Many old cars behind a heavy layer of dust are in decent condition, so finding a car in barn-found condition isn’t always a negative thing. However, some are rusted, rat-infested cars that aren’t worth preserving when they are taken out of storage. Among them is this 1968 Buick Skylark.
Though not much is known about this Buick’s history, it was found in a dilapidated garage that resembled a barn. The coupe had been abandoned for almost thirty years when it was found, covered in dust and trash and with rat nests beneath the seats and the bonnet. Fortunately, the people at “WD Detailing” managed to get the Skylark out of the barn and restore it into a pretty amazing survivor.
Arguably one of their toughest jobs to date, the Buick had all sorts of issues in addition to the rust holes that come with barn finds. Not only covered in grime and what looks like bird poop, but it also had some strange green overspray over its doors and side windows. But all of that came out following a professional cleaning process, leaving the Skylark surprisingly clean.
Furthermore, it was astonishing to find that the black vinyl top, which had been stored in a barn for thirty years, was in nearly perfect shape.
Given that this car has been inhabited by multiple rats for decades, the interior work was considerably more difficult. Because of this, the back seat was full with dirty nests, and the carpets could not be saved. However, the crew were able to revive the seats, and the best news about abandoned old automobiles was discovered when the carpets were removed and the floor was found to be free of rust.
But they found an even bigger surprise under the hood. In addition to the old rat nests and plastic bags, they also discovered an opossum skeleton. Now that’s something I haven’t seen in a derelict car until now.
In the end, the cleaning procedure produced nearly two garbage cans’ worth of filth and debris, but it was all worthwhile. Although the black paint is faded and the Buick has some rust on it, it can still be salvaged because it is still intact and has a sturdy floor. Not so much as a restoration attempt as a survivor with a little facelift.
If you’re not familiar with the Skylark, the 1968 version was the first year of the second-generation full-size. Built until 1972, it shared underpinnings with the Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac Tempest, and Oldsmobile Cutlass. Buick offered various body styles, including two-door coupes and convertibles, four-door hardtops and sedans, and a station wagon.
A base 250 cubic inch (4.1 liter) inline-six and a 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) V8 were the available engines in 1968. The latter produced 280 horsepower at its peak.
How much is the current value of a 1968 Skylark? Indeed, specimens that are ready for a concourse can fetch over $30,000, but even ones in fair condition can be purchased for less than $10,000. Even though that’s not a lot of money, I’m nevertheless glad to see another coupe pulled out of the barn.