Project "Nvrdun" 72 Buick Skylark Convertible
 

Hi Guys,

Been a member of the site for some time, more a reader than poster but finally got something to post about! So here is my story

Started this project back in 1992 if you can believe it...with a basic 70 Skylark Convertible, nice daily driver 350 with auto.
As you can guess the car sat a lot, originally I was going to make it a GS clone but in 2002 I decided on a pro-touring car.

In 2003 when I decided to tear it down for a restore, I knew the frame was gone. So I bought a clean frame and built it with global west and QA1 suspension along with 4 wheel disc brakes. I also had a 455 being built at the same time. When I got to the body, I knew it was rusty from sitting but I did not think it was that bad until I got it apart. The body had degraded to a level that I could not justify sinking money into.

So I finished the frame build and that is where it sat until I found the right car. For 2 years...


2005 found a 72 Texas car that was in good shape, bought it, shipped it home. That winter I striped it down and took the body off the frame and there it sat pretty much until this past fall.

2010 I sent the body out and I freshened up the frame, put the motor
and tranny into the frame and mated the frame to the body at the paint shop after paint.

Body and Paint was completed by Sean of Paintworks Unlimited of Dover NH who did a great job. Sean was the guy who also did George's 67 Buick "Black Widow"

So now I have reached a big milestone in the project. Drivetrain and paint complete.

Here is where we are at today

72 skylark, GS hood, debadged, smooth firewall
paint: 2004 Jaguar Pacific Blue
Engine: 455 Buick, EFI with aluminum heads. Dyno 564hp, 560tq
trans: tremec TKO 5spd
rear: 3:73 posi
Brakes: 4 wheel disc, with intentions of hydraboost system

Next steps are to figure out a/c system for a smooth firewall and sound deaden the interior and truck

Thanks for looking
Rich

It all starts with the motor
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/HPIM0812.jpg
Here is the Texas car right before tear down
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...oreproject.jpg
filling all the holes to smooth the firewall
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/HPIM0921.jpg
Here is where she sat for about 5 years
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/HPIM0914.jpg
Just after blasting, looking pretty good
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/image002.jpg
nearly impossible to find cars this clean in NH thank you Texas!
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/image003.jpg
but...blasting always finds new things...cut it out are replace
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/image004.jpg
We got Paint!
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/image505.jpg
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/image104.jpg
Frame all set
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...-29-29_881.jpg
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...-20-09_701.jpg
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/SNC00276.jpg
Body and Frame finally together
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...-59-24_624.jpg
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...-59-02_987.jpg
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...-09-08_905.jpg

very nice, beautiful color! :thumbsup:

Looking good. :thumbsup:

Should be a fun car with that engine/trans combo.

Had a '70 GS 455 vert...always wished it had a stick. :D

Thanks guys

I have a had a few buick verts over the years with auto's and a few years back had a 67 chevelle with a 502 4spd. I loved how much fun the stick was and hoping this will be the same.