Vehicle 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!