I’ll make a bold statement right now. While the 1970s might not have been the greatest of eras when it comes to considering classic cars, they are becoming a viable alternative for people who would like to travel down the path of classic ownership on a budget. If you consider the classics that hail from the 1950s and 1960s, they have done nothing but increase in both popularity and value in recent times. Cars like this 1978 Buick Skylark have remained largely forgotten and ignored, but that is a situation that will almost certainly change in the coming years. While it might not be perfect, the Skylark could be a great option for someone who is looking for something to park in their home workshop but is hamstrung by a tight budget. If it sounds like I’ve just successfully described your situation, then you will find the Buick located in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds classifieds. The asking price for this future classic has been set at $3,875.
Tackling the obvious first, the Skylark has been the recipient of a repaint in the past. The color that it wears now is close to its original Dark Green Metallic, but the owner openly acknowledges the fact that it is not quite the right shade, and that it has too much flake in it. He also says that the paint job isn’t the greatest (top marks there for brutal honesty), but from what can be seen in the supplied photos, it still presents fairly well. There is some rust present, but it doesn’t appear to be particularly bad. There is some in both lower rear quarter panels near the wheel arches, but this could quite easily be patched. There is also some in the rear wheel wells, but this doesn’t look like it has penetrated through the steel, so should be reasonably easy to address. There is also a spot or two in the lower fenders, but once again, a few patches should see you right on that score. Otherwise, the trim, the chrome, and the glass all look to be very presentable.
The interior of the Buick really doesn’t look bad, and it also looks like it might be a fairly pleasant place from which to clock up the miles. The dash looks really nice, and this is something of a triumph when you consider that what we are talking about here is 1970s plastic. That stuff has a nasty tendency to either crumble or for dash pads of that era to take on the appearance of the San Andreas Fault. This has avoided those problems, and there doesn’t even appear to be significant signs of discoloring. The door trims look really nice, while the same would appear to be true for the seats. The two biggest issues to address are the sagging headliner and the carpet that is now both stained and worn. If the headliner can’t be repaired, then a new one will cost around $200, while a full carpet set will set the next owner back less than $150. Still, when you look at those two costs, it really makes bringing the interior back to its best a pretty cheap proposition.
The mid-to-late 1970s was not a time when American cars were renowned for their high horsepower figures, so it is no surprise that the Skylark is no barnstormer. However, its performance is more than adequate for a family sedan, and this one would appear to be in extremely good mechanical health. What the next owner will receive is a 231ci V6 engine, a 3-speed automatic transmission, along with power steering and power brakes. This is a car that would appear to be full to the brim with good news, because the owner says that the engine runs well, with no ticks, rattles, or blow-by. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the Buick has just completed a trouble-free 800-mile road trip. That sounds nothing but encouraging, and I get the impression that the Skylark would comfortably handle a cross-country journey without breaking into a sweat. The owner also states that the odometer shows 72,000 miles, and while he can’t confirm that these are original, he believes that they are. He also says that anybody who inspects the vehicle is welcome to draw their own conclusion on that matter.
There are times when I wish that I had a crystal ball because it would make predicting future desirability and values for cars like this 1978 Skylark so much easier. To be honest, the chances are that this car is never going to command the sorts of values that we see for classics like the Mustang or the Camaro, but that is like comparing apples with oranges. I’ll throw a thought at you, and that is that classic car ownership is only partly about the value of the vehicle but is more about the pride of owning something that is special to you. My daily driver is not the most desirable car on the planet, but it is in exceptional condition for its age. Wherever I take it I receive compliments about its condition, and about the care and pride that I show in my car. It will never be worth a million dollars, but those compliments more than compensate for the lack of monetary value. That is the experience that potentially awaits the person who chooses to buy this Buick.
Add a set of Buick Rally wheels and WW tires to take away the “lo spec” look, and spiff up a nice conservative cruiser! GLWTA! :-)
No, no, no, Moparman. No whitewalls here. 17 inch Torque Thrusts, some high perf Michelins, an LS motor, a 5 or 6 speed manual, 4 wheel disc brakes, and some chassis upgrades. Yeah baby!
That is the front end used on the Mexican Nova Concourse.
Definitely has that district-attorney-staff-motor-pool look to it.
Or INS/ICE folks. ;)
Hey folks, I am the owner of this car. The carpets are a totally in excellent condition, the floor mat is dirty & I haven’t had the time to clean them. The headliner, unfortunately, is not as nice. It is held up with thumb tacks.
