WTB 1961 Skylark Desert Fawn/White

Discussion in 'Cars wanted' started by Billkrz, Mar 10, 2021.

  1. Billkrz

    Billkrz Member

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    I am still looking for a 1961 Buick Skylark in Desert Fawn (Golden Beige) with White top. (please see photo).
    I have come across 3 over the years:
    1) In Staunton Virginia in the late 1980's. Car had 54k miles and was in pretty good condition. I have been unable to locate it.
    2) In Santa Fe, NM. An amateur restoration with several items incorrect but good bones. I've tried to buy it 3 times over 15 years but each time the seller backs out (he and his late father restored it and that's probably why).
    3) Southern NJ. Car was "restored" with a bit of filler. Had 69K miles. Was sold in 2019 but seller doesn't remember to whom.
    Any assistance would be appreciated as I'm not getting any younger to restore one and enjoy it!
    Thank You,
    Bill Krzastek
    Waynesboro, Va. 22980
     
  2. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

  3. Billkrz

    Billkrz Member

    Thanks. I contacted the fellow 3 days ago and asked for photos. Still waiting. It will need new suspension parts as he cut the originals. Also, it will need lots of body welding and possibly new front fenders. So, it needs alot. I would prefer to find something that does not need as much work.
    Thank you very much for the lead!
    Bill
     
  4. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Have seen your wanted ads on CL. Right one will come along (hopefully sooner than later).
     
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  5. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Bill, check out the PM I'm sending you.
    Brian
     
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  6. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

  7. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

  8. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Billkrz and Dano like this.
  9. Billkrz

    Billkrz Member

    Hi Brian and all,
    Good eye! Yes, that is actually the same car! My photo was taken in 2006. Since then, it has been through 2 owners and several dealers. Each one did things to improve and un-improve the car. I sent an appraiser to look at it in 2016 and based upon his comments, I passed.
    I did speak to the current owner this past Sunday in depth. Nice guy. While, it's a possibility, it is going to need work for me to be happy with it.
    It was repainted about 10-12 years ago and the paint job is "driver's class", at best. Some of the rust (the appraiser was concerned about the amount of filler and very heavy undercoating the car had when he looked at it in 2016) is starting to pop out especially on the passenger door. I asked for more photos of that area and it put me off. I was 50-50 before then. The owner also told me that it has a "tapping" after it warmed up. As the engine has 70K on it, this could be something as simple as a lifter or more serious. The appraiser had included an audio of the engine running and to me, it sounded like a miss. However, he did say the car seemed "peppy". I asked the current owner about this and he said the carb was rebuilt and the "miss" was cured. Also, the dashpad (which looked good from the Facebook photo) has 3 separate cracks.
    So, when I look at this all together, I am still looking elsewhere, as to strip and redo the body, possibly pull the heads and maybe more, and have the dash repaired is going to be a bit pricey especially considering the $13k asking price.
    Thank all of you for sending this to me and please keep your eyes out. I am still hoping that either the LA or the Santa Fe ones come back on the market as at least the bodies looked quite solid.
    Best Regards,
    Bill

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  10. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    In surfing g CL there does seem to be a decent amount of parts out there but I can understand the hesitation given the condition/price. Depends how badly you want one. Nobody in their right mind would've bought my '70 GS 350 4-sp let alone be taking on the project but I wanted that particular car.
     

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