1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1964 Buick Skylark Convertible
1. Body on Frame Construction Replaces Unit Body
2. New 300 CID V-8 Appears
3. Buick Designed Super Turbine 300 Automaic Availabale
4. 300 CID V-8 Uses Aluminum Heads from 215 CID Unit
5. V-6 Grows to 225 CID
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars: All New
The Skylark and Special were expanded with the Skylark a full top-line series that included a four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe and a convertible. The Special offered a 2- and 4-door sedan, a convertible and a station wagon. The V-8 expanded to 300 CID and the V-6 to 225 CID.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Resources
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1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Service Manual –
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1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Service Manual
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1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1964 Buick Mid-Size
| A Regal Black | |
| C Arctic White | |
| D Silver Cloud | |
| F Marlin Blue | |
| H Wedgewood Blue | |
| J Surf Green | |
| K Sunburst Yellow | |
| L Claret Mist | |
| N Coral Mist | |
| P Teal Mist | |
| R Desert Beige | |
| S Bronze Mist | |
| T Tawny Mist | |
| V Granada Red | |
| W Diplomat Blue |
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1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts
NOTE: The Buick Sportwagon, the extended wheelbase station wagon, is NOT part of this Fact Sheet.
The Special, along with its partner, the upscale Skylark, were redesigned from top to bottom for the 1964 model year. It now had separate body-on-frame construction rather than unit body. The new car, shared with Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet was re-designated the “A-body” (B and C-Body cars were full size vehicles). It was marketed as an intermediate-sized car, rather than as a larger compact car.
The Skylark was the top-line series that now included 2-door hardtop, a 4-door sedan, and convertible. The Special series models included the base Special offering a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, a convertible and a station wagon. The slightly fancier Special Deluxe featured a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, and a station wagon.
Also new for 1964 were larger engines. The CID of the V-6 engine was increased from 198 to 225 cubic inches, and the 215 CID aluminum V-8 was replaced by a new cast iron-block 300 cubic inch version that used the 215’s aluminum cylinder heads, albeit with larger 1.625″ intake valves.
Buick’s 2-speed, variable stator transmission, the “Super Turbine 300” bowed. It was the automatic transmission for mid-size Buicks from 1964-1969. Oldsmobile and Pontiac also used this transmission on mid-size and other cars in the same period.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Factoids
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For 1964 All GM small compacts moved up is size to true mid-size cars, on a 115″ wheelbase with body-on-frame construction, rather than unit body with 112″ a wheelbase. Weight increased from 2700-2770 in 1963 to 3060-3175 for 1964.
For all intents and purposes, the aluminum V-8 of 1961-63 was tapped out at 215 CID. With the larger car needing a bit more push than could be provided by small motor a new block was cast in iron using the V-6 template and allowing a bore and stroke of 3.750″ x 3.400″ for 300 CID. Surprisingly, the aluminum 215 heads fit on the new block and were used, however the intake valve size was increased from 1.500″ to 1.625″, and the camshaft duration and lift were increased. All else being the same.
The more complicated Dual Pitch Turbine Drive automatic transmission was replaced with the new Super Turbine 300. This unit was built to deal with heavier mid-size cars as well as full size B-body vehicles that might also have larger engines with more torque. The 2-speed unit with a variable stator mimicking a 3-speed was a good design that was adopted by Oldsmobile and Pontiac mid-sized cars – including the GTO!
Like the V-8 of 1963, the V-6 was also enlarged using the same bore and stroke of the new V-8 at 3.750″ x 3.400″ for 225 CID. The longer stroke resulted in 50 ft. lbs. of additional torque, a boon to the newer and heavier mid-size cars.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered
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Special Standard – Except for the “Special” in script on rear fenders and trio of Ventiports on front fenders, the Special was devoid of bright ornamentation. Interiors were in what was called “Brigade” cloth. Standard features included electric windshield wipers, ash trays, directional signals, Step-On parking brake, dome lights and, on the Convertible only, carpeting.
Models offered were 4-door and 2-door Sedans, Convertible, and Station Wagon. Both the 225 CID V-6 and 300 CID V-8 were available.
Special Deluxe – A narrow bright body side molding swept the full length of the Special DeLuxe models, which had an upscale interior as well. Inside, there was carpeting, cloth and vinyl combinations over foam-padded seats, and a padded instrument panel. Other l added features were a DeLuxe steering wheel, dual armrests, dual horns and additional dome lights.
There were three models in the Special Deluxe line: the 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan and Station Wagon.
Skylark – The Skylark was the upscale version of the line – considered a “sport” intermediate. It showed more pizzaz with flashier trim. The Skylark emblem and nameplate was found on the C pillar and on the rear fenders on the convertible. “Skylark” in script was placed on the rear deck. A round Buick emblem dominated the grille, along with another round emblem in the rear deck cove, that was a brushed metallic insert. Bright rocker moldings and a wider bright body side molding, with a brushed metallic insert, was also added to the body sides. Sport Coupe models had twin bright strips on the roof.
