64 Skylark 4speed Project

[skylark64fishy3]

So im in the middle of this restoration! wondering what you guys think? and also what is the top dollar for a car like this go for? i mean im not to sure how rare a factory 2dr 4speed car was? so im looking for little help...hope you guys enjoy....Chris

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/Red%204%20Speed%20Skylark/Picture007.jpg
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[skylark64fishy3]

Before motor pull..........needs alot of work but we are getting there!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/Red%204%20Speed%20Skylark/100_0601.jpg
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[skylark64fishy3]

and more pics.....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/Red%204%20Speed%20Skylark/100_0616.jpg
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[carbineone]

Looks like a big project but you look to have a good start though.I am sure the factory equipped 64 four speeds are pretty rare.Brian the displaced hillbilly from the board here should be able to give you some possibly numbers though on production.My 65 has a self induced 4 speed but I still love it anyway.As far as what it would be worth taht I suppose would depend on the quality of the work on the resto.Are you going to do a frame off or on resto?........Bruce

[carbineone]

I did look up some numbers for you and I would guess a top notch resto it would be around 12 to 15 grand in a good sellers market.You will never make money at restoring it for resale I do not think but it will be a very enjoyable car for you to have when its done.....

[skylark64fishy3]

i dont think that i am going to be doing a total frame off resto...but it will be pretty damn close to that though! im finding that nobody really wants to touch this thing...as far as the body! but the thing is so straight its unbelievable....just has some serious rust in the trunk and floor, but i have the new pans for those....the quarter panels are the killer tho

[64G-lark]

Nice project, hope you can save it. I like the Red with Black int. combo. Unfortunatly the 64's dont have much support from the aftermarket and seem to take a backseat to the more desirable later cars. Personally I like them and the 4spd cars are fairly rare. Brian is probably the most knowledgable member on them. Best of luck with it. If something changes I could use alot of parts off of it.

[carbineone]

IMHO the 64 and 65s are by far the best looking Skylarks of any year and it being a factory 4 speed just makes me like it alot more,very few were made I am sure and there can only be a handful that have survived intact.......Keep us up to date on your progress.It needs to be saved for sure..........Bruce

[skylark64fishy3]

oh ya and its a factory posi car......anyway to find out what options this thing had on it so i can keep it original?

[64G-lark]

See this post under the paper trail http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=146888 reply to it and let us know your trim tag.

[64 Hardtop]

Looks like a good start on a nice project. I've got one with a four speed that was originally a three on tree. I see four holes in that intake, nice sign of what's to come:TU:

[skylark64fishy3]

here is my 4dr 64 w/ a 340-4 in it! some of the pics are when i did my rearend swap, so its on jack stands...and my gold replacement trunk lid!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/White%204%20door%20skylark/random4doorshot-1.jpg
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[wkillgs]

Looks like a nice project, keep up the good work!:TU:
I'd suggest getting yourself a pressure sandblaster, pull off the front end, sand blast everything from the firewall forward (except hood and fenders...they'll warp), paint, detail, and assemble with new suspension parts.
There are alot of good upgrade options while you are at it....fast ratio steering boxes, big swaybars, and disk brakes. They'll make the car MUCH nicer to drive.

I kinda like the '64 front end...how do you guys think it would look with a custom grille that looks like a '70 GS? (wish I could do Photoshop!)

[skylark64fishy3]

from what i gather these cars are pretty rare.....my wallet is gonna hate me!

[197064buickspec]

The 64's are not as desired as the 65's. I have both years. The 4 speed does make it rare. These cars turn up every so often around here in Illinois. When it comes to bodywork if you have enough cash you can always find someone to do the job. I have 17 years in that field prior to working for an insurance co. You would be looking @ anywhere from 5k-10k for a decent paint job without it being a frame off.

