Though more of an “underground garage find” than a barn find, this 1984 Buick Skylark certainly fits our criteria. One of the less frequently seen GM X-body vehicles, this Buick shares many components with the infamous Chevrolet Citation. Many of the X-body cars were unloved even when new, and did not age well until recently. Though some people see nothing but a used car, others see an up and coming classic! Whether you love this car or hate it, it simply cannot be denied that this is a time-capsule. While Buick Grand Nationals and Camaro Z28s of similar vintage can be regularly seen in this condition, there is something refreshing about seeing the common-man’s car in such nice shape. Find it here on eBay in California with bidding at $4,000 an no reserve.
The seller states that this car was parked in an underground parking garage since 1993, until it was removed to ensure it was sold to a loving home. The interior is all original and in mint condition, with fully functioning electronics and power accessories. This car spent a lot of time sitting indoors and the interior really shows it. If this interior doesn’t take you back to a different time, for better or for worse, then I’m not sure we are looking at the same picture! Though not fancy, this car is a Limited and therefore has such options as cruise control and a tilt wheel. The air conditioning even blows cold! R-12 never seems to disappoint.
This Skylark has the optional 2.8 liter V6, equipped with an NOS (new old stock) Rochester 2-barrel carburetor. According to the seller, this car passed California smog in June. Though small, this engine puts out around 115 horsepower. You won’t be winning any red light drag races, but this car is certain to get out of its own way. Being front-wheel drive, you’ll notice that this engine is transversely mounted. The 2.8 was designed for X-body cars in particular and if you’ve owned any GM FWD cars from the ’80s and ’90s you’ll notice that this design has been mimicked in several other GM platforms.
Though somewhat mundane, this Buick is sure to draw attention as it is a rare occurrence to see a “normal” car from this era in such fantastic condition. This car is original down to its tires, with only necessities replaced by the seller. It wears its original paint, is completely free of rust, and doesn’t even have any dings in it! Hopefully, this little car finds its way into the hands of someone that can appreciate it for what it is.
Link?
WOW … Unbelievable time capsule, Looks like brand new! Please provide Link to E-Bay listing.
Not sure what happened with the link, but I went to find the car so I could link it again and it’s gone so it must have sold!
Thank You Very Much for trying, I also tried searching the entire E-Bay site including EBayMotors and reached the same conclusion. I would not be the least bit surprised that this cream puff has sold given its incredible condition. Thanks Again and I really enjoyed the article.
It never ceases to amaze me how the most mudane cars that did not get any attention seems to just roll out of obscurity in mint or excellent condition. I love them all simply for that. Nice Buick. Great find Andrew.
I agree! I’m glad someone else understands finds like this.
Nice car. I wouldn’t mind owning it.
Nice find. This and the recent Olds Calais would make a nice his/hers entry to the “hobby” for minimal 💲.
Always been a fan of the X-bodies, although for the life of me I have no idea why; they go against everything that I value in a vehicle. This one’s a sharp example, and definitely an oddball at the local car shows.
My aunt had an 83 2 door that she bought used in 1984. I think hers said Skylark Custom, not totally certain but it was a nice little car that got really good gas mileage. Hers was a four cylinder with automatic and of course A/C. Mandatory in Central California. Again very nice and comfortable car. We took it on vacation in 1984 to Mexico. After a stop at Magic Mountain we didnt want to pay for a hotel because it was one in the morning and we wanted to get an early start the next day so we found a nice quiet street and parked. Slept until some guy came and knocked on the window thinking we were his fishing buddy waiting for him. Anyway we always tell people when they ask where we stayed we tell them that we stayed at the Skylark Inn. They are like oh, where is that. We say well anywhere you want it to be.
Once upon a time these cars were everywhere. I always thought they were rather pretty cars – my uncle had one of these or a Pontiac twin – can’t remember which model it was.
That would be the Pontiac Phoenix!
My Uncle had an 81 with the Iron Duke 4 in it. They gave it to my cousin and she drive it until she was involved in an accident and it was totalled. She never had “her own” car again as all the others were her parents.
Wish I had the money to get to Cali to buy this and drive it home. Nice wheels.
In 1983, I ordered the Oldsmobile ESC (European Styled Coupe); very similar to the Chevy X-11. The two door coupe was shown in the Olds literature but, the dealers all told me that only four door sedans were available. Finally, found a dealer in Franklin, PA that could get the coupe. I enjoyed the car as a GM loyalist but, this was no doubt a dark period for GM.
I don’t remember the ESC, but I do remember the Omega. Wasn’t that the Olds X-body?
OH Lordy, that brings back memories. Very bad ones. I bought one with an identical interior but blue exterior way back in the day, as a ‘flip’ on my road to riches (still waiting on that). The friend who sold it to me didn’t mention that it had spent it’s life on a reserve, had rarely seen a road without gravel or potholes and obviously was last maintained well, never. I’ve never had such a beaten up car. Managed to polish that turd just enough to unload up, but ‘money maker’ it was not.
Very nice!
Yes it was an X body. Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac Phoenix, Oldsmobile Omega, and Buick Skylark. First new cars of the 1980s, according to GM.
One of the major problems with the early X body cars was brake balance- they would often spin under braking on wet or icy surfaces due to improper brake bias- not enough rear brake to compensate for the extra drag on the front wheels from the drivetrain. Sharply lifting off the gas when going downhill on ice and snow, especially with a manual trans would provide the same result, because the front wheels would be slowing more than the rear wheels due to engine drag. Hopefully, by 1984 GM should have fixed the brake bias problems.
I seem to recall that the damning footage of these cars spinning out on a test track for 60 Minutes (or some other investigative news program) had their rear brakes disabled. Not saying that there wasn’t a brake bias issue, but like the Corvair, I think the “problem” was overblown.
Absolutely correct, Poppy!
True, these cars got a bad rep because they won the title of the most recalled cars over the dodge aspen and plymouth Volare s, but they were what the doctor ordered at the time and they served America pretty well with what they had to offer.
How many miles on it
The common phrase from the news media was “rear wheel lock-up”. The more common occurrence was on higher mile cars, and was that the front brakes were worn out causing the rears to lock up. Think about riding a motorcycle. What happens when you try to stop only with the front brake and what happens when you only use the rear?
Last year for this body style I believe. I thought these were ugly in their day, but looks beautiful today!
Reminds of my sweet 16 car, wish that I could find another one like mine