Wanted: 1962 Buick Special Convertible

[R.Alfes]

Wanted: 1962 Buick Special or Skylark

I am a retired military Desert Storm Vet, and I am looking for a 1962 Buick Special Convertible, prefer a Deluxe 4 speed, 3 speed manual but entertaining any '62 Special Convertible or Skylark Convertible.

I also prefer a project car, but not a basket case. minor body, paint and mechanical work is fine but no rust buckets.

Any help I can get from the group would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

 

Corrected, the only manual is a 3 speed. 4 speeds were in the Skylark in 1962.

Add search to include 1962 Skylark Convertible

Edited June 26, 2017 by R.Alfes
Corrected, the only manual is a 3 speed. 4 speeds were in the Skylark in 1962. (see edit history)

[auburnseeker]

Well this one has a 3 speed.  For an old car,  not terribly far away from you either (they are usually on the other coast)  at what seems like a reasonable price. 

http://www.racingjunk.com/Buick/182901619/1962-Buick-Special.html#7

 

[auburnseeker]

What is your price range?  Most of these in Nice shape seem to be mid teens and up. 

[R.Alfes]

I am already talking with the seller. This is base model though, not the deluxe. I am looking at one that might fit the bill in Washington state. Anyone on the list in the area want to take a look at it for me (I'll post once I get the final location)?

 

Condition and price is somewhat flexible. I'd rather find a restorable car with the options I am looking for.

[R.Alfes]

So far I have 4 possibilities, 1 in Ohio, 2 in Illinois, and 1 in Washington State. 3 are base models and one looks like a deluxe (waiting on confirmation) and so far 1 is manual and 2 are automatics. Hmm, searching is so much fun

 

Thank you so much for the replies, keep them coming.

[auburnseeker]

Here is a Skylark in CA.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/buick/skylark/1970010.html

[R.Alfes]

25 minutes ago, auburnseeker said:

Here is a Skylark in CA.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/buick/skylark/1970010.html

 

The listing must be wrong, that is not the 1962 body style.

[auburnseeker]

I thought something didn't look right, but I took it at face value and moved on to my next search. 

[R.Alfes]

20 hours ago, auburnseeker said:

I thought something didn't look right, but I took it at face value and moved on to my next search. 

 

Two things I have learned over the years, one is that listings are never what they seem, and two, people almost always think their car is worth more than what reality dictates (they assume the condition is better than reality). A tough one to explain also is in the end Sentimental value = $0.00

Thanks for the post.

I think I have one picked out, but, Send more if you come across them.

-Rex

[auburnseeker]

Not sure if you get the daily mailing but this one just came up in Hemmings spotlighted as the find of the day. 

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/07/02/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1962-buick-special-deluxe-convertible/?refer=news

[Lebowski]

Army vet here. Thanks for your service. Check out this '62 Skylark convertible in your state of PA. It looks pretty clean to me. Good luck....

 

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1962/buick/skylark/100875297

[R.Alfes]

16 hours ago, Lebowski said:

Army vet here. Thanks for your service. Check out this '62 Skylark convertible in your state of PA. It looks pretty clean to me. Good luck....

 

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1962/buick/skylark/100875297

Sent my guy to check it out. It is an original car being sold by the daughter of the original owner. The body is great, mechanials need work, plus the engine has been overheating for 40-50 years. Major engine work needed. Not a 16k car but a good second choice.

Thanks for post.

[raugusti]

Not sure how I missed this earlier, but I have a few of these.
One is a 62 Special Deluxe V8 4sp. with buckets and power top.  The engine has been rebuilt and the seats redone with correct material from SMS, however it has one rust spot on the passenger front floor and both rear quarters are bad.  Here is a link to the pictures I've used on Craigslist.  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AilHsu_gDfzRtSAyR5Etkbm-XQS4

 

The second is a 62 Special, V6, bench seat, manual top car.  I really think this is the one the dealer used to get people to come in by advertising a super cheap car.  My father-in-law bought this as a parts car, but for a while I thought it was a better car than that.  I have a 63 V6 and automatic to go with it.  The engine ran before I pulled it, but it would need a rebuild to be sure of it.  The seats got left outside for a while so the frames are pretty rusty.  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AilHsu_gDfzRtymKlN6fd_xjI1AU
I am asking $3500 for both these cars, build one or build both.  Make me an offer I can't refuse! : )

The third one is a V8 bench seat 3spd with a rebuilt motor.  The car is currently wrapped in a tarp outside, so I don’t have any pictures of it.  Not sure if it is a Special or a Special Deluxe.  I think the body is in pretty good shape.  It is missing the transmission.  It is in my wife’s name, and I’ll have to see what she want’s for it if you are interested.