The car runs and drives excellent! I would be willing to drive it anywhere in the country. I am selling it because I am selling pretty much everything lol. I have a minor legal issue to handle, then when I am done with that I am moving to the southwest.
This car is an absolute sweetheart! I am open to reasonable offers.
Steve, is it a small legal issue? Will it be handled soon?
Legal issue… One call – That’s all!
The “one call, that’s all” guy is an ambulance chaser lol. That won’t help me at this point!
It isn’t huge, a slight setback. Let’s just say I am not always the sharpest knife in the drawer.
I am hoping it will be handled soon. I may have to do a small bit in the Graybar Inn & Suites, but even at that I may get off with just a bit of time on paper.
Not a violent case, a drunk driving charge. Here in Wisconsin, every time you get a d.u.i. your legal b.a.c. goes down. I blew .03 & now am looking forward to sitting for a spell. I had priors (one was .06, one was .04, one I can tell you I truly earned lol) so now my legal b.a.c. is .02. No other state does that. In any other state, I would not have been charged.
Now I am selling off my toys so I have money in the bank for financial obligations while away. Then I will have less to move once this garbage is done.
Adam, re: your last paragraph, well said. Pride of ownership and something special to you are part of the equation. So if you like 1978 Buick Skylarks and have one you are proud of, fine with me. I’ve also had someone guess that my 15 year old daily driver was five years old, and that made me happy.
Wow, this one brings back some memories! Dad had a ’76 version of this in red with a white top. I think it’s one of the vehicles he owned the longest as he traded it in on a new ’81 Skylark. Grandma had a ’78 Nova with the same red, white top; last car she ever owned after she hit a bridge support and Dad and his brothers had to take the car away from her as she just wasn’t safe to let drive anymore.
Looks like something Joe Friday would drive.
Why is that important, or even any of your concern, Miguel?
Miguel is a friend of mine. He is concerned, and I don’t take offense to it.
I have a bunch of cars for sake now, and am advertising them here as I get them ready to sell. Some people might want to know why I am liquidating.
The only one I am not going to sell at this point is my 1951 Pontiac convertible. I can’t help but to think cruising that car in Arizona might be fun!
Ohh, that’s O.K. then. Thought he was trolling. Sorry…I need to remember we are a community here. Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you for looking out for me Chas. Had I not known, I would have thought the same. Have a great day!
Stay Corona-free, everyone!
Steve wish you well in Graybar, stay silent and cool.
Steve, one more thing, I ‘d jump on the Buick but I have no room and am concerned about the fiscal fallout from the caronavirus.
Thank you Maestro. I am a little concerned about our economy too. Giving away all of this money is going to do nothing but devalue the dollar. I hope the economy springs back like the Don says it will, but I tend to sway on the side of being pessimistic. It sure makes disappointment more bearable when ya think negative lol.
When I was a kid my Grandmother got a brand new 1964 Buick Skylark. I was 10 years old and really getting interested in all cars, but I fell in love with her new Skylark. After 1972 I started losing interest in Buicks, and I never cared for this model year, but now it is looking pretty good compared to most new cars now.
You learn something new everyday! I always thought Buick’s version of the Nova was called the Apollo. Did some research and discovered that Buick started phasing back in the Skylark name in 1975, while still badging some Novas as Apollos. I worked at a gas station from 1977-1983 and don’t remember seeing a Skylark badged Nova!
I need to let this car go, so if anyone is interested, please call me & let’s talk. I am now advertising it on Chicago’s Craig’s List and have it there for $3,500. I would love for it to go to a loving home again.
Great car IMHO. Love the interior. my only draw back is no a/c. That is a must here in Maryland,DC,Virginia area. If it were closer, I would bid. I’ve been looking for an inexpensive practical car and this fits the bill pretty well for me. Shucks!!
My number is in the ad. Call, make a reasonable offer, and I will drive it to a half way point to meet with you. I might even bring it all the way for the right offer. I’ve always wanted to see the Capitol!
The Skylark has sold. I found a local buyer on Craig’s list. I wish I had found a buyer for it here, it was a nice car. I have a feeling the guy who bought it is going to put some funky rims on it & pimp it out in ways I wouldn’t want, but it is his now. Hopefully the next car I list here will find a buyer here. I really like this community & prefer it over Craig’s List scum.
Enjoy you Memorial day folks!