Hi Guys, Been a member of the site for some time, more a reader than poster but finally got something to post about! So here is my story Started this project back in 1992 if you can believe it...with a basic 70 Skylark Convertible, nice daily driver 350 with auto. As you can guess the car sat a lot, originally I was going to make it a GS clone but in 2002 I decided on a pro-touring car. In 2003 when I decided to tear it down for a restore, I knew the frame was gone. So I bought a clean frame and built it with global west and QA1 suspension along with 4 wheel disc brakes. I also had a 455 being built at the same time. When I got to the body, I knew it was rusty from sitting but I did not think it was that bad until I got it apart. The body had degraded to a level that I could not justify sinking money into. So I finished the frame build and that is where it sat until I found the right car. For 2 years... 2005 found a 72 Texas car that was in good shape, bought it, shipped it home. That winter I striped it down and took the body off the frame and there it sat pretty much until this past fall. 2010 I sent the body out and I freshened up the frame, put the motor and tranny into the frame and mated the frame to the body at the paint shop after paint. Body and Paint was completed by Sean of Paintworks Unlimited of Dover NH who did a great job. Sean was the guy who also did George's 67 Buick "Black Widow" So now I have reached a big milestone in the project. Drivetrain and paint complete. Here is where we are at today 72 skylark, GS hood, debadged, smooth firewall paint: 2004 Jaguar Pacific Blue Engine: 455 Buick, EFI with aluminum heads. Dyno 564hp, 560tq trans: tremec TKO 5spd rear: 3:73 posi Brakes: 4 wheel disc, with intentions of hydraboost system Next steps are to figure out a/c system for a smooth firewall and sound deaden the interior and truck Thanks for looking Rich It all starts with the motor Here is the Texas car right before tear down filling all the holes to smooth the firewall Here is where she sat for about 5 years Just after blasting, looking pretty good nearly impossible to find cars this clean in NH thank you Texas! but...blasting always finds new things...cut it out are replace We got Paint! Frame all set Body and Frame finally together
Rich, Can you tell me about the EFI fuel system - who made it, what sizes line, fuel pump and what the cost was? Did you do the fuel and spark mapping? Any problems with it?
I like the color but it might be a little more modern than I was hoping. The pearl really pops, not sure I was ready for that. The EFI is the Holley Comander 950, the rails are standard that came with the kit. I am not sure on the mapping as the guy who built the engine configure the efi . I have not actually had the engine running yet. I will be running a ricks efi tank with an in tank pump probably the areomotive. Frame lines will be 1/2".
Hey another New Englander. Looking real nice so far, it should be a sweet ride when you are done. Just wondering, did you ever think about doing it as a "air ride" ??? Looking forward to seeing it person some day. Enjoy :TU: :beer
Thanks appreciate it! when I bought and installed the global west it was in 2003 and the air ride was not as popular at that time. I think I would do air ride if I was building it today. I am hoping to accomplish a lot over the summer, but what I continue to be challenged with is the cost of building this type of car.
Hey Marco, Long time man hope things are going well. Sold my red 72 GS convertible last summer which gave me the push to get one moving again.
Things are great Rich, thanks for asking. Yes, it has been a long time...about 10 years. I hope you are doing OK as well, and I'm glad you have the push again. That party at Duane's house started an annual spring picnic that's still going on currently in Yardley's backyard...good times! Maybe one year you can make it down again...Jeff has a place to crash.
Really nice work. Looks great. Glad to see you're going Pro Touring too. Resto Buicks are nice but I like the PT style much better. Impressive.
I always have been a fan of new technology, and the pro-touring was right where I wanted to be. That being said, I do love the stock cars as well, I was very torn to give up my original 72 GS 455 convertible to get the body and paint done on the pro-touring car. I decided to build the car I wanted and decided a skylark was the right call over my original GS car. I am hoping this car is everything I have been planning over the years.
thanks Chuck, I am finally getting ready to order my vintage air, sound deading and march performance serpentene kits
Great work! Yes it costs a ton to do it all right however it is going to be worth it when you get to drive, enjoy and show off the car!:beer I really like the paint! I am going with a similar Blue on my 70 Skylark... if you have any more pics of the paint please post them!
