1969 Buick Skylark Custom Conver 13,900?

No, I think at any price over rediculous (like 2 or 3K for a car that looks like that) EVERYONE would agree that you should have it looked at before committing 14K

 

Shroud looks correct, hook does not but should be there (Mike Garrison sells repro correct ones).

http://mrbuick.com/misc.htm



... and since DL started the nitpicking, you should know there are a few things "incorrect" going on under that hood. Perfectly fine as a nice driver .. but not stock ... just so you know

 

so, the shroud had the molded part for the hook but no hook attached ? even for the high comp 350/4 (same as GS350 motor ?)

 

Yes. I know the GS 350 and 400's had the hook. I have NOT seen a Skylark w/ one. I believe it had to do with the cups on the air cleaner pushing down on the hose...

 

Ok, Guys thanks for all you input much appreciated.

Red67 is going to check out the car for me on Thursday afternoon he live in Washington. He is not a mechanic but is going to give me a call and were going to go through it together, plus am going to call Mark and make sure he will be able to take the car for spin.

As I mentioned to a few other members, I was looking to get a driver for the summer, and after-wards I planning on putting a Turnkey LS3 into it. That going to run me around 10K.. Hotchicks lowers(front n Rear) and close ratio steering box. I am figuring after I am done I will have close to 25-30k into. I know its going to be a big investment , and if I every planed on selling it I would lose my ass,,but this Lark is going to stay with me for many years.

But as many of you mentioned,, I am getting a second opinion on the Car. This is what i have assessed so far:

- headrests are missing
- arm rest pads reupholstered as black (should be white,, i think?)
- grille center badge is missing
- heat riser tube is missing
- upper radiator hose has some kind of "farmer fix" for the retainer bracket (rather than the correct piece)
- non-stock aftermarket air cleaner
- non-stock valve covers

I did not want to get a GS, cause I was planing to make so many changes and if I had a GS, I would want to keep it stock with matching number.. What do you guys think of such a plan?

 

Headrests are a big one. The valve covers and aircleaner that are on there are BETTER than stockers. Center badge isn't a big deal. Heat riser tube- hell, I have 3 of them I will send to you for nothing :TU: . NO HOSE HOOK! If you want to use one, get the one Alan listed earlier.
I like your plan. I would go with an LKQ (?) 400 engine. There is a thread titled 'cruel intentions' in which the fuel injected engine was placed in a Skylark/ GSX clone. :beers2:

 

as I mentioned earlier, make sure the lower windshield channel is checked for rust - its the area where the cowl meets the inside metal structure for the instrument cluster / dashpad and is known to be a rust issue with all GM a-body converts 68-72 that spent time outdoors in the wet.

LS3 Swap ? you just opened up a whole can of worms for the Buick Purists ... been bantered time an again on this board. Some will hate it, some will be OK with it, some will love it (but few). Owning a truck with an LS motor I can say that I see the appeal but I would say to make that decision once you've owned and driven the car with the motor in it - you just may love it.

As for the $$ figure you tossed out, does that include the rotisserie / paint you mentioned earlier ? a GOOD paint job can cost 10K alone

Arm rest pads and headrests need to match the rest of the interior which is not plain white - its a pearl white

... and lastly - if your heart is set on an engine swap / repaint etc. then you are throwing out alot of the value built into the money you are spending today. You may want to think about finding a solid roller (no engine/trans) that needs paint you'd be where you're going anyway but saving thousands

 

Ok we will definitely look at the:

" lower windshield channel is checked for rust - its the area where the cowl meets the inside metal structure for the instrument cluster / dashpad and is known to be a rust issue with all GM a-body converts 68-72 that spent time outdoors in the wet."

My High school buddy owns a body shop out here in CAli.. He gonna hook me up with a rotisserie and 2 or 3 stage paint for 8k.. He usually charges 15-20k for this. As with the engine specs, when I am ready I am coming to consult with all my new friends here.:TU:. I wanted something with the efficiency of the LS3 or fuel injected engine, or when I drive it at high elevation the ECU can make the adjustment to keep it running good and not rough..

But all in all, I think I will be taking suggestions, and nothing is set in stone.. A good friend of my races and designs tube chases at his shop up by Sonoma, CA Series Points Racyway here in California and he suggested the LS Fuel injected Turnkey, but I am open to suggestions,, maybe an LQK would be better..

I plan on upgrading Brakes, Suspension and still driving the car.. I am not going to put her down and get everything done. I was think more of drive it this summer.. Then in the winter do the Suspension, brakes and whatever else then drive it next summer and then finish her up the following Winter.. More like a 2.5 year project, but I definitely am going to drive her this summer.. I will be driving a Skylark to Reno, Hot August Night this year.

