Restorer32 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Just kidding. We were asked to pull this car out of the shipping container in which it has slumbered for the last 20-30 years. It was built in the 1960's by a fellow from Baltimore. Helped that he owned a sheet metal/machine shop. He also had a few properly restored cars back in the day, mostly Model A's and Chryslers. As these things go this one has better styling and execution than most. Cadillac engine, Skylark wheels. Our job is to make it road worthy again. Not sure what to call it, Resto-mod, hot rod, rat rod, tribute car? Anyone from the Baltimore area remember this thing ? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 I wonder what it would be worth in parts!!?! If those are genuine Borrani wire wheels as used on the Skylark, one can sell them for a good price, considering what genuine Borrani re-pops cost: https://www.borrani.com/buick-skylark-borrani-wheels-1950-54.html Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 I would call it a tribute car. And I like it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 "Mixed Era" would be as kind as I can get. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 It's very much over built. The hood panels are at least 14 gauge steel. I am surprised that it was actually finished. Many of these homebuilts never seem to get completed. According to family members it was driven quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) Stutz ? Say whaaat ? STUTZ ? I dunno........................ Maybe take a lesson from the SSK that Gary Ash brought to our attention down yonder and call the thing a DV32 ! - CCV8 Edited October 22, 2019 by C Carl Add periods and space for enhanced comic delivery (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 My dad would call it a Heinz, 57 different varieties went into its making. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrhd29nz Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 The only thing I dislike are the way to small wheels and those hideous ww’s i would sell them fancy wheels to pay for the proper sized wires with black walls and re shape the rear fenders. JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 I'm with you on that. Also, just what Cadillac engine powers that "thing" ? - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Rolls-Canardly. Rolls down one hill and Canardly get up the next ha ha old joke. I would call it a speedster or replica. You could have a lot of fun with a car like that if you don't take it or yourself too seriously. In any case it is an expression of one man's taste and may be worth preserving . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Interesting but I don't care for the top treatment at the rear of the passenger area. Would look better to have a metal body panel across the back of the rear seat and not have the top material come all the way down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 What model series is the chassis? AA, BB, M, MA, MB, LA, LAA? How much is still original Stutz powertrain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) Nothing there is Stutz! That is the Clark Car. I remember it from the owners garage from over 40 years ago, his last name was Clark and he built it from various parts. I had always wandered what happened to that car. As I remember it had a Mack truck radiator shell, Cadillac engine, Model A fender and who knows what else. I believe it was registered and titled as the Clark Car. I will forward this thread to my friend that lived there and dated his grand daughter. C CLARK R Alex D. Edited October 22, 2019 by Alex D. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimm63 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Didn't Johnny Cash write a song about a car like that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 DING DING DING... We have a winner. It is indeed the one and only CLARK CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Restorer32 said: DING DING DING... We have a winner. It is indeed the one and only CLARK CAR What are the plans for the Clark Car? Does the Clark family still own it ? In the past I had asked my friend if he had any contact with his old girlfriend and if he had any way of locating the car. Wow! how excited I was when I saw that picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 If Clark had been Clark Gable and Bowman & Schwartz built it church bells would be ringing and there would be dancing in the streets. I'd put a couple doors and a boat tail on it myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 18 minutes ago, 60FlatTop said: If Clark had been Clark Gable and Bowman & Schwartz built it church bells would be ringing and there would be dancing in the streets. I'd put a couple doors and a boat tail on it myself. And if a bull had udders it would be a cow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 Still owned by the same family. It is here to be made mechanically reliable and safe before a decision is made as to how far to go with a "restoration". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 The car looks the same as it did 40 some years ago when I saw it last, well preserved. You opened up a time capsule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 On 10/21/2019 at 2:29 PM, 8E45E said: I wonder what it would be worth in parts!!?! If those are genuine Borrani wire wheels as used on the Skylark, one can sell them for a good price, considering what genuine Borrani re-pops cost: https://www.borrani.com/buick-skylark-borrani-wheels-1950-54.html Craig Sidenote: Borrani never originally made wire wheels for the 53 and 54 Buick Skylarks (optional until I believe 1958) - they were Kelsey-Hayes brand; and if Borrani did make a Skylark wheel it was for some auto show car and close to a one off. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 26 minutes ago, John_Mereness said: Sidenote: Borrani never originally made wire wheels for the 53 and 54 Buick Skylarks (optional until I believe 1958) - they were Kelsey-Hayes brand; and if Borrani did make a Skylark wheel it was for some auto show car and close to a one off. It may have been for the one-off showcar, but either way, they were unique to the Skylark, and still might be worth a lot on the market. I'll still stand by stating that homebuilt is probably worth more in parts. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 (edited) 6 minutes ago, 8E45E said: It may have been for the one-off showcar, but either way, they were unique to the Skylark, and still might be worth a lot on the market. I'll still stand by stating that homebuilt is probably worth more in parts. Craig It has a limited value, but probably more than you think merely for the fact that someone finished it and it is pretty close to being able to hit the road again - plus it has a decent enough look (actually, I like it and would have a lot of fun with it). And, yes a set of rust free/non-pitted set of Buick wires are always worth decent money - I see them all the time being restored at Dayton Wire Wheel. Edited October 27, 2019 by John_Mereness (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 You are confusing "monetary value" and "sentimental value". Obviously the current owner values it enough to preserve it and make it road worthy. Beware the Philistine who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. Of course it's not worth much money but that is not how we are are evaluating it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 I traded all my sentimental valuables for self satisfaction value. It's a liberating feeling! Ever watch the antiques roadshow? I keep telling my wife that there is someone out there really placing a great value on an item the owner is going to take home and put in a drawer for another few decades. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Here's another homebuilt. Speedster. Boat'. Danny did a little metal bending and out popped this'un. V12 Cad power. Uh, what Cadillac engine moves the subject beast ? - CC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 1 hour ago, C Carl said: Uh, what Cadillac engine moves the subject beast ? - CC I believe the Clark started out with a Ford Flathead V8 and later switched to a Cadillac push rod with an Automatic, possibly the 390. That is a recollection of about 45 years ago. Alex D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Thank you, Alex D. IMHO, they should have strung in a '37 Cad or LaSalle trans after that 390. - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 (edited) The Clark Car 44 years ago. My good friend Mark S. dug these pictures out so I thought I would share them. Mark was a family friend and knew the car well. Edited November 24, 2019 by Alex D. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 Mark and Clark. Mark behind the wheel and Mr. Clark on for the ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 On 10/21/2019 at 8:58 PM, C Carl said: I'm with you on that. Also, just what Cadillac engine powers that "thing" ? - Carl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted November 24, 2019 Author Share Posted November 24, 2019 On 10/27/2019 at 5:21 PM, Alex D. said: I believe the Clark started out with a Ford Flathead V8 and later switched to a Cadillac push rod with an Automatic, possibly the 390. That is a Alex D. It has a '64 Cad in it now. Rusted up tight. We popped the heads and found a broken valve head lying on one of the pistons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 Time for a low compression, ('71 and up), 472 or 500 Cad mill. - CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 I traded all my sentimental valuables for self satisfaction value. It's a liberating feeling! very hard for a human being to do................. as they get older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 Not one person has commented on the workmanship of the car. It seems that if someone does not approve of his styling it is no good. I would like to see what they are capable of producing, even if it is restoring a stock vehicle on their own without professional help... (although professional help may be needed for some of the commentators here) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 46 minutes ago, Roger Walling said: I would like to see what they are capable of producing, even if it is restoring a stock vehicle on their own without professional help... (although professional help may be needed for some of the commentators here) On another thread, an old crank called one of my cars a POS. I've never seen him but I bet I could pick him out in a crowd. Those ones always have the same look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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