I started a thread about this car over in Da Nailhead section, but I figured this is really where it should belong. Plus as we go along I can come back here and give updates. So here is a quick run down of the car. 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Numbers Matching 400(401) cu in "Wildcat 445" Nailhead V8 with ST300 Trans Regal Black top and bottom exterior Black Vinyl Bucket Seats with Long Floor Console (No Tach) Posi-Trac Rear End (unknown gears as of now, we have not checked the code on the axle yet) The car has just shy of 113,000 miles on the clock. Nearly everything we have found on the car has been original powertrain wise. Still need to double check the trans to make sure it matches, but we are pretty confident it does. The engine appears as though it may have never been torn into. One clue for us on that is the fuel line clips are still in place on the front of the oil pan. We found the car here in Texas, but apparently it was a northern car for some time. The guy Don purchased the car from got it from a guy in New York and inside the drivers door there is a maintenance sticker from a Shell service station in Ohio. Also, it appears that some time in it's past the car had been "rust proofed". Where they drill holes in the side of the doors and rockers and spray the inside with something similar to a bedliner type compound. While this might have helped, it surely didn't stop the rust cause this car has it's fair share. But it's really not all that bad considering. All the rust areas are very typical. Trunk floor, wheel wells, lower rear quarters, base of the windshield, possibly base of the rear window. We haven't check the floor pans yet, but we were told by the previous owner that they may need attention as well. The frame and trailing arms from all I have seen look fantastic. Still appears to have most of its paint and/or a coating applied long ago. As for the interior it looks OK. The dash and console are in great shape. The front seats have been recovered(incorrectly), but the backseat is original without any cracks or tears. Currently doesn't have a headliner in it and the arm rest pads are shot, along with the dash pad. Don's plans for this car are to take it back to as close to original as possible. He wants to do a full fledge frame off restoration. It should be one heck of a project, but will be absolutely stunning when complete. And should be lots of fun to boot. On to the pictures, which I know you all are waiting for. This is from the day we brought the car home. We stopped to grab a bite to eat and decided it was a good photo op. And for those of you cringing, don't worry, the tail pipes are gonna be gone soon. They will be rerouted to stock location or close until the restoration takes place. Then of course Don testing out the Posi to make sure it is in working order. This weekend, we swapped out all the locks because the car only came with one key for the ignition and didn't work well in the doors. Also didn't have a way to get in the trunk. After that we put some proper road wheels and redline tires on and gave her a bath. Wow, the difference a little soap, water, and a set of wheels and tires make. It looks like a whole different car already. Also took the opportunity the snap a few shots of the rest of the car. And a few wider angled shots to show off the rest of the stable. Hope you all enjoy. Let us know what you think. I will try to keep this thread updated as we make any progress.
Wow, that's a GREAT looking car! If I had found it first, I would have bought it!:laugh: What ever happened to the blue 4 speed car that Don bought from Pa? Did one of his N.O. buddies end up with it?
If I had found it first and had the money I would have bought it too. I am going to take some of the credit on this find though. I helped in the negotiations. Hahaha. Don doesn't have a 4 speed car anymore. He told me about one that he had years ago, but he sold it. And he has been kicking himself a lot over doing so. I can't tell you how many times I have heard him say he wishes he would have held onto that car. It was numbers matching too if I remember correctly.
Don's been making some progress on the black car. He has been doing some touch ups all over the car to get it in a state he is "happy" with. So that way he can drive it and enjoy it until he can get around to doing the full frame-off restoration he has planned for it. We did get rid of the hoopty exhaust today though. Don bought a Gardner Exhaust for it and we got it installed today. Looks and sounds good. Pretty impressive for a stock exhaust. It's quiet but has a nice tone to it. The Gardner Exhaust is definitely top notch. It fits really well and was a pretty straight forward install. They did have the two big hangers labeled incorrectly. The driver's side was labeled the passengers side and vice-verse. But that was no big deal, we got it figured out without much trouble. I will try to get some pictures of it next time I am out. Car was dirty today. With all the pollen in the air right now, there is no keeping a vehicle clean, especially a black one. My driveway and front porch are neon yellow right now. Yuck.
