1971 Buick Skylark Convertible - Schwartz G-Machine Chassis, LS3, etc
 

Well folks- it's Buick time. This 1971 Buick Skylark had been restored at some point, but the new owner didn't want to keep it stock any longer. So, he came to us in need of a modernization.

Here are the preliminary specs: Schwartz G-Machine Chassis, Moser full-floating 9", Truetrac diff, RideTech single-adjustable coilovers, rack & pinion, Brembo 6 piston calipers on 14/13.5" rotors, 520hp Schwartz-modified LS3 crate engine, GMPP 4L60E, and Forgeline DS3 wheels - stock wheel tubs.

The exterior will remain untouched, in it's current "plum metallic" state.

The interior will boast a Vintage Air Gen IV system, but otherwise stock. You can subscribe to this thread, or keep in touch with our website as it's updated weekly and/or as work progresses! -Dale

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"Original" engine is removed, along with the trans, driveshaft, and exhaust system. We'll be smoothing the passenger side of the firewall & the Vintage Air kit will mount on the inside of the firewall.

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The wheels arrived the other day, still awaiting Pirelli tires...

Forgeline DS3 in Graphite grey - 18x9 and 18x11. We're not minitubbing this one.

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That's going to be an awesome ride!

Finally!!! ive been waiting for one of the big builders to do a 70-72 skylark!! Thanks Jeff post a bunch of pics please.

SAME HERE!!!!!! Yes LOT's of PICS PLEASE!!

It looks like its a beautiful car, and with the upgrades it will be a sweet ride.

Sorry guys!! It's been a couple months since the last post... Time flies as we all know. :)

Engine out, and new LS3 is being prepped with pretty internals (just a cam & valvetrain!) , front end removed to ease the chassis removal process.

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The stock chassis is in good shape for being 43 years old... but it's lacking as a G-Machine.
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Getting ready to smooth the firewall a bit- get rid of the heater holes and smooth out the wavy areas- mainly spot welds.
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GMPP LS3 with our 520hp package, and a GMPP 4L65E transmission & torque converter. This customer wants a reliable and fun ride around town and on the freeway.
Wait, FREEway?? Nope, northern Illinois has tolls everywhere lol.

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The firewall has been filled and painted, and body detached from the original chassis.

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looking good.

Nice car. I really like the purple color.

Looking good Jeff, as you know I like these Buick's.
See you at Columbus.
Goodguy Ed

The underside of the body has been prepped and undercoated

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Ready for chassis transplant

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Chassis mounted, along with the LS3 and 4L65E!

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-Dale

Nice!
 

That was already a sharp looking car.

When you guys are through, it will be an amazing car. I'll be watching this one.

Where can I get a set of those wheels made? I know the trend in certain communities has been the wagon wheel look, but you guys took that to a whole new level!:lmao:

Looks fantastic! Keep up the good work.

Nice job guys, I like that it will look mostly stock but still kick ass on the road and track!!

This car was originally a column-shift automatic with a bench, and eventually switched to a floor-mount shifter with a console. So we cut the stub off of the column, filled & painted the area.

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The column on these have a 1" 48-spline shaft

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When the stock column is used on our chassis, with an LS engine & our stainless headers, 3 joints are needed in the steering shaft. An aftermarket (Flaming River/IDIDIT) column that is a little shorter can typically use a 2-joint shaft. To support the shaft, we used a 3/4" heim joint on a custom bar mount. To keep it from pivoting around the tube, a hole was drilled & tapped into the tubing & bolt inserted.
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Black anodized billet serpentine system installed: w/Sanden AC compressor, 140a alternator, power steering, ATI dampener.
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We mounted the Vintage Air Gen IV system underneath the dash with easy custom brackets, and fabbed hoses to the firewall bulkhead fitting.
Vintage Air's kits often include too many items that we end up not using, so our preference is to do most of it our own way. It often ends up being cheaper, too.

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New 18x9" Forgeline's and 255/40/18 Pirelli tires
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18x11" Forgeline's and 295/35/18 Pirelli's fit nice in the stock tubs
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The customer picked up some used Cadillac seats which integrate the seat belt/retractor into the seat rather than the pillar, or using a roll bar and harnesses. They're a little taller overall than the stock seats, but the seat bottom height isn't much different, so it doesn't feel like you're driving in a truck!

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Installed a Baumann trans controller under the console and cut a hole for the digital readout & adjustment knob in the bottom of the console box.

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Front end fitting!
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The new C&R radiator being fitted for installation. This radiator was designed for a Chevelle / A-body, but does not bolt-in to a Skylark.
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To fit the radiator with the factory mount, we had to modify! Part of it was cut and re-welded, and the mounting bosses on top of the radiator were utilized by drilling holes in the newly fabbed piece.
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There was an air gap in between the rad & core support, we filled the gaps on either side by bending a couple of sheet metal pieces.
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Determining placement of the ABS module
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ABS ? Do tell.....

It's a secret for now.... :)

Once it's all in and tuned i'll be able to give some details.

Very cool build :thumbsup: Subscribed. :popcorn2:

This is going to be interesting to watch. It looks great so far. :thumbsup:

More progress!


Closeup of the rear brakes
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Air intake tube fabricated
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More assembly
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Front brake closeup
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Restored gauge panel
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Wiring additional circuits into the GM fuse box
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ABS brake lines routed
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Custom Rick's Tank installed with in-tank pump
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Exhaust fabrication- Fully stainless & TIG welded. 2 mufflers, 2 resonators
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Should be running & driving soon!!!

-Dale

Very nice! Clean and simple, for the most part. I like it.

Prototype ABS ring for the floating hub

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Alright guys,

It's been about 9 weeks since the last update on this car, and we apologize!

Things have been quite busy at our shop, and there will be a few more build threads popping up from us soon.

As for the Buick:


Custom stainless steel exhaust almost complete-

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Custom Rick's stainless tank, narrowed to accommodate the chassis rails. This features a 600hp-capable in-tank pump.

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Monkey-ing around in the quarter panel. Not much room with 13.5" brakes.

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On the ground and ready for engine tuning!

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The back end, using custom GS N25 style stainless exhaust tips

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Custom front ABS rings & sensor bracket

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Custom Autosound stereo installed, along with the Vintage Air panel in the background

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The car is done- once I have better exterior shots I will try and post them!

-Dale

Dale,

Wow, that is a super clean build.:thumbsup:

Had a '70 GS 455 vert...great looking cars.

Looks awesome. Nice job from a fellow Buick admirer. What wheel/tire combo did u go with?

Dale - standing by for feedback on the ABS retrofit. :y0!:

Great job! :trophy-1302:

Nice parts came together here for a very cool build.. :thumbsup:

Great summer night cruiser with the top down. Very nice job!