Hi you all, I bought a 69 Skylark convertible about 6 or 7 years ago from the original owner's granddaughter. Love it! I am looking for some parts (or a donor car as my current mechanic puts it). I'm not interested in restoration, just fun in the sun!
Your first step to really giving yourself a help, Sarah, would be finding yourself a Chassis Manual for 1969 Buicks. Having a mechanic is great, but you can't pay him to care, only to do work. The Chassis Manual is what the dealer mechanics used to fix your car when new. A related must-have is the Fisher Body manual for 1969 Buicks. Not only will these three volumes (Chassis Manual is most likely two big thick books) show how to maintain and repair virtually everything on your car, they describe theory of operation as well. To top it off, you'll save money in the long run, because you won't pay for labor at the pro shop, and chances are, in a very short time you'll be as familiar with old Buicks as your mechanic is. It's not like he sees many 1969 Anythings, I bet. I watched a very good pro mechanic slam my hood so hard it chipped the paint around the hood chrome one day. He hadn't known, or had completely forgotten, that my 1970 Buick hood wasn't like new car hoods, and didn't need to be slammed. It was heavy and would trip the latch all by itself. I also have had pro guys tell mw my seatbelts were broken. The didn't even know how they worked, so they were going to reject it for the inspection sticker. I had to explain and demonstarte how the seatbelts worked. they were dumbfounded. I am always very nervous that a pro will damage at least as many things as he repairs on the rare occasions I need a pro's help. usually, I am right. I should also say, I have had pros in my family, too, and they were no more careful with my stuff than anybody elses's. All in all, I am much more confident in my own work than a professional's, because I have to meet my own standards, not the shop's minimum standard. I need this confidence in the car, since I drive it rain or shine 8 months a year. How about a posting a photo of the '69?
I'll have a photo when I'm driving the lead sled again! And I know well how much mechanics care...only get one when the job requires a lift or is far beyond me...and every encounter reinforces my feeling that I'd rather do the job wrong myself & know it than pay someone to do it right & be disappointed
