Buick Skylark

The Buick Skylark (German: " Sky Lark ", English name of Skylark ) was a passenger car model that was produced in model years 1953 to 1954 Buick Roadmaster as the successor of convertibles in the USA. 1953 counted it as Roadmaster for 70 series, 1954, it formed the independent 100 Series From 1962 to 1972 Buick produced a series of mid-sized cars under the name Skylark. From 1975 Skylark models, belonging to the lower middle class and were produced until 1998, appeared again.

Model history

Skylark Series 70 and 100 ( 1953-1954 )

Buick Skylark 100 Series Convertible ( 1954)

The term Skylark 1953 awarded for a special convertible for Roadmaster Series 70 for the first time. Like the other Roadmaster models had a V8 engine with a displacement of 5277 cc and an output of 188 bhp (138 kW) at 4000 min -1. The wheelbase of the most well-equipped convertible was 3086 mm. Unlike the other Roadmaster models this year for this model 76X the rear wheel wells were not covered and it had no vents at the side of the engine compartment, but there were wire spoked wheels by Kaiser Hayes. At the height of the rear seats, the bodies of Skylarks had a roadster -like hip bend. Seats and steering column were lower than in the other Roadmaster models. This allowed the roof to be placed several inches deep, which gave the vehicles a rapid appearance without compromising the headroom of the occupants. These changes have meant that a number of sheet metal parts had to be manufactured in small series outside of the normal series production. Cost the Roadmaster convertible Model 76C U.S. $ 3506, -, the Roadmaster Skylark proposed model 76X with U.S. $ 5,000 - to book.

In the following year the Skylark to its own series with the number 100 and only one version of the model was, however, based on the " smaller" Series 40 and 50. The hip bend had been abolished, the wheelbase has increased by ½ " to 3099 mm and the engine output increased to 200 hp (147 kW) to. The tail fins translated from the flat trunk lid from better realized than in last year's model.

1955 this special series was no longer manufactured. 1953 originated in 1690 Skylark Series 70, 1954 836 copies of the 100 Series

Skylark Series 4300 (1961-1963)

Buick Skylark Series 4300 Hardtop Coupe (1963 )

Located in the model year 1961 appeared a two-door coupe as a special model within the Skylark series 4300 of the Special Deluxe. Its V8 engine with 3523 cc and 185 bhp (138 kW) at 4800 min-1 was also obtained for the other Special Deluxe models on request.

1962 was the Skylark series again a stand-alone series, which included a hardtop coupe and a convertible. The coupe with B -pillar was omitted. The engine output increased slightly to 190 bhp (140 kW). Stylistically, there were only minor changes.

1963 showed the Skylark with a more angular styling and with established dimensions. The engine output increased to 200 hp (147 kW).

From Skylark Coupe Special 12,683 units were built in 1961, the Skylark in the next two years 85 294 vehicles.

Skylark (1964-1972)

Buick Skylark Coupe (1969 )

1964, the wheelbase of the Skaylark was increased to 2921 mm. The two-door coupe than, two-door convertible and four-door sedan vehicles offered had received clearer lines in terms of their styling. Basic engine was a V6 engine with 3687 cc and 155 hp ( 114 kW). On request, there was a V8 engine with 4916 cc and 210 hp (154 kW). In the following year there were only a few cosmetic changes and an additional two-door sedan was offered.

In 1966 there were only a few stylistic changes. The sedan accounted for, a four-door hardtop sedan was introduced instead. The V6 engine now made ​​160 hp (118 kW). As an additional version of a Gran Sport was introduced. The vehicles available as Coupé and Cabriolet had a V8 engine with 6571 cc and had a power output of 325 hp ( 239 kW) at 4400 min -1.

1967, the V6 was available only as a two-door coupe. The V8 models, a two-door hardtop coupe and a four-door sedan to come. In addition to the 4.9 liter V8 were to request a V8 engine with 5571 cc and 220 hp (162 kW). With this engine - enhanced to 260 hp ( 191 kW) - including the Gran Sport 340 was available, which was only offered in a coupe version. In the Gran Sport 400 was ranked by the known from the previous engine (250 kW) carried now 340 hp.

1968 Gran Sport models were added to a separate series. The bodies of the remaining Skylark models were revised. The two-door model possessed a wheelbase of 2,845 mm only, the four-door, this grew to 2946 mm.

