I have a 1968 Buick Skylark, White with black vinyl top, Rust on al quarters around the wheel well, changed all bushings for a high energy suspension upgrade, as all parts were original, but useless. I have the original motor/intake out, being refreshed then reinstalled( I keep finding stuff to fix that will be easier with motor and tran out). I think it is a 5, which means ita probably a 6. My question is this, I took out the st300 and bought a rebuilt th350 (Buick bolt pattern) and am planning to install the th350 when I finish doing stuff. Will changing the tran decrease the value? I am doing it for the purpose of making it more drivable. Also replaced front brakes with disks. I would be, by another guys gude, maybe the worst kind of collector/restorer as I do all the work myself, but am trying to find original options for that year.:3gears:
defiantly a place to start, I have wondered how to rate some of the cars we see and that criteria works pretty well. Thanks Chris
If it were a GS it would decrease the value, but not a regular 68 Skylark. The way I see it, if it runs and drives good its worth more.
My 70 GS 455 was hit lightly but the panels were replaced over time. It was driven hard and they had fun in it! now That I own it I find it has components from at least 7 different cars on this one. Now I am fully restoring it and since the engine and transmission are no longer original to the car I find myself doing a little hot rodding myself. 2 spun bearings and a rod journal were out when I purchased it! Now she sports Edelbrock performer RPM heads and intake on an SF block pushing a VERY conservative 425 to 450 Horses . It had a 1977 TH 400 from a Cadillac Seville and am now trying to put a 4L60E (4 speed automatic) behind the 455 to get better mileage from the 3:64 gears out back. The car was crusher material with a solid frame and good suspension when I got it but could not let her go to the crusher. I am purchasing all new panels from AMD through Then and Now and when complete will still have at least 4 different vehicles in this one. (71 GS Hood, 70 GS RIV 455, passenger side door? It was blue on a gold car!, and the transmission) all on my car! Rotisorie restoration and painted like the black 71 GSX with gold stripes. The best I can do is a 3 on this scale but man it will be fun to drive!
While I understand the need for a rating system I feel that the description makes a lot of expensive restored cars look like #4 cars. Sure sounds baad to spend thousands and end up in a weak #3 or #4 car. Ouch.
I was in the Tim hortons parking lot the other day looking at a brand new truck parked beside me with orange peeled overspray from bumper to bumper thinking 40 g's for that how embarrassing, I would much rather put that much into my skylark and end up with a three or a four or two, more than half the people that will see it will appreciate it for what it will become. Plus after u put that kind of money into ur baby, u can guarantee that aside from regular maintainance ur classic will out last any or almost all of the throwaways that the auto industry is building today. While appraisers and price guides dictate the value of our blood and sweat.. I still think its worth it to save a classic. They don't make em like they used to:3gears::beers2:
I just typed and deleted a big spiel on this subject about what a load of crap it is. If this is truly what this group believes, I am in the wrong group
I don't care what others rate my car as, I enjoy it and its a #1 to me!!! this thread started in 2005...
Has anyone here ever done a poll for everyone on the board to rate their cars on this scale? It would be interesting to see how many cars in each category out there. Admittedly, it would take more than one poll -- one for its current condition (including an "undergoing resto" option) and one for its desired / planned condition when finished. I'd love to see a poll on how long everyone's restoration has taken, too. -- Steve
I have never owned a classic car in good enough condition to inter a car show until 2021 when I bought a 1970 GS 455. I'm the second owner since it's restoration. (1) Restored in 2012. (2) Sold to first owner 2015. (3) First owner did some upgrades, F41 suspension. (4) Red Line tires. (5) Installed Kenny Bell high performance pistons. Have no documentation or CR rating. (6) I bought the car in May of 2021. Car was kept in outstanding condition. I would say a solid #2. (7) I'm not fond of bench seats and column shifter. I wanted a Stage 1 car but my pockets are not deep enough. So, I did some upgrades that didn't come with a 70 GS. The original engine rebuild exceeds Stage 1 performance, but not by much. All cast iron parts were retained and used. Internals were upgraded, cam, pistons, and Stage 1 heads. Holley carb was added. I like a muscle car look, so I had the interior changed to bucket seats with the deluxe interior. Added the floor shifter with console. Added brighter led headlights for night driving. Added a Bluetooth radio that looks like the original am/fm radio. Added sport steering wheel. Added sport mirrors, not an option in 1970. Buick has upgraded front disc brakes. Original A/C was replaced with a modern A/C unit. Radiator was replaced with a Griffin aluminum unit. (8) Buick is a number matching car. My question, because I have added several items that did not come with this Buick, how will my car be rated at a car show??? The Buick looks like it rolled off the factory floor. Paint is "excellent" and I had it ceramic coated to help protect it more.
