"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
08/20/2015 at 18:26 • Filed to: None
5
25|
"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
08/20/2015 at 18:26 • Filed to: None | 5
| 25 |
When GM decided to rework their X-based N-body cars for 1992, they’d been stung by criticism that their cars were all starting to look the same across divisions that used common platforms.
What GM did for the 1992 N-body Skylark, Achieva, and Grand Am was an attempt to correct the mistakes of the past by styling the new cars with distinctive brand-specific cues. For Pontiac, this meant ribbed plastic cladding, angry-eye headlights, and massive smoked taillights. Along with a buttonfest dash. For Olds, the divided grille and aero features seen on the ‘88 Cutlass Supreme grew in prominence.
But at Buick, they reached into history to provide the new Skylark with classic cues. Taking their inspiration from the lauded ‘39 Buick, they created a front end in 3 dimensions, with a grille and hood that protruded forward, and a bumper to match.
At the side, upward-sweeping trim and mildly skirted rear wheels recalled the car’s big brother, the Roadmaster. Taillights wrapped around as wide, slim, and angular.
Standard under hoods was the 2.3L Quad4 from Olds, with a Buick 3300 V6 available. The four would eventually get bumped to 2.4L and the V6 would switch to Chevrolet-sourcing and 3.1L.
Interiors were where GM thought outside the box the most. Literally. The Skylark look inside shed the rectilinear trend of the ‘80s for a 3-dimensional, curvy effect that was unexpected to buyers seeking a comfy compact with a column shifter and a split bench seat, both of which came standard.
Still, Buick managed to shift about 50k a year through 1997. And Gran Sport models, with their upgraded looks and suspensions pleased their customers.
In 1996, the Skylark got a facelift and the more conventional Achieva interior. The prow lost most of its distinctive front thrust, but the car gained twin airbags, traction control, and ABS on the standard features list. While less distinctive, the car ended up cleaner and more refined overall.
For 1998, coupes went away as did the standard 2.4L Twin Cam 4cyl. All Skylarks were now V6 sedans and only available to fleet buyers. Then it was quietly canceled before the Orion Township plant switched to building the 3rd generation N-body 1999 Grand Am and Alero.
I’ve always liked these things. Sure they weren’t strong competition to the Accords, Altimas, and Camrys of the day. Sure, they looked distinctive inside and out, but the way they blended forward-thinking design with old-timey styling and equipment conceits probably confused both avant-garde and traditional buyers.
It’s interesting, too, because as controversial as the styling was back in the ‘90s, people forgot about the last Skylark. Unlike the Aztek or Edsel or Pacer, it was met more with indifference than scorn.
I loved these odd ducks. Apparently some of you do, too.
dogisbadob
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:31 |
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Too bad you couldn’t get a Skylark the W41 though :(
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dogisbadob
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:31 |
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awesome color scheme, and on the car itself and the logo
RallyWrench
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:32 |
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I always thought these were pretty daring looking little cars for Buick. And the Achieva is an interesting case, because it was actually successful in SCCA competition with the Quad-4. Not your father’s Oldsmobile.
LongbowMkII
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:33 |
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the sedans always looked like they had been in a front end accident.
Tohru
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:33 |
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I kinda miss the Under-Achieva and it’s bretheren.
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AMC/Renauledge
> dogisbadob
08/20/2015 at 18:34 |
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I know! A true GS with the W41 and 5MT would have gained the car a bit more respect back then. It didn't help Achieva sales much, but if GM advertised them, it might have worked out.
JR1
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:34 |
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I did not know that’s why the front end had a beak. That is pretty cool.
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AMC/Renauledge
> JR1
08/20/2015 at 18:35 |
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Yup! It sure was!
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JR1
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:38 |
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And I didn't know they made coupes. I wish more companies made coupe versions of their four doors nowadays
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dogisbadob
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:38 |
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The Achieva SCX was *this* close to being called a 442, but they backed out at the last minute, That name would’ve helped sales.
GM must’ve underestimated the number of old people with lead feet. Shit, they gotta get to bingo!
Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 18:49 |
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Never did like this gen of Skylark, but I have always LOVED the Achieva.
Steve in Manhattan
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 19:05 |
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I had an ‘81 Skylark. Scorn is good. Hate is good. And the ghost-steering problem put me on the side of a highway entrance ramp, ripping up the rear end. The car was never right again.
As for these? Ugh - worse than mine. Most of GM during the 80s and 90s (and, for that matter, the 70s) should be shoved down the memory hole.
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AMC/Renauledge
> Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
08/20/2015 at 19:30 |
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That is a great-looking example. Clean and sporty.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 19:31 |
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Your name leads me to believe that you are maybe biased towards this car a little.
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AMC/Renauledge
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/20/2015 at 19:52 |
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Bias? Meh. I know the car’s strengths and weaknesses. But my interest level in it gave me the motivation to research it and write this little blurb.
DoYouEvenShift
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 20:08 |
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You know, even though they came from the mayonnaise era or whatever you guys call it. They held up very well. I still see them driving around in decent shape.
desertdog5051
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 20:13 |
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...and the uproar when people found out that their Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac did not have a Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac engine in it. Oy Vey! Malaise was not pretty. Even in retrospect, I hate it. Add this to the diesel engine everybody was trying to get over. Oy Vey!
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AMC/Renauledge
> DoYouEvenShift
08/20/2015 at 20:15 |
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Mayonnaise era? Haha!! This thing came about 8 years after the Malaise Era.
And yeah, I always smile when I see one, which isn't terribly rare even 17-23 years later.
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AMC/Renauledge
> desertdog5051
08/20/2015 at 20:17 |
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Yeah, luckily this thing had either an Olds 4 or a Buick V6 early on. And losing divisional autonomy at GM is one of the things I think contributed to their decline.
Also, this car came out about 8 years after the Malaise Era ended.
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DoYouEvenShift
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 20:19 |
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Hehe, Ive heard people refer to the 90s as the mayonnaise era still. Personally, I would call 73-83 the era.
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desertdog5051
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 20:19 |
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I know. It was just an end of the run for the era. Thankfully, things got better.
The Compromiser
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 22:06 |
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My uncle had one in the teal and grey with the red stripe. Fucking hideous. Still don’t like it...
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Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
> AMC/Renauledge
08/20/2015 at 22:12 |
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For sure. I’d love to find a cheap SCX like that to DD. Issue is, literally every single Achieva is trashed now.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> AMC/Renauledge
08/21/2015 at 04:55 |
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they look horrible
lecrab
> AMC/Renauledge
08/21/2015 at 09:39 |
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Never seen one IRL (not sold in Europe I guess) but I really like these. Great writeup, too. I enjoyed reading.