I have a 72 Buick skylark that has been in my wife's family since 74. Her father bought it from the original owner with a blown motor. He put a 6cyl in it and drove it for years. She was brought home a a baby in this car. It was passed around to different relatives. In the late 90's her father did a light restoration to it and gave it to her as her first car. We have heard tons of stories about this car over the years from different family members that drove it. The best was the story that her uncle drove it into a river and the tow tuck had to fish it out. After my wife drove it for about 2 years the 4 wheel drum brakes gave way and we hit a pole. From this point it sat for about 10 years in the driveway until we towed it to my house. I have been working on this off and on for years. My goal was to make it a cool safe driver for my wife again. I want her to be able to take the kids out for ice cream any time safely. I would like it to be reliable to drive anywhere. Somewhere in my repairs I got carried away and started a frame off. I do not do this for a living and this is my first attempt at body work. I like to think I am mechanically inclined but there are a ton of new things to learn. I have been watching these forms for years now...BIG THANKS Picture attached of my starting point.
When I got the car home it had a 2 barrel carb. I rebuilt the heads and put a stock 4 barrel intake and carb on it. Sandblasted and painted. Bought some Dougs headers and a flowmaster 2 1/2 exhaust. I ordered a front disc brake conversion and all new lines
Next I moved onto the trunk. I cut out the rot. But I think my trunk pan was for a chevelle not a buick. I know there are tons of interchangeable parts but it wast lining up correctly. I made it work but took a ton of time with the hammers and dolly.
I stripped down the frame and wire brushed the entire frame. I used my cherry picker outside to hold it up. I used and chassis / frame paint from the local autobody store.
I ordered new upper and lower tubular control arms from a company in NY. They are no names, but seem like good quality. They look the exact same as Global West. For $300 i'm happy with them.
Next I cut out some 1/8 metal to box out the rear control arms. I also picked up a rear sway bar from craigslist for $40. I wire brushed and painted it black. There where only frame mounts that need repairs. I welded in large washers. Put the motor back in too
Next the drivers side shoulder was pretty rotted. I didn't think a quick patch would work so I ordered the entire corner
