Why do they call some skylarks "stepchilds"?

Momma was a Wildcat, an’ Daddy was a strong, awkward lookin’ stranger’!
Patrick

 

The sweapspear design was around since the fifties with Buicks and went away for 70-72 but returned in 73. Maybe the 70-72 cars are the bastard Buicks since they abandoned that design

 

I called the 68’s the “bastards” of the Stepchildren not because of who came first, but because of the following they have.

Most of the car guys like the 69’s better, hence my statement.

As far as the frames, the 68’s have an extra “tongue” that sticks down under the engine cradle. The 69 frames are also unique. They do not have the tongue, but are different over top of the rear axle, otherwise they look just like the 70 units.
Duane

 

I love mine, but I still think 1970 was the best looking of all the GM intermediates.

 

Roberta in the near lane.

 

"The 69 seats started the center push button to unlock the seat tops"...THAT IS...as long as the 69 buckets did not have the optional reclining passenger bucket seat...then it would still have the 68 side release for the fold forward backs. And... even though they would have the 68 side
release on the 69 with the recline passenger option, they would still have the 69 headrests.
That's the way my 69 vert is optioned.

 

Oh, one more thing! If your ‘68 or ‘69 has the optional bright trim on the tops of the doors, you (a) can’t buy window fuzzies anywhere on the planet, (b) will have a hard time replacing that trim if you ever need to because it’s unique to the Buick and the door trim is year specific, and (c) if you have it on a convertible it makes the pinchweld trim different (and….unique!).
Patrick

(I think this is Ted’s car in the pics)

So…we’re four pages in. Imagine finding all this out by trial and error in the pre internet days…

 

And this hardtop is sweet!

 

It sure is.

My 69 has the optional chrome trim at the top of the doors. I was lucky, Nick had a few pieces and I had the others, so between us we put together one complete set for the car.
Duane

 

Nice! Didn't realize there was a 10 page thread on them. So cool someone went to bat and repo'd them.

Million dollar question. How much more performance have you seen with it?

 

Have you figured out why the frame changes? I'm curious about the deleted tongue. Was it a leftover from the 66-67 frame even though shortened the wheel base starting in 68?

Going corny here but learned a boatload on this thread

 

I love em, You don't get that character in cars anymore.

 

Kinda like the 70 Riviera. Wow that style isn't on my top 1000 list.
Till I read that Buick was going for the old car art deco look??

 

Million dollar question. How much more performance have you seen with it?[/QUOTE]

I don’t know; the car went from 13.80s to 12.90s but I did an engine swap, rear end swap and new exhaust at the same time. Not exactly scientific.
Patrick

 

I don’t know; the car went from 13.80s to 12.90s but I did an engine swap, rear end swap and new exhaust at the same time. Not exactly scientific.
Patrick[/QUOTE]
Well according to the other thread a few said they noticed a nice difference..
I also believe yours works better as the repo's had the metal band upgrades.

 

I bought my first '68 around '77, but only had it 2 years before it was stolen. 10 years ago I bought my current '68 from the original owner here in Phoenix, so no rust and with its original paint. He said he fell in love with the design as soon as he saw them, so they did and do have people that like them.

 

Just remember, more '68 GS's were sold than any other year! Apparently a lot of people liked them when they came out.