1967 Buick Skylark

General Motor's bread-and-butter cars in the 1960s were midsize vehicles, with most production focusing on the four-door family-oriented sedan. Performance remained important, and reacting to the runaway success of the Pontiac GTO of 1964, Buick introduced the Skylark Gran Sport for the 1965 model year, following a similar formula employed by Pontiac, by installing a large displacement engine into an intermediate size car. The 401 cubic-inch 'Nailhead' V8, normally powering Buick's full-sized vehicles, was placed into the engine bay of the Gran Sport. The venerable Nailhead engine, in use since 1953, was retired in 1967 and replaced by a more modern and new 400 cubic-inch Gran Sport engine with larger manifold branches, larger valves, and improved exhaust headers that assured minimum gas flow restriction. Innovations included water jackets in the cylinder heads that were carried around the spark plug holes, and in 1966, the intake valves were 18 percent larger and the exhaust valves were 56 percent larger. Conical spark plug seats eliminated the need for plug washers. The 400 produced 340 horsepower with 440 foot-pounds of torque, and when installed in the GS 400, it received a unique and elaborately styled, futuristic air cleaner.

The Skylark came standard with fender skirts, but not on the GS, which had open rear wheel housings and F70 x 14 wide-oval red- or white-stripe tries. In the front, the grille had a thicker horizontal bar bisected by a vertical spine accented in red, and the taillights were slightly enlarged as well.

For 1967, the Buick Skylark was available with both 6- and 8-cylinder power. For buyers who selected the V6, only one body style - the coupe - was offered. Skylark buyers who selected the V8 could select a coupe and hardtop coupe, sedan and hardtop sedan, convertible, and station wagons. Exterior features of the Skylark included rear fender skirts, simulated front fender vents, a ribbed rear cove panel, full-length lower body molding, and Skylark script on the rear quarters. Inside, cloth and vinyl trim were standard on the front bench seats. Convertible models had all-vinyl trim. The all-vinyl trim was optional, as were the bucket seats with consoles.

The Station Wagons were part of the Sportwagon series. 6- and 9-passenger bodies were available. They used the Skylark grille, 'sportwagon' script on the rear fenders, bright rocker and wheelhouse moldings, and were void of ventiports. The Custom trim level added padded seat cushions, Custom interiors, and a tailgate lamp.

The Skylark GS 340 rode on 7.75x14 Rayon Cord tires, red 14-inch Rally-Style wheels, and had a 15:1 steering ratio. They had a two-speed Super Turbine automatic or four-speed manual transmission, red rally stripes, and red hood scoops. Two body colors were offered - white or platinum mist. The 'Sport Pac' option package added shocks, heavy-duty springs, and a large diameter stabilizer bar. Approximately 3,692 examples of the Skylark were built as the GS 340.

The Buick GS 400 graduated to its own model line for 1967 and was available as a coupe and hardtop coupe and a convertible. New features included revised front and rear styling, simulated hood scoops, and fender ventiports. It received its name from the 400 cubic-inch V8 engine which offered 340 horsepower. Aluminum front brake drums were standard, so was the stiffer fully-boxed convertible frame. A 0.937-inch anti-roll bar was installed upfront and the ride rates at the wheels for the springs were a fairly stiff 133-lbs/in. front and 116-lbs/in. rear. The differential featured phosphate-coated gears and heavy-duty axle shafts.

In comparison to other muscle cars of the era, the GS 400 sold in low production numbers, mainly due to its higher price. 1,014 examples of the coupe, 10,659 hardtop coupe, and 2,140 examples of the convertible (GS 400) were built.

To comply with new federal safety regulations, all 1967 GM vehicles featured new collapsible steering columns, four-way flashers, safety steering wheels, and dual-chamber master cylinders. Front disc brakes were also made available for the first time.

The Buick Skylark, especially the Gran Sport, was a more affordable and much easier to insure package compared to many other products on the market and were popular with the youth-oriented market whose insurance premiums often surpassed the monthly car payment.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2018