I guess there’s a few ways to read the title. I’m new here I guess, I have an old Buick, and I guess - at least been feeling like - an old guy. I tend to be too wordy so I’ll try to give the abridged version of how I got here. 1994: Friend gave me a dilapidated 1972 Skylark Custom convertible with a cracked engine and cracked crank. Every panel rusted and dented. Junkyard worthy. Wife asked why I wanted that POS. “It’s a FREE convertible!” She said it’s a free POS. 1995: car sat in my garage with stuff piled on it. No money, no parts, no time, better get rid of it. Next day found a ‘72 hardtop with 74K on the clock. Two weeks later everything that could be unbolted and swapped over was transplanted. The only thing left of the ragtop I was given was the firewall/windshield, frame, rear, and the body tub/quarters. From the hardtop: Engine, Trans, all other running gear, disc brakes replaced the drums, complete wiring harness, A/C went into the non-A/C car, all body panels, the complete interior (my ragtop has the hardtop interior never offered in the ragtop), all the lights, bumpers, you get the picture I guess. 1996: Body and paint done in my garage by a friend and I. It was a copper colored car, but it’s yellow like the hardtop now. It looks good from far away. No money or experience. No YouTube… No cable shows about car restoration. All new PST suspension, big sway bars, new rubber, handled great. Ran as well as I could tune it with my ears, nose, vacuum gauge, dwell meter, and timing light. 2002: Finally had a child after a lot of difficulties and loss. Lots of trips to the park and the beach and little money for gas, because diapers etc. 2009: Gas hits $4+/gallon. Skylark stays parked. For 6 years. With stuff piled on top of it while we focus on our son. 2015: “Dad, why don’t we use the big yellow car anymore”… I don’t know son, let’s do something about that. New battery, fired right up on six year old gas. We washed it together, polished it up. He never got more than a ride around the block. I decided to take it to work for its first real drive in 6 years. Bang. Fender bender. Crap. LF fender, tweaked bumper, broken heart. Got some used parts and put them on. A yellow ‘lark with one blue fender sat for another 7 years. I was disheartened and didn’t have time nor money for it. 2019: I’ll just say life and career circumstances changed and I love my 2019 Mazda Miata ragtop that I bought to have reliable wheels to get to work only to be sent home to work remote to never return! Doh! But that car is so much fun. I’m on the Miata boards all the time. Told my wife and son that it might be time to sell the Skylark. My son said “no, dad.. you cant! Too much sentimental value”. Awww. 2022: Almost bought a first gen (NA) Miata for a project I could rebuild to give to our son, now 20, who was into the NA Miatas. He said “I get it dad, if it’s a lot of money to fix it, you don’t have to bother, it’s OK” I told him it wouldn’t be all that safe, or practical. How about the big yellow car? I’d had a daydream where I was standing in the street waving bye-bye as he took off on a road trip in the Skylark. He wasn’t sure. I said we both knew that he’s not mechanically inclined, what would he do if it needs work? “Don’t you think I can rise to the occasion… like I always do”. Attaboy! But after some discussion he said “I could see going on an epic road trip, arm around my girlfriend on that bench seat, some Crosby, Stills & Nash, Grateful Dead, Creedance… the playlist would have to be period-correct!” And off I went! Got in the Skylark, still on a battery tender, and she fired right up. On 7 year old gas. Ran a few tanks through her and set out to make it reliable enough for my son to go anywhere at any time. He asked “can you have it done by spring break?” I’m trying, kid. I’m trying. OCTOBER 2022 to today: Slotted/Drilled rotors and Wilwood calipers, braided lines, new master, booster. Rebuilt rear brakes. New BFG Radial T/As LEDs all around including dash New 100A alternator/battery New EFI and Ignition - Holley Sniper/Hyperspark, tank, pump, etc. New name for the car, chosen by my spouse… “we should call her… Karen”. She’s never happy, felt neglected, has contributed to me losing my mind, and my tools, and has acted resentful for not getting enough attention. She wants to talk to my manager. (The car? Or my wife? I think they both feel the same way now because I’ve been in the garage every waking moment for months now. It’s cold out there. For the spring: my buddy and I, now with more experience and money and the internet to refer to, are going to redo the body and paint work. My buddy and my son think I should change the color to orange. We shall see. Anyway, that’s where I’m at. These forums have been a great resource since the resurrection project began. I’ll be around often. PS. The tiny pic is from early in my ownership, in the early days of digital cameras. She still has a blue LF fender.
Wow, great story! Time flies. Mine are 15 & 16 - Seems like yesterday. Daughter (15) is more mechanically inclined but son is an old soul & I think would like to have one of my cars someday. Welcome & great looking car you saved!
Welcome from Florida! Great story and motivation to bring the Skylark back. Looking forward to seeing more photos of your progress.
Thanks for the welcomes. Ordered more parts today. Exhaust system that I hope won’t be terribly loud. My wife told me to save some dates in May to attend the cruise-in down in Ocean City MD. Two years ago we were there and with all the cars that were there, not one 72 Skylark convertible. The car was in the garage covered with stuff and dormant, and there at the beach I said “it’d be nice to get the old Lark fixed up so it can make it down here”. May might be doable.
Thanks! So much more to do. Latest thing has been trying to get the new exhaust to not drone. Been a challenge.
welcome from Ohio! Your son is a smart Dude. Glad he convinced you to something you really wanted to do anyway!
Great Story... Your son will be the toast of the campus with that car, and will quickly learn that the world is full of folks who appreciate the cars of this era.. by the constant thumbs up and "nice car" comments he gets on a daily basis... your in a different class if you drive vintage.. That ain't gonna happen in a Miata.. Keep us update, photos would be great.. JW
Thanks guys. Still working on the exhaust system trying to squelch the ridiculous drone. I’ve got a ten page thread going on it, but I think I’m close to getting it sorted. Then there’s SO much more to do after that. Leaks, front end stuff, rust, weatherstripping, oh and I have a new convertible top pump waiting to go in. Since it’s winter I put that off but Spring is around the corner. looking forward to getting out to a cars and coffee or a cruise night.
