71 Skylark - first time Buick owner from AZ

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by 71SkylarkAZ, Sep 30, 2015.

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  1. 71SkylarkAZ

    71SkylarkAZ Well-Known Member

    71 Buick Skylark.jpg

    Hi gang. I own the gold 71 Skylark pictured above. Its just a 2 door post base model but I enjoy it and I have not seen another one in this sleepy little Arizona town. This is my first time owning a Buick and honestly I had preferred a Chevelle when I was looking for a muscle car. Yes, get all your boos and hisses out now but hey I was ignorant. I though "iconic American muscle car? Chevelle!" boy was I wrong. This car came with factory AC which I still have to hook up, and many cool features for a car from that year. Power steering that handles like a dream, and its just an amazing car. My wife hates it but she has a 67 Caprice so boo to her! haha.

    Anyway I'm on this forum and will be looking to find some tips, tricks, etc.

    Besides this beauty I have owned a 68 Mustang Fastback and 66 Mustang coupe but neither have compared to the Skylark. Both Mustangs were major projects and I just didn't have time, patience, or money to pour into them.

    I picked up the Skylark last December and she runs like a champ. 87k original miles, owned primarily in Tucson Arizona, no rust at all, well maintained and serviced. I picked her up for a cool $3500 and have only put basic maintenance into it. Previous owner had the interior redone and a new set of tires put on. It needs a carpet and headliner but those are relatively cheap. The dash doesn't light up but I plan on installing a Dakota Digital within the next couple months.

    Work I've done so far:


    Starter
    Alternator
    Voltage Regulator
    Brake bleed
    Battery
    Headlights
    Replaced 4 wheel studs
    Repacked front bearings

    Work planned soon:

    Front brake hoses
    Re-bleed brakes
    Digital Dash
    18" rally wheels
    all wheel drilled/slotted disc brake conversion
    Paint with GSX scheme
    system with 3 12"s, couple amps, new speakers
     
  2. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Welcome!! Looks like a solid start to a nice ride! Don't worry too much about the Chevelle thing, I fell into Buicks much the same way. Wanted one, couldn't afford the cost of admission, bought the Buick as it was "close enough" at the time. Now looking back, I'm glad it went that way. Go to a cruise with Chevelles everywhere and I'm the only Buick. I get a kick out of that. Enjoy the car and the project, looks like a good one to do!
     
  3. 71SkylarkAZ

    71SkylarkAZ Well-Known Member

    Thanks. She's actually my daily driver. I only have a short easy 5 mile commute every day though but I've only ever been abandoned a couple times and that was a battery issue, my own fault. The starter was becoming troublesome so that's why I replaced that.

    I could drive this car forever on just regular maintenance alone and it would be fine as it sits today. Its solid with no rust, only a couple small dings in the body but nothing terrible. I dont plan on making it a show car, just a beautiful daily driver to be enjoyed and appreciated. I can tell the previous owners took care of it and maintained everything that needed to be done. The heater hoses were disconnected and re routed because the heater core went bad so I plan on fixing that before the winter and the AC must have gone out as they did the same with that. The previous owners did not believe in fixing things like that, that were not mechanically necessary however, I do! I don't want to freeze in the winter, its bad enough I had to sweat it out this summer without AC.
     
  4. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard from NY.
     
  5. carmantx

    carmantx Never Surrender

    Welcome to the group!
     
  6. N360LL

    N360LL milehi71Stage1

    Welcome. honestly, I am a little jealous about a 2-door post car in Cortez Gold with low miles.
     
  7. hwprouty

    hwprouty Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome from Washington State! I sold a '70 post car awhile back. I wish I didn't have so many other projects, I would have liked to keep it!
     
  8. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    "71SkylarkAZ":

    [​IMG]

    Don't forget to put your name in your signature, we are all here on a friendly first name base :TU:

    And while you are at it: Put yourself on the V8Buick board members map of the world :beer


     

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