Jim Sheils, a 51-year-old construction worker from Franklin, Massachusetts, embodies a singular passion: the 1966 Buick Skylark GS. His dedication is not just a casual interest; it’s a focused pursuit that has resulted in a remarkable collection of 23 running GS400 models and an additional six parts cars, all exclusively from the 1966 model year. This unwavering commitment to a single year simplifies his collecting endeavors, allowing for a deep specialization.
The origin of Jim’s obsession with the 1966 GS isn’t tied to his birth year, as one might assume. Instead, the spark was ignited in 1984 with the purchase of a 1966 Skylark convertible. While this particular car was lavishly equipped with features like power steering and windows, it lacked the true muscle car designation. The defining characteristic of the 1966 Skylark GS is its potent 401-cubic-inch Nailhead V-8 engine. Buick utilized this engine in the 1965 and 1966 Skylark GS400 models before transitioning to an entirely new 400 V-8 for the 1967 model year and beyond.
Buick’s 401 Nailhead engine belongs to the brand’s first-generation V-8 family, which debuted in 1953. Designed within the constraints of existing mid-1950s Buick chassis and steering architecture, engineers Joe Turlay and Cliff Studaker were challenged to minimize engine width to fit the space previously occupied by inline eight-cylinder engines. This design necessity led to a unique arrangement where intake and exhaust valves were positioned vertically, at a 45-degree angle to the cylinder bores.
This distinctive cylinder head design, while reducing engine width, also necessitated smaller-than-ideal intake and exhaust valve head diameters on the 1966 GS400 (1.875/1.500 inches). Buick engineers countered this breathing limitation by meticulously tuning the camshaft, intake, and exhaust manifolds to prioritize torque over horsepower. This focus on torque is the reason why pre-1967 Buick V-8s are known as “Nailheads,” and why Buick’s advertising and air cleaner graphics prominently featured torque output figures rather than horsepower.
The “Wildcat 445” logo found on the standard GS400 air cleaner is a direct nod to the substantial torque delivered between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, a distinct departure from the horsepower or cubic-inch-centric marketing of other Detroit muscle cars of the era. While the 1966 GS400’s horsepower rating of 325 hp (340 hp with the midyear A9 Quadrajet carburetor option) was comparable to or slightly lower than its contemporaries like the SS396 Chevelle (325-375 hp), GTO (335-360 hp), or 4-4-2 (350-360 hp), its torque output of 445 lb-ft at a low 2,800 rpm was class-leading. For comparison, the 396 engines offered 410 to 420 lb-ft at higher RPMs, the Pontiac GTO 389 delivered 424 to 431 lb-ft, and the 4-4-2 provided 440 lb-ft.
Jim emphasizes that the GS400’s peak torque arriving nearly 1,000 rpm sooner provides a visceral “wallop” felt immediately, even with a two-speed automatic transmission. He notes that other GM muscle cars require more time to build their power band. This combination of Buick’s distinctive styling for the 1966 General Motors A-Body platform and the immediate surge of torque when accelerating from a standstill is precisely what fuels Jim’s passion for the Gran Sport. His appreciation for originality extends to actively seeking out one-owner survivors, believing that with patience, these sought-after vehicles will eventually become available.
Jim is an active and integral member of the Buick Club of America (BCOA), serving as a technical director specializing in mid-1960s Skylarks. Founded in 1966, the BCOA publishes “The Buick Bugle,” an esteemed magazine edited by Pete Phillips. Phillips captured the accompanying photographs at the 2016 Buick Bash, an annual celebration of all things Buick held at Jim’s property. The 2017 Buick Bash was scheduled for late July. For those interested in learning more or reaching out to Jim, he can be contacted at the66gsnut@aol.com.
References
- Special thanks to Pete Phillips and The Buick Club of America, Leonard, Texas, buickclub.org.