The Buick Skyhawk is a compact passenger car produced under the Buick brand from 1974 to 1989. During this time, two generations of Skyhawks were created.
History
Skyhawk has replaced the model with a specific name, which sounds like a combination of two car brands: Buick Opel. Although the Skyhawk debuted as an atypical, only 2-door hatchback (rear window does not rise with the rear body), from 1982 the manufacturer began to introduce models with other body types, including: 2-door coupe, 4-door Sedan, 4-door station wagon, and a hatchback, but with a 3-door version.
The first Buick Shyhawks were built on floor slabs made by General Motors engineers, known as H-bodies. However, it was swapped for the 1982-1989 Buick Skyhawk model based on the newer J-body platform, as well as the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cadillac Cimarron, for example.
Overall, the Skyhawk bears some resemblance to the Chevrolet Monza in its early years. It also shares a lot in common with the 2nd generation Chevrolet Vega. All because the Chevrolet Monza is a revised version of the second Vega. Not only that – the Buick Skyhawk is also compared to the Chevrolet Cavalier which went into production in 1981.
In total, the Buick Skyhawk was produced at 4 factories, but never in more than two factories at the same time. One of the Buick factories on which Skyhawka was built is located in the Canadian city of Sainte-Thérèse, the rest are located in the United States – in Lordstown, Kansas, and Janesville.
Skyhawk Specs
Buick quickly became familiar with the three Skyhawk transmission models. Two of them are manual transmission (4 and 5 speed), and one automatic (3 speed). However, the Buick Skyhawk drives have always been available in only one variant. Rear wheel drive cars were offered first, but in 1982 were moved to the front axle.
The first engine installed by engineers from General Motors (owner of the Buick brand) under the hood of the Skyhawk was the economical V6 type 231 – it was economical because it was built in response to the 1973 fuel crisis. However, starting in 1982, various engines were installed in Buick. Skyhawk has been growing consistently.
As a result, the Buick Skyhawk was enriched with 7 new engines (engines from the first years of production were no longer available), but none of these were diesel engines. However, between them were two turbocharged petrol engines, hence the common name “Buick Skyhawk turbo”, attached to cars with this technology.
All 7 new Skyhawk engines are in line with General Motors’ thrifty policies. They are rather modest 4 cylinder SOHC or OHV units with capacities of 1.8 or 2 liters.
