Hey guy's/gal's.. My name is Jason. I live in Vermont. Ive been into VW's and Audi's for quite some time now. My father is a big Ford guy and ive always had a craving to own a cool American car from the 60's70's. I just came across a '70 Buick Skylark Custom convertible with a stock 350-2 motor. It is kind of running (runs by dumping gas in carb) has dual exhaust and 14" craiger wheels. The floors are a little punky, whole car has been painted (a long time ago) so some rust is coming back around rear quarter arches and other various spots. Its 100% complete with the exception of the radio, stock wheels and exhaust, and the convertable top is pretty much not there. I can get the car for $2000 or less. I have plenty of body work experience so the rust doesnt really bother me. Im pretty much wondering how much you all might guess it will cost me to make it a driver. Quick tune up, temp floor fix, new top with glass window? I dunno.. trying to talk myself outa it but i drove a friends '66 Olds vert a few weeks ago and cant stop obssesing over this buick... If you want to see pics search burlington vermont craigslist for item number 1283954114 as i cant post a friggin link here unless im cool and have more than ten posts... sheesh.
Find another one without all the rust issues. It will save you money in the long run no matter your body work skill level.
Save it! Yes, it will take a lot of effort to deal with the rust issues, but it looks pretty much all there. And it's a convertible! Let us know what you do.
Yeah like i said.. This is a spontanious buy (if it happens). If i pass this up im not going to search for another Buick.. just happened on this "deal?" and thought it might be a good decision. Im really just looking for a driver for the moment and the rust it has wont prevent me from doing that. Just saying that i have the skills to make it nice down the road. The coolest part is that its complete! With a good clean up and tune up its on the road. Tires dont even have dry rot! I would like to put a top on it so it can be parked outside while im driving it. It rain's alot here, esp. this summer Maybe i can get him to give me his RV canopy that he keeps over it and seems to keep all water out of the cabin... :3gears:
Oh, dont know if anyone noticed but it does also have the RS hood and grille! Bumpers are in great shape and all chrome is there too... again.. complete..
I'd pass you don't need the aggrivation of restoring the rust bucket. BTW. can you send me the guy's phone number????:idea2:
Ha Ha.. If you knew me you would know i love having overwhelming projects that seem to never end. I currently own a bunch of cars in various stages of completion. Here is my rough list: 1964 VW Beetle 1978 VW Scirocco 1981 VW Scirocco 1981 VW Scirocco S 1980 VW Scirocco (back half only) 1982 VW Rabbit Pickup Truck 1998 VW GTI VR6 1992 VW GTI 16v 1997 Audi A4 1.8TQ 1997 Audi A4 1.8TQ GT28RS 1987 VW Jetta Coupe 1984 VW Jetta (front end only BBQ grille) 1992 Ford F250 4x4 1986 Ford Bronco 351W 1984 Toyota 4Runner 2003 Suzuki GSXR 750 Im going to a local antique and classic car show this weekend that should help sway my decision towards buying the Buick.. i want it pretty bad. ugh.
If your up to the challenge I would say go for it. Its a plus with everything there. Im not exactly sure on project buick prices but it looks like a solid deal. Cant beat a convertible in good weather.
Yep. Rebuild the brakes first (completely, especially the lines and soft hydraulic components), and after/during you work out the kinks, you may have great respects for Buick's engineers on how simple the cars are to work on mechanically. Not to mention having it ready by next summer will make it all worth it. :TU:
Well, since it appears to be complete, I don't think it would take a lot to make a daily driver. The top will be to most costly part. If you can do the body work, then I'd say go for it. Dave...
It appears this car has been sitting in the dirt for awhile with the front flat tire (or it's sunk into the ground). Be prepared to see a lot of rust gremlins. I would think the top has been torn for some time and moisture has most likely made a mess of..... everything. $2500 (firm) seems unrealistic when the seller obviously put no effort in preserving it. I would do a thorough inspection and make the seller aware of what you find and walk away if he's unreasonable. If this car was driven in Vermont its entire life, I would pretty much assume it'll be a mess. You would be better off finding a rust free example elsewhere. Understand the value of this car with all the money and time you'll need to spend. Is it worth it? Being optimistic, if the seller lowers the price $1,500 and you could salvage it for parts, then maybe. My 2 cents. Mike Iggycat NJ
The Tire is not flat.. low but not flat. It is sitting in a dirt driveway and the top has been ripped up for some time. He had a very nice Auning type cover over the car so it wasnt getting rained in and it seems to have kept most moisture out. The front seat bottom has some rips in it but otherwise the interior is in pretty darn good shape. He already told me i could have it for $2000 and i think if i was to be serious about it i would offer him $1500. I think its worth that just because it runs and because of what it is... maybe a big project but right now i dont car that it looks like a pile.. i just want a cool convertable to drive around. On a side note, i got back from the local antique and classic car show and there were several buicks of this vintage there. Checked them out and made me want this car even more. What should i be looking for when i look at it again? Trouble spots that are common? Things that should be an automatic no buy? Thats what im looking for now i guess. Im also looking for pics and info on wheel size offset and tire size also suspension options for this car. I would like to see this car in the "Overhaulin'" Or Chip Foose style. Low with large modern wheels that FIT the car and dont look like the chassis is made for a compact car with a full size car body on the frame. (wheels poking IN waaaaaay too much)!!!
watch the bidding on this car to get an idea what is out there and what the world is willing to pay. This car appears to be a gs not a lark, and most people you asked for advice are suggesting to pass it up. I see you have a long list of cars, just wondering if they all run cause if not you have alot of work on your plate, just my 2 bits http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970...cks?hash=item3ca48ba1ad&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245
If it can't move under it's own power and can't stop halfway decent w/o minor work. I'd pass on it. Now if you can get it for 1k. Maybe. nate
Well fortunatly this deal fell through as the car was sold for the full asking price to a guy in NH. I ended up sourcing a '68 Custom Vert with a 350 2bbl and 2 speed trans.. I sort of like the more muscle car look of the 70 a little better but after checking out the 68 im sold. I think im going to go pick it up on saturday. Its $300 more than the 70 and runs/drives/has new floors and a new halfway crappy paint job. I've noticed that looking at places like yearone that there is LESS stuff to offer for this style car than the 70 style. How hard is it to source out GS stuff and other large body parts for this body style? I guess i'l wait to ask ten thousand questions untill i actually pick the car up, but then im going to be asking about reccomendations for modding it for more power etc.
