Guys, need your help again. Found a vehicle for a decent price on Craiglist and wanted to get your thoughts. Also, I'd probably get the car appraised prior to purchasing, any advice on nationwide appraisers? If all checks out I'd have it shipped to NJ. Below is the link to the car. The guy claims the following: - Was a barn find 5 years ago from original owner. Engine was seized so he found another '62 aluminum V-8 engine and had it rebuilt and installed. Transmission was rebuilt. - Since then car has been repainted (original color was yellow with green interior) and all of the other things mentioned in the ad. - Says he has the restoration photos and that the only rust that existed was a small amount in the drivers back lower quarter panel. Repair was done with new sheet metal, etc. - Says he put $14,000 into the car. - Interior is fairly new although the seats don't appear to be of the period that were available when the car was originally sold. http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/4610094257.html This is my first classic car purchase so I really need your help. Seems like a good buy for $9,000. What do you think? Thanks in advance! - Mark
The asking price is probably in the ballpark, maybe a little high but it really depends on the condition of the car and that is hard to determine from the photos. It's easy to spend a bunch of money restoring on an $8,000 '62 Special and have it still be worth $8,000 when you are done. I would base your buying decision solely on the condition of the car, not how much money the previous owner may or may not have spent to get it into its current condition.
Mark: I would say that the upholstery is not correct for the vintage, thats a much newer style. Although it does look nice. The price is just like Stacey said just depends on condition and how much you feel its worth. Keith
Thanks so much Stacey and Keith. Second car I've come across without period upholstery. It amazes me that a person would pay to reupholster a car and not use period fabric, even if it's not NOS material. Now I need to try and find a member who might take a look at the car for me. The town is called Fletcher (outside of Piqua) which is located in west central Ohio, not far from Dayton and Columbus. I guess I'll post somewhere on this forum to see if there is a nearby member that wouldn't mind just taking a quick look at the car. Thanks again for the buying advice.
Mark, but the 61-63 Skylark's don't command big bucks (or a lot of attention) compared to the 64-72 models. By most accounts, the 215 engines were considered to be underpowered. I don't doubt that he has that much money invested in the car, but that doesn't mean it is worth what he has spent. If you really like the 61-63 body style and are planning on keeping the car, than go for it! If you are looking at it more as an investment, and are just looking for an old Buick convertible, a newer model (64-72) would be easier for you resell in the future and would probably hold its value better. It will probably be a bit more expensive for a comparable car though. For example, I have a friend who has a nice 67 convert he is getting ready to sell, but it is probably going to be low to mid teens.
Chris, Everything you are saying is not only interesting but valuable information. It's kind of an unusual reason why I'm interested in the 61/62 Special/Skylark. It relates to garage space. I have had a classic big body Pontiac for many years and it sits on the side of my two car garage where in/out house access is not necessary...the car goes pretty much from front to back ('68 Bonneville)! My wife has recently mentioned she'd love to also have a classic for her as she's taken a liking to classic cars (had no interest for many years...she says it must be a convertible). If I got her one, the car would have to fit on the side of the garage whereby family access to/from the house occurs. Based on the measurements I took, the car really should not exceed 188 inches. If it did, in/out access or pass by access and grocery carrying/back pack, etc access would be really tight (damage to the car, etc.). So, I'm pretty much relegated to cars that are 188 inches or smaller and both my wife and I don't want a two seater. Given we want a car made prior to 1970, there is not much to choose from at that size believe it or not. Cars such as the 61/62 Special/Skylark, F85/Cutlass, Tempest/Lemans, perhaps the Ford Falcon and a very few others (we'd prefer to stay with GM cars) are really the only choices. We have no interest in the Corvair's and the Nova's are a mint now. A Metropolitan would be great but it has to be automatic for my wife. Unfortunately, after 1962, the cars I mentioned grew. I believe the Special/Sklylark increased 5.5 inches in '63 and then after '64 I think they were even longer. To me, those cars are even more attractive and desirable but, again, too long. Hope I haven't bored you. I might be the first member who's choice of classic #2 is controlled by length of the car...lol! Putting the car outside or adding a 3rd garage is not an option. I'll keep everyone here posted of my progress. Actually, I prefer the '62 Skylark/Special style over the Tempest/Lemans or F85/Cutlass. The Falcon is an option (even shorter than the Special) but not sure about going with a Ford. Any other advice on my situation is welcomed. Thank you.
I feel you! I converted 1/2 of my 2 car tandem garage into art studio when I bought my house. Being greedy for studio space, I didn't split the garage in half evenly, and as a result, only my Miata will fit in the car portion of the garage. lol ... Ooops.
I know but I'm now a bit concerned about the investment side of those cars. I thought they seemed undervalued and might be susceptible to a decent valuation increase over the next few years, especially since they were a V8. But hearing your comments about that particular V8 not being that desirable makes me rethink this. I mean who would think a convertible over 50 years old, in very good condition, could be fetched for under $10,000? Maybe I can't have a classic four-seater small size/length plus having it also being a good investment together?
Can I ask you guys about what you think the value of that beautiful red '62 Skylark on ebay would be? Below is the link. Seems like $14,000 - $16,000 would be the ballpark, no? You guys know a ton more than me...I only based this on Hagerty and NADAguides. Does that interior seem period correct. I imagine the 6 cylinder cars, which the ebay car is, are even less desirable than the V8 215's? Final question and perhaps you females can answer this better but this car would be for my wife. She's not small but not having the power steering concerns me, especially when parking. Any thoughts on this. I guess I could always add that, no? Thank you a ton everyone. Don't know what I'd do if I didn't have someone to help me with all of this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Skyla...3cde185f8&item=291216918008&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
"Seems like a good buy for $9,000. What do you think?" my thought: definitely get someone to thoroughly inspect it and test drive it for you! John
I don't think the engine is the main issue. The 61 through 63 skylarks have lower values for a few reasons in my opinion - while they don't have the desirable engine options of the later cars, there also wasn't a GS version, they have tiny wheels on an unusual wheel bolt pattern, and the styling is somewhat homely compared to later cars (I can say they are homely because I own one!). On the positive side, that little aluminum engine is really sweet for what it is, especially when matched to a manual transmission, they are affordable and relatively plentiful. If you are looking for some kind of undiscovered value that will appreciate over time, you are barking up the wrong tree. There aren't many undiscovered soon-to appreciate cars out there. And sad to say there aren't many of them that are Buicks. However, Looking for an original unmolested car of any type is probably a good approach. Buy what you want. Enjoy it. Don't spend too much. Don't be sentimental about it and don't hold on to a car too long while it sits in your yard and deteriorates, sell it when you are done with it. You will do ok.
Get power steering. Mine doesn't have it and it takes some work to horse the steering around at parking lot speeds. Your wife would hate it. Why get a V6 when there are plenty of V8 cars around?
