Hi all, my name is Tom and I've just joined up since I purchased a 1972 Skylark Sun Coupe. I also posted some details about the car in a thread in the Ebay section, since apparently the car was on Ebay earlier this year and there was a thread about it. (I didn't purchase it on Ebay). I can't post any pictures yet since I'm new to the board, but my car is a factory Flame Orange, 350 4-bbl car with a white bench interior and white top, and factory air. The car was originally from California, coming to Kansas a few years ago where it was purchased and restored by a new car dealer for his personal collection. It then made its way to Ohio last year where the restoration was "almost" completed (they are never really completed, are they?) and put up from sale by a new car dealer here, from whom I bought it. This is a highly detailed restoration, complete with a painted undercarriage with paint daubs on it, and I paid a pretty penny for the car but I was blown away by it. The paint is show quality and really pops. I have recepits showing over $1,500 just in stainless trim polishing. :shock: I could not restore the car to this level for what I paid. Even as well done as it is, there are still some details needing to be addressed - it has an incorrect exhaust, incorrect sunroof handle, cloudy gauge lenses, non-functional clock and radio, and terrible undersized cheap modern whitewall tires that I detest. I'm waiting for the car to be delivered - when it gets here, I'll start work on these issues and also post up some pictures. I'm sure you guys will be able to help me spot any other areas I need to work on. I look forward to being a member of the board and I look forward to learning from you all how I can bring the car to a higher level. :beers2:
Well like I said in the other thread, Congratulations on the purchase and Welcome to the board!! That is going to be a fun car for you.
That IS a nice car and welcome! Make sure you register the car on Steve Caruso's Sun Coupe Registry at http://www.carusoperformance.com/suncoupe.html
It's done, Dean! Thanks for the info. It's amazing how much I have learned being on here less than a day. My car is now in the Sun Coupe Registry and I have the Sloan documentation on the way also.
Nice looking car. Interesting to note that is a real California emissions car since it was equipped with an air pump and for the rest of the 48 state cars in 72 only the 455's and manual tranny 350's got the airpump. Congrats on the purchase and you'll find this board has a wealth of Buick knowledge all to be had for free. Parts are extra. :idea2:
Too bad (or maybe not) that the air pump equipment appears to be long gone! I just have a big empty (although well finished) bottom bracket.
That would be great, John. :beer Let me know what you have. My understanding is that I can get a brand new air pump from NAPA, so I am not too worried about the pump itself, but I would need everything else - pulley, muffler (?) assembly, hose, metal pipe, diverter valve, upper bracket and even the mounting bolts. I hope I'm describing this correctly since it's all new to me. This picture shows pretty well what I have left of the air pump system - just the bottom combination air pump/PS bracket: I may also post my needs in the Parts Wanted section once I get the car and start working on it.
Looks like a really solid engine Tom, make sure to check out this forum and some of the other sites on here to find what you need, and as you mentioned, throw something out on parts wanted! :beer
I guess I have 10 posts now so I can post up some pics. :kodak: Please try to ignore the fact that these pictures were taken at a Ford dealership, by them, last winter. It's all I have for now. Once I get the car home I will take some pictures in proper lighting conditions (and without Ford stuff in the background).
What a beauty Tom! When are you getting new tires? I think I read somewhere you're looking to replace them with a more agressive looking tire. My suggestion would be to keep the rims and install a bigger tire to give it a nice stance. I like this model with the color scheme and sun roof - someone put a lot of work and $$ restoring it. Very nice.. Best of luck. Thanks, Mike Iggycat NJ
Thanks Mike and everyone. As for the tires, I do plan to keep the 14" rims for now, so I was going to go either with 225/70R14 Radial T/As or, if the budget allows, G70-14 repro bias-plies. Haven't decided yet. I'm not a big fan of whitewalls, even though the car originally came with them, and the ones on the car now are a size too small anyway. Got it home yesterday! :grin: Here's a picture of it in better lighting:
