1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1963 Buick Skylark Hardtop Coupe
1963 Buick Skylark Convertible
1. A Crisp Restyle, But Still Unit Body
2. 215 CID Aluminum V-8 Remains
3. Dual Path Turbine Transmission is Unique to Buick
4. V-6 Popular Choice
5. Special Deluxe Line Loses Convertible
1963 Buick Special & Skylark –
The Last of a Good Run
For this one year the Mid-Size Buick was restyled, and it now emulated the large car’s look. Despite the restyle, little mechanically was changed. The dash and instrument cluster were redone. This 1963 body was only produced for one year and it sold 148,750 copies, including 42,321 Skylarks, slightly less than 1962. The 64 car would be part of GM’s industry-changing introductions.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Resources
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1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1963 Buick Mid-Size
| A Regal Black | |
| C Arctic White | |
| D Silver Cloud | |
| E Spruce Green | |
| F Marlin Blue | |
| H Glacier Blue | |
| J Willow Mist | |
| N Burgundy | |
| P Teal Mist | |
| Q Twilight Aqua | |
| R Desert Sand | |
| S Bronze Mist | |
| T Fawn Mist | |
| V Granada Red | |
| W Diplomat Blue | |
| X Rose Mist |
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1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts
Special
In 1963, the Special’s body was restyled. Mechanically, however, the car was identical to the 1962 model. There was also some minor interior restyling, particularly to the dash and instrument cluster. The 1963 Special was available as a 2-door pillared hardtop coupe, a four dour sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon. Engine choices were a standard 198 CID V-6 with a two-barrel carburetor and 135 HP and the optional 215 CID V-8 with 155 HP or 200 HP. Transmission choices were a three speed column shift manual transmission, a floor shift four-speed manual, or a two-speed Dual Path Turbine Drive automatic. The “Dual Path Turbine Drive” automatic was a Buick design and shared no common parts with any other GM transmission.
Skylark
The 1963 Skylark models also used the same chassis and wheelbase as the previous 1961 and 1962 models, but adopted new sheet metal that mimicked the large Buicks. Length was increased by five inches. The 1963 Skylark was available as a two-door convertible coupe or a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe. Engine choices included the 198 CID V-6 and the 215 CID V-8 with two-barrel or four-barrel carburetor. Transmission choices were the same as in the Special.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Factoids
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- Dual Path Turbine Drive Transmission Still Available
- No Convertible for the Special Deluxe
- 215 CID V-8 Gets HP increase
The rather unique Dual Path Turbine Drive 2-Speed automatic transmission was in its last year. It would be replaced by a less complex and popular Super Turbine 300 2-Speed in 1964.
It is unclear why Buick dropped the convertible model for the Special Deluxe line this year. Most guess that there just wasn’t enough difference between it and the downstream Special convertible to justify it.
Without an increase in compression ratio, or a new camshaft with more lift and duration, or a larger carburetor, the horsepower of the 4-barrel carburetor engine was rated at 200 rather than 190. The reading was taken at 5000 RPM rather than 4800, allowing for the change.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Models Offered
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Special – An almost complete lack of bright work on the body sides was a 1963 Special hallmark. There were three bright metal Ventiports on each front fender. A vertical bar grille was spread across the car’s flat face. “Special” in script appeared high on the rear fender. Interiors were done in cloth and vinyl, except for the convertible, which had all vinyl upholstery. Both the V-6 and V-8 were available.
Models offered were 4-door and 2-door Thin Pillar Sedans, Convertible, and 2- and 3-seat Station Wagons.
Special Deluxe – Exterior distinction for DeLuxe models came from a narrow, full-length body side molding. Otherwise, the trim was identical to the base line, except on the interior where upholstery combinations were richer. Inside, there was carpeting, cloth and vinyl combinations over foam-padded seats, and a padded instrument panel.
There were two models in the Special Deluxe line: the 4-door Sedan and Station Wagon.
Skylark – The Skylark was the upscale version of the line – considered a “sport” intermediate. Full-length body side moldings graced the 1963 model, which was further identified on the coupe by rear quarter roof pillar emblems. A Buick insignia was centered in the grille, and another was found in the bright rear cove insert. All vinyl interior trim was standard in the convertible and optional in the coupe. Front bucket seats were optional.
The Skylark models were a 2-door hardtop coupe and a convertible.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Engines
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198 CID V-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Four main bearings.
Displacement: 198 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.625 x 3.200 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.80:1.
