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80-503: It was available as a coupe, two-door hatchback, or four-door sedan. The two-door models were renamed Skylark for 1975; only the sedan carried the Apollo nameplate for that year. A total of 112,901 Apollos were built. The Apollo was powered by a standard 250-cubic-inch (4.1 L) Chevrolet inline six or an optional 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) Buick V8, available with either a two- or four-barrel carburetor. A three-speed manual transmission

160-458: A Gran Sport option became available in mid-1965, offered as a coupe, hardtop or convertible. The Gran Sport featured Buick's 401-cubic-inch V8 with a Carter 4-barrel carburetor that produced 325 hp (242 kW) at 4400 rpm, listed as 400 cubic inches in sales literature to elude a General Motors limit of 400 cubic inches in intermediate-sized cars. Unique Gran Sport badging, a heavy-duty radiator, and dual exhaust were also added. In

240-438: A hardtop model added in its final year of 1956. The domestic "Big Three" automakers were developing "quasi-custom" models. Marketers at the time described them as a "sports car, which usually meant anything with a convertible top, lots of performance, a few unique styling touches, and top-of-the-line price tag. The image of Packard automobiles during the early 1950s was "perceived as stodgy and old-fashioned." Packard needed

320-441: A "Selectronic" AM radio. Only air conditioning was not offered, unnecessary in either convertible. Importantly, the new Skylark featured Buick's new 322 in (5.3 L) Fireball V8 in place of the automaker's longstanding straight 8 , and a 12-volt electrical system, both division firsts. It debuted full-cutout wheel openings, a styling cue that spread to the main 1954 Buick line. Accenting its lowered, notched beltline

400-575: A "halo car to cast a modern glow on the marque." The company prepared a concept car, the Packard Pan-American , earning positive reception at auto shows during 1952. The Caribbean was introduced for the 1953 model year as "Packard's sportiest car ... based on the standard Cavalier convertible, with custom touches transforming it into a line-topping stunner." The 1953 Caribbean was perhaps Packard's most easily identified car because of its full cutout rear wheel housing and side trim, limited to

480-567: A "three on the tree" manual transmission , a floor-shifted Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual, or a two-speed automatic. The two-speed "Dual Path Turbine Drive" automatic was a Buick design and shared no common parts with the Chevrolet Power-Glide transmission. Instrument panel padding and a cigarette lighter was standard. Beginning with the 1964 model year, the Skylark trim level had enough sales to merit its own separate line. Along with

560-502: A 'three on the tree' manual transmission , a floor shift Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual, or a two-speed Turbine Drive automatic . The two speed "Dual Path Turbine Drive" automatic was a Buick design and shared no common parts with the better known Chevrolet Power-Glide transmission. Two prototypes were made for 1962, each with a unique body. One a convertible and the other a hardtop. The prototypes came directly from Buick Engineering, both had been given two 4-barrel carburetors by

640-523: A 250-cubic-inch 250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6 , that produced 155 hp (116 kW) at 4200 rpm using a single-barrel Rochester carburetor. Optional on the Skylark and standard on the Skylark Custom was a new 350-cubic-inch V8 derived from the 340, using a two-barrel Rochester carburetor that produced 230 hp (170 kW) at 4400 rpm. The Buick Special name was dropped after

720-452: A Rochester 2-barrel carburetor that generated 210 hp (160 kW) at 4600 rpm. A high performance version was offered with 11:1 compression and a 4-barrel carburetor, generating 250 hp (190 kW). The V6 and V8 were of similar design and shared the same bore and stroke. A long-throw Hurst shifter was available for the four-speed manual transmission. For the 1965 model, cast-iron blocks and heads were used for all engines. For

800-406: A chrome band that outlined the bottom of the car's entire length. The band also helped further delineate the car's wheel openings, and the door handle was concealed and aligned with the chrome beltline surrounding the side windows, the bottom of the windshield, and the rear window. A steel continental spare tire was also standard. The hood featured a broad, low leaded-in hood scoop . Bodies for

880-591: A crease running the length of the vehicle. Chevrolet did not offer a pillared coupe for the Chevelle from 1970 to 1972; all two-doors were hardtops. Replacing the previous Buick Skylark was the Buick Skylark 350, available as a two-door hardtop coupe or four-door sedan with the 350-cubic-inch V8 as standard equipment. This 350-cubic-inch engine was a different design than the Chevy's 350 CID engine (4.000 in × 3.48 in)

