The Skyhawk was Buick’s first subcompact, launched in 1975, and it remained in the lineup through 1980. It was a rebadged Chevy Monza, which in turn was a derivative of the Vega. It was only offered as a hatchback, and the seller’s edition also has Buick’s first crack at a 5-speed manual transmission. Located with a dealer in Manasquan, New Jersey, this Buick is said to have just 17,000 miles, which you have to wonder how that is possible. The mini-Buick is available here at Brian’s Auto Center for $12,900. Thanks got to Elmo for the tip!
These Skyhawks were built on General Motors’ H-body platform, which was shared by the Pontiac Sunbird and Oldsmobile Starfire, in addition to Chevy’s Monza. The only engine available was a 231 cubic inch V6, and the standard transmission was a 4-speed. Beginning in 1976, a 5-speed became available, even in the entry-level Skyhawk simply called Skyhawk S. This vehicle was Buick’s attempt at competing with the Ford Mustang II, Toyota Celica, and other smaller yet sporty automobiles. From 1975 to 1980, Buick managed to peddle 125,000 copies of the Skyhawk.
This Skyhawk comes with a ton of paperwork, so we assume somewhere in the documents is how a 50-year-old car can only have 17k miles. While the “S” was the Skyhawk’s lower model, this one has plenty of extras like a handling package, power steering and brakes, and factory air conditioning. The body and silver paint look good, and the interior is nice, though the seats might benefit from a steam cleaning.
I once owned a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird with the “Iron Duke” I-4. While the engine was reliable and did its job, the workmanship of the rest of the vehicle was typical of most 1980s cars. Mine had an automatic tranny, so it was not a speed demon. But this car with a V6 and a 5-speed should be considerably more energetic. I wouldn’t mind taking another crack at one of these H-bodies when it can get more than out of its own way.
I had an Oldsmobile Firenza in the same body style. I want to say it was an 80 or 81. Off white with a 4 cylinder. Great little car.
The Firenza was a front wheel drive from 1982-88 what you had was an Olds Starfire if it looked like this car.
The Firenza name started as a sporty edition of the H-body Starfire, offered from late ’78 thru ’80.
My Grandpa had a ’79 Monza wagon in silver with a burgundy interior. It had the Buick 3.8. I learned to drive (officially) in that car. It was easy to parallel park. A d from what I remember these cars handled very well, they sat pretty low to the ground and had that high transmission tunnel as you can see in the photos. This Buick looks great, and with a 5 speed? Even better, someone wanted a nice economic car that was fun to drive. If this silver paint is original, that’s impressive. Its in great shape from what I see in the photos.
I bought a new Pontiac Sunbird in 1980, blue with the V6 and 4speed. Did not know how to drive a stick at the time. The salesman took me out and taught me and I drove the new car home. Good car, fun to drive and that V6 had good bones and would take modification well. Of course Buick did some modifying of its own and unleashed the famed turbo V6. Wouldn’t mind and this car, could be fun. Regretted selling the Sunbird but had orders to ship out to England so l sold it.
Now that’d be something, swap a Grand National turbo V6 into one of these, should handily out-perform the GN being smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic.
What an incredible find. And with a manual, too! These are the kinds of cars I love to see on BF. I’m sure some will disparage it, but it was the mid 70s, and small American cars were a new thing. The transmissions were clunky and the back seat worthless. But they looked great, and how many are left in this kind of condition? I would love to own this!
It seems like those, along with it’s corporate siblings, were everywhere when I was a kid. Been a long, long time since I’ve seen one anywhere, even in the boneyards! A very well-preserved specimen, for sure. Someone will be very happy with it.
Thanks, Elmo and Russ! I put at least 100,000 miles on one of these in my college days, a ’76 Skyhawk 3.8 five-speed. It was a fun car and held a ton of cargo with rear seats down. I thought about building it up with go-fast parts from Kenne-Bell Buick (250 HP was possible) but two things led me to buy a 5.0 Mustang instead: the Buick’s brakes faded if you really started using them on the back roads and the over-powered steering was numb and void of feedback. I sold mine to a friend who sold it to his cousin and it had racked up at least 350,000 on the original 231 V6. That said, you could enjoy this car as a driver and cheaply keep it running.
Nice find Elmo! Too bad that the dealer couldn’t walk around to the back of the car and take a few pictures. I used to like the Skyhawk visible in the tail lights.
I had a 76, one of my most fun cars. I regretted selling it. It was fast. I was pulled over regularly. Found out the speedometer was off 18mph.
Weren’t the 4 cylinder engines built in Brazil back then ? I had to replace the head on my son’s Sunbird.
The Brazilian motor was offered in the FWD next generation models.
In 1976 the 4 cyl was still the Vega engine. In 77 the Iron Duke came out, although it was a GM engine from Brazil, all the Iron Dukes were re-engineered engines from Pontiac, built here. In 1978 the head was revised for cross flow.
Nice find. I really like all GM H-body cars and the Skyhawk is one of the less common and nicer ones. This would be fun car with the 3.8 and 5 shifter. Not far from me either…
For anyone that wants to experience the late ’70s malaise era of the US car industry, I can think of no better ride… Enjoy?…
“Malaise”. We need a similar term for the crap being sold today.
“malaise” back then referred to performance. Today it would be a good description of the entire automobile.
Well, today there are domestic vehicles that I would consider… in fact, I owned several domestics in the last couple decades… however, from the mid ’70s thru early ’80s there was absolutely nothing coming out of of the big 3 that I would have put my hard earned money on.
This thing looks way better than its Predecessor Vega would probably turn a few heads at car shows and with a decent exhaust it would sound better than those import mufflers on the subaru’s and Honda cars
I don’t think anyone mentioned that these 5-speeds were the old shift pattern with 1st to you and down. Reverse was to you and up.
I believe these were the Borg Warner units. Unfortunately, they were known for synchronizer failure, but fun when they worked. They appeared as an option on the Cosworth Vega also in 1976. Many were swapped for 4 speeds.
Owned the cousin to these…4 of them. One Firenza, 3 Starfires.
The Firenza name was used on the H body Starfire and the J body GM cars.
Only on the Olds units though.
I thought most of these were hacked up and made into Pro Stock drag cars . I haven’t see one on the streets in 40 years ….
You probably live in the rust belt. I drive one here all the time in New Mexico
Great looking Pro Stocker!
too much money. i am sure it’s got 117k on it.4k car if that
Records show low miles. Show me a 4k car oh wait there’s same model on eBay for 29k
Unlike its H-bodied cousins, the Skyhawk only came with the 231. It should give pretty good performance, having a good power to weight ratio. And this one has a stick! About that mileage, if it’s true then I still get carded at the local watering holes.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-buick-skyhawk-s/
since purchase NEW TIRES. A/C redone (2k) HURST SHIFTER TUNE UP
OIL CHANGE FRONT BRAKES this baby is all ready for summer
She’s a beauty, Marc.
Keep as is or maybe upgrade to the later intercooled turbo version of this engine from the Grand National? Or maybe an LS? Could make for a cool project.
Would be much easier to just find a stock V-8 Monza
Turbo 6 would be fast and probably handle better.
What about that cosworth engine from the vega?
Just looking at the interior photo brings memories of the unusual “new car” scent of the upholstery and fabric. Then that triggers memories of how the catalytic converters used to stink something awful, too.
We had a 78 V-6, 4 speed. Great little car with good power. No mechanical issues. Bought it new and keep it for 10 years. Great gas mileage when prices started to rise. A 5 speed would have been even better.
When thee were new , the door hinges wore out almost immediately .