1978 BUiCK SkyHawk ICE AC New Tires barn-find monza vega classic vintage patina

1978 Buick Skylark SKYHAWK Description

TheBuick Skyhawkis anautomobileproduced byBuickin two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. The 1975 through 1980 models, all two-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel driveH-body platform.

The Skyhawk was Buick'sbadge engineeredentry-level version of theChevrolet Monza, which was a revised, second generationChevrolet Vega. The Skyhawk did not exhibit any traditional Buick styling features associated with earlier products, such as theVentiportsor the Sweepspear, and other than Buick badges, was virtually identical to the Monza and later theChevrolet Cavalier.

• 1First generation (1975–1980)
  • 1.1Overview
  • 1.2Changes
• 2Second generation (1982–1989)
  • 2.1Engines
• 3Notes
• 4References
• 5External links

The "first generation" Buick Skyhawk is asubcompact, four passenger,hatchbackautomobile that was introduced September 1974, and produced for the 1975 through 1980 model years. It was based on theChevrolet Vega, and shares itswheelbaseand width.[1]The Skyhawk was produced withH-bodyvariants Chevrolet Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire, andPontiac Sunbird. In North America, it competed with other small sporty cars, such as theToyota Celica,Datsun 200SX,VW Scirocco,Mercury Capri, and theFord Mustang II. The Buick Skyhawk was the smallest car to wear the Buick badge in more than 60 years.

The Skyhawk has a 97.0-inch (2,460mm)wheelbaseand a 65.4-inch (1,660mm) width. The Skyhawk, Chevrolet Monza, andOldsmobile Starfirewere among the first vehicles to adopt the newly approved quad rectangular headlamps. The body style is noted for having a resemblance to theFerrari 365 GTC/4. The Skyhawk is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with alive rear axledesign. Throughout its production, the H-body Skyhawk was offered only with the Buick-designed 3.8 liter (231 cid)V6 engine, using a two-barrel carburetor that generated 110hp (82kW) at 4000 rpm in comparison to its siblings which offered a variety of engines. A four-speedmanual transmissionwas standard; with a three-speedautomaticoffered as an option. The front suspension is short and long control arms with coil springs, and anti-roll bar; the rear suspension is a torque-arm design with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Its design was later incorporated into GM's third- and fourth-generation F-bodied (CamaroandFirebird). Variable-ratio power steering was standard and of arecirculating balldesign. The brake system features standard power assist including front disc brakes with solid rotors, and rear drum brakes.

Following the introduction of the Skyhawk, in mid-1975, it was joined by a lower-priced and less well-equipped SkyhawkS.

In 1976, a five-speed manual transmission became available as an option. Starting with the 1976 models, the front and rear disc rotors were of the vented type. Another new option was the Astroroof, which was a large, heavily tinted, overhead glass roof combined with a wide aluminum band that extended from one B-pillar across the roof to the opposite B-pillar. In 1977, a conventional sliding sunroof became optional and also could be ordered with the aluminum band.

For the 1979 model year, the Skyhawk received a facelift that incorporated single rectangular headlamps, replacing the previous dual rectangular headlamps that all models had used. A new option was the "Road Hawk" package that included a Rallye ride and handling package consisting of larger front and rear stabilizer bars, larger tires, and special interior and exterior trim. There was also a "Skyhawk Designers' Accent Edition" that was primarily an exterior trim package available in bright yellow or red with black trim.

There were few changes for 1980, the last model year for the GM H-body platform, most notably the discontinuance of the five-speed manual transmission as an option. Only the four-speed manual and three-speed automatic transmissions were offered for 1980.

The H-body Skyhawk was replaced in the spring of 1981 with the new front-wheel drive Buick Skyhawk, built on General Motors' J-body platform. However, this new second-generation was not a direct replacement for the original Skyhawk. While the original Skyhawk was a small sporty car, the second-generation model was a line of compact cars that included two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hatchback coupe, and a four-door station wagon.

The Skyhawk and Starfire failed to achieve the sales success of the Monza and Sunbird possibly because small sporty coupes seemed out-of-place in a Buick or Oldsmobile showroom. Lack of a notchback model may have also been a factor. They were discontinued on December 21, 1979 to allow for more production of Monza and Sunbird hatchbacks.[2]

A total of 125,311 H-body Skyhawks were produced in six model years.[1]

See also

• General Motors H-platform
• Chevrolet Vega.

This auction is for an as-is 1978 Buick SkyHawk with no warranty, written or implied.