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960-409: A custom vinyl top. Steel-belted tires were introduced in 1975. There was no conventional antenna mounted on the body of the car. Instead, two wires were embedded in the layers of glass in the windshield. The 1974 Apollo debuted with only subtle differences. A chrome strip above the grille and roof-mounted safety restraints were added. A GSX package became available on the coupe for 1974, however, it

1040-492: A hardtop model was added. Trim styling differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were minimal, with new tri-tone exterior color combinations the most visible differentiation. The Grille textures changed to match those used on concurrent Patricians. The rear treatment, featuring Packard's cathedral-style taillights was continued. The headlights also received slightly more exaggerated brows. Unique new interiors featured reversible seat cushions with cloth on one side and leather on

1120-492: A performance boost by retaining the big Buicks' powertrain, an evolutionary improvement of 1953's with the highest output in the division's lineup. The 1954 Skylark once again had unique sheet metal stampings for its elongated wheel cutouts and new semi-barrel trunk, though fabrication was done without hand labor. The hood ornament was unique, adopted the following year across the Buick product line. Sales proved to be poor, reflecting

1200-475: A shorter wheelbase of 112 in (2,845 mm), while four-door models used a longer wheelbase of 116 in (the Buick Sport Wagon and Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser used an even longer wheelbase of 121 in). All of GM's mid-sized cars received all-new sheet metal, incorporating a semi- fastback appearance, which was a revival of a streamlining on all GM products from 1942 until 1950 as demonstrated on

1280-591: A three-speed automatic transaxle as an option. Packard Caribbean The Packard Caribbean is a full-sized luxury car that was made by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan , during model years 1953 through 1956. Some of the Caribbean's styling was derived from the Pan American Packard show car of the previous year. Available only as a convertible from 1953 until 1955 with

1360-583: 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 190 hp (140 kW) 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 Trend ' s Car of the Year for 1962. This 198 cid Fireball V6

1440-440: A two-door sedan (also referred to as a coupe), 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

1520-483: A version of the same V8 engine as the base Skylark, but with a 4-barrel Rochester carburetor that generated 180 hp (134 kW). Skylark Customs were available with the same 350-cubic-inch V8 engines available in the basic Skylark and the Skylark 350. The Custom had an upgraded interior and dash with some extra chrome. Convertibles only came in the Skylark Customs and the Skylark 350s. For 1973, GM redesigned

1600-471: Is possible the convertible prototype still exists in the Sloan Museum collection. The 1963 Skylarks used the same chassis and wheelbase as the previous 1961 and 1962 models, but adopted new sheet metal that featured boxier styling. Length was increased by five inches (130 mm) to 193 in (4,900 mm), and the 215-cubic-inch V8 generated 200 hp (150 kW) at 5,000 rpm. The 1963 Skylark

1680-543: The Apollo name for their four-door sedan, while their two-doors (hatchback and sedan) were both rechristened "Skylark". Both the Apollo and the Skylark were available in Base and S/R versions; the S/R (Sports/Rallye) being European-inspired and more upscale. The Skylark sedan was also available as a very plain, lower-priced Skylark "S" with minimal interior and exterior trim. Gone since 1968,

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1760-463: The Buick Super Club Coupe (sedanette) , that showed influences from the restyled Riviera . More Federally mandated safety features improved occupant protection and accident avoidance, including side marker lights, shoulder belts (on all models built after January 1, 1968), and parking lights that illuminated with headlights. The Buick Gran Sport , previously an option package available on

1840-587: The Patrician and the Pacific coupe, the Caribbean also gained heavier "finned" headlight housings, one of the visual cues applied to help differentiate the senior Packards from the lower-priced models. The 359-cubic-inch (5,880 cc) senior engine was used in this final incarnation of Packard's flat-head straight-eight, which had been introduced in 1924 in the Packard Eight . A total of 400 Caribbeans were produced for

1920-542: 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 ($ 56,940 in 2023 dollars )

