Our featured automobile is the 1970 Buick Skylark Convertible. This model is part of the Skylark second generation. The second generation began in 1968 and there were significant changes. One was that two door models would have a shorter wheelbase than four door models.
The Buick Skylark..First a Buick Roadmaster Subseries
The Skylark name first appeared in 1953 in commemoration of Buick’s 50th Anniversary. This first Skylark appeared among the Buick Roadmaster line.
The first Buick Roadmaster Skylark was designed by the team led by Harley Earl. Earl’s career at GM went all the way back to the 1920’s. Many consider Earl as being the father of modern automotive design. Harley Earl had a big influence on the launch of the Chevy Corvette.
The Buick Skylark Reemerges
During mid production for the 1961 model year the Buick Special Skylark was introduced. This was the first time since 1954 that the Skylark name was used. The Skylark was brought back into the Buick line up mostly because of slumping sales during the latter part of the 1950’s.
The Skylark came with a wide choice of body designs, from the 2-door convertible, 2-door hardtop, 2-door coupe, and the 4-door station wagon.The Skylark represents a fine example of the early compact sporty styling.
This Skylark sub series represented a luxury trim level.for the Special.The Buick Special was the base model series and the Skylarks were the “upgraded” series.
The Skylarks typically offered more exterior trim, a more upgraded interior, and more available options. Options for the Skylark included power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible top and a three speed automatic transmission.
Skylark as a Muscle Car
As a side note, the 1965 Buick Skylark GS was Buick’s first muscle car model. The car had a 401 cubic inch V-8 putting out an impressive 325 HP. Buick built some fine muscle cars with the Skylark but the model doesn’t really receive the respect it deserves mostly due to the attention that the Camaro, Mustang and Firebird enjoys. The Skylark muscle car with a 455 cubic inch V-8 along with four Rochester Carburetors was certainly one of the top cars of it’s day.
1970 Buick Skylark Styling
The Buick Special and the Special Deluxe were dropped in 1970 in favor of the somewhat upscale Buick Skylark. Skylark’s design perfectly blends Buick’s upper class image with great performance that made these models very attractive.
The 1968 Skylark redesign was essentially carried over for the 1969 model year. The 1970 Skylark body received new sheet metal that freshened up the 68/69 design. One change from 1969 was a new grille. Another was a tweak of the rear bumper and tail lights.
1970 Buick Skylark Specifications
Base engine for the 70 Skylark is a 250 cubic inch Inline Six. The Skylark Convertible came with a 350 cubic inch V-8. Various V-8 configurations delivered from 260 to 315 HP. Another very high performance V-8 found on the Skylark GS was a 455 cubic inch engine delivering 360 HP. Included was a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor. This larger engine was part of the muscle car Grand Sport Package.
Transmissions offered were a three speed manual and a three speed Hydra-Matic automatic.
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums with power brakes as an option.
Dimensions include a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 202.2 inch overall length, 77.3 inch width, 53.3 inch height.
Total 1970 Buick production was 666,500 units. Out of that amount 4,950 units were Custom Convertibles.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
The Very Rare 1954 Buick Skylark
Reference material for this article includes..The Buick: A Complete History (90th Anniversary Edition) (Automobile Quarterly Library Series) by Terry B. Dunham..The Hemmings Book of Buicks (Hemmings Motor News Collector-Car Books) by Terry Ehrich..Standard Catalog of Buick 1903-2004 by John Gunnell.
The 1970 Buick Skylark Collector Automobile
The 1970 Buick Skylark, a milestone car, represented the first year where the Skylark became it’s own nameplate separate from the Buick Special which was dropped that year.
The Skylark offered several V-8 engine configurations which complimented it’s muscle car status and made the automobile popular with collectors. While not as well known in the muscle car world as the Mustang and Camaro, the Skylark had the power available to challenge any of them.
Depending on originality, mileage, degree of restoration, and engine, an example of the 1970 Skylark Convertible in excellent condition may currently be found in a price range of from $35,000-$50,000. As a side note, those first historic and rare 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylarks are currently priced at around $100,000 plus.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)