 

All of these cars are located just north of Colorado Springs, CO and have clear Colorado titles.
Scott
 

[R.Alfes]

2 hours ago, raugusti said:

Not sure how I missed this earlier, but I have a few of these.
One is a 62 Special Deluxe V8 4sp. with buckets and power top.  The engine has been rebuilt and the seats redone with correct material from SMS, however it has one rust spot on the passenger front floor and both rear quarters are bad.  Here is a link to the pictures I've used on Craigslist.  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AilHsu_gDfzRtSAyR5Etkbm-XQS4

 

The second is a 62 Special, V6, bench seat, manual top car.  I really think this is the one the dealer used to get people to come in by advertising a super cheap car.  My father-in-law bought this as a parts car, but for a while I thought it was a better car than that.  I have a 63 V6 and automatic to go with it.  The engine ran before I pulled it, but it would need a rebuild to be sure of it.  The seats got left outside for a while so the frames are pretty rusty.  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AilHsu_gDfzRtymKlN6fd_xjI1AU
I am asking $3500 for both these cars, build one or build both.  Make me an offer I can't refuse! : )

The third one is a V8 bench seat 3spd with a rebuilt motor.  The car is currently wrapped in a tarp outside, so I don’t have any pictures of it.  Not sure if it is a Special or a Special Deluxe.  I think the body is in pretty good shape.  It is missing the transmission.  It is in my wife’s name, and I’ll have to see what she want’s for it if you are interested.

 

All of these cars are located just north of Colorado Springs, CO and have clear Colorado titles.
Scott
 

Scott,

 Thanks for the post. You have given me quite a bit to think about here. The 62 Special Deluxe V8 4Sp fits exactly my search criteria. But it is the amount of bodywork I am worried about. I'll keep you in mind for sure.

-Rex

[auburnseeker]

This one seems reasonable and not to shaby.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Buick-Skylark-Convertible-/142442951660?hash=item212a42f3ec:g:o~8AAOSw~jNZZVVi&vxp=mtr

[R.Alfes]

 

Got one!!

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

10 minutes ago, R.Alfes said:

Got one!!

 

Good to hear of your success!

Tell us a little more about the car

and how and where you found it.

[auburnseeker]

Looks like the one from racingjunk.  I think one of the first ones you had thrown at you.  

I like the color combo.  How is the rest?

[R.Alfes]

6 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

Good to hear of your success!

Tell us a little more about the car

and how and where you found it.

 

It IS the one from RackingJunk.com that "auburnseeker" posted. I was already taking to the seller before I posted the thread. It was great to see the support from the group with all the other options. After much back-and-forth, I made a weekend trip out to Ohio to see it. The seller represented the car well and honestly and appeared to be a straight shooter. He also had a '62 Skylark hardtop 4-speed in the garage with it. Looked over the car top, bottom, inside, and out. Took it for a drive. We negotiated a deal and I brought it home.

The condition is pretty good. It is solid. It had some work done on the rear lower quarters. Previous owners did some "shade tree" repairs that I am already in the process of fixing. Mostly electrical hacks. I picked a few needed NOS parts from the Buick Farm and Rockauto. New tires this week and a carb rebuild as soon as I can.

The body is solid and other than a few waves and minor dings along the side, otherwise very good body. The top needs to be replaced but is still keeps the rain out. Interior is old and tired but not ripped or worn out. Engine is running strong and still has plenty of pep, but the trans is worn out. all the gears are there but the syncro is gone and it will pop out of 2nd when I let off the gas.

So, some electrical and a carb rebuild and I'll be at the next local car show. A nice driver for now while I gather a few parts.

SO excited to get going on this project.

BTW: It's already getting attention. I keep getting stopped to talk about it. In fact, at my overnight stop I could have sold it before I even got it home.

 

[62 driver]

That's always a good sign!  I once purchased 1967 corvette 427 roadster with a wrecked front end for $950. and before I left the seller house I was offered twice the amount.  I didn't sell it! 

[Pilgrim65]

On 03/07/2017 at 1:49 AM, Lebowski said:

Army vet here. Thanks for your service. Check out this '62 Skylark convertible in your state of PA. It looks pretty clean to me. Good luck....

 

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1962/buick/skylark/100875297

Very nice car , worth a look

good luck

[R.Alfes]

4 hours ago, Pilgrim65 said:

Very nice car , worth a look

good luck

I did see this one. The body is great but the engine and trans are shot. It is being sold by the original owner's daughter. We have had conversation as to what it would take to get it back to a daily driver again. She is just asking too much based on the mechanical issues, but again the body is real nice.