ol' yeller

Also check your grounds.

I used Ragg Topp on the white vinyl top on my ‘90 Reatta. It uses a 2 step process first the cleaner, then the protectant. I was very impressed with how well it cleaned, especially after leaving it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. I also used it on a Haartz cloth top on a 2004 VW bug. It was dull looking and water didn’t bead up on the top prior to the treatment. After 1 treatment the top looked like new and water beaded up on the roof rather than soaking the cloth. Good stuff!

Do you have a tilt column? It appears the turn signal switch at the base of the steering column is not centering correctly. I don’t remember the procedure to adjust it but it is detailed in the factory service manual if you have one. If i recall correctly the only tool required is a bent paper clip and a nut driver to slide the switch. It is tricky because the spring on the switch has to slide the correct distance no matter what position the tilt wheel is in. Are your turn signals working correctly? The turn signals and the brake lights use the same filaments, the running lights use a different filament.

Also no power brakes!

I’ve had 3, all 1990’s. 2 coupes and one convertible. They are an interesting car. You won’t see many others unless you are at a Buick meet. The drivetrain is pretty easy to get parts for but there is a lot of other stuff to go wrong. The cars were built at the advent of computer assisted automotive technology so those parts are pretty rudimentary. Windshields are hard to find and expensive if you do find one. The Teves brake system isn’t too difficult to understand if you know ABS systems but it is just different enough that most of today’s mechanics shy away from it. Also parts for the system like speed sensors and accumulators are difficult to find. Convertible weatherstripping is not available no matter what you are willing to pay. Resale of these are not what you’d expect for a low production, 2 passenger hand built sporty car. You can pick up a low mileage car for a very reasonable price but you will likely have to overhaul the AC system (don’t believe the recharge lie) for $1,200. It will also likely need new struts for another $800 to $1,000. If you figure you can buy one for $2,000 to $3,000, after putting a couple of grand into it, it is still only worth $2-3,000. The return on the investment just isn’t there unless you buy an ultra low mileage 1991 convertible or a low mileage Select 60. Finally they are fun cars to drive but they are not performance machines. One plus is that they are very comfortable road cruisers wit h plenty of room for big and tall folks unless it has a factory sunroof. I hope this helps. Other than having 2 seats, there is no comparison to a Miata.

Beautiful car!

This post is almost 2 years old!

Geeze, you'd think FB charges by the word or picture. A little more information would be helpful to potential buyers and it might save the seller some time having to respond to those who aren't real purchasers.

It's going to take at least 3 weekends to organize and just figure out what is there and price it to move. I will be handling it for her as I don't want the "Great Unwashed" coming to her house when I'm not there.

I'd do this if it was at my home but I have no way to transport all this stuff to a Swap Meet. I'll admit that it was my first inclination.

Great ideas. Just a clarification, she is not looking to make a ton of money. She’d rather just have it gone. I’d like for her to see some money as her financial situation could use some help. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll sort through and organize and price (cheap) everything. I’ll also see if there are any reputable auctioneers here in or around Clearwater. I’m leaning towards a big garage sale but if someone would come and organize and sell it, that would be great too. Thank you!

Currently I am visiting my girlfriend in Clearwater Florida. Her husband was a backyard mechanic and was quite good as witnessed by his many customers. Unfortunately he passed away 6 years ago. She was left with 3 roll always with assorted tools. No snap on stuff but lots of Craftsman stuff. He also has a motorcycle jack and AC charging equipment. There are also lots of other equipment like a 30 gallon compressor. He was a diesel mechanic by training in the service so he also has repair manuals. I am helping her sort through it all but there is a lot. What’s the best way to get rid of this stuff? She doesn’t have much money so I’d like to see her get something for the trouble of going through it all. I don’t want her to have strangers come to her house to buy piecemeal. I’m thinking a garage sale might be the best way to move most if not all of it. Any other ideas? The easier, the better. Thanks! I am here for the next 2 months so she’d like to get this done before I head back to the PNW in May.

