My first Buick 1965 Special Deluxe Wagon

I bought a 65 Wagon about two weeks ago that was a one owner garage kept jewel, that had sat for 16yrs. I drug her home and after a couple days of tinkering, I was able to drive her to a car show. Shes a real jewel for her year, sporting a 355Wildcat, Turbine300 trans, posi-traction rear, A/C, and PS. I have all the original documentation, to include the tags that were on the a/c vent knobs, bill of sale, etc. as well as a notebook that the original owner kept from the day the car was ordered till the day it was parked in 1994 to include every fill up with gallons, and service items.

Needs:
1. Exhaust (I cant decide on true duals or just a single as it is stock)
2. A/C charged (Do these have a low pressure switch? Any concerns with running the compressor, since it isnt cold?)
3. Heater core leaks (Whats the best way to replace?)
4. Can a 700R4 be bolted to this motor? Im thinking it may need some more highway gears. 70mph moves the gas hand alot.

 

Nice!
Welcome to V8Buick! Excellent to see another Special Wagon here.
Exhaust: I like a single exhaust in some apps. This may be one of them, unless you want to spruce it up a bit. For pre-bent systems I llike Waldron's http://www.waldronexhaust.com/

a/c- I'm no help, as I take mine in to have serviced.

Heater core: yuk. Do you need heat? 'cause it is a a trick to get that thing out unless you take the inner fender out. See Jason's adventure: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=211827

There are Od transmissions that will bolt up. See Jamie's 65 convertible...

Good luck, and we like pictures of cars...a lot!
Ted

 

Nice looking wagon youve got. I have plenty of pics to post but the 10 post minimum, has me held back. Now Im one post closer.

 

Hello Neighbor. Your 5 posts have you 5 posts from posting pictures. Replies count as posts. As do, replies to replies. Welcome to V8Buick !

 

Welcome to the board! Sorry I can't help with the questions, I'm STILL learning about my 71!

 

Bham bulldog, I see your from the magic city, excellent!!

I just got back in from cruising around in the wagon. I took it out to dinner tonight. I must say Im really diggin this old Buick, its a blast from the past. I know at one time most wouldnt ever give a wagon or four door a second glance, but it seems since they have become scarce, things are changing. It seems to hold its own.

 

Specialwagon65, I was looking at your pic again, and noticed you dont have a side view mirror. My wagon has mirrors mounted at the top of the doors, which I find very useful and attractive, was this an option? The door dont appear to have been drilled where mirrors would have been.

 

Most American cars from the 50's and 60's didn't have out side mirrors on the right. Mirrors on the right from the factory were usually only on the upper end cars before the 70's. Even Lincoln didn't have outside mirrors on the right before 1968. Interestingly to me, our 55 Roadmaster has a factory mounted, outside mirror on the right. But, the mirror, as positioned by the factory, is useless to the driver, as, the right side "A" pillar is blocking the driver's view of the mirror! It would be my guess that, your mirrors are an aftermarket addition.

 

Pics

 

Very nice! I dig the SeaFoam green! The mirrors on yours look like they were for towing, I have not seen anything like that for a Buick - very unique...wondering now if "mirror delete" was possible...mine has a remote driver's mirror - a big upgrade as the buyer opted out of reverse lights and radio- delete plates for radio and both reverse lights :grin:

 

Welcome to the 65 club. The heater core is most easily accessed by removing the inner fender. I was terrified about getting my inner fender off to repaint this year. It was actually pretty easy. Take your time, soak everything with penetrating oil, and remove the necessary bolts. There is a bolt on the bottom of the fender, near the door. If you loosen this bolt, you can pull the fender out a bit, letting that inner fender come right out. Doesn't hurt to have a 2nd pair of hands.

 

^I agree^
Nice, dressed up interior. The seats look in great shape.

 

Oh, I see factory A/C! Very nice!

 

So, I remove the inner fender, then the housing from the firewall, and remove the heater core from the firewall also?

Im diggin the seafoam also. If I repaint Im thinking of two-toning the car with dark green and seafoam. Perhaps paint the wheels dark green also.

Options on the purchase sheet:
High Perf. Engine
Super Turb. Trans
Power Steering
Radio
775x14 wsw tires
Positive traction Diff
Air conditioner
Back Up lights
Tinted Glass Windshield
Washer Dual spd Wipers
Custom Padded dash
Deluxe Wheel Covers
Power Tailgate Window

Seats where flawless, however since the vinyl has dried out the seams are pullin apart. Could use a little padding on the drivers side also.

 

That is an excellent find.It's also comforting to know she will be properly cared for and enjoyed.
They are fine automobiles!

 

Back in the day, our family had a verde green (dark, almost black) '65 Sportwagon with the light green interior that you have: an outstandingly handsome color combo! IMHO, monotone exterior is better, not to mention still "original". Two-toning will make that currently very-original car look "messed-with".

 

Welcome to the board! That is a very clean wagon! Nice find!

 

Wow! That's a nice looking wag!:beer

 

Monotone would definetly be easier to spray, however, there are some nice body lines that I feel could be accented nicely by a two-tone paint job. On the flip side, I spent some time cutting and buffing what paint is left, and she is a good looking 20 footer as well as an original dated paint. She still has a little shine left in her.

 

The 65 is the best year ever,,,, if you really want to spiff the thing up in a hurry,, install a set of Buick ralley chrome wheels on it.... and.... then go to the wrenchin secrets section and ck out my list of cheap tricks....