2000-460: The " VentiPorts " design element reappeared, integrated into the front half of the rub strip that ran the length of the vehicle. The standard engine for the Buick Skylarks was Buick's own 231-cubic-inch (3.8 L) V6 engine with a 2-barrel carburetor creating 110 hp (82 kW) at 4000 rpm. Buick purchased back the tooling for the engine from American Motors, which acquired them when

2080-418: The 1966 model year, the pillared four-door sedan was replaced by a four-door hardtop. The 1966 two-door Skylark was available with the optional 340-cubic-inch "Wildcat 375", engine which produced 260 hp (194 kW) and 365 lb⋅ft (495 N⋅m) torque with a 4-barrel Carter carb. The four-door sedan would rejoin the lineup for the 1967 model year, making a total of five Skylark body styles. The 225 V6

2160-460: The 1969 model year. A locking steering column with a new, rectangular ignition key became standard on all 1969 GM cars (except Corvair ), one year ahead of the Federal requirement. For 1970, the mid-sized Buicks once again received new sheet metal and the Buick Skylark name was moved down another notch, replacing the previous entry-level Buick Special. It was available in two- and four-door sedans with

2240-461: The 1978 model year, Chevrolet's 5.7 L (350-cubic-inch) V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, which produced 170 hp (130 kW) at 3,800 rpm, also was available. Also in that year, the Skylark Custom replaced the Skylark S/R as the most luxurious variant. The 1978s also received some very light cosmetic changes to the corner lights and grille. The 1979 model year saw the discontinuance of

2320-410: The 2-door Roadmaster's in two then welding the pieces back together at an angle to produce the rakish door dip. An overall more streamlined look was reinforced by cutting the windshield almost 3 inches (7.6 cm) shorter and lowering the side windows and convertible top frame proportionately. Seat frames and steering column were then dropped to provide proper headroom and driving position. Front legroom

2400-421: The 250-cubic-inch inline-six as standard and the optional 350-cubic-inch V8 (260 horsepower at 4600 rpm). Two-door models shared their roofline with the 1970 Chevelle , distinct from that of the shared Pontiac LeMans and Oldsmobile Cutlass . The two-door sedan was unique to Buick, sharing its roofline as the hardtop but having a thick "B" pillar , with Buick's traditional " Sweepspear " feature appearing as

2480-425: The 350-cubic-inch V8 with the 2-barrel Rochester carburetor (now putting out 145 horsepower) as standard equipment. A new federally mandated system to calculate power was put into effect that year, and the actual engine performance was probably comparable but slightly lower because of pollution controls in the 1972 model year to the 230 hp (172 kW) that was listed for the previous year. The Skylark 350 now used

Buick Apollo - Misplaced Pages Continue

2560-410: The 5.7 L V8 engines produced 140 hp (100 kW) at 3,200 rpm with the 2-barrel carburetor, and 155 hp (116 kW) at 3,400 rpm with the 4-barrel carburetor. Beginning with the 1976 model year, the four-door sedans used the Skylark and Skylark S/R names instead of the previous Apollo badge, and came with the 3.8 L V6 engine as standard. The 260-cubic-inch (4.3 L) V8

2640-579: The A-body platform, but Buick dropped the Skylark nameplate and revived one of its old ones for their mid-size: the " Century" . The Century Estate replaced the Buick Sport Wagon. The Century inherited the Gran Sport performance option, but the Gran Sport name was once again reduced to being an option package. When GM's compact X-body platform was extensively restyled for the 1975 model year, Buick retained

2720-547: The British manufacturer Rover, who produced it as the Rover V8 engine until 2006). In its place was a new 225-cubic-inch (3.7 L) all-cast-iron V6 with a Rochester 1-barrel carburetor that generated 155 hp (116 kW) at 4400 rpm. It is an enlarged version of the prior 198 cubic inches (3,240 cm ) V6 introduced for the 1962 model year. The basic V8 option was a 300-cubic-inch, with cast-iron block, aluminum heads, and

2800-400: The Buick design had a longer stroke and smaller bore (3.80 X 3.85 in) allowing for lower-end torque, deep-skirt block construction, higher nickel-content cast iron, 3.0 in (76 mm) crank main journals, and 6.5 in (165 mm) connecting rods, the distributor was located in front of the engine (typical of Buick), the oil pump was external and mounted in the front of the engine,

2880-447: The Caribbean were modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan instead of Briggs Manufacturing Company , who had supplied bodywork to Packard beginning in 1941. Available "advertised" colors for the car were limited to Polaris Blue, Gulf Green Metallic, Maroon Metallic, or Sahara Sand. However, a mere handful of special-ordered cars were built in Ivory or Black. Interiors of

2960-500: The Caribbean were richly upholstered in leather. Most Caribbeans were also generously optioned, although the Ultramatic transmission was optional on the first year model at US$ 199 ($ 2,266 in 2023 dollars ). A list of optional equipment on other Packard vehicles was standard on the Caribbean that included heater and windshield defroster, power windows , power-adjustable front seat, power steering , and "Easamatic" drum power brakes . Only

3040-501: The Skylark Custom two-door hatchback coupe (the base V6 produced 10 hp (7.5 kW) more than 1978's version). The 1979 model year was short because, midway through it, the all-new 1980 models were introduced early. Buick Skylarks were assembled in Iran (four-door sedans only) from 1977 to 1981 and again from 1986 to 1988 under the brand name of "Buick Iran". The first generations were known as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, from 1977 until 1981, and

3120-499: 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,

3200-516: The Skylark's continued high price of US$ 4,843 ($ 54,947 in 2023 dollars ) coupled with a perceived step-down from the Roadmaster/Super series using the Century's chassis, slumping far enough to cause the model's cancellation at the end of the 1954 model year, with only 836 being manufactured. In the fall of 1960, General Motors introduced a trio of new compact cars for the 1961 model year that shared

3280-475: The Skylark, became a separate series, starting with the 340 hp/440 lbs torque 400 c.i.d. V8 1968 GS 400, using the 2 door Skylark body and chassis. In a reshuffling of models in the lineup, the Special Deluxe replaced the previous Special. The Skylark nameplate was shuffled down a notch to replace the previous Special Deluxe. The previous Skylark was replaced by a new Skylark Custom. The basic Skylark

Buick Apollo - Misplaced Pages Continue

3360-405: The Special's standard aluminum block 215 cu in (3.5 L) two-barrel carburetor V8 with a higher compression ratio four-barrel version that boosted power from 155 hp (116 kW) at 4600 rpm to 185 hp (138 kW). 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:

3440-464: The basis for GM's A-body mid-size cars that would be introduced as 1982 models. The new Skylark was introduced in the spring of 1979 as an early 1980 model featuring front-wheel drive , MacPherson strut front suspension and transversely mounted engine, items that had never appeared on Buick products. The new optional 60 degree 2.8 L V6 engine was developed specifically for the X-cars. This platform became

3520-458: The basis for nearly all following GM front-wheel drive vehicles, but like the other X-body cars was noted for numerous reports of a tendency to lock the rear wheels upon emergency braking , potentially causing the driver to lose control and crash (1980 models only). It was the first post-World War II Buick to offer a four-cylinder engine since the Buick Four was discontinued in 1918. The Skylark

3600-477: 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

3680-511: The company purchased the Kaiser Jeep division from Kaiser Industries. The Apollo used Chevrolet's 250-cubic-inch (4.1 L) inline 6-cylinder engine . Optional engines included the Oldsmobile 260-cubic-inch (4.3 L) V8 with a two-barrel carburetor producing 110 hp (82 kW) at 4,000 rpm, and the Buick 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8 with either a 2- or 4-barrel carburetor. In 1976,

3760-469: The convertible and optional on the hardtop coupe. The Skylark Coupe had a lower, more road-hugging profile than the other models. Buick's traditional VentiPorts were integrated into the front half rub strip that ran the entire length of the vehicle, with later versions appearing vertically stacked as on the Buick Wildcat . Inspired by the sales success of the 1964 Pontiac Tempest , LeMans , and GTO ,

3840-497: The engineers thus increasing the prototype's horsepower a little more than 80 hp. They had features from the '61, '62, and the '63 production models. Some features, such as the two 4-barrel carburetors, were left out of the production-line Skylarks. The prototypes were also two inches (51 mm) longer, and wider than the production models. Of the two prototypes, only the hardtop still exists and resides with its owner in Michigan. It

