1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible

The Buick Skylark was born out of celebration for Buick's already storied history in 1953.  At that point, the General Motors' cornerstone company was celebrating their 50th anniversary and wanted to create something special as a result.  That's exactly what they did.  Initially introduced alongside other GM specialty convertibles like the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado, the Buick Skylark wasn't intended to stick around for too long.  Despite the Skylark being the best-selling out of the bunch, the first generation only stuck around for two years.  It made quite the splash with the public though, and Buick stashed the Skylark name away for the next decade.  The second-gen transformation was perhaps the most significant change to the Skylark formula thus far, with split chassis for 2-door and 4-door body styles.  The Skylark's styling moved with the times as well, with a new fastback appearance that brought it more in line with the Riviera.  In 1970, the Skylark received yet another redesign, with 2-door models receiving a reshaped roofline to match with the Chevelle.  The Skylark was also offered in a number of trims including the Skylark, Skylark Custom, and Skylark 350, with the primary difference between them being the standard engine under the hood.  The base Skylark replaced the Buick Special as Buick's entry-level model after the Special's discontinuation. 

For consignment, an early 70's hunk of Detroit iron in the form of a 1970 Buick Skylark Custom convertible.  Taking a cue from the Olds 442's, Chevelles and Buick GS of this time, this car has a very similar body styling.  Our version of the Skylark was the beneficiary of a full restoration in 2013, has 47,191 title verified actual miles, and sports a new interior, a new top, new roof seals and new top hydraulics.  It's a 350/350 version, bathed in brilliant red and presents very nicely with no rust, a miles deep finish and blinding mirror-like chrome.

Exterior
Code 75, Fire Red or otherwise called Cranberry Red, is bathing the straight steel on this coke bottle designed car.  The paint shows nicely with a deep reflective finish, no rust and only a few very minor stone chips.  Dual headlights and an egg crate grille lead us off and a shiny bumper below has inset turn signal lights.  Some thin stainless trimming can be seen edging the wheel wells and a bit wider piece for the rockers.  The gaps are good throughout the coke bottle sides and a new convertible top, in contrasting and correct white, is looking in very good condition and sports a glass rear window.  It moves up and down smoothly and does so electrically.  We note mirror polished stainless trimmings around the glass and passenger compartment to accentuate the quality of the restoration nicely.  A sporty design with characteristics of the Chevelle SS, GTO and 442 melded together as styling cues are noted from each in different areas of the car.   Within the rear bumper are horizontal tail lights and the bumper wraps around the rear quarters.  Nice badging and chrome laden 14-inch Buick rally wheels that are wrapped by thin red stripe 215/75R14 radials round out this stunning presentation.

Interior
A swing of the door and our eyes directly focus on all of the new Pearl White vinyl with various textures covering the door panels.  These panels are new and show as such with bright and shiny chrome, a perfect padded armrest, and flawless badging.  A nicely stuffed split back front bench and a matching rear bench without the split are seen welcoming the passengers.  A fold down armrest is between the front seats.  These are covered in new Pearl White skins and are set off perfectly by the black seatbelts and smooth white headrests are on the tops of the front seats.  A standard black rimmed Buick steering wheel fronts a black molded plastic dash and uses a black insert to house the square bezel round insert instruments.  Below is a band of walnut applique that houses the heater slides along with some knobs and pulls.  A GM Delco AM/FM radio is in the center of the dash and a trio of supporting gauges hangs below.  This dash shows no wear and the same can be said for the blacker than black carpeting that is just begging for my piggies to be wriggled in.

Drivetrain
Under the hood resides the rebuilt, correct and consignor-stated numbers matching 350ci V8.  It has a new 2-barrel carburetor on top and the ignition is now electronic, but the original distributor is included.  On the back is a numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic that hands off power to a 10 bolt 2.73 rear axle.  All stock, just the way I like it.

Undercarriage
Attention to detail was definitely paid during the redux and it continues on the underside where we are met with miles of black painted steel.  The frame, flooring, rockers and body supports are all structurally sound and we note in the areas of paint chip off the factory primer is showing through.  Dual exhaust with stock replacement style mufflers are on as are power drum brakes with finned drums all around.   Independent coil sprung front suspension and a 4 link with coil springs in back is providing the ride, and speaking of which it's time for us to take this beauty to the test track.

Drive-Ability
This car started right up and on the test track worked flawlessly.  It had nice power from the 2-barrel and good handling.  All functions were in working order, and the seats were found to be very comfy.  Excellent brakes and the new top are definite upgrade plusses, and on a side note, I did not take the time to perform my piggie wriggling on that lush black carpet.

A very nice example showing with a 10 year old restoration that is still looking fresh today.  The color is very nice, and the contrasting top is new.  The rebuilt 350ci V8 and numbers matching transmission is icing on the cake, so why don't you fly this drop top looker out of our Hallowed Halls...the Sky(lark) is the limit.

444670H143294

4-Buick
44-Skylark Custom
67-Convertible
0-1970
H-Flint, MI Assy Plant
143293-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 70 44467-1970 Skylark Custom Convertible
BDYFL11061317-Flint Body #
TR 175-Pearl White Vinyl
PNT 75A-Fire Red, White Top
10B-2nd Week October

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.