69 GS-4spd and 68 Skylark in OR/WA

Got an email from a lady handling the estate of John Herndon who passed away recently.

69 GS400-4spd
Paint in poor cond and so is the v.top, reblt 455, Moser 12 bolt rear, 3.73 gears, disc brakes, roll cage added, original engine stored in garage.

68 Skylark
2dr, original rear from 69 GS is in it, 3.42 posi, red paint in poor cond

He also has a 73 Riv...no details on it.

Please contact Barbra Hanford at 918-747-0637 or 918-232-4195(cell)
You can also email her at okmbh@aol.com for all the details.

I have no other info except what is provided above. I have attached some pics she email me about the cars.

 

Interesting.
That appears to be an Oklahoma area code.

 

It is, that is where she is. The deceased is her Boss's son and she is the executor of the "estate" and has to clean up the mess. The two cars are currently in storage in Snohomish. She has been offered $7,500 for the both of them, but she thinks it is too low. I suspect it is not, given that 68/69's do not bring much money, and who knows what has been done to the motor. The cars have been sitting since December. Sounds like he about a dozen other cars (not Buicks) in various states of disrepair, and most have already been sold or scrapped.

 

Sounds like Chris has more info than myself.

Barbara told me she will be in OR/WA this week to clear things up....she said it is a mess and there is also a whole garage full of tools/parts etc that MUST GO. Maybe Chris will get a package deal this week and then sell everything on EBay???? :bla: ou: uzzled:

 

If she were offered $7500 for the two cars, she probably should have taken it. Unless the original GS motor is also around, it's probably not looking like something on its way to restored, and unknown race cars don't bring a lot. The motor could last a while, or barely run today. The Skylark has the nice dog-dish wheels/tires, but beyond that the rear is worth as much as the car without the rear.

 

So, Who's nearby that can go take a look-see ??

 

Depending on where it is in Snohomish, I'm about 20-30 miles away. But my July is pretty booked up. I may have some time on the 14th to get out there.

 

that is what I told her, take the $7,500. the original motor is around, but is "broken", whatever that means.

 

not interested in that deal, no time and nowhere to keep it!

 

It can't mean anything good!

Unless there are complete receipts for the rebuilt motor, and the builder can be consulted with, I'd just assume that the motor will need some disassembly to check things out.

I'm curious about hood clearance. That seems like a lot of air cleaner to fit under that hood! Is it an original GS hood, is it a Skylark hood that's been cut, or can you fit an air cleaner that tall under a stock hood!? I know that it wouldn't fit under the hood of my 72 Skylark!

 

I could see being interested in the GS as a place to put my motor - since my car needs the drivetrain pieces done to it anyhow. But I wouldn't be interested in a whole bunch of junk. I don't have the room for it.

 

if either of those cars are solid then i think you guys are way off base on the price. hell restorable 69 GS 4 speed cars are bringing that much alone. from what i can see in the pictures( which could be misleading) the 69 looks like it's in very good shape. a broken motor could mean anything. i certainly wouldnt try to guess a price from just those few pictures

 

The owner faxed me some info but I left it at work. I recall it saying the paint was poor, and there was rust in the quarters, under the vinyl top, and other places. It also said the motor had not been sorted out, and smoked considerably. If the motor was good, it would be a decent buy. You would have two good rearends, a 4 speed tranny, good running 455, rebuildable 400, gs hood (maybe). Quit trying to talk me into it, I have nowhere to put it, I already own 7 cars and only have room for 4 at home!!!!!!

 

To me it sounds like way too much. The only redeeming factor regarding the GS is the factory 4 spd. Assuming the original engine could be rebuilt, it only needs... well, everything - to be restored. On the other hand, it sounds like a good start for a drag car with a thought of some day being restoreable. But it would be a full restore. The Skylark looks good with the dog dishes and knowing it has a 3.42 posi But beyond that, it doesn't have a lot going for it.

It would be nice to get a lot of good photos to be sure. From the sounds of things, the 455 in the GS may be rebuilt, but it could need everything too.

 

Chris
I guess you had some info i didn't. sounds like your original feeling is right

 

.... I thought "7" was THE lucky number o No: ou:

 

for that price, i think the number 9 is much better :Brow:

Hint Hint

 

I am going to look at these cars tomorrow if anyone wants pictures.Glen

 

Let us know what you find out and if the representation was accurate.
Thanks!

 

I just noticed that they're going up for auction on Saturday the 28th:
http://www.murphyauctions.net/kenmore07jul.html Pictures are on the "more photos" page.

Now will the BCA guys leave the show to bid???

So Glen, how'd they look?