3920-471: The first time, a four-door sedan was offered in addition to the two-door convertible, two-door sedan, and hardtop coupe. Specials and Special Deluxes only came in pillared coupe versions. All Skylarks would have higher levels of exterior and interior trim than the Special and Special Deluxe from which they were derived. The sedan would come with cloth-and-vinyl seats standard, with an all-vinyl " Cordaveen " interior optional. All-vinyl bucket seats were standard on

4000-407: The highest-rated power among U.S. automobiles. A 12-volt system was introduced, and electrically operated door locks were new. All Packards offered a new limited-slip rear differential. Total model year production equaled 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles, with the convertible being the most expensive Packard model listing at US$ 5,995 ($ 67,185 in 2023 dollars ). The model was discontinued when

4080-417: The instrument panel. The Gran Sport became the Gran Sport 400 to reflect its engine. A Gran Sport 340 was added, using the 340-cubic-inch V8, available only as a two-door hardtop coupe. The 1968 model year was one of significant change for the Buick Skylark. Although still using the same basic chassis, all of GM's mid-sized cars adopted a policy of using two different length wheelbases. Two-door models used

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4160-478: The lower-priced Special from which it was derived, the model would move to a new 115 in (2,921 mm) wheelbase intermediate-size chassis shared with the Oldsmobile F-85 , Pontiac Tempest , and new Chevrolet Chevelle . Both Buicks had a length of 203.5 in (5,169 mm). The standard 215-cubic-inch displacement, aluminum-block V8 engine was discontinued (and the associated tooling eventually sold to

4240-460: The model year, making 1954 the rarest year for the Caribbean. The listed retail price increased to US$ 6,100 ($ 69,209 in 2023 dollars ) The model year 1955 saw the Caribbean line, now with an all-new Packard developed Over-Head Valve V8 engine , fully adopt the Senior Packard line styling. The car was available in two or three-tone paint patterns. Designer Dick Teague succeeded in restyling

4320-407: The name. For the 1971 model year, the base Skylark was available only with the inline-6 , now only putting out 145 hp (108 kW) due to emission control devices, but in a two-door hardtop coupe body-style (in addition to the previous two- and four-door sedans). The Skylark 350 had a V8 engine that put out only 230 hp (170 kW). It was now available as a two-door sedan in addition to

4400-412: The old Packard Senior body into a modern-looking design. The single hood scoop was split into two units, and the car also received Packard's Torsion-Level Torsion bar suspension at all four wheels. The listed retail price was $ US5,932 ($ 67,470 in 2023 dollars ). Production for 1955 Caribbean increased to 500 units. For the 1956 model year, the Caribbean was designated as a separate luxury series, and

4480-449: The other. The thick foam rubber cushions eliminated coil springs in the seats, preventing sagging, while the covers could be removed for cleaning The 374 cu in (6.1 L) V8 engine included Packard's "Ultramatic" push-button automatic transmission. The engine features dual four-barrel carburetors and a 10:1 compression ratio to develop 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) and with 405 pound force-feet (549 N⋅m) of torque,

4560-420: The previous two-door hardtop coupe and four-door sedan. 1972 was the last model year for the mid-sized Buick Skylark. During this model year many pollution controls were added to the engines, Compression was lowered, engines had to accept leaded and unleaded gas, and spark timing was retarded (no vacuum advance in lower gears) while driving in lower gears to reduce emissions. For 1972, the base Buick Skylark used

4640-414: 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 2.4 inches (6.1 cm). While smaller and lighter, the Skylark received

4720-415: The rocker arm assembly had all rocker arms mounted on a single rod and were not adjustable. The Skylark Custom continued to be available, also using the 350-cubic-inch V8 as standard equipment and still available as a two-door convertible coupe, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, and four-door sedan. Buick Gran Sport models continued to be available as a separate series. The Buick Sport Wagon name

4800-519: The same chassis, engines, and basic sheet metal: the Buick Special , Pontiac Tempest , and Oldsmobile F-85 . The Special's styling was strongly influenced by the new corporate look shared with the larger LeSabre , Invicta , and Electra also introduced in 1961. In the middle of the 1961 model year the Buick Special Skylark made its debut. Effectively a luxury trim level, it was based on

