With ongoing sales success between 1961 and 1963, the Buick Skylark graduated from being merely a trim level to a model in its own right by the 1964 model year. This 1965 model has been painted to look (from a distance) like a GS, but the owner assures us that it isn’t. It is still a solid car that has served as a daily driver for the last 5-years, but a change in location for the owner means that the time has come to part with the car. Barn Finder Ikey H spotted the Skylark for us, so thank you for that Ikey. While the owner is in Brooklyn, the Skylark is waiting for a new owner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is listed for sale here on Craigslist, and the asking price is $6,500 OBO.
There are a number of spots of surface corrosion on the Skylark, but the owner says that the only rust of any note is in the trunk pan. He says that it hasn’t rotted through, but he does suggest that replacing it would be a pretty wise move. The rear window channel was also rusted, but the owner has had this repaired, and the original rear window refitted. At the same time, he went to the trouble and expense of having a new windshield fitted. The fenders and hood have been repainted at some point, but the way the panels align suggests that there are no real problems there.
The interior of the Skylark is said to be original, and it actually does present quite nicely. When the current owner originally purchased the car, it was fitted with an aftermarket stereo in the dash. He sourced and fitted an original radio, but it currently isn’t connected. The remaining aftermarket stereo components have also been removed, and apart from some additional Stewart Warner gauges, there have been no other additions. I have been trying to work out whether there is a tear or seam separation in the seat on the driver’s side, but I really can’t be sure. The rest of the interior presents really nicely and has survived rather well over the past 54-years.
If you are looking for value for money in a classic car, you only have to consider the mechanical work that this Skylark has received in recent times to see some value. The engine is the 300ci V8, backed by an automatic transmission. The engine has recently received a new timing chain, while the transmission has had a service and new filter. The power steering pump has also been replaced, along with the master cylinder, the wheel cylinders, springs, shocks, and fuel pump. The 1965 alternator and the starter motor have both also been rebuilt, new mufflers have been fitted, and the original radiator has been re-cored. The period alloy wheels that are fitted in the photos don’t come with the car, but it not only wears a set of ’71 Rally Wheels, but the original wheels and hubcaps are also included. If you really like those alloys, you can score them as well for an additional $400.
For someone who is looking for a classic that they can just climb into and drive, this Skylark would seem to be a strong contender. The owner says that he would have no hesitation in driving it to California today, which is a sign of confidence. It is the sort of car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed, and any restoration work could be undertaken at the new owner’s leisure. I think that there will be plenty of people who will find that to be an attractive proposition.
There doesn’t seem to be any pretense here at all. With the work that’s been done already this seems like a great way to get into a mid-60’s Buick. I like it!
100%, NotSure-I’d drive this home to the west coast in a heartbeat, and not on the interstates; follow old Hwy 40, 50 or 66 wherever possible!
Yes, you can sit back and grumble about how the collector car hobby has been “ruined”, or you could buy a good looking car like this Buick and enjoy driving it…..at a reasonable cost, no less.
Ikey is correct. Someone buy this and enjoy it.
Maybe a new owner will be Fitted to this car soon.
Those alloys belong on this car, really makes it look sharp. I’d have to fork over the extra 400 for them and he can keep the other wheels.
I don’t know why but the last picture of it up there reminds me of a ’66-67 Ford Fairlane. Probably the only one here who gets that vibe.
Sweet car for fun in the sun.
I get a ’67 Fairlane vibe too, Troy. I had one in ’73– 390ci, 4-speed. It would scream!
Good eye 🙂
I had one of these from new for thirteen years and a huge number of miles. They are mileage champions. I replaced one valve and the fixed the pinion gear twice. There was no relief ie curvature on the machining of the shaft where the bearing meets up with the actual pinion gear. The sharp corner was prone to fracture and eventual failure. The last one failed days before my new car arrived; but bless the Skylark it failed in a rear wheel lock up right in front of a drive train service business. I simply rolled back and said please fix it. I think they may have put in a whole used Olds rear axle. Guess 250,000 + miles
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Yup. $6,500 was a decent price for this one.
One of my dream cars. I’m a Buick man through and through from 1970 back. I really like the 67 best. I wanted to buy one when I got out of the army in May 1967. It was a beautiful yellow with black trim convertible. It was a 4 speed close ratio model with V8. I just couldn’t swing the financing at the time.
God bless America
Pretty nice but I’d like to see it on a lift!!!
Already gone! My Grandmother bought a new 1964 powder blue with dark blue interior Buick Special which was the base model. It only had power steering and a small V-8 engine. Not even a radio. She bought it in May 1964 and only drove it until January 1965. She then had a stroke and couldn’t drive anymore. With only 8,000 miles my Dad sold it to his boss for only $800. I would have loved to have been old enough to drive and have gotten a job to buy it myself. Unfortunately I was only 11 then. I loved that car! Beautiful looking and well performing car!
Grandfather had one, a beautiful deep red or maroon. Outstanding design. I was 3-4 years old and it is one of my earliest memories when he and my grandmother drove up the driveway having driven hundreds of miles from Ohio. Well bought, this one.
“When the left tire mark goes up on the curb and the right tire mark stays flat and even? Well, the ’64 Skylark had a solid rear axle, so when the left tire would go up on the curb, the right tire would tilt out and ride along its edge. But that didn’t happen here. The tire mark stayed flat and even. This car had an independent rear suspension. Now, in the ’60s, there were only two other cars made in America that had positraction, and independent rear suspension, and enough power to make these marks. One was the Corvette, which could never be confused with the Buick Skylark. The other had the same body length, height, width, weight, wheel base, and wheel track as the ’64 Skylark, and that was the 1963 Pontiac Tempest.”
Vinny!
Yep, you’re right-VinnY, not “ ie”! Where’s that dang spellcheck when you need it?
@edh In your example, why did the Tempest left tire go up on a curb ???
As to the Tempest rear axle… it was a pretty poor system taken from the early Gen1 Corvair ( “Unsafe at ANY speed ” ) , and although the two wheels were independant, the tires did NOT stay flat, because it was a swing-axle design . Traction was compromised and the tires wore on the edges terribly.
Corvair dumped the system in ’64 for the ’65 Models, and Pontiac just dumped the idea altogether.
You do realize edh was quoting Marisa Tomei, aka Mona Lisa Vito, as she was testifying after her voir dire by the DA on the stand in the movie classic “My Cousin Vinnie”…..?
I had a 62 Buick Skylark, did a few mods and it was a quick and fun car to drive until I found a TR6. Still have fond memories of High School and College in the Skylark.
no one noticed the original underdash vintage Pioneer FM/Cassette radio in it. a collectible in its own right.
Had one of these ’65 Skylarks. 100% stock, with 300ci V8
Drove it the longest of any vehicle I owned previously or since.
Sweet memories……