I have tired rolling chase project in the past and it didnt work out for me,, it sat and sat a few years later I ended up getting rid of her , a projected that never got completed and I ran out of interests..

 

http://www.cars-on-line.com/49831.html

 

http://www.cars-on-line.com/47804.html

 

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/c...tml:uShipController.init&conversationId=62516

 

dl7265: we (Red67 and I) will check out the spot you mentioned.

dl7265: thats a beautiful 68.. I am looking for a 69, however,cause a like the Gills.
Redmanf1: cars-on-line.com/47804.html Thats a beuitful 69, i am going to give them a call tomorrow.. thanks. Price at ~13.5k.
Redmanf1:autotraderclassics.com/cl.. Also a nice 69 price a bit higher at ~15k, will give them a call tomorrow as well.

I must have searched 2 months for 69 larks came across a few usually price around 8-9k.. but they overall looked shady, painted missing parts, light ot heavy rust..

All three of the Skylarks posted are right around the price range of Marks(memory Lane Motors skylark so I feeling better; that it is priced accordingly..

 

Memory Lane is only a mile or two from where I work... I'll try and get there tomorrow.

I don't know these cars as well as others, so if you have a checklist of things to look for or take pics of, please let me know in an email.

Cheers
.

 

wow:bglasses:

 

Jeff,

thnks,, I dont really have a check list per say. But you general opinion would be great. The more input I have on the car the better..

A partial about list would be:
any bondo. Body lines and gaps. Rust , how the door shut and open, as well as the hood.
as well as what: GS69400s mentioned:

lower windshield channel is checked for rust - its the area where the cowl meets the inside metal structure for the instrument cluster / dashpad and is known to be a rust issue with all GM a-body converts 68-72 that spent time outdoors in the wet."

I know he does not have a lift so getting under it would be a problem.. but just take glimpse underneath and maybe you will see something major. ( I really doubt it cause Mark gave me his input on the undercarriage.

If you would like you can give me a call when your there an we can go over it together: 707-497-4737..

 

From the pictures the memory lane car is nowhere the caliber of the two blue 69s. Anyway another not I know nothing about any of these cars but located them in just a few minutes. There is a lot of cars out there just make sure you find what you want.
Best of luck
Nelson

 

Nelson,

After closer look the autotrader classi car you posted;;;I posted a link to the same car in post #5.. Here are a lot more picture of it here: www.classiccars.com/listing/126548.html ,, I would hardly say it is in the same or better condition the the Memory car. take a look at the engine compartment, there are quite a bit more pictures in my link..

I spoke to the dealer in MI that was selling it about 3 weeks ago, he told me it was mainly in Arizona, yada, yada, but seemed very shifty,, I asked about getting an inspector over there to take a look underneath for rust and he said it "IS" showing slight rust, nothing major, he told me the front bumper was recromed and the rear has been straighted.ou:. I asked him if he is firm on the price and he said there that it is not Negotiable, now this was three weeks ago,,who knows what the situation is now, ,but the price is the same. Shipped to my door would be 14,500 +1000(shipping)+ 1400 transfer fee.. Not worth 17k to me, from the conversation I had with the dealer and the carefully analysis of the pictures, finally the guy I was talking to tells me he is going to have someone call me back that can answer all my questions, I have not heard from them since.

The second car you posted: http://www.cars-on-line.com/47804.html. Was actually sold,, I saw this car about 1 month ago on that same website and contact them about it but they told me it was sold.. I guess the deal did not fall through, but I will give them a call tomorrow to find out more.

This is the car I really wanted to get 69 GS400: http://americandreamcars.com/1969buickgs400cnvt010210.htm for 15K.. had some bubbling rust by the lower quarters,, I spoke to this guy(ken) about 1 month ago, said the the car sold over 2 months ago and he cant his ad off the site.

any other links you have I would be more then interested in looking at;;I am not locked into any car as of this point.
But if you take a look at my link 5 those just a few Larks I have called on, and stayed away from for one reason or the other.:TU:

 

As an FYI, in general on a car like this, buckets and console typically adds $2k - $3k to resale, so I have been told by many professionals. On a GS, typically would be $4k - $5k.

I personally think a bench seat w/ fold down arm rest is more comfortable, but sporty sells cars.

 

Like I said I didnt know anything about them. The one was nice that you posted as sold. Here are some more just from C list

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/2202743487.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2198584746.html

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/2138722008.html

http://augusta.craigslist.org/cto/2152138058.html

http://gadsden.craigslist.org/cto/2153983787.html