For the Skylark, which was available this year as a two-door hardtop coupe and four-door sedan, it was a new inline six -cylinder engine with 4097 cc and 155 hp ( 114 kW). The V8 engine available on request, the performance was on 5735 cm ³ and 230 hp ( 169 kW ) has been increased.

The more luxurious model was the Skylark Custom, which was available as a four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door coupe and two-door convertible as. In these model versions of the V8 engine was standard. The following year, little changed on the model range.

1970, the Skylark has been revised. The lines have been streamlined, and the wheel wells were more pronounced. The straight-six engines were for the two-door coupe and 4-door sedan, while in the in their power to 260 hp ( 191 kW) increased V8 models - now called Skylark 350 - in addition to the four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop coupe available had. The Skylark Custom, there were in all of these body shapes and also as a 4- door hardtop sedan.

1971 only the grille was redesigned. All engines lost to a performance; the R6 brought it in to 145 hp (107 kW), and the V8 made ​​230 hp again (169 kW). The Skylark there was now again in the three body styles of the previous year as R6 and V8, while there was no change in terms of the four available versions of Skylark Custom.

1972 accounted for the six-cylinder engine. The front bumper was slightly more massive than the previous year. The significantly reduced performance 5.7 -liter V8 engine, there were 150 hp ( 110 kW) or 175 hp ( 129 kW). In connection with the latter, renamed the car as the Skylark Skylark Custom 350 gave it the first time as a five-door station wagon, since the separate multi- series Sportwagon had been abandoned.

The following year, the Skylark was no longer offered. Within these nine years emerged 1,188,153 copies.

Skylark (1975-1979)

Buick Skylark Coupe (1978/1979)

1975 appeared a new Skylark model, which was based on the small Apollo series and thus on the GM X platform.

In the simple Skylark S -version, there was only a two-door coupe, while in the middle Skylark design and the luxurious Skylark S / R series had a two - and a three-door station wagon coupe on offer.

Motorized vehicles were equipped with a V6 with 3785 cc and 110 hp ³ (81 kW) at 4000 min -1 or an equally powerful V8 with 4261 cm. On request, there was also a V8 with 5735 cc and 140 hp (103 kW). In front of the vehicle with a wide grille were single, rectangular framed, round headlights and with separately mounted next to blink and parking lights.

In 1976, the appearance was changed only slightly, but it came as an additional body version added a four-door sedan. The V6 engine lost a little power and brought it now to 105 hp ( 77 kW). The small V8 engine accounted for; Instead, there was a desire on to 155 hp ( 114 kW ) strengthened variant of the 5.7 -liter V8.

1977 there was a new radiator grille of the Mercedes- style with fine, vertical chrome rods and a revised engine range: Besides the known V6 engine were four V8 engines to choose from: 4933 cc with 135 hp ( 99 kW ) 4998 cc with 145 hp ( 107 kW ), 5735 cc with 155 hp (114 kW) and 5735 cc with 170 hp ( 125 kW). In the following year there were no stylistic changes; only the 4.9 -liter V8 was omitted. The Skylark S / R was renamed Skylark Custom.

1979, the front of the vehicle has been revised: The radiator grille was now divided into four elements, and the indicators and parking lights covered the corners of the body. The V6 now made ​​115 hp (85 kW), the 5.0 -liter V8 130 hp ( 96 kW ) and the 5.7 -liter V8 165 hp (121 kW).

In four years 390 790 Buick Skylark were produced.

Production in Iran

From 1976 to 1980, the Skylark assembled in Iran. It was this to the above-described model generation from the United States, provided with the 5.7 -liter V8 engine and luxurious facilities. At the same time GM built the models Cadillac Chevrolet Nova Civil and also there, but hired any production in December 1987. Manufacturer of Iranian GM models, the company was Iran General Motors.

Skylark (1980-1985)

Buick Skylark Sedan (1985 )

In 1980 a completely new Skylark model with front wheel drive. The cars were much smaller than the previous models in terms of its dimensions. It gave him as a four-door sedan and two-door coupe as.

The angular shaped vessel had safety bumpers front and rear, a popular in the U.S. style similar to Mercedes models grille with horizontal and vertical bars, a small hood ornament framed and rectangular headlights. Standard drive was a four-cylinder engine with 2474 cc and a power output of 90 hp (66 kW). On request, there was also a V6 engine with 2835 cc and 115 hp (85 kW). The basic equipment was simply called Skylark, the average Skylark Limited, the broadest and most sporting equipment Skylark Sport.

