possible. I know, I'm asking a lot here, but the idea of a 65 sportswagon with a BBB, nicely built, just sorta intrigues me.Thanks in advance as always.
In my opinion i think it would be a good deal,i paid 1,000 usd for my 64 wagon and i have spent a good buck on it and am in no way near completion.I am doing the 430 with 4-speed to it,i was lucky with no rust on mine but it does need paint and bumper rechrome,I wonder if a 4-door car would have the interior pieces you need like door panels etc.As for tail lights and such,you would have to watch the board or e-bay.Good luck it sounds great!.. :TU:
65 sportwagon pictures There is a plum colored 65 sportwagon for sale on ebay right now, with lots of pictures of the outside and interior. It is a very nice 1 owner car (at least that is the claim in the listing). Just do a search for "buick wagon" on ebay and you will find it. Hope this helps, Randy
I would think the only difficult items to find would be the one's specific to the wagon, rear lenses & trim. They have been on ebay and available here too. Dash, door panels, handles, headlight pieces would be the same as a Skylark in my thinking and fairly easy to obtain. I like your plans for it.
I think the door panels and seat trim are Sportwagon specific. Its been a while since I've looked.......and my memory sometimes has a few hiccups :grin: There was a white 64 Sportwagon at the Portland swap meet several years ago and I remember looking this car over pretty close. At first I thought it was a complete frame off resto............but no it was a 6,000 mile absolute original car. Flawless didn't begin to describe this car, and a good story behind it too.
Pull the trigger! Buy it all. You've negotiated a greatr price for what you're getting, and the rest is findable.
Thanks for the input guys, I'm mulling it over. Problem is, my OCB, when it comes to Buicks is nearly out of control. Have plenty of projects and probably not enough time to complete them all. I'm "tink'n" 'bout it.
Sportwagon-Specific Parts. Where is the interior? Is it totally missing, except for the one seat? Or does the chrome guy have some of the soft stuff? The trim level of the Sportwagon (which is not called off by name on the outside of the car) determines the interior trim, and some of the exterior trim. Check the first five characters of the VIN. I believe a base Sportwagon (model 44255 two seat or 44265 three seat) has Special trim inside, while the Custom-level Sportwagon (model 44455 two seat or 44465 three seat) has Skylark trim inside. Both levels look essentially like a '64 Special on the side with a '65 Special nose (turn-signal lenses are Special pieces). The Custom models have a little more exterior brightwork (ribbed rocker molding, window-frame aluminum, etcetera). The complications come in the streched wheelbase: a Sportwagon is 120", while a regular Special/Skylark sedan is 115". Therefore, the front seat/door interior stuff, as well as obviouly the dash, will be useable from a Special or Skylark, but the rear door panels are longer and Sportwagon-specific, as well as the rocker moldings. The second seat is specific, whichever model. And obviously, if it's a three-seater, that's specific too, including all the stuff in the cargo area. The gas tank is '64-'67 Sportwagon/Vista Cruiser Specific, the one from the regular a-body wagons is different. The tail lights are same '64-'65, and same as the regular Special wagons. A lot of the exterior trim from the rear doors back is the tough stuff. I would think if the chrome guy has it all, and it's all been done, your prices are a steal. Let me know if you pass, maybe I'll buy it all as extras! What color is the inside of the car? Does it run and drive? Which seat is in it? Hope it's the front! If it's nice and close to all there, buy this stuff before these weidos flip on you again. The whole thing sound bizarre; if that much nice bodywork has been done, why's it so cheap? Why does the owner want to sell? Something fishy.......
Thanks for your response. Fishy? I dunno. The guy selling it says he got the car, as is, because someone owed him money. He got it a year or two ago. It is missing virtually all the inside stuff, material type stuff. Door panels etc. The interior hard pieces were removed and the chrome guy has those I believe. The interior was painted to match the outside. Car has factory Air, Power steering, but not PB, missing air cleaner but has the top of it. Four barrel carb. etc. Guy said he thought the car ran when he got it but couldn't remember. Hummm. I tried to turn the fan but it wouldn't move, stuck engine? I dunno. Glass is all there but the top glass has some bubbeling around the edges, glass looks to be factory tinted green or some'n, if that's possible. Car has one seat in it and it was sitting back a little ways but I think it's the front bench seat, no other seats in the car. I checked the floor boards real close under the sound proofing, not a drop of rust any place. Actually the vehicle has no rust any where. It appears the body work was done, nice job too, and then painted inside and out. But since it's been sitting behind this mess of shops, half in and half out of a shed, it has suffered a scratch or two and a few, very small dents. Easily repairable I would think. The engine, (I don't know a thing about small nail head type engines), is the small one, not a 401, perhaps a 300? Dash has the original radio still in it. Ignition switch is laying on the floor. Has three after market gauges. On the chrome stuff, really don't know what's all there. I know there are no head lights, or running lights, no tail lights or their "buckets". It's a funny thing but even the radio antenna was in the chrome shop and was chromed. Have not made up my mind. The guy gave me the phone numbers of two other guys out here that are said to have a bunch of 65 sports wagon parts. I will give them a call and see what's up. I'll keep you informed. I've attached a pic or two of the wagon.
