Vehicle Description
1968 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible
The 1968 model year was one of significant changes for the Buick
Skylark. Although still using the same basic chassis, all of GM's
mid-sized cars adopted a policy of using two different length
wheelbases. Two-door models used a shorter wheelbase of 112-in,
while four-door models used a longer wheelbase of 116-in (the Buick
Sportwagon and Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser used an even longer
wheelbase of 121-in). All of GM's mid-sized cars received all-new
sheet metal. The Gran Sport, previously an option package available
on the Skylark, became a separate series.
Dateline February 2022, Classic Auto Mall: Low mileage, unrestored,
original cars are coming out of the woodwork and gracing our
Hallowed Halls. Our latest consignment, a 2 owner, 62,051 original
mile 1968 Buick Skylark Custom convertible. Wearing its original
paint and having the original interior still residing inside that
has held up swimmingly. Some minor upgrades along the way, tons of
documentation including the Protect-O-Plate and a binder full of
repair receipts, 2 Buick Club Of America Achieval Awards gaining
398 of 400 points, still wearing its consignor stated original top,
and being a feature car in the 2012 Hagley Museum car show in 2012,
it's hard to pass this one by without a second glance.
Exterior
Ivory Gold Mist coats this exterior steel body which is starting to
show what will come to be known as the "Coke bottle body." The
paint is the original coat that was applied at the Wilmington, DE
assembly plant and has held up well with only some minor chips,
scrapes, and discoloration. Chrome trimmings and bumpers are nice
and shiny, and a very notable scrape in the driver's front fender
is the only large frown seen on this car. Gaps are well minded, and
trimmings also include wheel well surrounds, faux fender vents, and
chromed window surrounds, which border the nice original black drop
top. From the front quarter through the door and beginning of the
rear quarter there is a small cove which swoops downward, and
magically emulates the line of the rear pointed design. Speaking of
which, Buick inserted the taillights into the bumper below the
trunkline, and along with the gracefully sloping roof line is just
magnificent. Standard Buick wheel covers are on all 4 corners and
are wrapped with Firestone radials. A shout out to the not oft seen
rear fender skirts which give this Buick a nice touch of
elegance.
Interior
Factory installed black vinyl is inside wrapping the door panels
which have a beautiful chrome ribbed insert design along with the
red and chrome Skylark emblem. All chrome shows nicely for mirror
toggle and twin window cranks. Twin black vinyl bucket seats sit
within chrome piped plastic housing. A vertical tuck and roll
pattern covers the lower cushions and a tuck and roll pattern is
split with smooth vinyl on the upper. The driver's seat shows
minimal wear to the upholstery and some color loss on the black
delineation piping. The rear bench appears to have never been used!
A sleek black plastic console races between the front buckets and
houses the aircraft throttle inspired shifter within a brushed
aluminum housing. The original dash is very clean and shows just a
very slight bit of yellowing with age to the silver gauge inserts.
A date coded AM/FM radio is installed in the dash and the original
AM radio is included with the purchase. Deep black carpet is
flooding the floors and is protected by Buick badged rubber floor
mats. A word out to the trunk which has its original speckle gray
trunk liner paint and is nearly factory with its mat, spare tire
and cover.
Drivetrain
Lifting the long flat hood we are met with the original 350ci V8 in
a clean original engine bay. A 2bbl carburetor is on under the
original air cleaner assembly. All hoses, clamps and wiring is in
good condition and we note the original chalk marking on the
firewall. A non-original but rebuilt TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission is bolted to the back which pushes power back to a
2.56 geared Positraction 10 bolt axle assembly. Our consignor
states that the original 2-speed automatic is included with the
purchase as is a 4bbl intake manifold and 4bbl snorkel air cleaner
assembly.
Undercarriage
Having the undercarriage scrubbed and undercoated in 2003 gives
this bottom a great look. Clean and black as far as the eye can see
with only minimal spots of surface rust. The floor pans are
original and have never rusted or been repaired. We note a clean
and straight frame and rust free rockers and the wheel wells are
clean. Power drum brakes are noted all around, and a clean dual
exhaust still provides a great sound when you push this car.
Drive-Ability
My grandfather has a Skylark and I remember getting in as a 16 year
old driver and experiencing my first V8 acceleration. It was
exhilarating and I never forgot that Buick power. This car with the
added benefit of a 3-speed automatic accelerates at surprising
speed and smoothness. The transmission shifts smoothly, and there
the only rattle we noted was the front of the top, which a new seal
should correct. A slam of the brakes yields a straight stop with no
pulling, and handling was well within the test track's challenges.
The radio works, but the front speaker has no sound and the rear
speakers have poor sound quality.
An original body, original paint, and original interior, this great
example of the 1968 Skylark Custom version is a truly wonderful
car. A turn-key driver, lots of maintenance work, a smooth ride,
lots of paperwork and an award history that most cars only dream
of. Either way you'll get a kick in your butt, and an emotional
kick when you drive around in this wonderfully preserved
example.
VIN DECODE
444678Y175173
4-Buick
44-Skylark Custom
67-Convertible
8-1968
Y-Wilmington, DE Assy Plant
175173-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
06B-2nd Week June Build
ST 68 44467-1968 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible
BDY BW01472-Wilmington Body #
TR 178-Black Vinyl
PNT G2-Ivory Gold Mist, Black Top
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.