The Buick Skylark has long been one of the most underappreciated mid-size classics of the 1960s, and project cars like this 1965 Buick Skylark, listed here on craigslist out of Avoca, Pennsylvania, present an opportunity to get into a stylish GM A-body without paying Chevelle or GTO money. The seller describes this Skylark as a project already in progress, with some of the heavy lifting started, but it still needs a dedicated owner to see it through to completion. Thanks for the tip Mitchell G.!

According to the listing, the Skylark currently has no engine and the interior is in poor condition, meaning a drivetrain and cabin restoration will be at the top of the to-do list. However, these mid-size Buicks shared a lot of underpinnings with other GM A-body cars, so drivetrain swaps are straightforward, and everything from small-block V8s to big-block Buick engines could be considered, depending on how wild the next owner wants to go.

The seller notes that the frame is in good condition and already painted underneath, which is a major plus, as a solid foundation is key for any restoration project. The floors have been primed and are ready to paint, saving a future owner time and effort in addressing one of the common rust areas. The exterior body is described as being in primer, setting the stage for the next owner to decide whether to bring it back to a stock factory shade or choose a custom color scheme.

Although the car will need a full interior overhaul, replacement parts are available through the aftermarket and Buick specialist suppliers. The Skylark’s clean body lines and chrome trim pieces make for an elegant finished look when restored, and even in project form, it’s easy to see why this model remains a favorite among enthusiasts who want something a little different from the more common Chevelle.

The Skylark is also notable for being a close relative of the high-performance Buick Gran Sport, introduced the same year in 1965. That means this project could be taken in two very different directions: either restored as a stock Skylark cruiser, or built into a GS-inspired muscle car tribute with a period-correct big-block under the hood.

Overall, this 1965 Skylark is a blank slate for someone ready to take on a project. With the hard work already started on the underside and body prep, the next step is up to the buyer’s imagination.

Would you restore this Skylark as a stock cruiser, or turn it into a big-block GS-inspired street machine?