The Buick Special/Skylark began as a “senior” compact in 1961. In 1964, the cars – along with similar compacts from Pontiac and Oldsmobile – were promoted to mid-size automobiles. The cars received a styling refresh in 1966, and a pillarless hardtop replaced the Skylark 4-door sedan. The seller offers one of these vehicles, with Buick’s “Wildcat 375” V8 engine. Located near Denver, Colorado, this vehicle runs great but has dents everywhere in the sheet metal. It’s available here on craigslist for $5,500. Thumbs up to Mike F. for the tip!
One of the options you could order for your 1966 Skylark was the Wildcat 375 engine. Rather than referring to displacement, it’s a nod to the motor’s torque. In this case, it was an advertised 375 ft-lbs of torque from a 340 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor. So, Skylarks like this one should have been rather peppy when you drove them off the showroom floor. About 18,700 Skylark 4-door hardtops were produced with a V8 in 1966, plus another 1,400 with a V6 powerplant.
The history of this Buick isn’t revealed, but it’s seen a lot of real estate over the years. As the odometer has rolled over, the reported mileage is 145,000, which would be a lot if the engine or transmission weren’t refreshed. But no mention is made of the health of the drivetrain, other than the car drives out well. A 2-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 340 V8 (numbers matching like the 340?).
We’re told the paint is Sea Mist, Green. Given its condition and the damaged body panels, we’ll assume all of this is original and 60 years old. The interior isn’t perfect either, as the stitching in the fabric upholstery is even splitting in the back seat. Chances are, you could drive this Skylark the way it sits as an example of a well-used survivor. Or you could undertake a cosmetic restoration, which will move the cost of your Buick into five figures.
Wow, since when did an $800.00 car become $5,500?
When the high prices of Barrett-Jackson and Mecum convinced everyone that their barely rolling beaters were priceless treasures.
Bought a new ’66 Skylark coupe with all the goodies, metallic silver gray inside and out, chrome wheels. Ran like a clock for thousands of miles.Only problem was a rattle in the left rear cockpit area which turned out to be lunch bag and a coke bottle.
I worked in a Buick-GMC dealership parts department and will never forget the service customer who brought their pre-1988 Regal in for a mysterious clunk in behind the quarter trim panel. It turned out to be an empty wine bottle.
Cuddos to 8banger.. LOL I’m seriously hoping that’s negotiable..if so they can contact me
I know, with my almost 18,000 posts, it may be tough to remember one in particular, but if you remember the story of me and my buddies that went to Fla. on dismal Milwaukee winter morn in the 70s, with my MGB and the buddies car was a Skylark just like this. It’s the one we replaced a rear wheel bearing on the I-10 shoulder on hot Sat. afternoon. I have a paper picture of that somewhere but getting it here is harder than circling the moon,,,again.
Had one of these one of the best used cars I ever had.
Can’t see one of these four door hardtops and not think of the movie Blood Simple.
Knew a couple different people who had these with the 310 Wildcat. Decent cars.
if you have the original hubcaps, put them on don’t just talk about them. it will only help the cause.
What was this car used for, Demo Derby?
I would have loved to have that big V8 in my ’65 Skylark, but the original 300 at least was reliable…..
Looks tired. The front seat is from a later car. At least the dirt and rust is original.
As long as the engine and gearbox still operate like they should, and there are no rust holes in the body, the rest of the car still look good. 1966 is my favourite year for the Buick Skylark since the 1964 model.