1965rivgs

There is also a difference in the actual size of the rear handy mats. At some point the A body cars received smaller mats. I have NOS examples of both. Tom Mooney ROA #56

Hi Jake, We dont know the exact number of Baby Grans produced but when making some very straightforward assumptions we can guesstimate approxiamately 350 cars were produced by the end of Dec `64. It seems the transition from the original issue small emblems to the larger 2nd type emblems was made over the holiday break at the year end `64. One of the 2nd type emblems is the same as used on the Skylark GS cars so there was some financial/logistical incentive due to parts interchange that may have been a consideration. Otherwise, I`m sure the change was a design decision for cosmetic reasons. The early emblem cars are obviously rarer but I have not seen a substantial effect on values. I think any preference for the first or second types is purely in the eyes of the beholder. Hope this helps, Tom Mooney ROA #56

Hi Bell, You dont need the entire rear axle to do the swap. The center section drops out of the axle housing. I shipped a center section from Chicago to Washington state via FedEx for just over $100. An added benefit of this type of carrier is you can bolt it into your housing and you dont need to set it up. It is already setup up as a carrier "unit". Good luck, Tom Mooney ROA #56

Just an FYI....Buick went to a two key system in `65. Tom Mooney ROA #56

Hi Bill, Be forewarned that the lock cylinder in the other door may also be a different code! Because the door skins swap on and off it is very common to find someone has swapped a different door skin onto the car along with a different lock. Even if the opposite lock is a match, as long as you are making a trip to the locksmith it is a good idea to have both the lock cylinders disassembled, cleaned, worn parts replaced and lubricated. A long established locksmith can produce a key cut to the code on your locks. However, many modern shops do not have this ability. Why not have your door locks matched to your ignition key as per the original arrangement? When reassembling the door skin to the frame be sure the right angle plunger/rod which extends down to the door latch mechanism is centered in the "stirrup" located on the back of the lock core. It is VERY common to find someone has not paid attention to this detail resulting in inop or stubborn key/lock operation. Good luck! Tom Mooney ROA #56

Hi Bill, Buick did a great job of clearing assembly line garbage from the first gen cars. Build sheets are few and far between. I have only seen a few after kicking on and around these junks for over 25 years. Build sheets seem to be much more common in the `66 and up cars. We can decode the `66 build sheets by using the booklet which quality control inspectors used in Flint to check the `66 cars. There are a few copies of this booklet kicking around. But we have no such booklet for the first gen cars. I have several first gen build sheets, one is actually a Gran Sport, but not enough data to even start making educated guesses. The document you describe sounds like the paper tag which was affixed to the rear seat back cushion in the trim shop. It lists trim shop info like combo numbers but is not a build sheet for the assembly of the car as a whole. If you post a pic I can tell you for sure, they are a rather common find. Hope this info helps....somewhat, Tom Mooney ROA #56

Hi Don, All Chicago area members, If any Chicago area members, or prospective members! have questions about what to expect at the annual meet, the ROA in general, etc...please feel free to contact me! PM for my telephone number or check your last issue of the Riview under Technical Advisors! Thinking Spring in The Windy City, Tom Mooney