General Motors redesigned all its mid-size automobiles in 1968. Out of the four divisions (excluding Cadillac), the Buick models carried the most unique styling with a “v” shaped rear deck. That applied to the Special, Skylark, Skylark Custom, and Gran Sport. The seller offers a ’68 Skylark Custom 2-door Sport Coupe which looks practically new from the outside (the interior needs some TLC). Located in Vancouver, Washinton, the GM intermediate is available here on eBay where $5,300 is the number to beat (no reserve).
While the Chevy Chevelle, Pontiac Tempest, and Oldsmobile Cutlass were attractive vehicles in 1968, there was something different about the Buick Skylark. The styling wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and Buick toned it down a bit in 1969 and even more when reskinned in 1970-72. The seller doesn’t mention how long he/she has owned the car, but it has to be several years given a reference to newer front seat covers (pullovers that don’t match the back seat). The mileage is said to be just 51,000.
There were three Skylark-based Sport Coupes in ‘68, with the Custom being the mid-level option while the GS was the performance model. Buick built 44,000 of the Customs that year compared to 33,000 of the basic Skylarks. The seller describes this Buick as a survivor and its level of care appears to have been quite extensive. With a 350 cubic inch V8, we’re told this machine runs and drives as it should.
The body and gold paint look quite good with no indications of any rust or prior body damage. The interior will need some help, including the armrest in the driver’s side door. The seller’s only motivation for letting the car go is related to medical issues. If these late 1960s Skylarks are your ‘thang, you might not find another one as nice as this – and perhaps at the kind of money this one might sell for.
Funny. I had a 1970… same color. It’s interior was pristine, but the body was rusty.
This looks like a solid car and if you do upholstery work, it could be a good buy.
Would look great with the Buick chrome wheels that came from the factory on the Grand Sports and some interior work. Wish I wasn’t 2500 miles away
Yep a friends dad bought one new in this color and sadley said friend got it long after graduation from SMU only to wreck it a little later.
Nice car, I hung with a girl that drove a convertible decades ago. I always liked these especially with the skirts, which hers had. Interior is a bit rough for 51,000 miles but I guess it depends on how it was treated. Under the hood and body look nice and the interior kit is pennies and easy to install if the frames aren’t weathered which these are not.
I used to be quite a skirt chaser, too. ;)
Love the Avant Garde style of these Skylarks. No question where the inspiration for the early 90s Skylark came from, just inverted.
I would choose this Skylark over that heavily modified ’70 Road Runner mentioned elsewhere; it’s genuine and really needs only an interior re-do that can easily be obtained thru the aftermarket. One immediate question: did this car originally come with rear fender skirts?
First car I owned was a 1969 Buick GS 350. My mom bought it new. I paid her the dealer trade in offer price when she was getting a new vehicle in 1974. The GS had the 4bbl carb with dual exhausts and was rated at 280 gross hp. The Custom was a 2bbl carb rated at 230 horsepower. I never forgot that the car overheated several times and blew hoses and spewed coolant and steam like the Old Faithful geyser. No coolant recovery tanks in 1969 models. Finally a gas station mechanic figured out what other repair shops failed to find that the thermostat was stuck and replaced it. The drum brakes required replacement and then frequent turning. The black vinyl bench seat was burning hot in summer and ice cold on winter days. The Buick did not have air conditioning; many performance type cars on dealer lots did not in those days. Mom was great with having regular service done so the engine ran fine. The car was about 200 inches long so was easier to park than the typical big cars of that decade. The power steering was over assisted. So my nostalgia aside, the 1969 Buick was not one of my favorites.
Of all the 68 mid size GM cars, the Buick was my least favorite . the odd body line, the clumsy rear roof quarter window design and that V’d rear bumper that always looked like someone backed into a pole with it . But someone will love it , and I’d still check it out art a car show !
Yeah, that is why they’re called “stepchildren.” Definitely a love hate kinda car. I’ve actually always been fond of them because my Mom and Dad owned a white 68 GS400 that my dad got a slight discount on while he was working part time selling cars at Chezik Buick in Kansas City – he also was working full time as an aviation mechanic and going to college – talk about slacker! The car was long gone before I was born but I suppose I inherited some love for them thru DNA.
Owned a 69, same style, kinda Bren black vinyl top..with a factory 3 speed on the floor, in college 1980..loved that car,it was a one owner beautiful shape paid 900.00. Sold it to my brother 3 years later for 300.00. it was totaled in a month
It appears to have originally had fender skirts, because the rear wheel openings do not have the wheel lip moldings to match the front wheel openings as the factory non-skirt models did. The steering wheel might be from a ‘69. My grandfather had a ‘68 and I’ve observed many ‘68s with the same wheel his had, but possibly the ‘68 custom came with the same wheel as the ‘69s.
After looking up some more images, I believe that steering wheel is correct, maybe specific to the “Custom”.
I had one in HS back in 1971, mine was gold with white vinyl roof. With 350 CID it was one of the ‘smaller’ cars in the school parking lot. I used to race other guys out in the country after football practice. Mine was tuned for higher elevation and had a separate name tag from the factory, that said ‘GS for Grand Sport Colorado’