The Skyhawk was Buick’s iteration of the GM J-car from 1982 to 1989. It joined the ranks of the Chevy Cavalier, Olds Firenza, Pontiac Sunbird, and even the Cadillac Cimarron. Between 1983 and 1986, Buick offered the Skyhawk T-Type, which was a turbocharged version of the 2-door coupe. Not as potent as the Skylark-based Grand Nationals, the turbos in these cars did produce 150 hp. Located with a dealer in Hammond, Indiana, this low-mileage survivor is available here on Facebook Marketplace for just $3,995.
From 1983 to 1986, 27,000 of the 2-door T-Type Skyhawks were built. That’s a decent number, but when was the last time you saw one? That may be because it was largely a J-car, which was just another economy auto that would be used up and then retired to the graveyard. The exception was the 1.8-liter, SOHC I-4 that was turbocharged, giving the little car more oomph than a standard model. A manual transmission (5-speed?) also helped the cars get going.
We’re given little to no details about this vehicle by the seller. 11,316 of the 74,760 Skyhawk coupes produced in 1984 were T-Types, so this was not a rare machine when it was new. We’re told the odometer reads 37,200 miles, which if accurate, means the car spent a lot more time in the garage than it did on the road. The body, paint, and interior all look solid, and we’re guessing all of that is original.
Since the seller is asking less than $4,000, this car falls into “cheap wheels” territory. Assuming it needs no repairs, it should be an inexpensive novelty as both a third car and the occasional attendee at Cars & Coffee. Our thanks go to Dennis House for the tip.
Growing up an older buddy of mine had a Skyhawk. It wasn’t a R Type, but was a 2 door like this, black, 5 speed and had these rims. It was a great car during that time. He never had any problems with it, other than keeping the black paint nice. This one looks original and well kept. Wonder where the center caps went?
Nice looking Skyhawk. Seems like the miles might be actual. It does look like the base engine though and not a Turbo. Cool that it has a stick!
I’m guessing torque steer is substantial in these… my stock ’82 Cavalier Type 10 (88 hp) had it bad enough.
I never liked the grill-less front end when these were new but I like them now. Car is not a turbo but a quick check produces after market parts for that engine. I don’t recall torque steer being such a problem in my type 10 but that was forty years ago.
Curious where this spent most of its life because only a few years of Indiana winters would’ve turned it into a rusty mess.
This Buick is NOT a Turbo. How do I know. I grew up around these cars. On the left side deck lid does not say T – Type Turbo 1.8… Under the hood near the firewall the long intake says Turbo missing and different air cleaner system. And on the dash you would have a Turbo guage for the boost. What happens is everyone thinks T-Types are Turbos. Not necessarily you could have a T type that’s non turbo. Which we have here. I hope this information helps our viewers. 🐻🇺🇸… Happy New Year!!🎉
I learned how to drive and took my license exam in a ’84 Skyhawk, non-turbo, zero to sixty in like a half hour. My dad had bought it as a commuter so he would not accumulate miles on his ’86 T Type Regal. When I started driving it, it had 143k on the original drivetrain and burned a quart of oil about every other week. It was a clean car but it could not get out of its own way, that thing was a slug. But, at least I had a car to drive while I saved money from my pizza joint job to buy my first ride, a 1970 Olds Cutlass Supreme.
Dang, BF got me excited! But nope, this one just has the standard LH8 84 horsepower Brazilian-built Opel 1.8 liter four.
You can tell because it does not have MPFI like a turbo would. A 1984-86 LA5 turbo would have a ribbed black MPFI cover which says “Turbo” on it with silver lettering, and a silver valve cover with SOHC embosed in it. The later 1987-90 LT3 2.0 liter versions had red MPFI and valve covers.
Also, it is still running LOL! Virtually all of the 1.8/2.0 liter turbos fell victim to head gasket failure long ago. The only turbos I ever see now are automatic convertibles which were probably babied. I’ve been casually looking for a Sunbird GT or Skyhawk T-Type turbo coupe or hatchback with a manual for years. I’ve not seen one in decades. They did not hold up well to long-term abuse.
I can’t tell from the picture , but the naturally aspirated engine would have a 5-speed. The 1984-86 turbos were all 4-speeds, another sure way to tell.