1978 Buick Skylark

Another car from the "Decline and Fall of General Motors" file. This car was built on GM's "X" platform, which had been around since 1962. By the end of the 70s this platform was positively stone age when compared to a car like the first generation front-wheel drive Honda Accord. And while the 3rd generation X-cars (built between 1968 and 1974), are popular collectibles, this 4th and last generation is considered best forgotten.

*The most valuable thing about this car might be its rear wheel covers, which are from a Pontiac and are correct to the '68 Firebird.
* This same platform was adapted to create the first Cadillac Seville. Using the company's oldest, cheapest platform to build a new car for the prestigious Cadillac brand?! Yep, that was how GM did business in these dark days.

Tweet

1989 Buick Skylark

What do people remember about General Motors' small cars from the 80s? Not much that's good. Most conversations about GM cars of that era take the form of, "Here's another car that made more Americans switch to imports and never look back." This Skylark is not remembered as a particularly bad car. By the time it was introduced GM has cured most of the faults common to its early front-wheel drive vehicles. I'm more curious as to why this car is still enjoying regular use in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. What person living in a area where the homes are over $1 million would be seen driving this car?

Tweet

1965 Buick Slylark Gran Sport

In 1964, General Motors had a rule that the engines in intermediate cars could not be larger than 330 cubic inches. Pontiac put that limitation to rest that year with the legendary GTO powered by a 389 c.i. V-8. After that, the race was on (literally) at GM with Oldsmobile introducing the 400 c.i.-powered 442, Chevrolet's 396-powered Chevelle SS and Buick's 401-powered Skylark Gran Sport.

The Gran Sport is far less known, though just as collectable, as the Chevy, Pontiac and Olds models. This first-of-the-breed 1965 is in excellent condition.

Tweet