For Sale: 1963 Buick Skylark in Ft Worth, Texas

In the '60s, Buicks were for people who enjoyed the finer things, and this 1963 Skylark convertible was exactly the kind of car that you might see driving down your street with the driver wearing a big grin on his face. With a handsome blue paint job and an innovative 215 cubic inch V8 under the hood, this Skylark is a right-sized car that will make you smile every time you slide behind the wheel.

The well-proportioned body is a little more curvaceous than your garden-variety Chevelle and not quite as bulky as a GTO, and the Diplomat Blue finish compliments the image that Buick was trying to cultivate. Bodywork and paint are in decent shape, having been repainted back to its original color some years ago but it's obvious that this was always a clean, well-maintained car that didn't need major surgery during the restoration. More evidence can be found in how nicely the big hood and deck lid fit, and you know there are no replacement panels for these cars, so that's all General Motors steel on there. Buick was never one for gratuitous chrome on their cars as well, with just bright, newer shiny bumpers and a few pieces of elegant side trim contrasting with the paint, not to mention the iconic vents on the front fenders, and it's all nicely finished and shows well. A cool ribbed tail panel frames the taillights, adding some interest and a distinctive look to the back of the car, and the sleek grille isn't too ornate, just simple and effective on the big Buick ragtop. And speaking of that ragtop, it's a power unit made of white vinyl and it's in great shape too.

The parchment interior is very nice as well, and we're glad that the decision to go with white was made over the original Saddle vinyl, as it brightens up the entire feel of the car. Wide buckets up front provide plenty of room to stretch out, and the backseat is spacious enough for three more friends. Crisp, ornate door panels like these are probably difficult to find and the carpeted portions on the door bottoms match the carpets on the floors, adding some contrast inside that makes the whole interior feel a bit more sophisticated. The two-spoke steering wheel is likely original and fits the proportions of the car perfectly, and the slender shifter lever is straight out of the era of skinny ties and pointy shoes. The original dash is free of any cracks and the gauges inside it are bright and crisp, and if you look closer you'll see that a tachometer was cleverly installed inside one of the factory pods for a sporty addition that monitors the engine's performance. Also note that this car still has its factory AM radio (although it's unfortunately no longer working), as well as a set of white Buick floor mats that work rather well on top of the dark carpets. Overhead there's a white power convertible top that stows under a matching vinyl boot and out back you'll find a neatly finished luggage compartment with a full-sized spare and jack assembly.

Under the hood you'll find Buick's aluminum block 215 V8, which is the car's original, numbers matching powerplant that put out a relatively stout 200HP for the 4-barrel version. Like all the automakers of the period, they worked to balance performance and economy, and the lightweight V8 offered plenty of performance from 215 cubic inches, and now has a little extra pop thanks to an Edelbrock 500CFM 4-barrel carburetor and an aluminum intake. The block is topped with an open-element Edelbrock air cleaner and nicely detailed valve covers, and it's nestled neatly in between satin inner fenders and a clean firewall. The smooth-running V8 moves the relatively lightweight Skylark easily, and you'll enjoy the muted soundtrack from the stock-style exhaust system. The rest of the engine bay seems like a combination of excellent original components and new equipment. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and there's a set of highway-friendly gears out back that makes this a superlative cruiser that won't break the bank. With factory Buick hubcaps and 185/70/13 whitewall tires, it has just the right upscale look.

It would be a mistake to overlook this Buick if you're looking for a fun, affordable '60s ragtop to drive this summer. Call today!