Nasty little early ‘60s street cruiser. High compression aluminum 215 cubic inch V8 with optional 4-barrel carb, 4-speed, Posi rear end. Two owners, one repaint, beautifully preserved original interior. Build sheet and window sticker. Fast, fun, and unusual piece of Buick muscle!

In the ‘50s, the Skylark was Buick’s halo model, built for only two years (1953 and 1954) before vanishing. But it was reborn in the early ‘60s as Buick’s entry into the compact field, a modestly sized car with a modest price, but full of Buick features and quality. The formula was a success, and with the addition of the unique 215 cubic inch all-aluminum V8 engine, it was unique among its peers. If you wanted a smaller car that acted like a big one and packed plenty of firepower, the Skylark was the best choice.

This particular Skylark was originally sold by Dibble Pontiac-Buick in Austin, Minnesota and remarkably, it remained with its first owner for more than 40 years. It was maintained and used sparingly, but never wrecked, rusted, or restored. It was repainted in the 1990s, but otherwise it remains largely original and very nicely preserved. The second owner is a Buick expert and the former owner of a machine shop that specialized in rebuilding Buick engines, so it remains in first-class condition throughout. Code AA Regal Black is this car’s original color and the respray is holding up extremely well—glossy and smooth with only a few minor signs of use. No cracking or checking from age, so the more modern materials they used are certainly helping it stay youthful-looking. Even though it hails from Minnesota, we don’t believe it spent more than one or two seasons fighting winter weather, as the sheetmetal is in excellent condition with no signs of rust or patchwork. Check out how easily the doors fit, the even gaps around the trunk, and the smooth flanks that are almost entirely ripple-free. The chrome and stainless trim is likewise original and in great shape with nice bumpers and only minor pitting on the cast pieces like the trunk insert and taillight bezels. If ever a car appeared to be loved, it’s this one.

The blue cloth interior is almost entirely original and in remarkable condition given its age. The seats are still firm and comfortable and the upholstery doesn’t show any splits or tears, even on the driver’s seat. Amazing! It’s likely that the carpets have been replaced at some point, but the seats, door panels, and even the headliner are original to the car. The instrument panel is simple and covers just the basics but the controls are just right for spirited driving, including the shifter for the 4-speed manual transmission. Everything works, including the AM radio, and it includes accessories like the tissue dispenser, hazard lights, and seat belts, which were still a bit of a rarity in 1962. In back, there’s a good-sized trunk with its original mat, a matching full-sized spare, and jack assembly.

The all-aluminum 215 cubic inch V8 was a remarkable piece of engineering, delivering V8 punch in a featherweight package. In fact, it would end up powering Land Rovers until the early 2000s, eventually growing to 300 cubic inches. This one is the optional high compression version with a 4-barrel carburetor, making a rather robust 190 horsepower—plenty to make the compact Skylark feel punchy on the street. All signs point to the engine never having been apart, although it’s clean under the hood and it runs superbly. No smoke, great oil pressure, and a willingness to rev that you don’t get in bigger engines. It’s just a joy to run this car through the gears. It stays cool and there’s plenty of evidence of recent maintenance, including belts, hoses, and a fresh battery. This has been a reliable tour car for many years, and in terms of smiles that it generates, there aren’t many better partners for piloting a country road. The 4-speed is a big part of it, and the window sticker also indicates that it has Posi-Traction on the 3.36 rear gears, suggesting that the original owner knew exactly what he was doing when he filled out the order form. The undercarriage is a bit grungy, as you’d expect for an unrestored car, but you’ll find no rot, no holes, no rust issues that need to be addressed—this is a very solid car. There’s also an electric fuel pump to help with starts after a period of storage, as well as a brand new exhaust system that mutes the little V8 perhaps a bit too much. Ride quality is Buick smooth and the unassisted brakes are plenty strong for the car’s performance, so no worries there. 13-inch wheels with hubcaps were standard equipment, with these wearing a set of recent 165/80/13 whitewall radials for a period-perfect look.

Extras include a window sticker, original build sheet, and a set of original manuals.

We’re in love with this mean little black coupe. The all-aluminum V8 is a cool piece of engineering all by itself, but when you add the 4-speed and the no-nonsense look, it becomes a fearsome little beast that probably took a lot of bigger cars by surprise in the early 1960s. With excellent care, no secrets to hide, and a great personality on the road, it’s a great choice if you’re a person who loves to drive just for the sake of driving. Call today!

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