1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread

Many will reconize the car. I have started the restoration of the vehicle and will post as I go along. Buying the car from a dishonest person left many hidden suprises. The car will require alot of work. One of 147 made 455 convertibles. white top and interior . It is non numbers matching though it maintains many of the original parts. The work will be hard and with help from Buick friends finding parts . I will attemp to save another one.
Follow along and I will post as I make progress.:Comp:

First on the agenda was a engine issue. Car would not run right. Required tear down and inspection. Ended up being timing chain very loose and slack causing eratic idle and miss. Many parts were missing so the hunt for those and ordering new parts started. Reconditioning parts and a total inspection of existing parts were Done . Reassembled. Goal 1 getting engine running before tear down accomplished.

after[video=youtube_share;l1XHO47qiHk]http://youtu.be/l1XHO47qiHk[/video]

 

Looks great! I wish I had half your talent.

UticaGeoff

 

Thanks ...You have the talent . May just need someone to work with you and give a little instruction.:TU:

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread update 2

The tear down begins. After a couple hours fighting and a plasma cutter the front end was off. You can see the hacked up work on the car. The people that worked on this car need to go find another hobby. They just added to my frustration with the weld job. Cowls are in good shape along with the frame. Strange where the rust is on this car in some areas. Then in others that you would think is bad it's not



Original rust free Arizonia fenders and doors. Core support and inner fenders came form California and I had powder coated. Decent rust free cowl and dash From NC.
Installed new rubbber splash sheilds on inner fender wheels. Nice set of used wheels I reconditioned, will get correct silver caps down the road.


To be continued.....

 

Looking good!

- Bill

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread Update 3

Stripped the front suspension down and took to the sand blaster to have powder coated after a pressure washing. You can see the assembly marking still on many of the parts. Frame cleaning has begun and all the parts are here for a complete stock rebuild. Everything should be done at the powder coater Mid week.



What sucks is one of the old convertibles that I used to own ( and love to have back) has came up for sale again. The timing is terrible once again. I wish it where possible to unload this project and buy my old car back. It needs to come home. I have aquired all the hard parts to do this restoration and will continue to move foward. However if I could I would sell it for my old car back.

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread update 4

Got all parts back from powder coater Thursday. Installed all bushings and ball joints and inspected and detailed all parts. Frame was sanded and treated with phosphoric acid and then KBS coatings Rust seal used. Top coated with chassis black. As many Factory markers that where found duplicated. Others where added...LOL. Have all new calipers, rotors , pads , hoses , bearing to install as well. Hope to do this sunday and have back on the ground.

Next on the agenda rear floor repair and replacement, full replacement of dash , full trunk replacement. I will try and post as much as I can. Stay tuned it going to get a bit interesting.

 

Re: 1971 Buick GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread suspension completed

finished the complete suspension. Just waiting for the rest of the car to get done....ray:
Lots more work ahead . time to start the metal work.

 

Nice work so far!

 

Thanks.

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread update

sorry been so long but I have been slammed and busy
installed trunk pan and started on the floors. The people who had this car where total hacks and making my life alot harder cuting out thier mess. Rear and dash replaced and this is a nice solid car.

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread update pictures

Metal work done. KBS coated and a lite coat of trunk spatter while wet to bite in until body work complete. Jack and spare all components detailed

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration update floor pics

Only one tool could take on this mess these guys left. The good old plasma cutter. They just stuck floor pans on top the rust. What a bunch of goofballs! tThen welded and screwed them everywhere. Took me twice as long to cut this crap out

 

Looks like some great work you're doing there Id like to know who ya bought it from, So I could steer clear of them LOL

 

your doing some good work. I just ahve one question where did you buy your trunk floor? I bought one from OPGI and I didnt like it at all.

 

Thanks. He is a lucky man it wasn't 10 years ago. I have mellowed way out in my older age...LOL

 

I bought it from a local vender and it wasn't the best but got it on sale. I should have used a one piece truck floor like I planned. Now I am having to try and hunt down this piece. Should have stuck to my original plan.

 

Floors cleaned up treated and ready to go back in. I should have stuck to my original plan and used a one piece trunk floor. I know better. Now I have to find a i nice doner peice to section in or do all that work over. Always count on more rust then you see. Hope for the car to go to media blaster befor installing floors.

 

Re: 1971 Buick skylark GS 455 Convertible on going restoration thread progrees update

I have been running mysele and working myself to death along with other duties. Slacking off right now for the holidays. Been a long time since I updated. floors are almost done. I am waiting on another front floor panel to come in to finsh the floor completely.
Got the power top working with new line and cylinders. Hand fabricated upper trunk area as I couldn't get anyone to donate one.

 

I am further amazed by your talent! Coming along beautifully. UticaGeoff