Across a 100+ year history, Buick injected performance into its image and automobiles. This 1968 Skylark in Lindenhurst, New York merges two Buick Performance epochs: the ’68 coupe body and chassis hail from the classic muscle car era, and the potent Grand National powerplant comes from the mid-’80s when Buick Performance meant “Turbo.” The 2005 Corvette blue looks a bit dark for LeMans Blue, but looks sharp and shiny. The seller includes 3/4 of a gallon of paint for future touch-ups. Offered here on eBay, the unique custom has attracted at least two bidders, elevating the market value beyond $9500. It only takes two bidders to make things interesting, though, so stay tuned as this auction nears its end.
Clearly the builder prizes engineering over cosmetic details, but don’t let that fool you! Despite the mostly unpolished mess of mechanical bits, the listing details a thorough makeover including a standalone engine management system with OBDII port and a front disc brake conversion with Cadillac rotors. The turbo motor’s factory 200R4 automatic brings overdrive to this ’60s classic with “drive anywhere” reliability and 100 MPH cruising potential. Fans of V8 muscle cars should never underestimate the conservatively rated “245 HP” 3.8L (231 cid) Turbo V6. The intercooled boost motor propelled the 3200 lb ’87 Regal to 60 in under five seconds, faster than any stock ’68 Buick, and can be tuned to far higher numbers.
Though sometimes overshadowed by the 1970-72 Skylark’s 455-powered torque-monsters, the ’68 actually rides on the same platform, and offered some fearsome power of its own in the form of a hot 340 HP 400 cid V8. Considering few classic muscle cars wear stock wheels and tires, you might call this turbo ’68 a sleeper. Anyone who thinks the low-budget wheels are this car’s only upgrade will be staring at its tail lights before realizing their mistake.
Sport seats mix an ’80s look with the mostly-original interior, continuing the theme of “form follows function.” New carpeting comes with the sale. Yes; the car is unfinished, but you might consider this the “first build.” The late Boyd Coddington and other high-dollar builders do the car twice: once to sort the engineering and once to blow it all apart for final paint and finishes. The ideal buyer might be someone who wouldn’t tackle the modern powertrain challenge for a ’60s coupe but can do that “second build.” With a strong finish, this muscle-merged Buick could become a six-figure custom. How would you finish this unique boosted Buick?
Aesthetics aside, this is a cool idea that I would love to see finished. My take would be to lean in to the Grand National theme even harder — paint it black, find some GN seats or fabric, and source some GNX-style basketweave wheels (which shouldn’t be too hard to find, I think the same style was used on Trans Am GTAs in the late 80s). Clean everything else up, modernize the suspension and brakes as much as possible, and done.
I absolutely love the color on this! Whether it be buckets or bench, I’d lean to put the interior closer to stock, and in black, otherwise an excellent start to a resto mod that can be enjoyed regularly and a dependable modern drive train! Love it!
I agree ; the only change for the exterior for me would be the wheels – with such a dark color paint , I’d like some chrome for contrast
You could get a Skylark in ’68 in dark blue metallic with a blue interior. That’s the way I would go. I love it too!
It’s not a Skylark Custom, they weren’t available as 2 dr pillared versions. I’d say its Special Deluxe.
Hello Chris Webster. You are correct! In the headline I was referring to the custom work done on the car, which I should have clarified in the piece. It’s ironic that sometimes the word “Custom” refers to a lower trim level, the least “customized” of all. Thanks for your comment!
I’ve owned two Special Deluxes — A 1968 and a 1969. They were pillared with chrome cladding over the posts, gutters and everything else. I would be wary of this thing if it exceeds $10k. The seller is missing the rear window molding (rust repair or oversight after painting?) there is no front grille, and with the color so dark you can bet the lower extremities of this sculpted body have been reworked with filler. Judging by the door cards, this was a basic Special too with the same trim level as both of mine. I’d almost rather it have a bench seat up front than those silly boy-racer buckets and that steering wheel, gauge set, etc tell me the owner cares more about the mechanical details but not comfort while driving. Bench seat would make it easy for ladies impressed with the car’s “get up and go” to curl up under your right arm as you light up the tires.