Granted, but by the time you fix all the other issues and then add the cost of a hard to find part and the cost of welding it in, the value is gone. Anything can be fixed if you throw enough money at it.

Who ever punched the nose and put in that ridiculous grill ruined the value of that car.

Holy thread hijack Batman!

Kingsley is good people!

I had a 3.55 posi behind my 300 V8 with a 4 barrel (355 Wildcat). It was a great cruiser and had a nice grunt off the line. It was in a 1965 Skylark, not a Sportwagon. People often overlook the performance gain a change in gear ratio can bring. My mileage stayed pretty close to the original.

I agree with what Bill wrote. I've lived here since 1966 and raised my family here. The Pacific NW is a beautiful and amazing place to do that. Seattle in particular and King County in general have become hard places for those on a strict budget to live. If your son lives in Seattle, no matter where you locate, getting into and out of Seattle will be a challenge even for the most patient. I live in Redmond which is likely one of the most expensive places to live because of the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo folks. It's hard living here (expense wise) but my kids and grandkids all live within 15 minutes of me so I make it work. Anything within 25 miles of Seattle will require at least and hour to an hour and a half commute. I studiously avoid going into Seattle anymore because of the crime and homeless which have ruined a great city. You ask about building. Getting permits through King County is challenging to say the least. I believe you are asking about the impervious surface rule which states that the building and impervious surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, out buildings) cannot exceed a certain percentage of your lot. It is a consideration but I've heard in Seattle they are relaxing the rules so there can be greater density. They are allowing secondary dwellings for family on small lots but there are restrictions on size, who can live there, and what you can do with it after family moves out. I'm not trying to discourage you from coming here. We can always use another car guy here. There are realities that you should know. If you have further questions I'll be happy to give you my opinion. Feel free to PM me. Greg

Sorry Billy. I understand what you meant by classic car (small c) as opposed to Classic with a large C. You were quite clear what you are looking for as in an Edsel or El Camino. You also clearly stated you can't consider 30's cars. So welcome to the old car hobby. Old cars do require maintenance. Ones that don't, tend to be on the higher end of the price scale. You can't compare the repair costs of a 1994 Cherokee to an old collector car. Old collector cars are much simpler in design and engineering. That said you will need some basis of car repair knowledge to keep an old car on the road. Tune ups have to be done more often and there is always something that goes wrong with an old car. If you are keeping it just for going to shows is one thing but if you need to use it as a daily driver that is something else. I'd suggest you start by looking at collector cars the no one else wants. 4 door sedans come to mind. From the driver's seat they look just like their 2 door hardtop brothers. It sounds like you have a lot of challenges in your life. It might be that for you it is best to admire the old cars that belong to someone else, at least until your situation improves. It is an expensive hobby.

My wife of 44 years passed away a year ago. The only time I could get her in the garage was to help bleed brakes which she hated doing. She indulged me in my hobby though. We had a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy when it came to what I was spending on my cars. She did enjoy going to most car club events for the social aspects. My "Chapter 2" lady friend says she would love going to car shows with me. Her late husband was a diesel mechanic. I may have hit the jackpot with this one.

Interesting how a post about Skylark bucket seats evolved into an Oldsmobile tach/vacuum gauge discussion!

I think every 2 door Skylark had this trim except the GS which had different trim. The options were White, same color as the car or vinyl. I don't recall seeing any factory colors other than white. I don't know what Buick called it but i have heard it referred to as "catbox" trim.

The first 2 questions any buyer will ask are price and location? You left both out of your ad.

It's easier to sell something when you tell us your price rather than make us guess. What mounts? Engine? Transmission? Struts? Body?

Since no one else is chiming in i'm going to offer what my flawed memory retained. I think that the nylon bushing just interference fits into the nylon bushing in the center of the steering wheel. No spring or anything else. If memory serves (I'm old) it is not a firm fit but there is little to nothing pulling on the connection. Just make sure you press it in far enough to make a connection.