UPDATE – This original time capsule 1978 Buick Skylark is still listed for sale after it was featured here on Barn Finds back in early December, but there has been a big drop in the asking price. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada and they’ve dropped the price a whopping $6,500 to $13,500! Here is the original listing. Thanks to Rocco B. for the tip! Will it sell this time?
FROM 12/03/2024 – Hiding in this garage is an original survivor that is described by the seller as “mint.” This 1978 Buick Skylark Custom Landau Coupe appears to be all that the seller describes, and its V8 should offer reasonable performance for a car that emerged during The Malaise Era. However, they include a few upgrades that could unlock additional power, and whether they find their way onto this classic will be at the buyer’s discretion. Located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, the Skylark is listed here on Craigslist. It could be yours for $20,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this gem.
Buick’s Third Generation Skylark range hit showroom floors for the 1975 model year, with the latest offering significantly restyled to achieve a more modern and contemporary appearance. However, what many people noticed immediately was that the iconic “Ventiports” had made a return appearance after disappearing in 1968. The first owner ordered this 1978 Skylark Custom Coupe in subtle Tan, with a matching Landau-style vinyl top and contrasting White pinstripes. The seller describes the car as 100% original, suggesting it has never received repairs or a restoration. The paint shines well for its age, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and the vinyl appears perfect. The photos are limited, but I can’t spot any existing or developing rust problems. The trim and glass look exceptional for their age, while the sports wheels add a touch of aggression to this classic’s appearance.
While buyers could order a 1978 Skylark with the company’s 3.8-liter V6 under the hood, this car’s first owner selected the mid-range Chevrolet 305ci V8. Producing 145hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque, shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission. Performance is all you might expect from a car that tips the scales at 3,463 lbs, with the ¼-mile journey taking 18.4 seconds. However, the Skylark is undoubtedly at its best when pegged at 70 on the open road, where it will comfortably return fuel consumption figures on the good side of 20mpg. The seller confirms that this classic is numbers-matching and that it has a genuine 88,000 kilometers (approximately 54,600 miles) showing on its odometer. They recently treated it to new tires, brakes, and a dual exhaust. It runs and drives perfectly, and will provide immediate motoring pleasure to the new owner. However, there is a tantalizing alternative included by the seller that many may wish to utilize. Sitting in the trunk will be a new high-rise intake, matching carburetor, and some cosmetic engine components. Installing these items would unleash additional power, and that is an option that many may find irresistible.
Assessing this Buick’s interior is challenging due to the lack of photos. Trimmed in Tan cloth and vinyl to match the exterior, there are no glaring faults or issues that might cause concern. The carpet might be slightly faded, but the image quality makes it impossible to be sure. The upholstered surfaces and faux woodgrain trim look good, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. The first owner didn’t select items like air conditioning, but the AM radio will relieve boredom on long journeys.
The photos of this 1978 Buick Skylark Custom Landau Coupe paint a positive picture, and many readers will argue that it deserves to be preserved in its current form. However, some will find the lure of additional ponies irresistible and would install the upgraded components supplied by the seller. There is a compromise that is worth considering. The new owner could install these items, safely storing the originals. If the day arrives when they decide to move the Skylark on, returning it to its factory form would reinstate its desirable survivor credentials. Is that the choice that you would make?
This is one very well kept Buick. Adam, I agree with you about the carpets. Thats typically the brown ones fade over the years, the more true color is where the original floor mats were lifted. For what it is, this was dressed up quite a bit, cloth seats, nicer rims, padded vinyl half top. These were the years people were upset over GM having “corporate ” engines, such as like this one having a Chevy 305 instead of a Buick small block. But anyways, this looks like a great find, and a great article too.
Dave
Thanks so much for the feedback, Driveinstile. It is always good to know that people appreciate our articles because a lot of time and thought goes into each one. The feedback on the carpet is excellent, and I have always found it interesting how the fading issues seem to be most prevalent in classics from the 1970s. I’m unsure whether manufacturers were using different materials in those days, but earlier and later cars never seem to suffer as badly. I hope that you continue to enjoy our work.
20,000 cad = 14,225 usd, btw.
You’re welcome, Adam. I would treat the car as different, also, since a lot of work has been performed. I went back to my April 2024 pictures. I saved all seven pics from thd Craigslist post, but I didn’t screen shot the post itself. In one picture, the dealer logo and AAA sticker are present. In the above split photo you’ll see the April speedo shot with 88841 kilometers and the fuel guage pointed beyond full. The current speedo shot is 88855 kilometers and gas guage is reading the same…
Ha! I remember this car from April – without rear bumper fillers, air cleaner hose and said air cleaner lid upside down. Looks like it’s been detailed, llus said issues corrected. Still has those red heater hoses. I’m all for capitalism – but 20k (Canadian) for a nice Skylark. I like it, as my grandmother or mother would have owned this Buick, even in the same color. But their’s would have had A/C, and an 8-track player.
