Buick Skyhawk (2nd gen) 1982-1989

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Buick Skyhawk 1982-1989

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Second Generation (1982-1989)

The 1982–1989 front-wheel drive Skyhawk (J-body) debuted in February, at the 1982 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 corporate 1.8 liter "122" OHV carbureted four-cylinder (88 hp), with a Brazilian-built 1.8 liter overhead-cam TBI four (80 hp) as an option. A carbureted, 90 hp SOHC 2-litre also appeared soon after the Skyhawk went on sale, along with an optional five-speed manual.

For 1983, the Brazil-built 1.8-litre gained four hp, while the OHV 1.8 and SOHC 2.0 were replaced by a Chevrolet-built OHV 2.0, also with 90 hp. A four-door Station Wagon was also introduced, Buick's first front-wheel drive wagon. The next year there was a minor facelift, with bigger cooling openings and larger bumper rub strips. The 2.0 lost four hp, down to 86. Shortly after the introduction of the '84s, a turbocharged MPFI version of the Brazilian 1.8 became available on the T-Type model, offering a hefty 150 hp (112 kW). The Turbo T-Type was not available with the five-speed manual. The Skyhawk set a sales record in 1984 (134,076 built). There wasn't much change for 1985, but for 1986 a new two-door Hatchback was added, in "Sport" or T-Type trim. Also, both 1.8s and 2.0s now claimed the same 88 hp.

The 1.8-litre engines were replaced by two SOHC multi-port injected 2.0 liter versions for 1987, one naturally aspirated (96 hp/71 kW) and one 165 hp (123 kW) turbocharged version known as RPO LT3. The OHV 2-litre remained, now with 90 hp. For 1988, only Skyhawk Sports remained, 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 was to be the last year of the Skyhawk, but nonetheless the car received certain updates such as standard electronic fuel injection, better acoustical insulation and body colored door and window frames on the station wagon. 23,366 '89s were built, for a total of 499,132 second generation Skyhawks.

The Skyhawk, along with variant Oldsmobile Firenza, were built in Leeds, Missouri, (Kansas City) 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 these model years.

Source: wikipedia.org