The Skylark nameplate has covered a lot of different Buick products over the years. Between 1975 to 1979, it shared the same platform as the popular Chevy Nova and other divisions of General Motors. To help lower fuel consumption, a 231 cubic inch V6 was employed as standard in these automobiles. But that engine was never the peppiest, so a prior owner of this ’79 Skylark Custom replaced it with a 350 V8 (2-barrel carburetor). When the seller acquired the car, it was purchased from an estate sale, so the history of the vehicle is limited.
Except for Cadillac and GMC, every division of GM had a compact in the back half of the 1970s. Besides the Chevy Nova, there was the Pontiac Phoenix and Oldsmobile Omega. Some of the sheet metal was different (mostly the front clips), but the cars were the same under the skin, sometimes including the engines and transmissions. The seller’s copy is the Skylark Custom which meant it came with a vinyl Landau top and a snappier upholstery pattern.
This Buick sports its original yellow paint and interior, with the latter in need of a good detailing. The paint has a variety of scrapes and scratches, but we’re told it’s a rust-free automobile down below. The indicated mileage is 120,000, but we don’t know how much of that can be attributed to the engine swap or how many miles it had when the surgery took place. No under-the-hood photos are provided.
The seller rates this Buick to be in excellent condition, but that’s a bit of a stretch. It’s certainly at least fair and should be driver-quality. That’s because the tires are new, as are the radiator, brakes, and shock absorbers. It’s also been treated to a tune-up. Located in Brockton, Massachusetts, this Skylark is available here on craigslist for $,5800. Thanks for the tip, Mitchell G.!
I believe this version of the X body ended December 10 1978, as the new FWD version was around the corner, so this would be a low production car.
It’s also listed on Facebook marketplace and it has a video of the engine running
I had one of these back in the day, same color interior, and maroon body, after a full tune up the V6 ran like a champ, great pickup from a stop, easy to work on, I should have kept it but someone made me a good offer so off it went.
So sad to see someone replace the engine with a different engine than what it came with. These were pretty nice looking cars. Much more attractive than the X bodies that followed.
What make 350 did he install in the car? If it is the Buick 350, then that would not be so bad.
Yes it’s a Buick 350
Apollo? Seems to me that’s what Buick’s version of the Nova were called.
The Apollo name was used 73 to 75