Horsepower: 135 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 205 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 56°, Lift (intake) 0.385″, (exhaust) 0.383″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel model (manual transmission) 7023049 (automatic) 7023048.
215 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 155 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 220 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 62°, Lift (intake) 0.383″, (exhaust) 0.383”.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GC 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7023047 (automatic) 7023142.
215 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 215 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″.
Compression ratio: 11.0:1.
Horsepower: 200 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 240 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 62°, Lift (intake) 0.383″, (exhaust 0.383”).
Carburetor: Rochester 4GC 4-barrel (manual transmission) model 7023045; (automatic transmission) model 7023044.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All: 112.1 inches.
- Overall length: All: 192.1 inches.
- Overall width: 70.2 inches.
- Overall height: Special & Special Deluxe – 54.0 inches; Skylark – 53.6 inches.
- Front track: All: 58 inches.
- Rear track: All: 58 inches.
- Tires: All: 6.50 X 13. Optional: None.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- V-6 & V-8 1st – 2.571:1, 2nd – 1.550:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 3.489:1.
- V-6 & V-8 1st – 2.571:1, 2nd – 1.550:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 3.489:1.
- Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 215 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.92:1, 3rd – 1.51:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.61:1 Floor Shift.
- 215 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.92:1, 3rd – 1.51:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.61:1 Floor Shift.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: Low – 3.8:1 overall at stall, 1.5 after shift, High – 1:1, Reverse – UNK.
- Max Stall All: Low – 2.50:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1.
- V-6 AMT: 3.08:1.
- V-8 155 HP SMT: 3.23:1.
- V-8 155 HP AMT: 3.08:1.
- V-8 200 HP SMT: 3.23:1.
- V-8 200 HP AMT: 3.08:1.
- V-8 200 HP 4-speed SMT: 3.23:1.
- V-6 SMT: 3.23:1.
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Power Train Options
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- Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission was optional ($189).
- Four-speed manual transmission with floor shift, V-8 only ($200).
- 215 CID 155 horsepower Buick V-8 ($34).
- 215 CID 200 horsepower Buick V-8 ($69).
- Positive traction rear axle ($47).
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning.
- Auto trunk release.
- Carpet covers.
- Carpet savers.
- Chrome door guards.
- Compass.
- Divided rear-seat, Station Wagon.
- Gas door guard.
- Heater/Defroster delete.
- Litter basket.
- Luggage rack and luggage locker, Station Wagon.
- Power brakes.
- Power steering.
- Power windows.
- Radio, Sonomatic.
- Radio, Wonderbar.
- Rear seat speaker.
- Rear window defroster.
- Remote control outside rear view mirror.
- Seat belts.
- Seat covers.
- Ski rack.
- Soft-Ray glass.
- Spotlite.
- Tissue dispenser.
- Trunk mat.
- Whitewall tires.
- Wire wheel covers.
NOTE: Some interior convenience options were standard in the Skylark.
1964 Buick Mid-Size Car Downloads and Images
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1963 Buick Full Line Prestige Brochure
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Print Ads
1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars AMA Specifications Sheets
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1963 Buick Mid-Size Cars Facts – Related Images
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1963 Buick Skylark Convertible
The 1963 Buick Skylark Convertible was the top end convertible in the Buick mid-size this year. 10,212 were delivered.
1963 Buick Skylark Coupe
The 1963 Buick Skylark Coupe was the top-end two-door. It was the second most popular mid-size Buick in 1963 with 32,109 sold.
1963 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan
The 1963 Buick Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan was the only passenger car in this line. It as the best-selling mid-size Buick in 1963 with 37,695 built.
1963 Buick Special Deluxe Station Wagon
The 1963 Buick Special Deluxe Station Wagon was the top-end wagon in the line. Only available as a 2-seat version, 8,771 were sold.
1963 Buick Special Convertible
The 1963 Buick Special Convertible was the less expensive mid-size convertible available in 1963. even so, it sold less than the Skylark version with 8,082 delivered.
1963 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
The 1963 Buick Special 4-door Sedan was the entry-level 4-door in 1963 and 21,733 found customers.
1963 Buick Special 2-door Sedan
The 1963 Buick Special 2-door Sedan was the lowest-priced mid-size Buick in 1963. 21,866 were built.
1963 Buick Special Station Wagon
The 1963 Buick Special Station Wagon was the less expensive wagon in the line this year with 5,867 2-seat and 2,415 3-seat versions built.