It seems to me that the 2nd-generation Buick Skylarks are the least popular of that vintage GM A-bodies. I guess something has to be the “least” but they’re my favorite of the A-bodies. This 1971 example was sent in by a Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Frenchtown, New Jersey. With 24 bids tendered, the current high bid is $16,700, but the reserve has not been met.
The 2nd generation Skylark was introduced for the 1968 model year. It received a significant refresh for the 1970 model year that carried through the 1972 model year. The Custom trim level, as in the example presented here, was ever evolving. In 1971 it gave you some extra “luxury” items, including an upgraded interior. Skylarks accounted for roughly 1/3 of Buick production in 1971 w/ about 184k Skylarks built. The 2-door hardtop Custom was a little less than 30k of those.
The seller says this Skylark is finished in Lime Mist Green. It did receive one repaint in 1987, but still looks nice. The white vinyl top offers nice contrast and looks to be in good condition. The brightwork looks bright, the body straight, and corrosion non-existent. The clean look of a hardtop roofline is always a plus too. The Buick rally wheels fit perfect on this Skylark and the whitewall tires reinforce the luxury, not muscle car, feel.
Inside the claimed 42k original miles is believable. The green bench seat is in excellent condition and the rest of the interior follows suit – the dash looks perfect, carpet shows no signs of wear, and the steering wheel is crack-free. Green rubber Buick floor mats are in place and show little wear. It is equipped with air-conditioning, an AM radio, and more unusually a built-in tissue dispenser below the glove box.
Under the hood is a 350 cubic-inch V8, which by 1971 was producing about 260HP. The engine bay looks very clean, which makes me wonder if it is the recipient of a recent refresh. The seller tells us it is equipped with a limited-slip differential and power steering. A column-shifted automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The seller says it “rides like a dream.”
I’ve cast my vote as the Skylark being my favorite of the 1968-1972 GM A-bodies. This is a clean, original example in the more luxurious Custom trim. It looks like there’s no work to do — just get in and drive. If this one doesn’t flip you to the Skylark side, which GM A-body is your favorite?
Hey Frenchtown is five minutes from where I live! I love the green with white vinyl top, and that green interior is mint no pun intended
the top is painted white from the factory
No pun intended? Really? That seems unlikely – we have seen your work, sir! But yes, it is a neat car. Please check it out and report back. I could do without the whitewalls, but otherwise it is pretty cool.
Oh man. Green over green. I’m blinded by my love for green. Gimme.
I really like these.I don’t think I’ve ever seen
one in this shade of green.
What’s with the hate for the white wall tires? I mean I would do white stripe tires myself it gives it a class your look then your dull everyday Firestone muscle car tires.
Classier not class your
these are terrific cars, with build quality rivaled only by Olds. Right out the gate, they need more caster for high speed stability but nothing more. A low compression Buick 350 2 bbl still packs enough torque to spin the tires from a roll, and upgrade options are unlimited. The whitewalls on this car are pitch perfect, we forget that white letter tires weren’t widely used till the mid 70’s. The color is an acquired taste, but this car pulls it off well. I’ve had a dozen of these or more, and aside from the 68-69 GTO, there is no more of a handsome GM A-Body. One mans opinion.
Lose. The. Whitewalls. Otherwise my favorite GM A body. I love the Buick’s!
Whatever. They look fantastic and add so much to the look of the car!
As the owner of a 70′ green Lark I say yes!
If you are going to run white walls on the 70-72’s, opt for the double line ones.
Great looking car. If you don’t like the whitewall’s, turn then to the inside assuming the tires are in good condition.
It never occurred to me that this generation of A-body Skylarks are the least popular. I’ve always assumed they are widely held in high regard. I guess I’m partial having owned a 71 convertible. This look will never go out of style and this car pulls off the whitewalls very nicely with the white roof. In all the parts catalogs and junk yards I’ve searched not once have I ever come across a tissue dispenser like the one this car has.
The 350 2bbl absolutely spins the tires from a dead stop when tuned correctly and it delivers quite a bit of torque. This car has all its side molding chrome intact which isn’t always the case. The custom interior adds the woodgrain which breaks up the sea of green interior nicely. Great car
I don’t think these are the least popular at all. They seem to attract attention wherever they go, and they command a high price when they are sold. I suppose he means in production figures they didnt sell as well? There were certainly a lot of them around at the time.
Also seems to me these are really the 4th generation Skylarks, unless you’re specific to the A body. 53-54 = first generation, 61-63 = second generation, 64-67 = 3rd, 68-72 = 4th, 75-79 = 5th, 80-85 = 6th, 86-91 = 7th, 92-98 = 8th and the end.
Yea, it is my least favorite of the four, number one would be the 69 GTO followed by the 69 Olds 442 and and then the 70/72 Chevelle. White walls don’t look good on any car, IMO, so lose them as fast as possible.
Yes Desert Rat! I would bring a black magic marker with me to pick this car up!
Would have been nice to see some under carriage pics.
IMO 68-72 skylarks were some of Buicks finest work. Owned a 72 back in the day, albeit a crew cab, but it was one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
I had a red 72 Skylark that was bought from the original owner. It was red with white vinyl top and black interior. Also had the 350 2 barrel/ automatic. Steel wheels with hubcaps. That was a very nice running car with a comfortable ride. Drove it for 3 years and sold it for more than I paid for it, but I still really like the style of these Buicks. I missed a really nice Skylark, GS 350 by a few hours, as a guy was selling his for a reasonable price, but someone else had first dibs and took it. It was blue with the GS hood and the rally rims, automatic, but no rust that I could see. My first preference for this body style is the GTO ( I am a Pontiac first guy), then the Skylark, 442 then Chevelle.
I’m still kicking myself, for selling my ’65 GTO, four years later.
Too bad we didn’t have crystal balls back then.
Guy I knew had a 72 Skylark in H.S. Don’t know what was under the hood, but it had the proper rake for the time(74-78), fat meats, dual exhaust and a killer pearl blue paint job. He was also a beast on the football field and had a super-hot GF! Meanwhile I was borrowing Mom’s station wagon or Dad’s 64 GMC P/U (neither cool at the time), had the build of Jimmy Walker and couldn’t buy a date. Good times.
DI-NO-MIIIIIIGHT!!!!!
I Bet your football buddy and his hot GF, don’t look like that, now. LOL
I had the same car pearl white back in the 80’s best car I ever had ! I had steel wheels baby moon caps. Looked like grannies car used to love roasting the tires at a red light. I wish I still had it!