The big news at GM in ’64 was the new intermediate A-body spread across four different brands as the Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F-85, and Buick Special. All four also offered upscale trim levels too in the form of the Malibu, LeMans, Cutlass, and Skylark, respectively. Pontiac sucked a lot of the air out of the room with their performance-based GTO but all of the divisions did well with their new mid-sized steeds. Chevrolet enjoyed mass production volumes, as they always did in those days, and Oldsmobile wasn’t about to let Pontiac run off with all of the go-fast glory so they offered up their own hotrod in the form of the 442. What about Buick? Not much to report there and for that reason alone, I thought we should give consideration to this fine-looking ’64 Skylark two-door hardtop – let’s see what Buick really had going on. This example is located in Los Angeles, California and is available, here on craigslist for $20,000.
Buick offered three Skylark body styles in ’64 a two-door sedan and convertible, as well as a four-door sedan. As for Specials, there were three, including a two and four-door sedan with accompanyment by a four-door station wagon. The Special was further divided into two trim levles, standard and Custom. As for the Skylark two-door hardtop, 42K rolled off of Buick’s assembly lines that year – not bad for a new design in a crowded market. One thing Buick didn’t offer in ’64 was a Gran Sport (GS) performance edition, that was still a year away.
This Skylark takes flight courtesy of a 250 gross HP, 300 CI “Wildcat 355” V8 engine, and the claim is that it “starts right up and drives beautifully“. The rear wheel connection is made via a Super-Turbine 300 two-speed automatic transmission.
The exterior of this Skylark is finished in its original Coral Mist color, which is claimed to be “fresh oil-based paint“, so it’s not a contemporary two-stage with clear coat application. Whatever the paint’s composition is, it looks great! A Skylark trait is its roof finished in a contrasting hue that extends below the bottom edge of the rear window and is edged by a stainless trim piece. There’s no sign of rust (not since the sandblasting was completed) or crash damage. The body panels align well with just a very slight bow noticed with the front bumper. Nice to see are the original wire wheel covers that are still in place.
Inside we are greeted with black vinyl bucket seats which are separated by a center console. Unfortunately, there’s just one image and it’s not very forthcoming. This is an A/C-equipped car and the seller mentions, “A/C is there, but was never changed to the new system” which tells me it’s an R12 system and probably not operational. Also stated is a replacement trunk floor but there’s no indication if the interior floors have had, or needed, similar treatment. That said, there’s no reason to assume a problem.
This is a sharp-looking Buick and it’s nice to find a non-muscle car version of a popular model – especially one that has not been hacked or poorly modified. Let’s talk price, $20,000; what do you think, priced right or not quite?
And it’s loaded–Power windows, driver’s seat & Factory AC. Not that many Skylarks can boast those options and it’s nice to see. But given the gorgeous color it was painted (I assume it was originally too) It’s a shame to have a black interior. To me, that just kills it. There was white or a shade of red GM used that year to coordinate with the coral mist that would have looked far better to me.
If only more pics were posted on craigslist of the car. Only seven pictures? That’s nowhere near enough to show a car. When you’re trying to sell a car, you want people to see as much of the car as possible.
In today’s market I think it’s a 15 to 20 k car.Depends how good a paint job it has and how the trunk floor was done have to see it in person imo.Cool color and that white roof looks neat how it blends into the car. The 2 speed auto trans isn’t for me though. Glwts.
Beautiful looking car. 1964 is my favourite year for the Special and Skylark. $20k seems rather expensive, however nice it may be. I’d pay between $10k and $15k for the car.
Where do these sellers come from? Asking 20 K for a car that may well be worth that, and you don’t even have decent pictures and the car detailed. Until I looked closer, I assumed it was a POS.
I’d definitely pay 20 k for a 64 Skylark my late maternal grandfather had a 65 Skylark Grad Sport convertible for a few years when my mom was little then my late maternal grandmother drove a used 1984 Skylark limited 4 door hardtop sedan finished in dark royal blue pearl for 1.5 or 2 yrs. when I was a little girl and I loved that car though the engine was underpowered the model she bought had the 2.5 l Iron duke 4 Cylinder engine had 92 HP while the top engine the 3.8 l V6 had 110 HP that year
Ms. Puzzo, the V-6 in the X Bodied cars was a 2.8 V-6. My youngest daughter had an 84 Skylark Limited 4 door Sedan in high school. automatic trans. power windows, steering, brakes, AM/FM Cassette, rear window defroster, and A/C. I picked it up at the dealer auction in 1990 for $300.00 She drove it for 3 1/2 years, before trading it for a 1993 Mustang Hatchback, because it was a stick!. I got another daughter a Pontiac Phoenix coupe, and our son an Olds Omega. All of them were V-6 motors. I really liked those X-Bodied GM cars, would like to get some more of them
Not all had the v6, I personally had a 1980 x-body Buick skylark with the 2.5 iron duke, 4 cylinder, and they actually made some with stick shift, manual transmissions!
Pontiac also offered that 1 year only paint color, which they called Sunfire Red. I have heard that the color was actually cancelled mid-year due to complaints if it looking dull. In some lighting, the color does wash out, but in direct sunlight it really stands out! I love the color, especially when paired with the white convertible top on my 1964 GTO.
Code nn is the code for Coral Mist on my 64 Riviera with code 608 black interior. To me it’s a beautiful color, the reason for double n is top and bottom. mine is all one color but two tones were available.
This car is gorgeous and should easily bring the $20,000.00 asked for. I’ve seen a lot less go for a lot more. Granted if it had been ordered with a nailhead and 4 speed trans it would be worth more, and a convertible in the same configuration, name you price you’d get it.
God Bless America
Love colour. Are those speakers in the front doors?
Nice car, but about 5k too much. With the lack of pictures, who knows what else needs to be done.
Agree with $15k price. It is a Caly car. Had a black ’64 with a 327 , 4 spd. swap 40 yrs ago. Would like to build another, always looking for another, maybe this, looking at a clean yellow one like this for $15k right now in Indy, no salt rot, hard to believe, going to inspect, never know until you look in person.
I agree with carnet, if you’re selling a classic car at that price you’re supposed to have a plethora of pictures to show. It’s a beautiful unit with nice options… not sure if I’d give him 20k. I would like to make a deal against my 84′ Riviera Fully Loaded with only 59,000 miles. (with the same color triple)