4880-471: The same period. A total of 40,000 GM cars were produced between 1977 and 1987 in Iran. These models were basically the same as those built in the U.S. from 1975 to 1979 (Islamic Revolution). GM Iran changed its name to Pars Khodro (meaning "Pars Automobile" in Iranian, "Pars" being the ancient, original name of Persia) after 1979. The production continued from 1979 to 1987 on a part-time, occasional basis. Since

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4960-608: The second and last generation was known as the B2 and B3 from 1986 until 1988. The later models were made after GM released the kits and parts to Iran following the GM's debt to Iran General Motors. These cars were equipped with a 5.7L engine (SB 350 Chevrolet, L engine, 4BBL), and were fully equipped (power door locks, power window, power steering, automatic transmission, a/c, vinyl top). The Cadillac Seville and Chevrolet Nova were manufactured in Iran during

5040-558: The signal-seeking radio with antenna and "Solex" tinted glass were extra-cost items. A total of 750 Caribbeans were built for the first model year. The listed retail price for the Caribbean Convertible was US$ 5,210 ($ 59,332 in 2023 dollars ), placing as a competitor to the Cadillac Eldorado and Chrysler Imperial convertible. The convertible Caribbeans are sought after as collectible cars. Restored cars regularly sell in

5120-615: The six-figure ranges. Beginning in 1954, the Caribbean was elevated to senior Packard status and was related to the Packard Pacific hardtop. The Caribbean continued to have its unique styling features. However, the full rear-wheel cut-outs were eliminated, and chrome/stainless trim became more liberal and allowed for two-tone paint combinations. A four-way power seat was available. along with standard equipped power steering, power assist "Easamatic" drum brakes, heater and windshield defroster, power-adjustable seats, and power windows. Like

5200-486: The spare parts and the assembly-line equipment were not used between 1979 and 1986. GM ceased the production of all vehicles in Iran in 1987. The 1980–1985 Skylark was Buick's badge engineered version of GM's new X-body architecture, shared with the Chevrolet Citation , Pontiac Phoenix , and Oldsmobile Omega and would bear some resemblance to the larger G-body mid-size cars . GM's X-body would also become

5280-439: Was 44.7 inches (114 cm). Authentic wire wheels were produced by Kelsey-Hayes, chromed everywhere except the plated and painted "Skylark" center emblem. The Skylark returned in 1954 with radically restyled styling unique to the Buick line, 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

5360-417: Was a 301-cubic-inch (4.9 L) V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, which produced 135 hp (101 kW) at 4000 rpm (supplied by Pontiac). Also available was a 305-cubic-inch (5.0 L) V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, which produced 145 hp (108 kW) at 3800 rpm (supplied by Chevrolet). The Buick-built 5.7 L V8 was still available, but only with the 4-barrel carburetor. Beginning with

5440-501: Was a new " Sweepspear " running almost the entire length of the vehicle, a styling cue that was to appear in various forms on many Buick models over the years. The 1953 Skylark was handmade in many respects. Only stampings for the hood, trunk lid, and a portion of the convertible tub were shared with the Roadmaster and Super convertibles. All Skylark tubs were finished with various amounts of lead filler. The inner doors were made by cutting

5520-435: Was available as a two-door convertible coupe or a two-door (pillarless) hardtop coupe. The 1963 Special shared most sheet metal with the Skylark, but was available as a convertible, station wagon as well as two- and four-door sedans. Engine choices included a 198 cu in (3.2 L) V6 with two-barrel carburetor, the 215 cu in (3.5 L) V8 with two-barrel or a four-barrel carburetor. Transmission choices were

5600-460: Was available as a two-door hardtop coupe or a four-door sedan. The Skylark Custom came as a two-door convertible coupe, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, or four-door sedan. The previous V6 was discontinued and the associated tooling was sold to Kaiser Industries, which used the V6 in its Jeep trucks and sport utility vehicles. The base engine in Buick Skylarks (and Buick Special sedans) became

5680-401: Was available in two- or four-door sedan bodystyles, and in base, Sport, or Limited trims. The standard 2.5 L Iron Duke 4 used a 2-barrel Rochester carburetor and produced 90 hp (67 kW) at 4000 rpm. The optional 2.8 L V6 also used a 2-barrel Rochester carburetor and produced 115 hp (86 kW) at 4800 rpm. A four-speed manual overdrive transaxle was standard with

