Detroit enjoys a well-earned reputation for producing an incredibly diverse range of V8 engines. Some are quite small and humble, while others are monsters. This 1969 Buick Skylark features a motor falling into the latter category. The seller discarded its original powerplant, bolting in a 500ci beast that started life in a Cadillac. It features a few upgrades, ensuring it produces enough power and torque to rotate the planet on its axis. The Buick needs a new owner who can add the finishing touches to a classic that is guaranteed to receive plenty of comments when the hood is lifted. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Skylark listed here on eBay in Georgetown, California. The seller’s No Reserve auction, which opened at $6,000, has received no bids. However, there is a BIN option of $8,000 for those determined to take this beast home.
Buick launched its Third Generation Skylark range in 1968, offering buyers a choice of six body styles. This 1969 example is a two-door Hardtop that makes a striking first impression. The seller states that they are a fan of the faux-aged appearance, although I’m sure some enthusiasts don’t share that view. Therefore, the buyer may choose to refresh the appearance via a fresh coat of Polar White paint. There are no hard-and-fast rules in this case, and a color change may be their preferred option. The car features a contrasting Black vinyl top, which would look great with virtually any shade on that year’s Buick color palette. The panels appear quite straight, and I see no evidence of rust. If the Skylark has spent its life in sunny California, the climate may have protected it from the worst that Mother Nature can throw at it. The trim and glass look respectable, and the Rally wheels are clean.
Okay, we’ve reached the point where things become genuinely interesting. The chances are high that the first owner ordered this Skylark with a 350ci V8 under the hood. That was a competent powerplant, but some enthusiasts crave something special beneath their right foot. The seller shared that view, discarding the 350 in favor of a 500ci monster that started life in a 1970 Cadillac. It features Holley Sniper fuel injection, delivering 400hp and 550 ft/lbs of torque. Other upgrades include a three-speed TH400 automatic transmission and an aluminum radiator to prevent the motor from going “the full Chernobyl.” The seller also fitted new springs, new shocks, and a new fuel tank. They admit that the Caddy powerplant is only sitting in place at the moment, but hooking everything up to achieve roadworthiness shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. What is unquestionable is that this beast should provide impressive performance once it returns to its rightful place on our streets.
As with the mechanical upgrades, the Skylark’s interior is a work in progress. It retains its original Blue vinyl back seat, which looks pretty good. There are no rips or tears, and the Californian sun hasn’t rotted the top. Up front, we find bucket seats from an unknown source and a console. The changes produce an upholstery mismatch that some potential buyers may not accept, although others won’t bat an eyelid. The listing images are inconclusive, but seem to indicate that the carpet is quite tired. However, the dash and pad look pretty good, and a CD player occupies the spot that was the factory radio’s.
I initially thought that the engine transplant may have excited potential buyers, and that this 1969 Buick Skylark would have generated plenty of auction action. However, the listing statistics tell a different story as enthusiasts seem to be ignoring this classic. I admit that some probably view it as a bit of a Frankenstein’s Monster, although the V8 is sourced from another General Motors marque. That raises an intriguing possibility if the situation doesn’t change. The No Reserve factor means that someone could take this Skylark home with a solitary bid. Is that thought enough to tempt you?
Lee Majors called. He wants his car back on the Fall Guy set.
Is there room for exhaust manifolds with the engine in its current position?
The “patina” looks fake. Abandoned projects have a lot of downside risk, usually the sale price reflects that.
Steve R
They drop an engine in, take a look around and realize “hey this isn’t going to work” or” it’s going to cost way too much to get running”. So they put it up for sale hoping that one of those people PT Barnum was talking about will come around.
lol lol lol
I agree Steve R, the patina looks fake like he just rattle canned some gray on it.
Just because it’s big doesn’t mean its all that powerful. The 500 was a mid 70s emissions (translated: malaise) motor used to pull the big Caddies around in “cruising” style, not for racing. This poor Buick is now saddled with that heavy over-sized lump. No wonder there’s no bids, and you have to wonder why the conversion wasn’t completed. I think the seller knows the hand writing was on the wall. Someone should make a nice offer and restore the car back to what belongs under the hood. If it was my car, if I couldn’t find the stock running gear, then I’d drop a 383 stroker in and call it a day. It would be a much better conversion than this.
