Buick Skyhawk (1st gen) 1975-1980

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Buick Skyhawk 1975-1980

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First generation (1975–1980)

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 its wheelbase and width. The Skyhawk was produced with H-body variants Chevrolet Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire, and Pontiac Sunbird. 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.

Overview

The Skyhawk has a 97.0-inch (2,460 mm) wheelbase and a 65.4-inch (1,660 mm) width. The Skyhawk, Chevrolet Monza, and Oldsmobile Starfire were among the first vehicles to adopt the newly approved quad rectangular headlamps. The body style is noted for having a resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4. The Skyhawk is a rear wheel drive vehicle with a live rear axle design. 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 front suspension is short and long control arms with coil springs, and anti-roll bar; the rear suspension is a Torque-arm design with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Its design was later incorporated into GM's third- and fourth-generation F-bodies (Camaro and Firebird). Variable-ratio power steering was standard of a recirculating ball design. The brake system features standard power assist including front disc brakes with solid rotors, and rear drum brakes.

Changes

Following the introduction of the Skyhawk, in mid-1975 it was joined by a lower-priced and less well-equipped Skyhawk ‘S’.

In 1976, a five-speed manual transmission became available as an option. Starting with the 1976 models the front disc rotors were of the vented type. 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 across the roof to the opposite B-pillar. Starting with the 1976 models the front disc rotors were of the vented type. 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 five-speed manual transmission as an option. Only the four-speed manual and three-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 on December 21, 1979, to allow for more production of Monza and Sunbird hatchbacks. A total of 125,311 H-body Skyhawks were produced in six model years.

Source: wikipedia.org

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Buick Skyhawk (1st gen) #3