5760-839: Was discontinued after the 1976 model year. For the 1977 model year, it was replaced by a pair of V8 engines. The grille was also modified lightly for 1977, without the horizontal division and with a somewhat heavier appearance. To commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States, the standard colors available on all Buicks were Judicial Black, Liberty White, Pewter Gray, Potomac Blue, Continental Blue, Concord Green, Constitution Green, Mount Vernon Cream, Buckskin Tan, Musket Brown, Boston Red and Independence Red, with specially available colors on select models Congressional Cream, Revere Red, Colonial Yellow and Firecracker Orange. Available as an option in 1977

5840-403: 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 205 lb⋅ft (278 N⋅m) 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

5920-412: Was now used on a conventional four-door station wagon that no longer featured a raised roof with glass panels over the cargo area, or a longer wheelbase, as in the past. It now used the same 116 in (2,946 mm) wheelbase as the Buick Skylark four-door sedan and the now-discontinued Buick Special four-door Station Wagon. It became, in effect, a Buick Skylark four-door station wagon in all respects but

6000-437: Was only available as a four-door sedan and adopted the redesigned X-body shell with a boxier European look which replaced the former Coke-bottle shape. For 1976, the Apollo nameplate was dropped entirely, with the sedan renamed Skylark to rejoin the coupe and hatchback. Buick Skylark The Buick Skylark is a passenger car formerly produced by Buick . The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which

6080-564: Was over 50% more than the well-equipped US$ 3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based ($ 36,442 in 2023 dollars ). It was comparable in price to the 1953 Packard Caribbean with a similar retail price. Production ran for two years. Based on the model 76R two-door Roadmaster convertible, the 1953 Skylark (designated model 76X) had identical dimensions (except height), almost identical appearance, shared its drive train, and had all its standard equipment, plus its few remaining options, including power windows, power brakes, full carpeting, and

6160-432: Was purely cosmetic changes, lacking the performance upgrades that distinguished it in previous years. It was available in red or white and featured a blacked-out grille, unique striping, white vinyl bucket seats with red interior accents, and wire wheel covers. The GSX was available with the straight six or either 350 V8, and could be ordered with any of the optional equipment available to other Apollo models. The 1975 Apollo

6240-550: 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 198 cu in (3.2 L) V6 with a twin-barrel carburetor and an optional 215 cu in (3.5 L) V8 with 155 hp (116 kW) (two-barrel) or more powerful four-barrel (190 hp (140 kW) in 1962, 200 hp (150 kW) in 1963). Transmission choices were

6320-645: Was standard on the two-door sedan, the 300-cubic-inch V8 on all other models, but the four-door hardtop sedan, which came with a 340-cubic-inch V8 engine using a Rochester 2-barrel carburetor and producing 220 hp (160 kW) at 4400 rpm. In 1967 Skylarks included the Federally-mandated safety equipment as other U.S. market passenger cars, including a dual-circuit hydraulic brake system, energy-absorbing steering column and wheel, 4-way hazard flashers, shoulder belt mounting points for outboard front passengers, softer interior surfaces, and recessed controls on

6400-1124: Was standard, with a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic optional. The Oldsmobile 260 was added as the base V8 option for 1975. Standard equipment on the Apollo included a semi-closed cooling system, manual brakes with finned front drums, coil spring front suspension with stabilizer bar, extensive use of insulation and sound deadening materials, flow-through ventilation system, full-foam seats, front and rear ashtrays, reinforced front bumpers, carpeting, roof drip moldings, and front and rear wheel opening moldings. Options included variable-ratio power steering, power drum or power front disc brakes, E78x14 bias-belted tires, custom cloth interior trim, convenience center storage compartment, tilt steering wheel, climate control air conditioning with low Freon detector switch, rear window defogger (blower), tinted glass, sport mirrors with drivers remote control, bumper protective strips with white accent stripe- front and rear, bumper guards front and rear, color-coordinated body protective side moldings, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe wire wheel covers, chrome-plated styled wheels (Buick rally wheels) and

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