When a gearhead refers to a high-performance early seventies Buick A-Body, I instinctively think of the Gran Sport, sometimes called the “gentleman’s muscle car” for providing lots of power and luxurious features all in the same package. However, somebody here took an ordinary Skylark and turned it into a real gem of a quarter-mile performer, focusing on keeping its appearance somewhat sleeper-like. This 1970 Buick Skylark is located in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and can be found here on eBay, where the current $20,000 high bid still falls short of the reserve.
This Buick left the Framingham plant with a 350 under the hood, but the car’s mechanical personality began to change in 2013, when the seller acquired it. The majority of the modifications took place over the next three years, including even more upgrades later, with the heartbeat provided by a 1972 date-code 455 bored out to 462 cubic inches, producing 500 HP and 550 lb-ft of torque. It’s full of high-performance goodies, such as TRW forged-aluminum pistons inside, Doug’s headers outside, and an Edelbrock manifold on top holding a 950 CFM Proform carburetor, plus a nitrous system. Shifting is provided by a Midwest Muncie M23 4-speed and a McLeod clutch, sending all that power to a rear axle from Quick Performance.
Outside, the body has been left mostly stock, with the seller calling the appearance a deceptively fast street sleeper. However, the hood scoop is a hint that this isn’t exactly your grandma’s Buick, but aside from that and the tires, the exterior looks fairly tranquil. This one is said to have been stored in a barn from 1999-2013, with the Skylark believed to have been repainted in its original Gulfstream Blue color sometime during the mid-eighties.
Perhaps even more unassuming than the body features, or lack thereof, is the bench seat inside. However, the subtle seat is surrounded by aftermarket gauges and a vintage Mr. Gasket Vertigate shifter, leaving no doubt for passengers that this one means business. With receipts for everything, the seller reports that over $50k has been invested in the parts alone, which makes me think the reserve might be set near that amount. That’s just a guess, and maybe it can change hands for less. What are your thoughts on this 1970 Buick Skylark, and how much would you be willing to spend here?
Nice one, Mike. Love the bench seat, four-speed, and of course the torque-monster 455+. I almost had a ’71 Skylark as my first car when my Aunt offered her Red/Black two-door it to my parents before trading it in on an ’83 Lynx of all things. They deemed it too rusty and that was that. Thanks for the memories.
I’m going to second what Todd said. That shifter is awesome!!! What I also appreciated is the base model Buick Hub Caps. How hard it must be to find a pristine set of those today???
I agree about the Buick hubcaps. Also like the dual sport mirrors.
Not … M21, M22 but M23 lol. Love everything here. Buick w the big power motor. Shifter, dog dish caps, floor mats. Thanks Stephens.
As mentioned, a great sleeper vibe, except for the hood. Nice that they didn’t go the usual “Stage 1 GS” look.
Running with that powerhouse, most other cars wouldn’t see the hood scoop for very long!
That hood scoop looks out of place, but hey, if you need air, you need air.
Pontiac began the Sixties decade using the Ford truck hood scoop; Buick ended the decade using the same?
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-and-pontiac-super-duty-hood-scoop.1123209/
The hoodscoop is period correct for the Buick racecars of 1970..it’s a Stage 2 hoodscoop and looks absolutely correct for a old timey Buick fan who remembers the Stage 2 Buicks racing in 1970.
You are right about the hood scoop. This car was well thought out and executed, which is getting hard to find nowadays. Hopefully the owner gets out of it what he’s looking for.
Steve R
One kick-ass Buick!
Power brakes (enough vacuum to run them? lol) and no power steering. Very cool hot rod!
Beautiful Buick!! Built to rip up asphalt and it will!! Love the Stage 2 look!!
The Stage 2 cars are very FAST!!
lot of money spent on that 455 for sure. scoops gives it away though
Lord Jesus.. can only imagine the torque on this beast… sideways for half of miles before it can go straight ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Vey impressive! Love the wheels! The scoop looks out of place but, about anything you add to the hood would look out of place. Serious muscle!!
I’ve never been a huge fan of Buick factory hot rods, mostly because I just don’t know much about them, but this thing is wild. The builder definitely knew not only what he wanted,. but how to achieve it. He (or she?) didn’t shy away from spending whatever it took to reach the desired outcome, (that gearbox alone is over $3800)
Very cool Buick.
Love the Buick torque!
510 ft lbs. @ 2800 rpm. that is in stock form. this has more than that. you push the go pedal and it will eat for sure.
Verti-Gate shifter! They really look like they mean business. A friend had one in his hotrod Elcamino. That was a blast to drive when slamming through the gears, but a little annoying for regular driving. Really made you feel like you were driving a drag machine!