Buick Skyhawk

Buick Skyhawk

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1974–1989
Model year(s)	1975-1980 1982–1989
Class	Subcompact (1975–1980) Compact (1982–1989)

The Buick Skyhawk is an automobile that was manufactured by the Buick division of General Motors for the 1975 through 1989 model years. It replaced a captive import, the Opel Manta that was marketed in the U.S. by Buick dealers. The first generation 1975 through 1980 models, all 2-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform. The second-generation, 1982 through 1989 models, were built on the compact, front-wheel drive J-body platform, that was available in four body types: 2-door sedan or hatchback, as well as 4-door sedan or station wagon.

1975–1980

First generation

1976 Buick Skyhawk
Production	1974–1980
Model year(s)	1975–1980
Assembly	Lordstown, Ohio, United States Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada
Predecessor	Opel Manta sold by Buick
Class	Subcompact
Body style(s)	2-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Platform	H-body
Engine(s)	231 cid V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	97 in (2464 mm)
Related	Chevrolet Monza Pontiac Sunbird Oldsmobile Starfire Pontiac Astre Chevrolet Vega

The Buick Skyhawk is a subcompact, four passenger, hatchback automobile that was introduced September 1974, and produced for the 1975 through 1980 model years. The first-generation Skyhawk is based on the Chevrolet Vega, and shares Vega's wheelbase and width.^[1] Skyhawk was produced with variants, Chevrolet Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, and Oldsmobile Starfire. It competed with other small sporty cars, such as the Toyota Celica, Mercury Capri, and the Ford Mustang II. The Buick Skyhawk was the smallest car to wear the Buick badge in more than 60 years.

Throughout its production, the H-body Skyhawk would be offered only with the Buick-designed 3.8 liter (231 cid) V6 engine using a 2-barrel carburetor that generated 110 hp (82 kW) at 4000 rpm. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard; a 3-speed automatic was offered as an option.

The 1975 Buick Skyhawk, Chevrolet Monza 2+2, and Oldsmobile Starfire, along with several GM full-size models, were the first cars to adopt the newly approved quad rectangular headlamps and had a strong resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4. They were the first GM product to incorporate a torque arm rear suspension (rear coil springs with 2 links) - its design was later incorporated into GM's third and fourth generation F-bodies (Camaro and Firebird).

Following the introduction of Skyhawk, in the middle of 1975 it was joined by a lower-priced and less well-equipped Skyhawk ‘S’. In 1976 a 5-speed manual transmission became available as an option. 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 over the roof to the opposite B-pillar. In 1977 a conventional sliding sunroof became optional and was also often ordered with the aluminum band.

For the 1979 model year, the Skyhawk would receive a face lift that incorporated single rectangular headlamps replacing the previous dual rectangular headlamps that all previous models 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 the 1980 model, the last model year for the GM H-Body platform, most notably the discontinuance of the 5-speed manual transmission as an option. Only the 4-speed manual and 3-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 would be a line of compact cars that included 2 and 4-door sedans, a 2-door hatchback coupe, and even a 4-door station wagon.

H-body Skyhawk and Starfire production ceased December 21, 1979 to allow for more production of Monza and Sunbird hatchbacks.^[2]

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

See also

• General Motors H-platform
• Chevrolet Vega

1982–1989

Second generation

1987 Buick Skyhawk sedan
Production	1981–1989
Model year(s)	1982–1989
Assembly	Kansas City, Missouri Janesville, Wisconsin, (1989 only)
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	J-body
Wheelbase	101.2 in (2570 mm)
Length	179.6 in (4562 mm) (Sedan & Coupe)
Height	52.3 in (1328 mm) (Coupe)
Related	Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier, Oldsmobile Firenza, Pontiac Sunbird

The 1982–1989 front-wheel drive Skyhawk (J-body) was available as a 2-door sedan and hatchback and 4-door sedan and station wagon and was similar to the Chevrolet Cavalier. The standard engine was a corporate 1.8 liter OHV carbureted four-cylinder, with a Brazilian-built 1.8 liter overhead-cam TBI four as an option. A turbocharged version of this engine was available on the T-Type model from 1983 through 1986. Both 1.8 engines were replaced by a 2.0 liter version for 1987, one with throttle-body injection, the other with multi-port injection.

The Skyhawk, along with variant Oldsmobile Firenza, were built in Leeds, Missouri from 1982 through 1988. 1988 was the last year of Oldsmobile Firenza production and Leeds Assembly was then closed. For 1989, GM moved Skyhawk production to its Janesville, Wisconsin assembly plant. Production of the Skyhawk ceased after the 1989 model year. The Chevrolet Cavalier was also produced at Leeds for some of the model years.

Notes

References

• Flammang, James M. & Kowlake, Ron, Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1976-199, 3rd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1999)
• Gunnell, John, Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1946-1975, Revised 4th Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Buick Skyhawk

• Car Domain: 1975-1980 Buick Skyhawk
• Car Domain: 1982-1989 Buick Skyhawk