Edwin The Kid Posted February 21, 2023 Author Share Posted February 21, 2023 Finally got the title for the car from the previous owner. Car is now in my name and insured, as well as tagged with a vintage Kansas plate! I need to fix the lights on the car so I can take it out on the highway and see how it does. However, all my project car money is going to the Corvair at the moment. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 21, 2023 Share Posted February 21, 2023 Beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 Boy, she sure has come a long way from when you started! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 The Buick is still running good! Haven't done much work to it as all of my limited spare cash is going to finishing my Corvair. But I put the car to work helping in my Corvair endeavor. Having no passenger seat makes it basically a truck! Or maybe an opera coupe? Anyways I used it haul my transaxle that I rebuilt out of the school shop. Engine tins are all powdercoated and hopefully the powerpack will go back in the car this weekend! I've also been learning the basics of trimming in my trim class, so later on I'll redo the interior on the Skylark(it needs it!) 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 I like reading your progress, it really motivated me to work on my Buicks. How hard is it to do the stitching as you show above? I bought a professional auto trim sewing machine, but haven't used it yet. I just wonder if I should even try. Your work above looks great. Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted March 11, 2023 Author Share Posted March 11, 2023 23 hours ago, FireballV8 said: I like reading your progress, it really motivated me to work on my Buicks. How hard is it to do the stitching as you show above? I bought a professional auto trim sewing machine, but haven't used it yet. I just wonder if I should even try. Your work above looks great. Steve It's not too hard, I got the hang of it pretty quick after some practice. I find it pretty enjoyable, as I can take my time and be very meticulous in measuring, cutting, marking, and stitching. It's not for everyone but definitely worth trying! Having an excellent instructor helps as well, especially with setting up the machine. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 2 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said: especially with setting up the machine. Thats the part that scares me. It looks really complicated 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 On 3/11/2023 at 6:01 PM, JohnD1956 said: Thats the part that scares me. It looks really complicated If something goes wrong mechanically with the machine I'd be totally lost, but threading the machine and setting the stitch tension and length isn't too complicated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 The battery for the Corvair didn't love sitting for a couple months so had to use the Buick to get it going today. Two similar yet very different cars! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Buick to the rescue! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted March 31, 2023 Share Posted March 31, 2023 On 3/11/2023 at 5:01 PM, JohnD1956 said: Thats the part that scares me. It looks really complicated Honestly, its not complicated, since doing the interior of Beaut, I have learned so much about sewing and not only do I find it not complicated, it is actually very enjoyable. If anyone has any questions on sewing machine setup or problems/trouble shooting, give me a holler. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted April 1, 2023 Share Posted April 1, 2023 5 hours ago, usnavystgc said: If anyone has any questions on sewing machine setup or problems/trouble shooting, give me a holler. Where did you find your sewing machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 On 3/31/2023 at 5:10 PM, EmTee said: Where did you find your sewing machine? Sent you a PM so I don't hijack this thread. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted April 27, 2023 Author Share Posted April 27, 2023 Check out the May Buick Bugle for my writeup on the Skylark! Of course if you've followed this thread you already know the whole story, but it's a condensed version all in once place. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted May 4, 2023 Author Share Posted May 4, 2023 Got my physical copy today, excited to have it displayed at the college car show! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 Edwin, I also received my Bugle today, great article on your car. Man it has come a long way real fast. Bob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 You are somebody now! https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=the+new+phone+books+are+here#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:d95b0db8,vid:Zw8LDMOiOko 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted May 7, 2023 Share Posted May 7, 2023 It's great to have done a report on a book ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted May 7, 2023 Author Share Posted May 7, 2023 (edited) Edited May 8, 2023 by Edwin The Kid (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted May 8, 2023 Author Share Posted May 8, 2023 The car show was incredible. 475 cars on the field, and I got to push the GM Astro III. I'll post some photos in the meets forum area. With the show over, I'm thinking I want to sell the Skylark. I want to get into a prewar car, either a Buick or Franklin, and if I sell the skylark and save over the summer I think I can make it happen. I'm not sure what I should ask for the car, any thoughts? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 If you're not into it for a ton of $, eBay it with no reserve and spam the facebook groups with the link. I think you'll do pretty well with it. Knowing it's a running and driving car is a huge plus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 13 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said: The car show was incredible. 475 cars on the field, and I got to push the GM Astro III. I'll post some photos in the meets forum area. With the show over, I'm thinking I want to sell the Skylark. I want to get into a prewar car, either a Buick or Franklin, and if I sell the skylark and save over the summer I think I can make it happen. I'm not sure what I should ask for the car, any thoughts? LOL you're almost as bad as I am. Think long and hard on your decision. I've had seller's regret more than I ever had buyer's remorse. 🙂 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 15 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said: I'm thinking I want to sell the Skylark. I was looking forward to a continuation of the story... 