1967 Buick Skylark Hardtop

[Matt Harwood]

Super solid, rust-free car with a recent frame-on restoration. New Riviera Red paint (original color code H Green Mist), fresh black bucket seat interior with console, ice cold factory A/C, recently rebuilt 340 with 2-barrel carburetor. The owner has spent quite a bit on this car recently to bring it up to his exceptionally high standards (he owns a fleet of AACA and CCCA-winning machinery), and I suspect his perfectionism prevents him from realizing any profits on the sales of his cars.

I was blown away by how good this car looks in person, but even more so by how it drives. The 340 makes plenty of power, even with a 2-barrel carburetor, and I think the Riviera Red paint is a much better choice. Bodywork is laser-straight and completely rust-free, and the only real flaw I can find is a fingernail-sized chip on the edge of one of the fender skirts. There's absolutely no trace of the original color anywhere in or under the car, so the paint job was done on a completely disassembled car. Floors, including the trunk, are spotless originals with no patches or replacement parts. Chrome is excellent, with many replated or replaced parts, and the only areas showing their age are the rear bezels around the taillights, which are original.

The black bucket seat interior is a rare find, and according to the cowl tag, it's correct (code 198=black vinyl, B=bucket seats). New carpets, door panels, seat covers have been installed, and the headliner was custom made just for this car because the owner didn't like how the one from the interior kit fit. Everything works, including the A/C which has an R134a conversion, although one of the heater levers is missing its knob, which is just about the only fault I can find inside. The factory-issued AM radio remains in the dash, with a new AM/FM/CD stereo head unit stashed in the glove box feeding a pair of 6x9 speakers on the rear package shelf. And although it isn't shown in photos, there is a matching spare tire that goes with the car. New rubber seals installed throughout, including trunk, doors, and window fuzzies, making this car silent on the road and completely rattle-free.

The engine is a correct 340 cubic inch V8. The odometer shows 56,560 miles, but there's no way to know whether that's authentic, although the engine and transmission have been recently rebuilt so I'm thinking it must be the second trip around. It starts quickly without any pumping of the accelerator, and idles perfectly right off the bat. Very impressive. The front suspension was recently rebuilt, and new brakes have been fitted at all four corners. Dual exhaust probably wasn't standard with the 2-barrel engine, but it sounds great without being too loud. Stylish Buick Road Wheels are fitted with 14-inch Goodyears that still have a lot of life left in them, but I think I'd install some redlines if this were my car.

A really nice Buick that needs nothing to enjoy as-is, or just a few tweaks to be a show car. Asking only $18,900 and we're always open to reasonable offers. Thanks for looking.

Edited July 31, 2012 by Matt Harwood (see edit history)