hi guys I recently started to restore my skylark. The previous owner claimed it was a race car and stripped everything for weight reduction so I’m wondering if anyone can help me out here, car isn’t numbers matching engine/transmission so I’m looking to build a gs clone has anyone done it before? If so I’d like to know a little more about the parts required to complete the clone My skylark vin reads it’s a California special car, with factory 2 barrel carb, and I’m looking to convert it anyone have any input I’d love to hear how it’s done properly Thanks guys
Money isn’t really an issue with the rebuild it’s more of a sentimental thing, my dad had one that he says was a gs 350 I’m looking to rebuild this one as a tribute to the car he once had just curious as to what the differences are with the cars. I’m familiar with the trim differences (hood with the cutouts for the carb/ breathers) gs grill with the divider in the center and emblem on the driver side, but besides the grill, and hood is there any other differences in body panels ?
Other than that the body panels should be the same. You will have some emblem differences. Your mirrors may be different. Your rocker panel moldings may be different. Your hood lip molding would change. Your standard rear end ratio is likely not what would come on a GS. The 70 Gs 350 engine was a HP.
Is there any differences in the core support for the grill to bolt into mine currently has what I can only assume to be a factory 69-70 grill, if I were to order the correct parts to do the clone would they still bolt in the same locations or is there more to it?
It is hard to see but it looks like you have a 70 Skylark piece that someone painted black. 70 GS units have 3 pieces of stainless trim that mount on it. You seem to be missing the factory hood release handle.
Yeah the guy I got it from took everything that he could take off so he rigged up a release for the hood it works but not correct by any means
How far do you want to take this build, as what does done mean for this to you? Do you have a timeframe / schedule / target date to have it done? I can provide you a lot of information having restored several GS and Skylarks and clones. MarkO
I’d like to eventually have it as a reliable daily driver for myself, and looking to take it in the direction of resto/mod maby upgrade the electrical system to a more modern setup,upgraded breaks over the factory drums on all 4 corners, there’s not really a set time frame for completion just a concept Im trying to work towards little at a time for it running and driving but haven’t really torn into anything more then that
Price wise I’ve never really put a number down, game plan is to start with all replacement bushings, steering components, then go with wheels/tire combo, I’m really trying to build a gs 350 clone car which would require me to get a gs hood/ and grill, possibly a rear spoiler if I’m correct not sure what other parts I’d have to change out
I’m trying to build one just like my dads old car only flip the color scheme white exterior with black interior
I’m throwing out a general dollar concept and maybe you already know, but it’s pricy and of course it goes up or down depending on how far you want to take it. Not knowing how much labor you can do, Just for GS parts swap, I think if you find a GS hood that is bolt on ($1000-$1300)not needing body work but will need paint to be straight and solid, and the air cleaner restored ($500-600) and hood seal plates and scoops ( $300-$500) you’ll be dropping $2000-3000 depending on what you find and have to do. Grill, used OEM good, $300+/- needing repair. The parts place sells a repop $550. Throw another $200-$300 on GS interior and exterior emblems repop, or find used OEM for less needing resto to whatever level your looking for. That would get you GS parts look on the Skylark. Spoilers were not GS, only GSX. Add another $600 for repop stuff and be ready to prep and paint... As far as wiring, body bushings, engine, trans, rear ending, suspension, weather strip, etc, easy $15k +/- parts. Complete body paint no major body work or rust, good job $7,000- up or down form there... Interior, figure about $700 seat piece. So buckets, $1400 each, or $2800 for a pair, rear bench, $1400. Carpet $300. Door panels, $250-$400 each. Dash, instruments, vents,heat cables, knobs, headliner, light bulbs, pedal pads, glass, window rollers.... I’m Not trying to scare you or sell you anythng, but agian, how far you want to go needs to be very well planned. What isn’t fun is getting into it, and not being able to finish it, and when you can buy a car with a lot already there and you get the benefit of the parts and labor and depreciation to start your work. Cheers!
Thanks for the information regarding the price, I’m kinda thinking of something similar but with my own flare on things like instead of the factory panels make my own from sheet metal and do some bead rolled designs for door panels, the ac/ heater controls have all been deleted from the car so besides making my own sheet metal caps to cover the holes from firewall should save some money there, would still be using rear seat, and keeping the bench seat that’s in it, I’ve come across fiberglass reproduction gs hoods are those any better then the metal original hoods ? Seems there easier to get then a factory hood just exploring options
After learning more about your intentions, you will get to a GS 350 much quicker and cheaper by selling this car and buying a GS 350. As a bonus that GS350 will be worth more when you decide to sell.
There is no real great difference between a Skylark and a GS 350. Grill, and badges are only real difference. Grill bolts right on. Engine was high compression version of 350. It’s all an easy change. VIN will always show it’s a Skylark. And of course the hood and air cleaner.