[skylark64fishy3]

a lil update. i painted the 4 door finally after i had some cash come in, the red 2 door is apart and going to be acid dipped, and ready for the pans to be dropped in after i get it back from being dipped! let me know what u think....rear window needs to be resealed, and on the one pic, there was leaves on the hood so its not marks....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/White%204%20door%20skylark/027.jpg
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[tatorhead]

In the late 60's, early 70's I had a 64 Special with 300 4bbl, 4speed, 3.42 posi (all factory) and 65 Special with factory 300 4bbl, 4 speed, 3.23 posi. Wish I would have kept them. Both were 2 door post cars.

[skylark64fishy3]

Well guys i have the car off the frame, and pans cut out and all tore apart, heres some updates on what she looks like, just took her up to milwaukee wisconsin to get acid dipped, and then E-coated! should have the car back in about mid-jan...then of course more pics will be up:laugh:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/Red%204%20Speed%20Skylark/1128090657a.jpg
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[65specialconver]

WOW,i thought i was the only one crazy enough to restore a rustbucket:laugh: Good luck on those quarter panels,they're a bitch to find,been down that road:spank:

[Sportwagon400]

cool car good luck with it i have a 64 post car that came with the 300 auto and posi rear now has a 455 SPTH400 and 3.42 posi rear love the 64's
here is a pcture 2 of my 64's the gold one is sold but i still have the post car :)

Ken

[64Electra]

Looks like a cool project! I think you already know this, but since you're doing it, do it right, it'll be worth more in the end.(keep it original:TU: )

[skylark64fishy3]

ya that is the bad part i have been having trouble w/ the rear quarters...did u end up finding a parts car and cutting them out?

[1967GS340]

IMHO the 64 and 65s are by far the best looking Skylarks of any year and it being a factory 4 speed just makes me like it alot more,very few were made I am sure and there can only be a handful that have survived intact.......Keep us up to date on your progress.It needs to be saved for sure..........Bruce



Only thing that I would add to that is that you don't want to think in terms of investment vs. re sale.
Burn every receipt along the way and enjoy the car!

[Golden Oldie 65]

Only thing that I would add to that is that you don't want to think in terms of investment vs. re sale.
Burn every receipt along the way and enjoy the car!

X2 on that one. Although I didn't restore mine, I only replaced the entire driveline and suspension, but when people ask me how much I have in it I tell them I don't know and I don't want to.

Bill

[RipRohring]

I totally agree on the investment vs resale comment. I am sinking money into my 53 to keep it alive for another generation. It's not that I don't care about the money, but in a controlled environment, I am spending some every month, not a dollar more than I can, or need to.

In the end, the enjoyment I get out of the car will offset any financial "loss" - but I am not at all sure it will be a loss in the end. It's like buying gifts for my grandkids.

Heck, compare the cost to your daily driver - the one you use to slop thru the slush on the way to work, that you will dump when it starts coughing and spitting up at 73,000 miles. You'll have paid it off ($35,000 counting finance fees) and for a trade-in, the next dealer will give you $500 off that new doggie in the window. Your classic will still be worth $20,000 - to heck with the $35,000.

So be GLAD you have the ability to put in ($$$$$) - what you have to - and drive the restored Buick in those parades with pride. And take lots of pictures - so you can share with the world all the pain you go through - but when all the shiny new nuts and bolts go in, and the first three coats of wax make the old gal shine like a new set of teeth - and the wet tire goes on last - then that pain will melt away and it will be a story of PRIDE and ACCOMPLISHMENT and others will see it in your face.

I would think all of us hereabouts will take some pride in your accomplishment too - and we will share the pride we have in our cars as well.

That's my story, and I am sticking to it ;-)))

Rip Rohring :Comp:

[65specialconver]

ya that is the bad part i have been having trouble w/ the rear quarters...did u end up finding a parts car and cutting them out?

I looked for years,passed on a couple donor cars because they were too nice to cut up.People offering rusted junk for $800 per side:shock: My bodyman found a set in Ca,very lucky:beer That is one part that REALLY needs to be repoped!

