1961 Skylark
General Motors’ push to get into the compact market was spearheaded by Chevrolet with the Corvair Z-body in 1960. In 1961, Buick got their own compact with the Y-body, which shared similar tooling to the Z-body. Buick shared the Y-body with both Oldsmobile (F-85, Cutlass, Jetfire) and Pontiac (Tempest, LeMans), with some major differences. The base engine was an aluminum 215-2bbl V8, rated at 155hp. The only body style this first year was a two-door sedan called a “Sport Coupe”, though a four-door sedan and four-door wagon were available in the Special series the Skylark was packaged from. For 1962 a two-door convertible was added. 1962 saw further subtle changes and a new V6, which was a cut down 215ci V8, using the same components as the V8. With a major facelift to a more conventional style in 1963, Buick sold over 42,000 Skylarks. In 1964 Buick decided to increase the Skylark from a compact to the new GM intermediate A-body platform, with a wheelbase of 115-inches. A cast-iron V6 replaced the aluminum 215ci V8, and more performance options like a manual four-speed started creeping into the Skylark. In 1964 the “Gran Sport” (GS) option was a performance package available on different Buick lines, including the Skylark. Buick’s 401ci V8 packing 325hp came with the GS, plus badging to signify what you had. With minor upgrades this body lasted until 1968 when a new A-body was introduced, with a more organic, softer body. A shorter wheelbase for the two-doors (112-inches), longer for the four-doors (116-inches) and wagons got a 121-inch wheelbase, for three different length A-body chassis. This was the height of the muscle car era and Buick responded with the “Stage 1” performance option for the GS in 1969. A ram air package was available in 1968, and then the 455ci big block became the top engine with 360hp. With the Stage 1 455ci, heads with larger valves increased horsepower with a hotter cam, aggressive timing, tuned Quadrajet carburetor, and other mods. An M-22 Muncie four-speed transmission could be ordered. A dealer-installed “Stage II” package included an even hotter cam, headers, intake, forged pistons, hollow pushrods, and other subtle mods. There were only a few of these made. The “GSX” was the last of the performance variants—introduced in 1970. All were heavily-optioned Skylarks, yet weighed 150-pounds less than previous high performance Skylarks, partially due to the fiberglass hoods. By 1972 only 44 GSX Skylarks were produced, ending the performance run at Buick. For 1973 a new larger, corporate A-body eliminated hardtops in anticipation of federal roll-over safety mandates. The new “Colonnade” body featured a semi-fastback top that rolled into a sloping trunk. Federally mandated five-mph front bumpers looked a bit like afterthoughts as GM struggled to keep up with the fast moving government requirements. Only three bodies were available, a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and station wagon. For 1973 Buick dropped the Skylark name, replaced by “Century.”
1961 Skylark
A convertible and hardtop would not join the Skylark model line until 1962, so only a coupe and two-door sedan were available this first year. A V6 was added, which was a cut-down 215ci V8 sharing most all of the same components. It was rated at 135hp.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1961 Skylark
- Engine Options
- 215-2bbl cubic inch V8, 155hp
- 215-4bbl cubic inch V8, 185hp
1961 Skylark VIN Decoder:
First Character: Series
Second Character: Model Year
Third Character: Assembly Plant
- 1 ~ Flint, Michigan
- 2 ~ South Gate, California
- 3 ~ Linden, New Jersey
- 4 ~ Kansas City, Kansas
- 5 ~ Wilmington, Delaware
- 6 ~ Atlanta, Georgia
- 8 ~ Arlington, Texas
Fourth through Ninth Characters: Basic Production Numbers
The sequential starting numbers start at 001001/up.
End of Year Sale!