One of the most obscure models from GM, or at least the Buick division, the Somerset was more of a name change than a revolutionary new design or model. This 1987 Buick Somerset Limited is posted here on craigslist in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, and the seller is asking $1,800 ($1,287 U.S. dollars). Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
A Somerset?! Isn’t this just a Skylark, SG? Well, sort of. The Somerset name is a county in England or several cities in the U.S., and could have other meanings. I’m guessing Buick wanted a ye olde world feel for the former Buick Regal trim level when we first saw the Somerset name. After that, in 1985, it was added to the new N-body sixth-generation Skylark model and only came in this two-door body style.
I’d do a Photoshop version of a four-door Somerset, but it would look like a four-door sixth-generation N-body Skylark. It’s an interesting model, or at least the name is. I don’t know if I’ve seen one in close to three decades, if ever. There are a few issues with this particular example, including some rust, so be prepared for that. I like the look of these small, two-door Skylarks, though. I mean, Somersets.
The interior looks almost perfect, and those seats look as comfortable as anything offered today. Although, try finding seats today in dark red velour. Everyone wants leather seats today. The back seat looks great, but I don’t think those rear windows open, so be prepared for some claustrophobia if you’re sitting back there. The seller included a nice range of photos, including one showing the trunk compartment.
The engine is a Buick 3.0-liter OHV V6, which was rated at 125 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a three-speed THM-125 automatic transmission to the front wheels. The seller says that it occasionally dies, and that’s never good. It could be an easy fix, and they had the fuel pump replaced, but that didn’t solve the issue. They’re done putting money into it since they want a truck anyway. What do you think the issue is on this one? The fuel pump relay or something else?
You could Photoshop a T-Top version Scotty. As the car already has the chrome luggage rack, like many C-3 Corvettes, which many readers love so much.
Yes, Tony, it pretty dressed up with the deck lid rack, sunroof and velour interior.
At that mileage and price, it would be worth taking a gamble on the engine issue. Don’t find much of anything in this shape for $1300 bucks anymore.
The secret to riding in a car with fixed quarter windows is to be somewhat medicated.
The worst idea ever, starting with the domestic Maverick. Trying to ape the Europeans. It’s criminal. GM even tried it with their downsized intermediates in 78 with the four doors. Barbaric disregard for passengers and unfortunately I have had three cars with that sort of fixed rear side glass: 84 Citation 2 door notch [not bad, lots of window back there], 99 Cavalier [not too bad either, good glass area] and 86 Olds Calais…not too bad because of the formal roof.
I visited my friend in the San Fernando Valley and we were going on a trip to Hollywood. I got in the back of his 2007 Civic coupe and before we even left, I was freaking out. Just a tiny triangle back there. I drove.
This was surprising because as a 15 year old my little brother and I rode all the way from Iowa to PA and back in the back seat of an AMC Gremlin one summer…..
Have you considered therapy?
these rip with this motor in them. sounds like an electrical issue. sounds like the mechanic likes to play darts. it can be fixed and looks to worth what they want.
The Somerset Regal was it’s own car. The Skylark, an X Body was still available as a four door, Custom or Limited.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Buick/1985_Buick/1985-The-Buying-of-Buick-Booklet/slides/1985%20The%20Buying%20of%20Buick-16-17.html
!986:
The N Bodies were supposed to be the downsized replacements for the G Body but they continued to sell well so the plan shifted.
The four door “Somerset” when it arrived with the other N Body four doors was called “Skylark”.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Buick/1986_Buick/1986%20Buick%20Full%20Line/slides/86buick32-33.html
Same naming line up in 1987. In 88 the name of the 2 door was changed to “Skylark”.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Buick/1988-Buick/1988%20Buick%20Full%20Line%20Prestige%20Brochure/slides/1988%20Buick%20Full%20Line%20Prestige%20%20Brochure-52-53.html
GM in the 80s: creating confusion just as it was homogenizing all it’s cars….
I just replaced the ECM in my 86 Calais N Body 2.5 because it was dying mysteriously the same as this feature car. That was a bit of a search. Electrical problems fried that one and an AC Delco licensed rebuilt one
was installed after the electronic problems were addressed.
And that one was one the many weak points of the N Body: hardware and rust were the others.
I love mine, it’s like a shrunken Toronado [and in profile looks surprisingly like the downsized Eldorado of 1986 ], but it has had AC, heater core, hardware, TCC sensor problems, leaks, alternator problems, the GM sagging headliner, the whole registry of problems since I bought it with 21,000 miles on it in 1994. 137,000 now and still going, but not without help. Parts are thin on the ground as well, worse than my 63 Valiant. Be prepared. Even the 2.5 Liter Tech 4 is a specific to N Bodies design to fit the J Body derived chassis and platform hard points, an X or A body 4 cylinder won’t just drop in. Not sure about the 3.0 V6 [Buick’s contribution to the N Body].
Still a nice car, the right size and the rear compartment has the same leg room [and a little more headroom] as the 4 door introduced in 1986.
They ride like a much heavier car but the handling is really taut. GM was targeting “New Values” [AKA Yuppies who wouldn’t be seen in their parent’s down market domestic fare], BMW intenders [not my claim, GM’s], so they were engineered to reflect that.[Car & Driver, Oct or Nov, 1984].
Nice to see an N Body featured. After the 88 Grand Am two door disappeared here East Side of Tucson my N Body is the only one I’ve seen in quite awhile. Though I did see a pristine Somerset Regal one morning going to an appointment a few years back. Not my part of town but it could still be riding the roads around there.
The domestic car companies really seemed to be heading in the right direction back in the 80s and 90s. Cars that were right sized with good comfort, handling and fuel economy. Then the shift to larger truck based platforms became the way to go. The next challenge is to incorporate all the safety and technology into these vehicles. Fuel economy is sacrificed for performance and here’s where we are today.
By golly I bought one of these new in 1987. Mine was blue and had a five speed manual transmission. Nice car that was fairly zippy. This car had the digital dash instruments that were at the time new technology. My wife talked me into buying an extended warranty. Thankfully I listened to her because sure enough when the manufacturers warranty expired the dash took a complete crap. Dealership replaced it for free under the extended warranty. They let me know what it would have cost and it was really expensive. For the asking price how can you go wrong? Find a good mechanic to diagnose the power problem and a fella or fellatte could have a snazzy little daily. GLWTS.
I might end up fixing the problem by blowing the sock off the fuel tank pick up tube and replacing the other fuel line filters. Sharp car.
A friend bought a 4 cyl equipped one of these new. It served him well. He transported a sapling silver maple tree to my house in the back seat. Grown from a seed at his house, some 35 years later, the tree is now massive and shades my driveway and garage.