On the 50th anniversary of the founding of the brand was released exclusive convertible Buick Skylark. The car was a profound modification of the Roadmaster with doors slightly "clipped" at the top (why has radically changed the body belt line), extended-cut rear wheel arches, but without the panoramic windscreen. At Skylark established a new model for Buick engines - five-liter V8 c quad, compression ratio 8,5:1, which developed 188 horsepower. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes about 12 seconds. Maximum speed - 170 km / h. This model is recognized as one of the most collectable and expensive models in the history of Buick. Commemorative car to the end of the season in 1953 was released quite a few, 1690 pieces. So the definition of a truly exclusive model gets more Buick Skylark next year, fifty-four - with its production volume of 836 copies.
Buick Skylark 1953
Car of the year is basically no longer Roadmaster, and lighter, but less prestigious series Century. To obscure the relationship of the prestigious gig with his designers came up with an inexpensive individual progenitor tail end. With this car became instantly recognizable look, it was responsible to his image as a model for sports type. The body design looks so that the machine seemed to be lower than conventional convertibles. In the back there was no standard for Buick in those years the vents in the front wings.
Interior finish was made of leather. The standard version had many elements of luxury cars. The driver's instrument cluster was distinguished by two dials instead of three and three-spoke steering wheel. All the machines were only gigs. Known only two instances with a rigid roof, but they got their fixed landing the top after they left the factory assembly line. Buick Skylark treated nascent at that time segment "personalok" - high-end machines designed for personal use directly by their owners wealthy, without the help of a hired driver.
Among the cars Buick 1955 model called the Skylark was gone. This name, means "lark," has emerged seven years later - the car Buick new "compact" class with a better finish. Actually, Skylark was manufactured in 1961, but the number then no more than an option on the Special. In 1962, the Skylark was considered a separate model, but looks almost indistinguishable from Special. In 1964, the Skylark, previously released only as a 2-door coupe and convertible, got a 4-door body. In 1965, differences of Special Skylark mostly limited to the taillights. In the same year there was an option for the Skylark Gran Sport, which included a 325-horsepower engine V8 volume of 401 cu. inch. Charged version was a success, for the first year it sold 16 000 cars. Subsequently, the Gran Sport became a separate model, taking in the line of Buick muscle car'a niche.
In 1973, medium-sized cars General Motors underwent a complete redesign, which, if accompanied by a change of name Buick models. On behalf of the Skylark was abandoned in favor of the Century.
In 70 years, General Motors has repeatedly increased its compact models, acting is very simple: offer customers the same car under the Chevrolet Nova and different brands with different exterior design. The result of cloning has been the emergence of such models as the Pontiac Ventura II, Oldsmobile Omega, Buick Apollo. In 1975, Nova and, accordingly, all of its clones have been redesigned. From now on, Apollo produced only as a sedan. A similar two-door model (sedan and hatchback) got the name Skylark. In 1976, the name of Apollo at all abolished. Four-door sedan also became known as Skylark. This generation were produced until 1979.
In 1980 he replaced the front-wheel drive Chevrolet Nova came Citation. Built on its X-Powered Buick, still called the Skylark. In contrast to the model Citation, which is produced mainly with body hatchback, Skylark and offered as a coupe, sedan, and how. Without major changes in this generation Skylark lived until 1985.
In 1985, the Buick lineup added another compact model - Somerset. The car was based on the new N-platform and had a typical American cars 80s. wedge-shaped silhouette. It was assumed that this model is to replace the Skylark, but customers did not like the new name. Therefore, in 1986, along with Somerset coupe on the same platform was produced and a new sedan Skylark. In 1988 the name of Somerset refused completely.
Buick Skylark for sale and outside the U.S., but under a different name, from 1975 to 1987 the car was produced in Iran and was known as the Buick Iran.
In 1992, the Skylark has undergone yet another redesign. He is still produced as a coupe and sedan. In 1996, the model has been restyled, getting a new front, its style is more appropriate to other models of Buick. Skylark coupe edition was completed in 1997 sedans - in 1998.
Skylark design changed very often in accordance with the requirements of the times and tastes of buyers. Each time the car was subjected to a radical change of image, but has always maintained a style Buick - clean lines and elegance. History of cars: Buick