Standard features, in addition to those found on Special and Special DeLuxe series, included instrument panel safety padding, paddle-type armrests, “Skylark” steering wheel, “Skylark” wheel covers and full carpeting. An all-vinyl interior with bucket seats was standard for the Convertible and optional for the Sport Coupe. The sedan interior was a cloth and vinyl combination with all-vinyl available as a substitution.
The Skylark model now had additional models with a 2-door hardtop coupe, a 4-door sedan and a convertible. Those wanting a Skylark trimmed station wagon would have to opt for the Sportwagon.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines
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Base V-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Four main bearings.
Displacement: 225 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.750 x 3.400 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.00:1.
Horsepower: 155 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 225 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 285°, Exhaust 295°, Overlap 67°, Lift 0.391″ (intake), 0.401″ (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester BC one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7024149 (automatic) 7024148.
300 CID Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 300 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.400″.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 210 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 310 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 286°, Exhaust 285°, Overlap 36°, Lift 0.389″ (intake), 0.390” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7024047 (automatic) 7024046.
300 CID 250 HP V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 300 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3. 750″ x 3.400″.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 355 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 286°, Exhaust 285°, Overlap 36°, Lift 0.389″ (intake), 0.390” (exhaust).
Carburetor: Rochester 4GC 4-barrel (manual transmission) model 7024045; (automatic transmission) model 7024044.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All : 115.0 inches.
- Overall length: All: 203.5 inches.
- Front track: All: 58.0 inches.
- Rear track: All: 58.0 inches.
- Tires: All Special& Special Deluxe: 6.50 x 14; 4-door Sedans 7.00 x 14; Wagons 7.50 X 14. Optional: 7.50 x 14.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- V-6 & 300 CID V-8 1st – 2.58:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.58:1
- V-6 & 300 CID V-8 1st – 2.58:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.58:1
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 300 CID V-8: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 1.765:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 2.49:1
- Max Stall All: Low – 2.70:1, High – 1.90:1
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
- V-6 AMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 210 HP SMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 210 HP AMT: 2.78:1;
- V-8 250 HP SMT: 3.08:1
- V-8 250 HP AMT: 2.78:1;
- V-8 250 HP 4-speed SMT: 3.23:1;
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Options
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- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional ($231).
- Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift, V-8 only ($199).
- 300 CID 250 horsepower Buick V-8 ($34).
- Positive traction rear axle ($47).
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning ($430).
- Bucket seats ($141).
- Clock ($16).
- Convenience lamps ($8).
- Outside mirror ($4).
- Padded dash ($16).
- Power antenna ($26).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power convertible top ($64).
- Power seats ($71).
- Power steering ($87).
- Radio, AM/FM ($150).
- Radio, deluxe push button ($88).
- Radio, super deluxe signal seeking ($124).
- Rear speaker ($16).
- Rear window defroster ($21).
- Tinted glass ($43).
- Trunk release ($10).
- Two-speed wipers and washer ($19).
- Two-tone paint ($17).
NOTE: Some interior convenience options were standard in the Skylark.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Downloads and Images
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1964 Buick Full Line Prestige Brochure
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Print Ads
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars AMA Specifications Sheets
1964 Buick Special V-6 Test – Car Life Magazine
1964 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Buick Mid-Size Line will appear below
1964 Buick Skylark Convertible
The 1964 Buick Skylark Convertible was the upscale convertible in the line. It was very popular with 10,255 delivered.
1964 Buick Skylark 2-door Hardtop
The 1964 Buick Skylark 2-door Hardtop was the top of the line and only 2-door hardtop available this year. It was Buick’s best mid-size seller with 42,356 produced.
1964 Buick Skylark 4-door Sedan
The 1964 Buick Skylark 4-door Sedan was the most upscale 4-door mid-size Buick for 1964. It sold reasonably well with 19,635 built.
1964 Buick Special Deluxe 2-door Sedan
The 1964 Buick Special Deluxe 2-door Sedan was the high-end “thin pillar coupe” made this year. Its added trim and better interior convinced 11,962 buyers to get it.
1964 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan
The 1964 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan was the second-most popular mid-size Buick in 1964. 31,742 were delivered.
1964 Buick Special Convertible
The surprise of the year might be the 1964 Buick Special Convertible, which was NOT available as a Deluxe version. Only 6,308 were delivered.
1964 Buick Special 4 door Sedan
The 1964 Buick Special 4 door Sedan did not sell as well as the Special Deluxe version with only 17,983 produced. It is likely that the spartan interior pushed people to buy the upscale versions.
1964 Buick Special 2-door Sedan
The 1964 Buick Special 2-door Sedan was the entry level mid size Buick and 15,030 buyers scooped them up.
1964 Buick Special Station Wagon
The 1964 Buick Special Station Wagon and the Special deluxe version only differed by interior trim The standard Special version had 6,270 produced, and the Special Deluxe version had 9,467 finding buyers, again likely due to the more upscale interior.