Buick offered four versions of their mid-size cars in 1969: Special Deluxe, Skylark, Skylark Custom, and Gran Sport. And within this group, only the latter two offered the car as a convertible. 6,552 Skylark Custom drop-tops were produced that year, so the seller’s car isn’t likely one you’re going to see very often. Needing cosmetic work, the Buick has some new parts and seems to run okay. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this project with older blue paint is available here on craigslist for $5,500.
The Skylark was redesigned in 1968 along with the rest of General Motors’ mid-size automobiles. So, changes in styling would be limited but noticeable in 1969. The “vee” look in the rear end was toned down, and the cars were more attractive (IMO). The Skylark Custom came with a 350 cubic inch V8 as standard, but they weren’t called Rocket V8s as the seller says (that was Oldsmobile’s spin on their V8s). This car has a 350 with a 2-barrel carburetor and (probably) a TH-350 automatic transmission.
This Buick is said to have 45,000 miles, but the photos show a car that may have more use. There is some rust, and repairs that were previously done to the rear quarter panels do not seem to have held up well. The seller says the interior is “decent” but doesn’t provide a good photo. So work is needed.
Some of the seller’s asking price is tied up in recent repairs or new parts. They include the rear brakes, tires, shock absorbers, starter, and maybe more. The convertible top is power operated, and we’re told it works. This car will need a lot of time, money, and energy to move to the next level, so perhaps you should just purchase it as a driver when you want some wind to blow through your hair (or what’s left of it). Thanks for the top, “Zappenduster”.
Nice pictures! You can’t see much of anything!
Probably a rotbox.
Interesting… Needs closer inspection, but, it is a rag top… Speaking of which… I just grabbed a 65 AMC Rambler convertible. Not sure if I’m blessed or cursed considering they only made 5000 of them in 65, and less than 500 had a V8. This one has a 327 C.I…. Needs love…
Back bumper appears rotted, these are really heavy bumpers also. I’ll take a stab and say the trunk is likely rotted, judging by the bondo in the quarter panels. There is a gutter for the roof the runs on top of the rear wheel wells and often leaks. Radiator core support usually rots on the passenger side beneath the battery tray, the cross members also tend to rot where they mount on top of the frame on each side. Beautiful car and all that is fixable but having been through one of these…yikes.
Posting deleted by author
I’ve owned five of this era Skylark/Special –two hardtops, two post coupes one in this color, and one ugly sedan. Even without any convertible top leaking the very “girth” of the ass-end (at the quarters above the rear wheels) is the primo hiding place for rust. And the rear bumper on one of mine actually rusted through in two places directly behind the drive wheels from the northern road salt being blasted against it.
POSTING DELETED
I’ve never understood the vee-shaped rear end. “We back each and every 1969 Skylark into a tree before it leaves the factory for that custom look.”
Had one of these many years ago. Same color, but black top/interior. Bought it from a friend who quite honestly told me it was a Cleveland “rotbox” (Thanks for that euphemism, Zen!). Told him my only concern was that it drove adequately well and that the top went down (by itself). Turned out to be a great car to have fun with. Get out of work, put the top down, and go. Just don’t put anything in the trunk when it’s raining, or it’ll get soaked. Eventually had someone patch up all the many holes and made it look pretty. And got rid of it, but I made sure to tell the guy what all had been done to it, and what he was actually buying.
I was killing time last weekend with my cousin looking for cars. We found two yellow hardtops all covered in trees in an alley. It was pretty early on a Sunday so we didn’t knock, but one was a bucket seat car. Didn’t look like the fellow was going to turn loose of anything soon, you can kind of tell.
Not on Craigslist anymore, so it’s gone!
This is a North East car. I restored a 71 Buick Skylark in the early nineties here in New York. Let me tell you this car is a nightmare in places you can’t see from the photos. $5500? I don’t think so. Good luck to whom ever takes this one on.
Yes the vee shaped rear end ….. Never like it either . Looks like it been smashed into , before it actually gets smashed into like this car. Too much money for sad condition .
I had a Skylark convertible in similar shape but 0 rust. Had white buckets, 350 no power brakes. Lived on the beach, so much fun. Paid 750, spent maybe 250 on it and sold it for 4k. Guy was gonna restore it to perfection. Good times!