Several days ago, I published a Pick of the Day on a car not often seen on these pages: a 1970 Buick Skylark Custom four-door hardtop. Not only was it an unusual find, but it was also in unusual condition for this particular body style. Writing an accurate story was a challenge, but I had a good Buick aficionado to help me sort things out.
I was aware Buick discontinued the Special and let the Skylark play the role of entry-level A-body for 1970. I also knew there were several variations of the Skylark available to consumers that year. The 1970 brochure laid it out for me.
The above guide helped me discern the trim levels and available body styles:
| Model | Body Style |
| Skylark | Two-door Sedan |
| Four-door Sedan | |
| Skylark 350 | Two-door Sport Coupe (hardtop) |
| Four-door Sedan | |
| Skylark Custom | Two-door Sport Coupe |
| Two-door Convertible | |
| Four-door Sedan | |
| ` | Four-door Hardtop |
The brochure featured this passage: The 1970 Buick Skylarks. Four to choose from. From the above picture, I was able to infer that Skylark and Skylark 350 were two trim levels that included four models. So why was the Skylark 350 an upgrade from the base Skylark? Was it because it included a 350 engine? Did that mean base Skylarks only had a straight-six? The brochure was not clear in this regard.
I reached out to Greg Cockerill, a retired GM designer and Buick fan. He too felt the brochure was “a bit ambiguous.” For one thing, why was the upgraded Skylark model called Skylark 350 if it came standard with a six?
Greg agreed, stating, “Yes, but as-written, it is saying six-cylinder is standard, even on the Skylark 350, though the Salesman’s Guide points out that the 350 is a ‘required’ option. But it’s kind of goofy to make the V8 a required option as opposed to being standard equipment.”
In previous years, the LeSabre was available as a LeSabre 400, which didn’t necessarily mean it was powered by a 400ci V8—it wasn’t—but that it was a package that paired the TH400 transmission with the small-block, instead of the two-speed Super Turbine transmission normally offered. Could the Skylark 350 have been named in a similar vein? Considering the standard transmission was a three-speed manual and not the TH350, likely not. Greg added, “In contrast, 1970 was the one single year for a ‘LeSabre 455’ which DID have 455 engine.”
Without an adequate solution, we both agreed an order form would hold the key to the answers we sought. “Well, I think I solved the mystery/ambiguity . . . “ said Greg once he found an order form in his collection of literature.
“It is clear that a Skylark 350 could not have a six-cylinder. However, it also clearly shows that a ‘base’ Skylark could indeed have a V8! Hence, if the Skylark 350 was ONLY available as V8 , then the name would be defensible.” Greg then adds, “Perhaps a better question is: Why bother with offering a Skylark 350 model? Perhaps, in addition to the mandatory V8, it also has some other equipment or elevated trim level? That would be the only logical reason to offer it at all.”
With a quick glance in the brochure, we can see the Skylark 350 featured an upgraded interior from the base Skylark, plus the Skylark 350 featured several optional interiors that were not available on the base Skylark.
Mystery solved!
