1969 Buick Skylark

Description

Buicks don't seem to get the same respect their Pontiac and Chevy cousins do, but that means that cars like this 1969 Skylark convertible are insanely affordable. Offering great V8 performance, a bunch of luxury features, and awesome A-body styling, it makes you wonder why anyone would ever pay a premium for a Chevelle.

In truth, this is a good, clean, honest car. It isn't a show car, it isn't a resto-mod, and isn't trying to be a GS clone. Instead, it's lived the easy life in a warm climate and pretty much worked as a car, not a collector's piece. It might have been repainted at one point, but it's hard to say; the overall look is decent but there's a bit of patina to it and some nicks and scratches that come with age, so it'll be up to you to decide where to go with it (if anywhere). The color is called Polar White and it's the right choice given the time period in which it was built and the fact that it is an upmarket Buick. It does not appear to have ever been wrecked or rusty, and the panel alignment is decent, which is important with that long sweeping trim along the flanks. The trim is probably original and showing a bit of age, but again it's appropriate to the car's overall look and replacing one part might start an avalanche of replacing everything, and you know where THAT inevitably leads. No, better to leave it the way it is and simply enjoy because everyone you meet will think it's a very handsome car. You probably can't get more V8 ragtop than this for the price.

The black interior is unquestionably original and in good overall condition, perhaps the best proof of this car's comfortable life. Seat covers, door panels, and even the carpets are vintage 1969 and showing only minor wear and signs of use. That funky Buick steering wheel is unlike anything else in the GM stable at the time and the gauges are still crisply market and very legible. The original Sonomatic AM radio still lives in the dash, but it's due for an upgrade if you're going cruising, because that's what this car was built to do. The black power convertible top is also in good order and features a glass rear window. The mat in the trunk is also original and a little dirty and frayed around the edges, but there are no serious issues hiding underneath. This is an original car, not a restored piece, so perfection isn't on the menu but functionality is.

Buick's own 350 cubic inch V8 provides big torque from a small package and a unique sound that's music to Buick lovers' ears. The bright Dante Red engine block and valve covers are simply too nice to be original, so the engine bay has obviously been freshened not too long ago. It remains quite stock, including the 2-barrel carburetor, original air cleaner, and factory cast iron exhaust manifolds, so it runs like a Buick should. These tend to be pretty bulletproof, so you should be able to enjoy it for years to come and I think you'll discover that the Buick V8 is a lot of fun in the mid-sized Skylark. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission powers the original 10-bolt rear end, and just a single glance at the underside of this car is all the proof you'll need of its excellent overall condition under the skin. Sporty 14-inch Buick road wheels are fitted with Dunlop white-letter radials, so it's ready to cruise.

This Buick offers lots of top-down fun for a fraction of the price of the other guys, and the performance will likely surprise you. Become a Buick fan and take this one for a drive. Call now!