Drop-Top GS: 1970 Buick Skylark Convertible

My family has a long connection with Buicks. I have a photo of myself as a baby being held up by my mother, looking out the window of my father’s 1955 Buick 4-door Special. When I was a bit older, my father purchased a new 1972 Buick Electra, which felt like a cave inside its massive frame and had freezer-cold air conditioning. A new 1977 Buick Regal eventually replaced the Electra. The first classic car that I purchased wound up being a 1971 Buick Skylark, and after enjoying it for ten years, I sold it to upgrade to a 1972 Skylark convertible. I would have loved to own a Buick Gran Sport convertible, but they were out of my price range, so I did the next best thing: I added a GS ram air hood and swapped in bucket seats to replace the factory bench seat. My Buick droptop featured a fire red exterior with a white convertible top and interior. Eventually, when money was needed for a new swimming pool, the Buick was sold, but I sure do miss it. So when I spotted this 1970 Buick Skylark convertible with GS parts added, it brought back great memories. This sunny-looking Buick convertible from Danbury, Wisconsin, is listed here on eBay with a buy it now for $29,500, though the seller will also accept offers.

The seller describes themself as the third owner of this Buick and states the car has 22,000 miles but doesn’t mention if they are original or on the second lap of the speedometer. Without detailed documentation of the mileage, it’s up for discussion. The color, Bamboo Cream, is unique compared to the many brown and green Skylarks out there and seems perfect for a convertible. This light-yellow hue reminds me of a 1977 Pontiac LeMans I owned many years ago, which wore a similar shade of paint then called Cream Gold. Upon close inspection of the photos, small nicks and chips are present in the paint, and small bits of rust are forming, particularly around the driver’s side rear wheel well. While not a show car, this Buick would certainly be presentable at your local cruise night. The interior color is Saddle Brown, which complements the Buick’s yellow exterior, and that front bench seat looks mighty comfortable – like driving while sitting on your living room sofa. The seller notes that this is the original interior and carpet and that the original radio is also present in the dash.

As for the Gran Sport added parts, they include the ram air hood, front grille GS badge, and the GS air cleaner with foam inserts to mate up to the hood scoops. I did this with my Skylark convertible as well, and it certainly gave the car a more muscular look. Adding to the muscular look is the Buick’s sound, which has been enhanced with the addition of a set of Foose stainless steel dual exhaust. Looking under the hood also shows the Buick has power steering and air conditioning with the belt still on, which, fingers crossed, means it might still be working – though the new owner will also have the option to drop the top to keep cool. The Buick rally wheels also add to a sporty look for the convertible. A three-speed automatic transmission handles the 350 V8 4bbl, and the seller states the Buick runs and drives like new, shifts well, and that the steering is tight. Another plus is the mention that the power brakes were all replaced a few years ago, with little usage on the car since then.

Lastly, the seller notes that the original documentation on the Buick, purchased from Buerkle Buick in Minnesota, is included, including the dealer Protect O Plate. In the eBay description, the seller has also posted a video of the Buick starting up and driving down the road, which is a welcome sight, and I wish more sellers would take videos of their cars starting and driving to get an idea of how the car handles. There is certainly a lot to like about this well-preserved 1970 Buick Skylark convertible with some nice updates. If I had the room in my garage, I would certainly be tempted to contact the seller to discuss the Buick. What about you?