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 It's sad to want to sell it , this Skylark is superb ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 (edited) Sell the Corvair instead Edited May 10, 2023 by drhach (see edit history) 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted May 10, 2023 Author Share Posted May 10, 2023 1 hour ago, drhach said: Sell the Corvair instead Never! The Corvair is one of my forever cars. Let me explain my thoughts a little more. I'm not done with the Buick just yet. There are a few things that need to happen before I'm ready to sell, and some others I'd like to do but I'm not sure yet. Mechanically: driveshaft, transmission seals, front ball joints, switch pitch, choke. Electrically I want all of the lights and the horn to work. All of this will happen before I sell the car. I'm thinking about putting front floors in and doing the interior to get a higher sale price from the car, but I'm not sure if that is something that will actually make me money. That's as far as I'll go with the car, even if I keep it. I have no desire to do body and paint to this car, as I quite like how the exterior looks as is. Plus, I would definitely lose money on it then. Here's why I want to sell: I really want to get a pre-war car. I like the Skylark but it was never something I was going to keep forever. I'd really like to get experience in older cars, and driving them is so much fun. I've got eyes on a 41 business coupe, but it is probably out of my price range. I'm also looking around for something older, I'd love to get a 30's or older Buick. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil morse Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 3 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said: I've got eyes on a 41 business coupe, but it is probably out of my price range You can't go wrong with a '41! Ask me how I know. 😄 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 41 is my favorite prewar Buick! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 Every car I've ever owned has been my "forever car" . No worries, you should do whatever you want. It's just stuff. I recently bought a 42 and I'm having a ton of fun with it. I totally get the draw. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted May 18, 2023 Author Share Posted May 18, 2023 I'm officially done with school for the year! In between finals and packing I found a little time to do the u joints on the Buick, as well as replace the headlight switch(it fixed the problem!) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 That little Buick just keeps getting better and better! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted August 6, 2023 Author Share Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) Late summer Buick update: nothing has changed except my used battery no longer holds a charge. Drove it around a bit in early July when I visited McPherson to see my girlfriend and drive my Corvair to St. Louis, where I've been working with Adam Martin all summer. However, the Skylark story will be coming to an end soon. In Jerome Idaho I bought a truck in what became a 760 mile Spokane after-adventure. Long story short the truck ended up in northeastern Colorado running on 7 cylinders. I will be back next week to fix it and get to McPherson Last week I was at the Franklin Trek for my 2nd time, and am in the process of purchasing a 1929 Franklin! More pics to come All that being said, I can't afford to keep the Buick. When I get back to McPherson I'll be finishing up a couple things on the car and listing it for sale. I'd appreciate thoughts on a fair price to start at, I was thinking starting a little high , maybe around $5,000? It'll be sad to see the Buick go, but I'm ready. Edited August 6, 2023 by Edwin The Kid (see edit history) 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 On 8/7/2023 at 1:09 AM, Edwin The Kid said: maybe around $5,000? $5000? it's cheap ! , here in France it will cost double! At this request ( with a low price like this) you are not afraid that people do not take care of it ? She will be in France I will have bought it without hesitation at this price ! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 In Kansas for a couple days before I go fix my truck and drive it back. Turns out the Skylark battery is fine, the terminals just needed cleaned. There's an incoming freshman here with a 65 Skylark! It's got a 4spd swap and the stock 300, but he wants to put a 454 Chevy in it. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 A 401 nailhead would be a much easier swap.🙃 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Awesome picture side by side. 454s are overrated and overweight. If he must have that big block, dump a Buick 455 in it. It's 150lbs lighter than a 454 right from the get go and it keeps a buick motor in it. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 (edited) Very beautiful photos of the two buick ! Edited August 10, 2023 by sebastienbuick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted September 2, 2023 Author Share Posted September 2, 2023 Took the steering wheel off and cleaned the turn signal switch, and confirmed it's function. Need to wire the rear lights and ground the fronts and hopefully I'll have signals and brake lights! However during this process I left the key on overnight, which lead to a 3 day wild goose chase to get my car to run again. Long story short, the coil was bad, but not bad enough to stop sparking. Anyways, I discovered and fixed burnt points and a failed vacuum advance as well. With the new coil and good distributor the car runs fantastic! This weekend I will finish prepping the car for sale. I will be getting the Franklin in October the truck is fixed too! Had to replace the wiped camshaft at a friends house and now it runs great. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said: Long story short, the coil was bad, but not bad enough to stop sparking. I love (NOT) that type of failure. Anyway, glad you have it resolved. The vacuum advance should help both performance and gas mileage. Good to hear the truck is running again. Your description of the problem made me think it might be a bad cam... Can't wait to see your Franklin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted September 3, 2023 Author Share Posted September 3, 2023 Well, the end is near for the 65 Skylark story. Listed the car on marketplace today. Did a coolant flush and it ran clear right away, but she still runs pretty hot. I'm assuming the rad is plugged up with crud. Hoping it goes to a good home! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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