Buick Skyhawk
The Buick Skyhawk was an automobile produced by the Buick division of General Motors in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. From 1975 to 1980, all 2-door hatchback models were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel platform H-body unit. 1982 through 1989 models were built in the front-wheel drive compact platform, J-car was available in four body styles: 2-door sedan or hatchback and 4-door sedan or Buick Skyhawk station wagon.
Buick Skyhawk First Generation
The Buick Skyhawk is a subcompact, four-passenger hatchback car that was introduced September 1974, and produced for the 1975-1980 model years. The first generation Buick Skyhawk is based on the Chevrolet Vega, sharing its wheelbase and width. The Buick Skyhawk was produced with H-body variants Chevrolet Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire and Pontiac Sunbird. He competed with other small sports cars such as the Mercury Capri, Toyota Celica, and the Ford Mustang II. The Buick Skyhawk was the smallest out the Buick badge in over 60 car.
Buick Skyhawk Second Generation
The front wheel drive Skyhawk 1982-1989 (J-body) premiered in February 1982 at the Chicago Auto Show. The Skyhawk was originally available as a 2-door sedan and 4-door sedan and was very similar to the Chevrolet Cavalier. The standard engine was a 1.8 liters corporate “122” OHV carbureted four-cylinder (88 hp), with 1.8-liter overhead-cam TBI Brazilian built four (80 HP) as an option. A carburetor, 90 hp SOHC 2 liters also appeared shortly after the Skyhawk was released along with an optional five-speed manual.
By 1983, Brazil built 1.8-liter gained four horsepower, while the 2.0 SOHC and 1.8 OHV were replaced by a Chevrolet built 2.0 OHV, also with 90 hp. A four-door station wagon was also introduced, the first unit of the Buick wagon front. The following year there was a facelift minor, with larger cooling openings and larger bumper rub strips. The 2.0 hp lost four, up to 86 Shortly after the introduction of the ’84s, one of Brazil’s 1.8 MPFI turbo version was available in the T-Type, which provides a strong 150 hp (112 kW) model. The Turbo T-Type was available with five-speed manual transmission. The Skyhawk set a sales record in 1984 (134 076 built). There was not much change for 1985 but for 1986 added a new two-door Hatchback in “Sport” or T-Type trim. Also, both 1.8s 2.0s now claimed the same 88 hp.
The 1.8-liter engines were replaced by two multiport injected SOHC 2.0-liter versions for 1987, a naturally aspirated (96 hp / 71 kW) and 165 hp (123 kW) turbocharged version known as LT3 RPO. The OHV of 2 liters remained, now with 90 CV. By 1988, there were only Skyhawk Sports, and the hatchback was discontinued. There was also a “Sport S / E” 2-door coupe. The OHV and turbocharged engines were no longer available. 1989 would be the last year of the Skyhawk, but nevertheless, the car received some changes, such as electronic fuel injection standard, better sound insulation and doors and windows body color in the station wagon. 23366 ’89s were built, for a total of 499 132 Skyhawks second generation.
The Skyhawk, along with variant Oldsmobile Firenza, were built in Leeds, Missouri (Kansas City) from 1982 to 1988, 1988 was the last year Oldsmobile Firenza production and then Leeds Assembly was closed. For 1989, GM moved production Skyhawk his Janesville, Wisconsin, assembly plant. The Buick Skyhawk production ceased after the 1989 model year Chevrolet Cavalier was also produced in Leeds for some of these model years.
Buick Skyhawk Design
The Buick Skyhawk’s design was later incorporated into the third and fourth generation GM F-bodies (Camaro and Firebird). Variable-ratio power steering was standard of a recirculating ball design. The Buick Skyhawk standard power system features brake assist including front disc brakes with solid rotors and rear drum brakes.
Buick Skyhawk Engine
The Buick Skyhawk has a 97.0-inch (2,460 mm) and wheelbase (1,660 mm) width of 65.4 inches. The Buick Skyhawk, Chevrolet Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire and were among the first vehicles to adopt the newly approved quad rectangular headlamps. The body style is characterized by having a resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC / 4 The Buick Skyhawk is a rear-wheel drive design with a solid rear axle. Throughout its production, the H-body Buick Skyhawk offered only with the Buick designed 3.8 liters (231 cid) V6 engine uses a 2-barrel carburetor that generated 110 hp (82 kW) at 4000 rpm. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard; March 1-speed automatic is offered as an option. The Buick Skyhawk front suspension is short and long control with coil springs and stabilizer bar arms; the rear suspension is a torsion arm design with coil springs and stabilizer bar.
Buick Skyhawk Hatchback
