Buick Skylark автомобильдерінің тарихы

Series of passenger automobiles produced by Buick

The Buick Skylark is a passenger car formerly produced by Buick. The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which the car's design varied dramatically due to changing technology, tastes, and new standards implemented over the years. It was named for the species of bird called skylark. The Skylark name first appeared on a limited production luxury convertible using the Buick Roadmaster's chassis for two years, then was reintroduced in 1961 as a higher luxury content alternative to the entry level Buick Special on which the Skylark was based upon. It was then positioned as Buick's luxury performance model when the Buick GSX was offered. As GM began downsizing during the late 1970s, the Skylark became the entry level model when the Special nameplate was used as a trim package designation, then in the 1980s was offered as a front wheel drive vehicle where it was both a coupe and sedan for three different generations.

Created to mark Buick's 50th anniversary, the Roadmaster Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as top of the line, limited production specialty convertibles introduced in 1953 by General Motors to promote its design leadership. Of the three, the Skylark's run of 1,690 units proved the most successful, and an amazing sales feat considering the car's 1953 list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 ($ in dollars ) was over 50% more than the well equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based ($ in dollars ). It was comparable in price to the 1953 Packard Caribbean with a similar retail price. Only air conditioning was not offered, unnecessary in either convertible. which included wheel cutouts that could be painted in a contrasting color to the body's. The trunk was sloped into a semi barrel, and tail lights moved to large chromed fins projecting atop the rear fenders. Re designated model 100, the car was based on the all new shorter Century/Special series 40 chassis and not the larger series 60 Roadmaster/Super chassis, also all new for 1954. Once again, all Skylarks were built as 2 door convertibles and carried the same luxury equipment as before, but front leg room dropped |width = it featured unique Skylark emblems, taillight housings, lower body side moldings, turbine wheel covers, and a vinyl covered roof. 1961 Skylarks featured three Ventiports on each fender. A plush "Cordaveen" all vinyl interior was standard, with bucket seats available as an option. Instrumentation was minimal, consisting of only a speedometer and fuel gauge. The Skylark replaced the Special's standard aluminum block two barrel carburetor V8 with a higher compression ratio four barrel version that boosted power from at 4600 rpm to
For the 1962 model year, the Skylark became a model in its own right. It used the previous year's basic sheet metal but was available in two new body styles: a two door convertible coupe (shared with the Special and Special Deluxe models) and a two door (pillarless) hardtop unique to it. Tuning of the 215 cubic inch V8 increased power to at 4800 rpm. In 1962, the Skylark Special was also the first American car to use a V6 engine in volume production; it earned Motor Trends Car of the Year for 1962. This 198 cid Fireball V6 was engineered down from the 215 and used many of the same design parameters, but was cast in iron. Output was 135 hp (gross) at 4600 rpm and at 2400 rpm. In their test that year, Road & Track was impressed with Buick's "practical" new V6, saying it "sounds and performs exactly like the aluminum V8 in most respects." In 1963, the Special's body was restyled and minor changes made to the interior, particularly to the dash and instrument cluster. The 1963 Special was available as a two door pillared hardtop coupe, a four dour sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon. Engine choices were a standard V6 with a twin barrel carburetor and an optional V8 with (two barrel) or more powerful four barrel ( in 1962, in 1963).

1980–1985 Tech 4 2.5 L (151 in3) I4, supplied by Pontiac
1980–1985 LE2 2.8 L (173 in3) V6, supplied by Chevrolet
1982–1985 LH7 2.8 L (173 in3) V6, supplied by Chevrolet

1986–1991 2.5 L L68 I4, supplied by Pontiac
1988–1991 2.3 L LD2 I4, supplied by Oldsmobile
1986–1988 3.0 L LN7 V6
1989–1991 3.3 L LG7 V6

YearsEngine1992–19942.3 L Oldsmobile L40 I419952.3 L Oldsmobile LD2 I41996–19982.4 L Oldsmobile LD9 I41992–19933.3 L Buick LG7 V61994–19983.1 L Chevrolet L82 V6