Imagine you are a product planner for Buick entering the 1972 model year. You’ve already had to continue your Skylark shell for a year longer than planned due to a strike. What can you do to boost interest in an outgoing model that doesn’t cost a lot of money or time? The answer: the Sun Coupe. This example is listed for sale with a lot of details and pictures here on eBay and is located appropriately in sunny Glendale, Arizona. The starting bid is $9,800 and there’s no reserve listed.
Josh posted about a similar Sun Coupe back in 2017 and what he said is still true; there weren’t many made! ASC cut the 42″ x 50″ opening and installed the fabric sunroofs. A special “Sun Coupe” script was added to the C-pillar which some sources say was gold in color. As far as I can tell, most if not all were equipped originally with a vinyl 1/2 roof covering most of the rest of the top, roughly along the pinstriped line on this car. The seller tells us it was repainted about 30 years ago and there are a few bubbles showing now.
I find the car most striking from the side view, and the narrow whitewalls and Buick Rallye wheels just set it off right. If you want to learn more about the Sun Coupes I found some neat articles here, here and here.
The sunroof looks to be in nice shape, which is very important as no spares are available and they are known for leaking badly. It’s very reminiscent of VW Beetle sunroofs or the Webasto type fitted to many British cars.
The seller has done a good job of disclosing the issues with the car as well, which I greatly appreciate. I’d want to tackle these bubbles quickly before things got significantly worse.
There are some perforations in the trunk floor that have apparently been patched. Again, I appreciate the forthrightness of the seller.
It looks like the interior is quite original although there’s a slow leak in the air conditioning system that means a charge only lasts 2-3 weeks. Given the price of R12, I’m thinking that’s worth finding and fixing.
As with most Sun Coupes, this Skylark is equipped with a 350 cubic inch V8 and a two-barrel carburetor as well as an automatic transmission. I see this car as a classic you could drive now and improve over time, and it seems to be decently priced based on this NADA guide. So what do you think about this sunny-colored Coupe? Does it brighten your day or do you see clouds on the horizon?
Just like the GSX from last week, I’ve only seen one or two of these in person. For my money I’d rather have a convertible than a leaky roof like this that is difficult to replace. These A body Buick’s are beautiful and reliable no matter what configuration you get one in though. GLWTS
When I was in high school a guy had one of these, it was bronze if I remember correctly. The guy had a couple skylarks, and was crazy about them. I wonder if he still has it.
Is that a factory color ?
Sunburst yellow was a factory color like this for 1972. Seller states paint is 30 years old and indicates this was a 1 of 1500 yellow with black stripes Suncoupe.
Yes it is, in fact. I think it was called GM Piss Yellow #287663 if I’m not mistaken.
Bob
I think it’s a great car for coastal 101 cruising on a sunny afternoon. I’ve never seen one of these in person, maybe two GSX’s which were stout, but never this version. Nice.
Beautiful car! I owned a 72 Skylark with the 350-4 motor. Blue 2dr HT with Cragar SS rims. I miss that car. This yellow really speaks to me! That is the 69-70 steering wheel, BTW.
It looks like those rust blisters are on the mid quarter panel . Maybe a half quarter was welded on and its rusting at the seem ? Not a cheap or easy fix.
Had one of these in the same yellow 25 plus years ago. 3943 were built from my memory. Have only seen a few in person. Not many left now a days. Some had special orange or yellow or gold carpet if memory serves correct also. Always wanted it another one.
Very nice car, good colors for a summer cruiser, there’s one in Westchester county NY that goes to the same shows as I, same motor, car is red w white, the only one I’ve ever seen in person
Every time I see one of these it makes me think of what a Fisher Body Field Engineer once told me. “God never meant for there to be a hole in a horizontal panel.”