Buick Skylark, Nothing like a Panda.

[Plug]

Hi Vern,

Only just seen this - well impressed . Bet you are rocking the mean streets of Alton with that one

You need to get the pipes sorted though - you can't beat the sound of a V8!

Cheers,

Plug

 

[ChrisUK]

wow must be huge if the engine bay makes that V8 look small!.

 

[VmanC]

Hi Vern,

Only just seen this - well impressed . Bet you are rocking the mean streets of Alton with that one

You need to get the pipes sorted though - you can't beat the sound of a V8!

Cheers,

Plug

Hi Garry, yes, seems we both have reasons to change our Avatars .

wow must be huge if the engine bay makes that V8 look small!.

The hardest part about working on the engine is reaching it!!!. It's 17' long and over 6' wide not counting the door mirrors, but when it's parked next to my 4x4 Panda it really shows up how low it is! I don't think it's any taller than something like an Audi TT.
I've driven 7.5 ton lorries, Merc Sprinter lwb vans etc but this is much more difficult to place and acclimatise to. I think it's a combination of it's width, low stance, and being sat on the wrong side that makes it tricky. The only way to get used to it is to drive it more often .

 

[blu73]

Only left hand drive car i've driven was a renault megan, weird is a word that springs mind, was like learning to drive again lol

 

[VmanC]

Lovely sunny day today so I took the opportunity to wax the bodywork, I've got a car cover coming so wanted this done before I put it to bed.
I also got a little more aquainted with the engine bay while generally checking around. Fluids were checked and topped up where necessary, fan belts adjusted, and a tune up. This has got points so I needed to set the dwell angle, then the timing and idle speed. None of these things were far out but now they're spot on it's made a noticeable improvement to the running of the engine, it now pulls more cleanly and smoothly .
This really is a diy friendly car, it's as simple as a Mini or Escort but with so much space everything is so easy to get at. All these years I've been scraping my hands working on cramped European cars , this is great!

 

[blu73]

lol, working on older cars has always been more fun, they just respond the attention so much more. Seen so many classics out and about in the sunshine over last few days. I WANT ONE AGAIN!!

 

[VmanC]

lol, working on older cars has always been more fun, they just respond the attention so much more. Seen so many classics out and about in the sunshine over last few days. I WANT ONE AGAIN!!

We went out at the weekend for a pub lunch, sat outside to look at the Buick . Sadly it was upstaged by someone turning up in a 1905 DeDion Bouton, won't be going there again .

 

[blu73]

crikey, thats gotta be pretty damn rare. be honest, your glad it turned up really

 

[VmanC]

crikey, thats gotta be pretty damn rare. be honest, your glad it turned up really

True, makes such a change from all the silver/grey Bmw's and Audi's.

 

[fordy744]

Sweet Skylark, i too am an American muscle fan (not ashamed either ) rivieras are a fv on mine too but a 68 Nova would be my choice.

Anyways looks good and keep up the good work and most importantly enjoy it!

 

[VmanC]

Went to Cardiff to visit my Daughter the other day, took the Buick to show her. Her bedroom is at the top of a three storey house so I took the opportunity to get a pic from above.
Sorry, can't stop looking at this car .

 

[blu73]

is an awesome picture

 

[xFaz]

Shocking parking.

 

[VmanC]

Shocking parking.

They all park like that who live there, it's the only way they can get all the residents cars in .

 

[T14086]

Just seen this thread, love the old US cars...pity about the MPG. Lovely car mate

 

[VmanC]

Took the Buick along to the Castle Combe classic car action day along with three of my Pandas, and had a great time, Gavin (organiser of the Fiat owners owners club display) even let me put it on the stand. Cheers Gavin .

They put on a parade lap session half way through the afternoon, where for £15 you could have 3 laps of the circuit, in single file with no overtaking, but at high speed. So I put the Buick in for this thinking that I'd have to take it slowly if I didn't want to understeer in to the scenery, tyres squeeling , but at least I could take a few passengers along for the ride.
As it turned out, the Buick excelled itself, and my passengers were the only thing squeeling .
I was shocked to find that it handled brilliantly, nice and neutral with no loss of grip, and managed to keep up with the rest of the pack, which were far more suitable to track driving. I had an Alfa romeo GTV in front of me, and he was actually holding me up at times, even in the corners .

This shock discovery of it's hidden talents really wants me to improve it further. I'd keep the look of it as it is, nice and original, but under the skin uprate the suspension and brakes with a full poly bush kit, stiffer springs and dampers, and a front brake disc conversion. If all of that goes well I may try to get some more power from the old girl too .

A couple of pics from the day..........

 

[VmanC]

Straight through mot yet again. :slayer:

 

[blu73]

good stuff I found myself looking at silly massive american cars the other day.. I must own one at some point!!

 

[VmanC]

Go for it

Free tax, £200 a year insurance, never goes wrong ( that's jinxed it ) and so far has always passed its mot. It's the cheapest car to run I've got as long as I don't go too far , 18 mpg.

 

[blu73]

i bet i don't get alot more than 18mpg (if that) driving my turbo sei lol. Although the difference is you can get more than that if you try but doesn't inspire eco driving really.