Nailhead 101 Len any Nailhead will have the distributor in the rear 425, 401, 364, 322, etc. The 300 will have it in the front but she's not really a nailhead design but we love em anywho :grin: Car looks nice but I understand the part about "project overload"
I like it Len ....but then Im biased. Getting the wagon for that price is great. Like others have said, trim from (and including) the rear doors back will be wagon specific. Front doors foward are standard ware (front doors should be the same as 4-door). Nose work is all the same.... I guarantee that if you show up to the chrome guy with a nice sized WAD, but considerably less than he's asking, and flopped it on his desk he'd take it. Whats he going to do with that stuff ?? the only thing would be for him to e-bay it or post it piece by piece which is time consuming.
If i were you I would grab that wagon in a heartbeat. I`m building a 65 Sportwagon, converting it to Skylark trim with a 455 4 spd 3.90 posi. Slow but sure I`ll get there too. I had it at the Goodguys show this past season and got alot of response. Good luck
Here's the deal. I can continue to beat up on both parties involved, which I'm doing. In fact, I'm calling the chrome guy after this, but I believe the vehicle would end up on eBay or some'n as I have way too many projects now. 65 'lark, authentic Stage II cast iron motor-not done, 72 drag car, 72 convert, in the garage, 67 GS 455, and a 42 Ford, buick powered. Now, I need another project like a shot in the mouth. Still, can't seem to rid myself of the "neat" portion of having a BBB powered Sportswagon. Thanks for all your inputs guys, 'Preciate it.
Len: PM me with your email address and I will send you some pictures of my 65. Biggest problem with these glass top cars is water leaking under the roof glass causing severe rust in the window channels and as far away as the tail gate hinge area. Was the roof glass removed before paint? Mike
Thanks Mike, would appreciate the pics. I need them to verify what parts the chome guy has and if anything is missing. Here's my email address. benderbrew@aol.com Now, the glass was not removed around the top. I looked pretty carefully and I found no rust, not in the channels, doors or anyplace else. This is a Calif car, apparently since sold. My status on said vehicle is....well...I'm continuing to beat up on those involved. People who know me, know fairly well that I'm a hard negotiator when it comes to cars. I'll keep all informed. Mike did you see the pics I posted?
Sportwagon in Idaho I saw a 65 Sportwagon in a wrecking yard in Idaho a few months back. I could probably find the phone number and address if you are interested. I don't remember if the back seat was in it or not, but much of the car was there. He ships. He is an hour east of Boise. Rear bumper was on the car. Price for bumper is $150 and needs to be rechromed. Let me know if you want more info.
Hey Len, DId you ever get that Wagon? if not i might be interested. i'm Souther Cali as well. Let me know :Brow:
Thanks KC on the chrome thing in Idaho. Not looking to get that piece. On the other Marvin. Actually, just spoke to the guy yesterday and he now is beating up on the Chrome guy., cause I won't buy the wagon unless I can get the chrome/stainless. This is a pain. But the problem is the Chrome guy. I'm trying to make sure he has it all. Grill etc. I saw some of the chrome pieces and they were very nice as well as the stainless...nicely polished. I got the guy down to 1200 for all the stainless and chrome but not sure if it was all there. I didn't see the grill or head light bezels etc. He said he had them at his house. Now that cracks me up. Hummm. So I told the wagon guy to go by and tell the chrome guy, 800 for all the chrome. Have not heard back from him. I'll keep you informed. It's a pain, but sorta fun...I guess. Those that know me out here in So. Cal. can attest to "my negotiating" tactics. Len
We have to get together some time then, between both of us we'll end up getting that wagon w/ chrome for damn near free. :TU:
