For its final model year in 1998, the car that helped shape Buick's long-running success in the compact segment -- Skylark -- will be offered only as a four-door sedan, and sold only to fleets. Filling Skylark's place in showrooms is no easy task. Still, Buick can point to two all-new midsize vehicles for buyers seeking Buick quality, premium comfort and value -- Century and Regal, which were completely redesigned for 1997. The Skylark name became part of the Buick lineup in 1953, with the first Skylark being a limited edition convertible on a Roadmaster chassis. This Buick 50th anniversary model was followed by a smaller limited edition convertible in 1954. The Skylark name reappeared in 1962 on a small convertible and coupe, remaining in the Buick lineup through the 1972 model year. Skylark was revived in 1975 as a compact and has been in the Buick lineup ever since.
STANDARD FEATURES - Buy The Skylark Here
Standard equipment on the 1998 Skylark sedan includes: traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, passive theft-deterrent system, four-way manual driver seat controls, storage armrest, AM/FM cassette radio, cruise control, automatic door locks, power windows with driver's side express-down function, rear-window defogger, two-speed intermittent windshield wipers, front and side window defogger outlets, left and right remote outside mirrors, and an adjustable steering column. For 1998, all Buicks feature driver and front passenger Next Generation air bags, which have reduced force. The less aggressive air bags, made possible by a change in federal safety regulations, will improve overall vehicle safety for all occupants.
ENGINE - Buy The Skylark Here
Skylark's powertrain is the overhead-valve 3.1-liter 3100 60-degree V-6 engine producing 155 horsepower at 5200 rpm, with torque of 185 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. The 3100 V-6 retains its cast iron block, cast aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifold. The 3100 V-6 drives the front wheels through a 4T60E four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, with an electronically controlled capacity clutch. The final drive ratio is 2.93:1. Skylark's projected fuel economy is 20 miles per gallon city and 29 mpg highway. New for 1998, 3100 V-6 engines are equipped with the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery System (ORVR), which is designed to recover fuel vapors during vehicle refueling. Skylark's MacPherson strut and trailing axle suspension provides a blend of excellent ride quality and responsive handling characteristics. Low rolling resistance P195/70R14 all-season steel-belted radial tires on 14 x 6-inch wheels are now standard equipment.
EXTERIOR COLORS - Buy The Skylark Here
For '98, Skylark will be available in five colors and a single interior design scheme, with 55/45 split-bench front seats trimmed in graphite cloth interior. While the 1998 Skylark will not be available to retail buyers, it has strong qualifications as a fleet vehicle. All the key attributes that today's cost-conscious fleets demand -- reliability over extended duty cycles, superior comfort, safety, security and value -- are found in abundance in the stylish four-door 1998 Skylark.
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