In 1981 the Skylark a new grille with vertical chrome bars, and new taillights. The power of both engines fell slightly to 84 hp (62 kW) at the four-cylinder version and 110 hp ( 81 kW ), the six-cylinder.

A new radiator grille with a frame in body color and 2 x 3 horizontal inlets there were in 1982. Motors possessed almost back on the past performance of 90 hp (66 kW), the four-cylinder and 112 hp ( 82 kW ), the six-cylinder. On request, a V6 direct injection engine with 135 hp (99 kW) was available.

In 1983 there was no technical or stylistic changes, but the standard model has been superseded by the Skylark Custom, which accounted Skylark Sport, and the coupe, there was also a Skylark T -Type with a black grille, black headlight surrounds and just such door handles.

1984 he was awarded the Skylark a new front fascia with a grille with a black grid structure and rectangular headlamps with internal turn signals. The performance of the four-cylinder engine increased to 92 hp (68 kW).

In 1985, the coupe was no longer offered. The sedan received a front grille with vertical chrome strips, ranging up to the bumper. The injection engine produced just 125 hp (92 kW).

In those six years, 981 537 copies of the Skylark were built.

Skylark (1986-1991)

Buick Skylark Sedan (1986-1991)

Was released in 1986 a completely new Skylark model line, the chassis like that of Somerset built on the GM N platform. Accordingly, it initially was only a four-door sedan with a further reduction in wheelbase. The body styles were now made ​​softer, and the rectangular dual headlights flanking a centrally divided grille with vertical chrome bars.

The well-known from the previous four-cylinder engine with 92 hp still was used. A new V6 had a displacement of 2966 cc and made, as its smaller predecessor, 125 hp ( 92 kW). As previously, there were two trim levels Custom and Limited. The following year, there were no changes.

In 1988, as a second body variant again a two-door coupe to which had a slightly different grille than the sedan. The 2.5 -liter R4 possessed to an increased output of 135 hp ( 99 kW ), on request, there was also a slightly smaller four-cylinder 2261 cc, double overhead camshaft (DOHC ) and a power of 150 hp (110 kW ). A V6 engine with 3342 cc capacity was new and made 160 hp (118 kW). In the following year there was again only a few changes, only the power of the 2.5 -liter R4 dropped to 110 hp (81 kW).

1990, it came back to a revision of the series. A new grille and a continuous light strip at the rear of the vehicle belonged to it. As standard equipment, there was again the Skylark (without additional title ). The subseries Limited was in favor of the Skylark Gran Sport ( coupe ), or the Skylark Luxury Edition ( sedan ) abandoned. Only technical changes were made in 1991: the DOHC four cylinder engine, performance was increased to 160 hp (118 kW).

Within five years, created 373 626 Skylark.

Skylark (1992-1997)

Buick Skylark Coupe (1992-1996)

Dark plastic bumpers and a run around the corners of the vehicle lighting strip, front and rear marked the new Skylark, which was available early in 1992.

Basic performance was a four-cylinder OHC engine with 2.3 liters and only 120 hp ( 88 kW). It was ranked the known V6 with 160 nhp (118 kW). The basic version was simply called Skylark, the better-equipped vehicles were designated Skylark Gran Sport - each as a four-door sedan and two-door coupe as.

1993, there were only a few changes. The four-cylinder only reached 115 hp (85 kW). Instead of simply Skylark version, there was again a Skylark Custom as a base model and a Skylark Limited in the middle version.

1994 there was a new V6 engine, which at only 3130 cc displacement, the same performance as its predecessor rendered. The Limited version, it was only for the sedan.

In 1995, a coupe was within the Limited series re-introduced, and the four-cylinder engine was again two overhead camshafts, causing him to 150 hp (110 kW) helped performance.

In 1996, the styling was revised again. The Skylark received a new instrument panel and a new radiator grille, whose upper half was covered with a body-colored panel. The displacement of the four- cylinder was at constant power increased to 2393 cc.

In the last year of production of the Skylark again received a new front grille with vertical chrome bars fine. In technical terms, 1997, the series remained unchanged.

In 1998, the Century the role as an entry model at Buick. In these past six years, 321 698 copies of the Skylark were produced. The production facility in Lansing was then set up for the construction of the Chevrolet Malibu.