15 Year old into 1968 Buicks - New to the forum!

Welcome future Buick owner. It's great to see someone as young as yourself getting into Buicks instead of Hondas. People here will be more than happy to help you out.

As for the car pictured, I was thinking $400-500 for that car too.

I would also have to agree with estimated cost output others have mentioned. A while back I picked up a 68 Skylark that was in better shape body wise than the one pictured except for around the back window. The amount of money I thought I'd have to spend on it was waaaayyyy off. Double is right.

My two cents: Be patient. Form a plan on what and how you want to do it. I mean, is step one just getting it running and driving and then working on it over time? Or do you want to have it fully restored/modified before you put it on the road?
Don't let the size of the task overwhelm you. Break it down into bites. Focus on one thing at a time and complete it. Before you know it you'll have made significant progress.
The last bit of advice I can offer is don't work until you get burned out. If you need to take a break, do it, but make sure you eventually get back to it. Time has a way of sneaking by.
I like to go to car shows when I am a little tired of working on mine. Nothing like seeing the finished product to help fire you back up.

Good luck Ryan

 

I know that it's hard to wait but view it this way. If you bought a car like the one you showed for say $500 and you put $4000 into it then you would still be behind if you just bought a $4500 car.

Heres an example of what I mean. Get a car like this. Solid body, complete running car and build from there. It's your first project and you'll be able to enjoy the car as you improve it.

If this car was near me I would seriously consider it. Perfect starting car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Skyla...d2264&pid=100204&rk=18&rkt=24&sd=171652658032

 

After looking closely at all the pictures that ebay car isn't as solid as described but my point remains. At $5000 you can find a fairly solid car to start with.

 

I agree with AC. If you buy a project car it will cost you double in the long run, and it will sit in your driveway or garage for months...maybe years. At 16 you want to be able to drive that thing, so one that already runs that can be slowly added to would be my vote.

Tell your parents you want to bring them in on an investment opportunity. They help with the purchase price and you will split the proceeds if you ever sell the car. You invest your sweat equity into the deal. Good luck.

Here is a car in MI that might be an option from a cost/time perspective: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/c...-Skylark-1640529.xhtml?conversationId=2109596

Another: http://classiccars.com/listings/view/578411/1968-buick-skylark-for-sale-in-huntsville-alabama-35811

One other: http://www.oldride.com/classic_cars/398379.html

 

Here's what I plan to do with it. I'd like to get it and make it safe and get it in driving condition. Then after I get a job, I'd like to put a new paint job on it, maybe do a tranny upgrade, and then rebuild engine. Maybe throw some buick mags on it to make it look original. Just some basic stuff so all the girls want to a ride lol. I'm not looking to make it a $60,000 show car, I just want to make it look and drive good and original. Even at this stage I can get real tired from looking and I need a youtube break just to see how cool the finished product will be like.

Thanks again for all of the good luck!

Buick = fast with class

 

Welcome to the forum!

I got my first Buick 3 years ago. It's a '64 Skylark. I looked for over a year to find something affordable that was driveable. I haven't regretted getting a driver at all. I paid $4000 plus shipping for it, and was able to drive it from where the transport unloaded it to my house.

My approach has been to do small projects that I can tear down and finish in a few days to a couple weeks. That way I can enjoy taking a cruise now and then and enjoy what I bought it for...DRIVING!!!

I did as others have recommended and fixed safety things first like brakes and cooling system. I think it could be hard to stay motivated looking at a basket case that will take a lot of money and time in big chunks to get it into driving shape.

My advice would be to wait a while, get a summer job and save. Get a complete running driving car that you can enjoy while you fix it up a little at a time.

Best of luck with your search! Glad to see young guys interested in the classics!

 

Ryan,

Welcome! I bought my 68 9 years ago when I was 15. I would suggest going for the best body you can find for what you can afford, and I promise, it'll save you many headaches in the long run. I live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago so hit me up if you need any advice or an extra set of eyes to help you look. I know 68-69 cars inside and out after doing a full restoration and then some on mine. Still not where I want it to be! Anyway, enjoy the search and be Patient.

Jon