[Golden Oldie 65]

I totally agree on the investment vs resale comment. I am sinking money into my 53 to keep it alive for another generation. It's not that I don't care about the money, but in a controlled environment, I am spending some every month, not a dollar more than I can, or need to.

In the end, the enjoyment I get out of the car will offset any financial "loss" - but I am not at all sure it will be a loss in the end. It's like buying gifts for my grandkids.

Heck, compare the cost to your daily driver - the one you use to slop thru the slush on the way to work, that you will dump when it starts coughing and spitting up at 73,000 miles. You'll have paid it off ($35,000 counting finance fees) and for a trade-in, the next dealer will give you $500 off that new doggie in the window. Your classic will still be worth $20,000 - to heck with the $35,000.

So be GLAD you have the ability to put in ($$$$$) - what you have to - and drive the restored Buick in those parades with pride. And take lots of pictures - so you can share with the world all the pain you go through - but when all the shiny new nuts and bolts go in, and the first three coats of wax make the old gal shine like a new set of teeth - and the wet tire goes on last - then that pain will melt away and it will be a story of PRIDE and ACCOMPLISHMENT and others will see it in your face.

I would think all of us hereabouts will take some pride in your accomplishment too - and we will share the pride we have in our cars as well.

That's my story, and I am sticking to it ;-)))

Rip Rohring :Comp:



Well said........and oh so true :gp: The car will never be worth what you will have in it. And forget about the time you will have spent on it, but what the heck, that's not really what it's all about anyway. Bottom line: It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks it's worth.

Bill

[skylark64fishy3]

Got the the car back from the acid dipping! Here some pics of it! anyone have an idea where i can get the rotted trunk extensions in the last few pictures? my body guy is wondering if olds or pontiac will work like lemans or tempest! let me know i need them bad!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/Skylark64fishy33/Red%204%20Speed%20Skylark/1217092159.jpg
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[Golden Oldie 65]

An earlier post said you were going to get it e-coated. It looks like it's got a good coat of rust starting already. I think your first priority should be to get it prepped and get a coat of epoxy primer on it, then worry about the rest. If you don't, you won't have anything left to work with. Fortunately, a lot of the pieces you need can come from a 4 door car. I think I would be looking for a southwestern donor car. Where did you get it dipped? Restoration Specialists in Franklin? Is Mark still running it? Is Dave still there?

Bill

[skylark64fishy3]

An earlier post said you were going to get it e-coated. It looks like it's got a good coat of rust starting already. I think your first priority should be to get it prepped and get a coat of epoxy primer on it, then worry about the rest. If you don't, you won't have anything left to work with. Fortunately, a lot of the pieces you need can come from a 4 door car. I think I would be looking for a southwestern donor car. Where did you get it dipped? Restoration Specialists in Franklin? Is Mark still running it? Is Dave still there?

Bill

Its not rust its the flash/ lighting in the dark building were were in! and yes it did get dipped at Restoration Specialists in Franklin, dave and mark are still running it/ there.... this is this first dip then we have to put pans and get it how we want then the car goes back up to get dipped agian then it goes out for e-coating!

[Golden Oldie 65]

Sounds like you're being really thorough with the job, which is the only way to do it. Mark and Dave are great guys to deal with and they do a super job stripping parts. There is a guy in Burlington, WI that has a lot of Buick stuff from the `60's and `70's and has a bunch of cars he's parting out. He may have some of the panels you need. His name is Bob Wambach Ph: 414-405-8020.

Bill

[skylark64fishy3]

Sounds like you're being really thorough with the job, which is the only way to do it. Mark and Dave are great guys to deal with and they do a super job stripping parts. There is a guy in Burlington, WI that has a lot of Buick stuff from the `60's and `70's and has a bunch of cars he's parting out. He may have some of the panels you need. His name is Bob Wambach Ph: 414-405-8020.

Bill
Bill this is a great tip i will give this bob guy a call. I no it sounds wild to get a southern car and chop it up or re-do this rust bucket, but i found the production numbers on a 64 4-speed car and it seems these are a rare breed! thanks for the support!