Great example of Buick’s awesome compact. Smooth and torquey all-aluminum 215 cubic inch V8, automatic, power steering and brakes, power top. Attractive color combination with original interior and one repaint. Right car, right size, right price!

The Buick Skylark was reborn in the early ‘60s, changing from an expensive halo model to Buick’s entry level near-luxury car. But don’t let “entry level” fool you, because it’s still very much a Buick in every way that matters. This beautiful 1962 Buick Skylark convertible is a great example and one drive will show you that Buick engineers knew what they were doing. Better yet, they managed to make it one of Buick’s prettiest models of the year, with styling that mirrored the bigger cars but worked rather well on the Skylark’s smaller chassis. This is an original code A Regal Black car and it was treated to a high-quality repaint about 12 years ago. The bodywork underneath was in excellent condition and needed very little work to be worthy of the glossy black paint, and today it still shows quite well. It’s not perfect (because this car is made to drive) but it does show rather well and looks more expensive than it is. Door fit is very good and you’ll be pleased with the surprisingly solid sound when they slam closed and the only real demerit is that the hood sits slightly proud of the fender on the passenger’s side (easily adjusted at the hinge). For 1962, the use of chrome is restrained but it still looks like a Buick with three simulated “portholes” on the front fenders, a Buick trademark for many years. Of note, the bumpers are excellent and the textured insert on the trunk lid is in great shape—a rarity among these cars. From any angle, this car has the right look.

We believe most of the interior is original save for the carpets. White is a great choice in a convertible, helping to keep things cool and comfortable on warm days. It has certainly held up well with minimal wear and minor signs of use. Buckets for front seat passengers are a sporty addition and the back seat is big enough for three real-sized adults. The carpets are just too nice to be original, so they’ve been replaced and are now protected by a correct rubber floor mat that fits well. The factory gauges are all fully operational and they’re joined by a trio of vintage aftermarket dials under the dash which are also functional. The rest of the controls are basic but it all works, including the clock and original AM radio (which has an FM converter inside). The back seat looks hardly used and seat belts for front seat occupants is a nice addition. There’s a white power convertible top overhead and it stashes itself quickly and easily in the well where it’s covered by a matching white vinyl boot. The trunk is giant and includes the original mat and a full-sized spare tire with jack assembly.

But the real reason these Skylarks are special is under the hood. An all-aluminum 215 cubic inch V8. This compact V8 is both light and strong, and ended up powering Land Rover SUVs well into the 1990s, a real testament to its versatility and durability. In the Skylark it’s topped by a 4-barrel carburetor and makes 185 horsepower and 230 ft-lb. of torque, so performance is impressive. The lightweight V8 makes handling crisp and even with a hushed single exhaust system it sounds strong and expensive. The engine bay is clean and there are signs of proper maintenance throughout, and there’s even an original glass bottle of washer fluid solvent on the inner fender. Nice! It starts easily, idles nicely, and pulls the Skylark around without working very hard and you can barely feel it running at speed. It stays cool and is a proven runner, as the last owner used it for club events for decades. The underside is clean albeit original, so expect a little dirt and grime, but there are no signs of rot and the unit-body structure is intact. The two-speed automatic transmission shifts almost imperceptibly and feeds 3.36 gears out back, so it’s energetic but comfortable at today’s highway speeds. The suspension is Buick supple (how’d they do that?) and with power assist, the drum brakes are adequate for the car’s performance. There’s a new muffler and tailpipe out back, accounting for the hushed soundtrack, and it sits on brand new 185/75/13 whitewall radials.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manuals.

Handsome, fun to drive, and even a little bit practical in today’s world, this Skylark represents a nice change from the usual ‘60s choices. If you’re grown up and want something that isn’t a Mustang or a full-sized luxo-barge, perhaps the Skylark would be the right fit. Call today!

Harwood Motors always welcomes and recommends personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.