We see a fairly decent number of survivor cars at Barn Finds, but few of them are as totally original as this 1968 Buick Special Deluxe! It’s located in Markle, Indiana and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has been spirited so far but the reserve has not been met yet at $6,400 as I write.
Despite the name, the Special Deluxe was actually positioned below the Skylark, the Skylark Custom, the GS350 and the GS400 (all based on the same platform) in Buick’s confusing lineup for 1968. As you can see, this is actually a “Special Deluxe Thin Pillar Coupe.”
Whatever it is, it’s pretty nice! If you look closely, those are actually bias-ply tires–this really is a time capsule! The odometer is showing 24,185 miles and I can believe it for once. The seller recently purchased the car but doesn’t share much of the story behind it with us. I’d love to know why a relatively ordinary (but attractive) car was stored for so long.
The interior looks factory fresh as well. The plain styling is broken up nicely by that fancy steering wheel. Even the wear on the pedals looks minimal.
I did find one troubling area. I think there’s a little bit of rust starting under the vinyl roof here in back. This can be difficult to remedy, and I’m not exactly sure what I’d do about it. Any Barn Finds readers have a suggestion, apart from treating the rust and replacing the whole vinyl roof?
The Buick 350 V8 and two-barrel carburetor would make this a mild but sufficient performance package. I’ve got to wonder why the seller didn’t clean up under here the way they did the rest of the car? I personally enjoy detailing an engine compartment and inevitably take before and after pictures to make myself feel good afterwards. No, don’t bring me yours–I have enough work at the house now! So what do you think–is this Buick “Special” enough for you to bring home?
I’d say leave it like it is, (fix rust some how?), maybe put some mags on it, but nothing else.
I like this, bench seat and all. I would keep and drive as is just adding some new radial tires on Buick Rally wheels. Not a big fan of the beige color but sure would be a nice weekend cruiser or DD. Nice find!
Not beige, “Desert Beige!”
Very nice car. I agree some wheels would dress it up. And that Buick 350 is a sweet motor
sometimes you can heat the vinyl up a bit with a heat gun and peel it back enough to clean the rust up. then re-apply the original vinyl.
Very nice old Buick. I love how the cheapest car in the lineup gets the longest fanciest name….
Da bomb – someone get it
Performance wise, that Buick 350 2bbl will surprise you! It generally used the small Rochester 2bbl (1.56″ throttle bores, rather than the larger 1.69″ version) for GREAT off-idle response and lower-rpm torque. A great running engine!
The vinyl top would need replacement. It has shrunk over the years, resulting in the rolled seams at the rear window. The rust repair could take more than suspected, all things considered. A new top, rust repair, paint spiffing, and some 14″ Buick Road Wheels (GS got the 15s) would spiff it up nicely.
Thanks for the lineup photo. Hard to believe how many versions of one model could be had.
Nice nice..I have a soft spot for these, even with the b pillar post. I agree, wheels and tires, maybe some 3:55 or 3:73 years to wake
it up. That 350 makes a lot of torque but is a wee bit short on HP, gears help. Many had a 3:23 some had 2:73 as well, great for highway but little else.
Other than that keep it as is or go minimal with rust repair and straighten out any top issues. These are geting harder to find rust free and unmolested. Some one needs to buy this car quick!
I would use it for parts to fix my California GS. Apologies to all those who are horrified by this.