I’ve seen 500 cubic inch Caddies in 2nd generation Camaros, half ton pickups and a Pontiac Ventura. This engine will fit in this car. 1970 is the best version to use.
This is incorrect. While The Cad 500 is a big torque engine and not necessarily a high winder, for 1970 it was factory rated at 400hp and 550lb/ft of torque. They are also lighter than other GM big block engines.
Not that it’s perfect, but that engine should not be maligned as “not powerful”
What the Caddy does provide is tons of torque, 550 at 3500 RPM. it does weigh around 150 lbs more than a comparable Buick 350. A Buick 455 weighs in at about the same weight as the Caddy 500. The swap is pretty straight forward, the trans will bolt right up to the existing trans. If you are building a street car, torque is what you want. There are companies that provide parts to effect the swap and modify the Caddy engines. Beyond that, what’s up with that crazy vinyl top treatment? Looks like the front is paint, and the heavily padded rear section starts just above the rear window. Bizzare…
That’s not a Holley Sniper on there, it’s a Edelbrock 1406 that’s not even bolted on. Front accessory drive can be expensive. Is it included? If the fauxtina is just rattle-canned on you might be able to compound and polish it off.
In my opinion, a 455 Buick engine would be the better choice.
“almost powered by a Cadillac engine”!
why a caddy motor? makes no sense. it was on ebay 2weeks ago and suppose to have sold. well i guess it did not. the way this car is done makes i niche thig and removes a lot of potential buyers due to the sellers’ choices. 68-69 larks are hard enough to sell then you do this to 1 and it’s that much harder.
The first Skylark “RAT ROD” that I have seen. First of all, a 500 Caddy engine although big on cubic inches. Physicsl size and weight are not really a consideration. I’m betting that the weight is only about 50 pounds heavier than the 350. And the same for the 400 hydro. over the 350 hydro. That came out of it. And I have also seen this engine in a Nova sized car. This engine is lighter and smaller than a Chevy big block. I installed one of these in my 3/4 ton Chevy crew cab truck. And was VERY pleased with the swap. Tons of torque and a virtual bolt in. And these engines are getting hard to find these days. This looks like a budget put together with a non rusty Skylark. The price is little steep, but again, what does a stock non-rusty Skykark of this vintage go for these days? If in the market, I would consider this car. Definitely needs new paint though.
The first Skylark “RAT ROD” that I have seen. First of all, a 500 Caddy engine although big on cubic inches. Physical size and weight are not really a consideration. I’m betting that the weight is only about 50 pounds heavier than the 350. And the same for the 400 hydro. over the 350 hydro. That came out of it. And I have also seen this engine in a Nova sized car. This engine is lighter and smaller than a Chevy big block. I installed one of these in my 3/4 ton Chevy crew cab truck. And was VERY pleased with the swap. Tons of torque and a virtual bolt in. And these engines are getting hard to find these days. This looks like a budget put together with a non rusty Skylark. The price is little steep, but again, what does a stock non-rusty Skykark of this vintage go for these days? If in the market, I would consider this car. Definitely needs new paint though.
The expression that comes to mind is: “This is the answer to a question that nobody asked”.
Awesome – that’s the sort of car you can beat on like it owes you money :-)
500 Caddy engines cost a fortune in Florida. They are very desirable for air boats.
The 1970 ELDODADO ONLY got this engine that year and the max torque is 550 lbs at 2800 rpm and 400 horsies at 4800 r’s and this motor bone stock with a 2.73 ratio (9″ because it’ll break a 12 bolt if it hooks) 2800 stahl and the biggest tires you can get under it will run low 12’s in this Buick if it bites! Let the torque pull it hard with a good posi and those long legs and it don’t have to rev any higher than 5000 r’s and that’s my personal experience with this exact set up, and breathing through the stock Q-Jet on it and 472 manifolds w/a 2 1/2″ duals with turbo mufflers mine ran 12.04 every time it went down the track! You can look it up, not even the 426 HEMI w dual quads came close to the torque of the Cadi 472 or 500! The weak link in the Big Cadi motors was the rods, stock were weak over 5500 but with good rods I’ve seen them go as high as 8000 with nitrous.No BS!
Ended with 0 bids.
Relisted at 5K and ended with 0 bids.