1964 Buick Skylark Convertible mild custom project

I did a truck with those once and they are great. The truck worked for many years.

Glad you love my mods.

The set I am putting in this car is a complete arm change. The original control arms were shot so I purchased the full arm, wire harness and original switches. I had the windows and all the tracks out for paint and body so it should just all go back in the same as factory. The power control arms do mount in different holes but the factory stamp marks are there so it should be just a matter of drilling 16 holes and putting the puzzle back together. It has been 6 years since I took the windows out so I hope I can remember how to put it all back.

---------- Post added at 03:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

FINALLY FINISHED THE TOP! WOW, that was hard work. Those guys that do these for a living earn every dime.

 

Again,! More nice work!!
When I had my convertible, I thought I would watch someone put my new top on, so I could do it myself next time.
After watching him do, I decided to sell it before I needed another top.

 

This was the fifth top I installed. The 4 tops I put on in the past had noticeable install mistakes. The first one was a 67 Camaro and I screwed that one up. The second Camaro was my show car and I showed it with the top down so that says something. The Caddy was a flipper and it had a small rip in the side of that top before I was finished with it. The 63 Lemans was the best one but it was not perfect either.


So, I do not recommend doing your own top unless you have a few to practice on, or have someone help that knows what they are doing.

 

Top looks GREAT!!!

 

Thank you Radlark!

 

Dang your car is looking good. It's one sweet ride. Great job. It reminds me of my dad's car every time I see yours. :TU:

 

Thank You 66 Nailhead. I love your dads car. I didn't see a photo of it till recently and it makes me want to put the rocker and well trim back on. I like his wheels too.

His...




Mine...

In my signature photo you can see the Foose Fade (I did a black mix in the final clear coat below the belt line). It only shows up in some photo's depending on the lighting.

 

I kind-of agree about the beltline and wheelwell chrome... might be worth a test-fit.

 

Yep, I plan to drive it as is for a year or so then add some bling to give it a new look. I want to add a thin body line first like this Caddy Dave Kindig did for Apolo Ohno here in Salt Lake. I had planned on doing mine exactly like this (No Wide Whites though) and he beat me to it.

 

I had planned to use Kindig's door handles too but the cost was a stretch at $600, but wow are they cool.

 

I'm with you on that one LFL I looked into them as well but I found a couple of things to spend the $600 on. But you are right they are hot!

 

Radlark, I still like your LED taillights on your car. Are you going to share the secret?


How does the well liner fit in. I had mine to loose and it would raise up and block part of the rear window with the top up and going down the road?

 

I stopped by Kindig's shop last year to ask Dave if he would cut me a deal if I advertised for him, no such luck. He is very well known in this town and he has been on many TV shows lately so he doesn't need me to tell his story.

That's right, Radlark, you going to share the taillight secret?

Ed, My original well liner was much smaller than the new one. I tried to make it smaller but it still looks a little big. I didn't notice it lifting up when I drove it but I haven't gone very fast yet. I hope it doesn't start lifting up.

 

It's about time for an update...

The power windows are in but need more amperage to push them so I will need to run a larger gauge wire. I also installed heavy duty door pop solenoids that work great but are popping the doors open as well as the 30 amp fuse. So, those two fixes will require a front harness rewire.

The alarm system is also an issue. When I push the unlock button once the driver's door will open. Two pushes should pop the other side but it pops both sides (it also pops the fuse). The real kick in the pants is the trunk actuator is the same button. Hold that button down for two seconds to open the trunk but it pops both doors and the trunk (grrrr, not what I wanted).

Last summer I purchased a set of TMI Sport R seat covers. The front seats are fantastic but the rear seat is far from looking the same as the fronts. I had sent instruction to TMI on how I wanted my set to look and they agreed to do them MY way. But, when I received them the back seat was not what I wanted and when I asked TMI to fix it they wanted more money. So, a good friend of mine has a shop and he is now modifying the back seat and building door panels to match. After a long wait, my mistress is finally in the clothes shop getting a custom tailored look and fit just for her.

 

FINALLY!!! :beers2: INSIDE IS DONE! Almost. (it's never done)

I did not want the speakers in the doors but...







Rick at R & M in Salt Lake did a fantastic job matching the front TMI seats.







Rick stitched in the burgundy French seam on the rear arms to match the seats.



He even covered the kick panels.

 

I picked the car up from the shop on Thursday, hurried to get the dash back together and headed off to one of Utah's largest car shows.

The UVU show at Thanksgiving Point was fantastic. Great weather and over 700 cars.

I was honored to receive a jacket for a top pick from Kindigit car design for their sponsor pick award. Since Kindig has become one of the top custom car builders in the country this was quite an honor for me to have my car recognized by his crew.

 

looks like a gazillion bucks

 

Thanks Bulldog. After what felt like a gazillion hours I'm happy it looks a gazillion bucks. :Brow:

 

Brian, very sweet looking ride!! I like everything you did to it over the years and it sure has turned out nice!

Enjoy it... you deserve it!!


Steve

 

Thanks Steve. I plan to put on many miles and smiles. :gin: