1969 Buick Skylark Custom Conver 13,900?

1969 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible
Price: 13,900
Pics: memorylanemotors.com/pics.php?id=256
It is on Consignment at the above Dealer in Washington.

I was thinking about buying this 1969 Skylark Custom Convert, I am at 13,200 for it, with the dealer. Is it valued correctly? or I am I overpaying?.. any input would be appreciated..

The dealer informed me the Car is originally from Fremont Plant(i verified this with the Vin #).. It was owned by an older lady for the first 32 years in Washington,, she fell ill and the car sat in her garage for 10 years and was not started.. The Second owner bought it around year(1999) replaced all fuilds and what ever he needed to in order to start the car,,Fuel tank replace etc. to get it started, Eventually about 2 years ago he had the engine rebuilt and had it repainted, he also replace the carpets and door panels. He has receipts for everything the second owner and the 1st owner did. He informed me Skylark has no rust and has spent over 80% of it life in Garages. He informed me it is missing the head rest.

Well Maintained Local Car With Approx 10,000 Miles On Rebuilt 350 cu in 4barrel V8. Automatic Transmission. Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Top, Tilt Wheel, Speedminder, Under Dash AM-FM-CD Sound System, Factory Chrome Rally Wheels And Dual Exhaust. Refinished In Burgandy Mist Metallic. Excellent White Top With Glass Back Window. Original White Bucket Seats With Console And Horseshoe Shifter. Receipt For Engine Rebuild Included. Runs Strong And Drives Tight. Ready To Drive Anywhere.


What do you guys think?
Is it valued correctly? or I am I overpaying?..
This will be my First Buick and I fell in love with this body style many years ago.
Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks,
New V8Buick Member

 

It's a pretty car. The price sounds pretty good to me, but I'll leave pricing comments to others in your area, plus I don't know a lot about the 68-69 style. Here's the link for your pics : http://www.memorylanemotors.com/pics.php?id=256

 

Looks like a nice car. I would if your not qualified have a independant inspector that knows GM A bodies and where to look inspect the car. Look for plastic in the quarters , doors, fenders. cowl ect.
IMHO the car at a dealer is going to get some interest but if your at 13.2 I would tell the guy your going to look around. There are lots of cars for sale and hes making good money at 13.9 he will probably cal you back and take the offer. If not and you have to have it, whats 700 on a car you really want?

 

While I have not inspected this car, I will tell you that I and other friends have dealt with Mark at Memory Lane on both buying and selling (consigning) cars. He is a "car guy" and very honest and fair.

As a practice he doesn't overprice his cars or build a lot of fluff in them, as he only has room for a couple of dozen cars (all indoors) and he needs them to sell, not sit and take up space.

I know when he has consigned cars for me in the past, he typically charges 10% with a minimum charge of $1,500. My guess is that this car is on consignment and the owner probably has an asking price of around $12k, and has agreed to reduce it for your offer.

The only unfortunate thing about Mark's shop is that he isn't open weekends, so it is very hard for me to make it down and see what he has.

I would certainly give him a thumbs up as a dealer and would do business with him (and have done business with him) without hesitation.

 

Guys, Thanks for all your response,
NsBound: thanks for posting the link for the pictures:TU:

From my over eight conversations with Mark(owner of Memory Land Motors in Washington), he does seem very honest, and very solid dealer, I get this from my conversations with him, some of my conversations were over one hour long. I have been in communication with him for about one month.

While looking at his(Mark's) 69-Skylark, I have been cowering the Net looking for other 69 Skylarks Covert, and ran into a few other Skylarks, priced from 8k to 15k.. links and prices below.

**put http or www in front of the links, Since I am a new Member of V8buick I can not post links as per V8Buick website rules.(need at lease 10 post of greater to post links)

they have been trying to sell the below Skylark for the last 2 months and want 11K.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick-Skylark_W0QQitemZ380311955811QQcategoryZ16124QQcmdZViewItem

or this one:
they want 12K for( have been trying to sell it for about 15 days)

lemonfree.com/9cf8261f3b41a98d298713a7499bd5f7.html-1



or this one:
they want 8k for ( has been trying to sell it for 15 days.

collectorcarsforsale.com/142-1969-buick-skylark-convertable/details.html


this one: this is the only other Skylark I was considering but it does not have a floor shifter and tilt wheel.
they want 15K for: they have been trying to sell it for over 30 days.

classiccars.com/listing/126548.html


and last but not least:
they want 8k for it; been trying to sell it for about 20 days.
miami.backpage.com/AutosForSale/8000-1969-buick-skylark-classic-convertable-top-come-get-it-and-its-yours/12713481



So Mark has agreed to 13,200 for the Car. He has had it on his show room floor for over 2 months. I will pay $500 additional for enclosed shipping of the Car Back to me in the BAy Area California. Mark has informed me at times there have been some interests in the Skylark but nothing fell through.

He and the owner have agreed to take a deposit of about 7k and I can pay the remaining in about 1 month, by March, a bit closer to getting my tax return. The car will sit in his showroom floor until full payment in made.

so I have been searching the net for Skylarks, I am heavily leaning toward the purchase. It sound like from the three people that responded two Buick owner feel it is a fair price and one is saying I should have it inspected for Bondo/rust.

Any more comments will be much appreciated.

 

That looks like a nice Buick vert and not a bad price either. As long as there is no hidden bondo or other issues I would go for it.

 

x2. Mark is honest and prices his cars fairly from the start. I've been to his shop many times and even bought a car from him once.

 

Personally, I'd never again buy another old car without either personally looking at it or having someone look at it for me, and I bet there are ALOT here that would agree with me.

If you do buy it sight unseen, Its alot more likely that you'll be suprised in a bad way with a few things you find as opposed to being overly happy with "how much better" the car is in person.

Have you seen detailed pictures of the underside ? I'd also like to see pics along the whole lower windshield channel - a typical rust area for 68-72 converts.

Pricewise, its not bad and its not terribly great considering the current market, but if it is indeed a well preserved, never abused, never wrecked (as in all body panels original without bondo) and is in the condition where you could just drive it as-is for several years ... then I'd say go for it.

... after someone looks at it :idea2:

...... and I agree with you on the body style - I've been smitten for almost 30 years now

 

Thanks all for you input.. I have not seen the cars underside, and am solely going on Marks input, and the pictures he has posted. Many years ago I did by a 1965 Thunderbird Convertible, it was in Santa Cruz (close to me in Santa Clara, California)and I saw the car and bought it.. later i found out that the door was a bondo job and it had been in a considerable accident.. I was young(20 years old then) when I got that car. I lived and learned.

For the Skylark I was seriously thinking about flying out to WA to see the car in person, but it will bust my budget on the car. So I am going off what Mark is informing me on. I have went into detail with him on Accidents, rust, bondo and from what he has informed my that car is solid no accidents, floors solid, etc..

The current market for Classic Buicks, (in todays market) is tuff, probably a direct relation to the economic market of the USA.

I am going to Give Mark a call an go over the undercarriage in more details, ask him the possibility of putting on a lift and inform him of my concerns, rust, bondo and accidents.

Please keep the input coming.. This will be my first Buick.. I plan to drive it this summer, then I have big plans for it..

 

Don't gamble with a $13,900 mistake, call a pro. Check out this site.

http://autoappraisal.com/prepurchase.htm

They do a fantastic job. Lots of pictures. They use Paint thickness meters. If the agent is available, he can get it done fast and not too expensive. They will tell you the current market value in the current condition so you will know if the price is good or bad.

If I can't see it myself I use these guys to look it over for me. Worth every penny.

 

I have used them to check out a car in TX for me, as a board member there works for them. I think they run about $350 for the inspection plus mileage, plus $50 or so more if you want a valuation.

You could probably fly here for about the same money.

It is possible I could check it out for you, but I don't know if Mark could put it on a lift or not (I know he doesn't have one at the shop) or if he would be willing to come in on the weekend as I can't make it there during the week.

Or maybe Jeff or Roy (67wildcat) could do it during the week? I don't know what their schedules are but they are both local as well.

 

Yup, I just looked at there site(auto appraisals), $350 for the inspection.(50 for insurance paperwork). I can probably fly there for 300 +100 hotel)using someone on craigslist Southwest frequent flyer tickets, there always on there for 250-350 round trip USA..

If someone in town can check it out for me that would be great..:TU:

But before we go there, I think the issues I should be looking for are: Rust, Bondo, undercraige alignment, damager, rust, Trunk, body alignment and gaps.. Door, trunk, hood, should shut, lock correctly.. The major concern for me is accident damage and Rust, should I be looking for anything else major?

After summer I will be putting the car on a roasterie, and getting frame powder coated and new paint.

 

You wouldn't need a hotel, Mark's shop is within 20 minutes of the airport, you could easily do it in a short day if you are coming from CA, only about a 2-3 hour flight each way.

If you want me to look at it, check with Mark and see if he can do it on a weekend and let me know. I will bring my camera and look at whatever you want (except for taking the car apart, I am not a mechanic).

I know another board member here who could probably look at it for you during the week for a small fee (Rick H). He is a Buick guy, but not an inspector. A third option would be to hire an inspector like "Dukec" on this board. He is a few hours away, but is a professional appraiser and also owns a 68 GS convert so he knows these cars.

I think you are looking at the right things. You should also confirm that it runs and drives good. The other little things that it would need would be a lot smaller dollarwise.

 

Ok,

I just spoke to Mark and I confirmed with him about the undercarriage of the car; and he said it just looks like a normal 40 year old west coast car. He did not put it on a lift, he just got under the car to take a look. Just dirty as you would expect from a car of that age, and no visible rust, never been painted or anything like that..

Not like a car from the East coast that could have possible gotten some Salt/snow damage/rust.

Also the Car was repainted about 10 years ago,( I thought it was 2 years ago), he went thru it pretty well for rust around the lower quarter, doors, etc, and says that there is no signs of bubbling or Rust. He mentioned that since the Car was painted 10 years ago, any old rust might have started bubbling up again etc.

I told him I am committed to the price of 13,200 and he said so is the current owner/seller. And that he can have the current owner call me as along as we are both committed to the price. Which is great, so the Current owner for the last 10 years is going to be giving me a call. And I will be able to get some very good/detailed information on the cars history. I am sure the current owner knows who I am cause for the last month I have been calling and questioning the car and at times Mark would have to say he would give me a call back, as he needed to ask the owner.

As I have been looking for the right Skylark for the past (2 1/2 months), and have seen a lot of not so good ones out there, as from my earlier post, I am getting drawn into this one.

If someone from the site can can take a look, that would be great. I am at my Budget for the car at 13,200 +500 shipping. I have also worked in with Mark so I wont get hit with the 1400 transer fee that would normally be associated with the state to state Dmv fees. So it will be about 14k to my door, registered to me..

Mark says he has driven the car and that i runs tight and strong. If someone from this site has time to take a look at the car and give me a third oppion (cjp69 or Rick H), that would be great.

I will ask Mark if he has time this weekend to open his doors and show the car.. I will let cjp69(you know).

Again my major question is I am over paying for the car? ?? I think about half the V8buick members that posted to my question feel it is priced accordingly as well as the other half think I should get it checked on in person before I make a 14k mistake.

 

lol, yea those heater are something else..lol.. anyhow I have been searching Cali for some time, Found a few junker that were repainted, aftermarket stereos, etc,, I did find some really nice 68 in the 10k range, but I like the shark gills of the 69.. I can could not live myself buying a 68 and putting on 69 gills.. just not me..

 

Pretty car. Hope the headrests are there. Will need pearl arm rest pads or have them dyed. front bumper is very nice and straight. Power top, clock, speed alert...remote mirror, console, tilt...Not bad..

Sight unseen.. RISKY :Smarty:

 

I'm not an expert but after looking @ those pic's real close and they way everything fit's I would'nt be afraid of that car. Look's to be original paint in the trunk & if it was painted 10 years ago & still look's that good............. than that is a great car. Especially with all the documents from new. Price wise it's fair. Wish you all the best!! And welcome to the BEST Buick V8 website in the world. :TU: p.s. if Chris or Rick can help you can't loose.

 

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$9,950 $15,600 $22,200 Options: (add options) 350/280 HP V8 Engine 15% 15% 15%
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TOTAL PRICE $3,152 $11,442 $17,940 $25,530

From the NADA Web site
I could probally go by on Thursday afternoon and look at it I dont know if I will be able to drive it as I dont know what the weather will be that day And like Chris Iam not a professional or a Mechanic if you want to give me a detailed list of what you want to see Iam willing to do it.I know he dosnt have a lift. And to echo the others Mark is a upstanding cosignment dealer.
Email me a woody601@comcast.net

 

Thanks all memebers all for your replies.. red67,, i just emailed you.. I also looked at Nada website for the car about a month ago,, and figured the price should be between 10k-25k depending on condition.

I think just having another person look at will give me peace of mind. I really do feel comfortable with Mark and his description of the car and time he has spent with me so far on the car, he seem fair and honest, but another opinion would be great. Looks like Red67 is close enough to the car to stop and give it a look for me. Will let everyone now how it turns out.

I am getting pretty anxious about this 69 skylark,, the energy on this site is really pushing me toward a buick convert for summer.

 

There you go Jman :TU: