I just had to share this with you guys and gals. Here's the story, and a little background. I have lived in the rust belt my whole life. Every Buick I ever looked at and many I bought, were rusted out hulks. Finding clean sheet metal and sound frames is just not an option around here. Until now, 20 some years after I started looking. This spring, a 71 Skylark popped up on ebay that was close enough for me to be able to check out, which I did. I bid, but it never met reserve. I spoke to the owner who had just inherited it from her brother who had recently passed. I made her the best offer I could, and she decided it would be more worthwhile to drive it than sell it. I left her my phone number. Mind you, this car would have solved all my rust issues. It was as nice as pie. For the next 4 months, I proceeded to beat myself up for not offering her more for the car, but I couldn't justify the money, and she had gone sky high on her worth. Last thursday, I got a call. The car is for sale again and am I interested. Delivered for less than my original offer. With the car I got a packet containing her brothers records. This car was meticulously maintained it's whole life. Bought locally at Tulley Buick on April 30, 1971, it lived its whole life in Wilton, NH in a heated garage. The old guy was a nut about maintenance. He logged every oil change, the mileage between changes (which was never more than 2500 miles), what oil he used, the dates and the mileage at the time of service, up to 2005, when he became too feeble to drive. He even noted on the january '81 oil change to not use castrol as it solidified in the cold weather. Evidently, he never took it out in bad weather. There are not even any scratches on the date coded glass. Anyway, here it is, an unmolested 1971 Skylark custom sport coupe, 350 2bbl, th 350 column shift, bench seat w/armrest, no a/c, power drum, p/s, posi rear, block heater, trunk light, convenience group car. Zero rust, even the radiator support/inner fender, tulip panel, lower fenders and quarters are mint. More pics coming soon, I just couldn't wait to share.
Nice buy Steve! That is the same sandalwood colored interior my former '71 had. I'm surprised it has a posi rear - what are the gears?
Thanks guys. Not sure of the rear ratio yet, haven't checked. My guess is he ordered the posi for better traction in the snow that he never drove it in. I'll post more pics as soon as possible, forgot my camera today. At least now I can sell all the parts I collected to fix my old skylark. I won't be needing them anymore. That should free up some garage space! Even all the chrome is perfect!
Very nice find Steve, congrats! I'm pretty sure I've seen it running around the Wilton/Milford area from time to time. Never got a chance to talk with owner though.
Well, I found out today it has a 2.56 ratio rear, can't have them all, I guess. The car has 92k miles on it. According to his records, it was driven approximately 3800 miles every year, from 71 till 05. Still has original or close to original bias ply spare, jack and parts are perfectly intact and clean as a whistle, cover and all. Forgot the camera again today, so hopefully tomorrow I can post some better pics.