Here’s the ‘before’ ad….
https://barnfinds.com/cheap-wheels-1978-buick-skylark-custom/
Thank you so much for your input, Big_Fun. I admit that I wondered whether it was the same car, but decided to write it as though it wasn’t. If it is the one featured in April, someone has put a lot of work into it to improve its presentation. Of course, that would place a big question mark over the originality claims, and that is why I am so supportive of the in-person inspection process. It shouldn’t take much work to uncover the truth. I hope that you continue to enjoy our articles.
Wow, good memory, I forgot all about that.
Many people bought those heavy duty red hoses after 1 of their old standard black hoses put them(me too) & their car on the side of the road.
Better the car has the 305 instead of the awful 231 oddfire V6.
By 1978, the 231 was no longer oddfire.
Nice Landau Clarkey. 10 grand US $ maybe buys it💁♂️
Thanks so much for that, Stan. There’s something quite appealing about it, and I’d love to get a close look to determine whether it is all the seller claims. It shows promise, and would undoubtedly turn heads. I’m unsure whether the seller will get their asking price, but I guess it’s a case of “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
Nice write up Adam, my dad purchased a 75 Nova hatchback, same design and it was bare bones. But it did have the 305 setup like this one. I got my license in that car in 78. It sounded like a beast when I’d get down the street and pullover to flip that air cleaner cover upside down. I forgot to reflip it once and was grounded from driving it for 2 weeks. Soon afterwards after working in tobacco patches all summer, I purchased my first car from our next door neighbor. A 1966 Impala Super Sport with a 300 hp 327 and power glide, white with blue interior and those cool spinner hubcaps. Purchased it for $350 and it’s now a 5 figure car if sold today. Great memories!
Totally inSANE off center head rests/restraints – also on the latest El Camino listed here.
Note that MPH on this car is the smaller scale of numbers.
LS and Vintage air. That’s all that’s needed to have something a lot better than a Nova.
Nice car if your under 6 feet tall my 77 Nova the drivers seat didn’t go back quite far enough I always felt like I was to close to the steering wheel. Otherwise that was the last dependable Chevrolet I ever owned. Not sure what it would take to get it across the border other than have the current owner drive it across for you Canadian customs people can be pretty brain dead sometimes.
Must be something to the whole climate change thing but 45-50 years ago this was a well equipped car. As Driveinstyle listed many of the extras I’ll add the sport mirrors, bumper trim, white stripe tires, deluxe seat belts and body side molding. Would be a pretty nice ride around town.
I remember when these Skylarks were everywhere and I never found out why, but most of them as they started to age would dog track their way down the road. Something in the way the rear axle was mounted I imagine.
I would put the upgrades on engine and drive this car till the end. Comfortable, fast enough, good looking Buick and will last forever. Yea what more do you need?
Anything I buy/own has to have a/c. So Vintage Air or another company with a black compressor instead of those glaring aluminum ones would be a start. Too bad it doesn’t have a center armrest although I can’t recall if they came with one in any model, although it does have door map pockets so some upscale here.
And, maybe a nice digital cassette Delco stereo.
Yes for originality, but on ebay today you can buy a much superior <$15(including delivery!) new fm/usb receiver that's 60 watts per channel, has no moving parts, weighs practically nothing, is only 4.33 inches deep & has subwoofer jacks. I dont even bother with FM or even a subwoofer.
Man, if i could only go back to cruising the strips at night in the '80s or earlier with THAT receiver & have all my tunes on a micro mini huge capacity flash drive that's only 5/8" long -including the plug! – instead of 150 worn out troublesome homemade having to fumble with cassettes. & an equally troublesome low power mechanical cassette player.
This same group of Barn Find cars today has a low-mileage 1979 Cutlass coupe, 305 V8 with A/C, almost as nice condition as this, for 1/3rd the price.
Would’ve probably looked over this, but it stands out nicely. Definitely had to take a good look. Here again old man like me finds this a really nice, very nice car! Best results with the sale!
No air, no fm? No!
Ps, pb, pw, ps,? No? No!
Is $14,500 Canadian? US?
Car is overpriced either way.
Everyone talking 305 over 231, well nobody remembers the flat cam issues of the 305 and the backfire problems. I also noticed that the front end is telling me 1975 but the listing is 1978, round versus square headlights. The 231 was a true tested engine, while the 305 was a poor thought to meet gas mileage problems.
Buick and Olds didn’t adopt the rectangular headlamps for their X-car like Chevy and Pontiac did.
Still about 5,000 dollars to high for a tan turd