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1966 Buick Skylark Convertible: Frameworthy?

66 Buick front

This 1966 Buick Skylark convertible is listed for sale here on craigslist in Marcy, New York, near Utica, for the seemingly reasonable price of $2,500. At first glance it looks like a terrific buy. The owner says it has only 85,000 miles on it. The car was found in a barn, appears to have decent sheet metal and a very nice looking interior. The current owner bought it intending to do a complete restoration. Even the top looks to be in pretty good shape.

66 Buick rear

This car does have floor rust, which is more or less normal for any 50 year old car that has spent its early years in upstate New York, where it would have been exposed to plenty of road salt. But, the really bad news though is that this poor Skylark has a rusted frame. The seller is offering a powder coated replacement frame for an additional $1,500 though. I’ve had cars of this vintage with rust like this, So I know that fixing this Buick is going to be a daunting task.

66 Buick interior

It seems likely that this car could be more valuable as a donor for someone restoring another 66 Buick. This car’s body looks remarkably solid and overall it has lots of usable pieces, including an unusually good looking grille and front bumper. The seller provides no information about the engine, so that’s an unknown.

66 Buick rear corner

This is not a particularly unusual Skylark – looking around the vastness of the interwebs, it was easy to find several much better looking and fully driveable cars for not much more, so it’s likely going to mean spending less money and definitely far less work to buy a good one than it will be to fix this one. If this Skylark was one of the much rarer and sought GS models, that might be a completely different story, as they are worth saving in almost any condition nowadays.

Anyone out there willing to take this project on or do you the seller will be waiting awhile to find a taker?

Comments

  1. Avatar Donnie

    the other frame should come with it at no extra cost

    Like 1
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Agreed, What is he going to do with after the car is sold? Better off to dump it along with his dream of restoring this.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Mark

    I grew up in upstate New York and can tell you that if the frame is rusted that bad that body is nothing but bondo! Even with impeccable care rust took over everything cards back then. The floorboards went first followed by the lower portions of the fenders and doors. After that everything just fell apart at once.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Jason Houston

    Bondo? On that beautiful, mint, SHINY, soaking-wet car?

    Naaaa!

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Blyndgesser

    I’m thinking its time to call Art Morrison…

    Like 0
  5. Avatar JimmyinTEXAS

    @Blyndgesser,
    Yeah, Art Morrison could fix you up and maybe even weld in a floor pan so there would be something to attach the frame to.. LOL

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Nova Scotian

    Why would someone leave a convertable outside to rot in place? This car is ruined.
    Too bad…so sad.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Jay

    My 67 Skylark had a badly rusted frame when it was bought in 1992. The frame was welded and the car is still going strong today, almost 25 years later. This car can and should be restored.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar bill

    you said the seller was offering a powder coated frame. the ad I read that you provided said he had a frame READY for powder coating

    Like 0

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