1968 Buick Skylark Convertible

1968 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible The 1968 model year was one of significant changes for the Buick Skylark. Although still using the same basic chassis, all of GMs mid-sized cars adopted a policy of using two different length wheelbases. Two-door models used a shorter wheelbase of 112-in, while four-door models used a longer wheelbase of 116-in (the Buick Sportwagon and Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser used an even longer wheelbase of 121-in). All of GMs mid-sized cars received all-new sheet metal. The Gran Sport, previously an option package available on the Skylark, became a separate series. Dateline February 2022, Classic Auto Mall: Low mileage, unrestored, original cars are coming out of the woodwork and gracing our Hallowed Halls. Our latest consignment, a 2 owner, 62,051 original mile 1968 Buick Skylark Custom convertible. Wearing its original paint and having the original interior still residing inside that has held up swimmingly. Some minor upgrades along the way, tons of documentation including the Protect-O-Plate and a binder full of repair receipts, 2 Buick Club Of America Achieval Awards gaining 398 of 400 points, still wearing its consignor stated original top, and being a feature car in the 2012 Hagley Museum car show in 2012, its hard to pass this one by without a second glance. Exterior Ivory Gold Mist coats this exterior steel body which is starting to show what will come to be known as the Coke bottle body. The paint is the original coat that was applied at the Wilmington, DE assembly plant and has held up well with only some minor chips, scrapes, and discoloration. Chrome trimmings and bumpers are nice and shiny, and a very notable scrape in the drivers front fender is the only large frown seen on this car. Gaps are well minded, and trimmings also include wheel well surrounds, faux fender vents, and chromed window surrounds, which border the nice original black drop top. From the front quarter through the door and beginning of the rear quarter there is a small cove which swoops downward, and magically emulates the line of the rear pointed design. Speaking of which, Buick inserted the taillights into the bumper below the trunkline, and along with the gracefully sloping roof line is just magnificent. Standard Buick wheel covers are on all 4 corners and are wrapped with Firestone radials. A shout out to the not oft seen rear fender skirts which give this Buick a nice touch of elegance. Interior Factory installed black vinyl is inside wrapping the door panels which have a beautiful chrome ribbed insert design along with the red and chrome Skylark emblem. All chrome shows nicely for mirror toggle and twin window cranks. Twin black vinyl bucket seats sit within chrome piped plastic housing. A vertical tuck and roll pattern covers the lower cushions and a tuck and roll pattern is split with smooth vinyl on the upper. The drivers seat shows minimal wear to the upholstery and some color loss on the black delineation piping. The rear bench appears to have never been used! A sleek black plastic console races between the front buckets and houses the aircraft throttle inspired shifter within a brushed aluminum housing. The original dash is very clean and shows just a very slight bit of yellowing with age to the silver gauge inserts. A date coded AM/FM radio is installed in the dash and the original AM radio is included with the purchase. Deep black carpet is flooding the floors and is protected by Buick badged rubber floor mats. A word out to the trunk which has its original speckle gray trunk liner paint and is nearly factory with its mat, spare tire and cover. Drivetrain Lifting the long flat hood we are met with the original 350ci V8 in a clean original engine bay. A 2bbl carburetor is on under the original air cleaner assembly. All hoses, clamps and wiring is in good condition and we note the original chalk marking on the firewall. A non-original but rebuilt TH350 3-speed automatic transmission is bolted to the back which pushes power back to a 2.56 geared Positraction 10 bolt axle assembly. Our consignor states that the original 2-speed automatic is included with the purchase as is a 4bbl intake manifold and 4bbl snorkel air cleaner assembly. Undercarriage Having the undercarriage scrubbed and undercoated in 2003 gives this bottom a great look. Clean and black as far as the eye can see with only minimal spots of surface rust. The floor pans are original and have never rusted or been repaired. We note a clean and straight frame and rust free rockers and the wheel wells are clean. Power drum brakes are noted all around, and a clean dual exhaust still provides a great sound when you push this car. Drive-Ability My grandfather has a Skylark and I remember getting in as a 16 year old driver and experiencing my first V8 acceleration. It was exhilarating and I never forgot that Buick power. This car with the added benefit of a 3-speed automatic accelerates at surprising speed and smoothness. The transmission shifts smoothly, and there the only rattle we noted was the front of the top, which a new seal should correct. A slam of the brakes yields a straight stop with no pulling, and handling was well within the test tracks challenges. The radio works, but the front speaker has no sound and the rear speakers have poor sound quality. An original body, original paint, and original interior, this great example of the 1968 Skylark Custom version is a truly wonderful car. A turn-key driver, lots of maintenance work, a smooth ride, lots of paperwork and an award history that most cars only dream of. Either way youll get a kick in your butt, and an emotional kick when you drive around in this wonderfully preserved example.