Vehicle Description
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 titleverified
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 definitelypaid during the redux and it
continues on the underside where we are met with miles of black
paintedsteel. 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 blackcarpet.
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 rebuilt350ci 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.
