1968-1969 Buick Skylark & Gran Sport

The redesigned body of the 1968-1969 Buick Skylark and its premium counterpart, the Gran Sport (GS), didn't win over everyone. While the front design was sleek and attractive, inspired by the Riviera's grille, the longer hood and shorter rear deck weren't the main concerns. Even the hidden windshield wipers didn't cause much fuss.

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Some found the new deep-sculptured body sweepline, inspired by the vintage "sweepspear" design, to be oddly out of place. This sweeping curve extended across the side of the car, stopping just before the rear wheel arch.

The concave rear design, featuring taillights integrated into a large bumper beneath sharp rear fenders, was equally striking. Two-door models had a shorter wheelbase of 112 inches, compared to 116 inches for four-doors and 121 inches for Sportwagons.

Despite mixed opinions, the redesigned Skylark proved popular, achieving record sales in 1968. By then, the Special nameplate was nearly obsolete, with Skylarks outselling it by almost five to one.

Base Skylarks now featured Chevrolet's inline six-cylinder engine, replacing the older V-6. The new GS350 model, succeeding the GS340, boasted a 350-cubic-inch V-8 producing 280 horsepower and 375 pounds/feet of torque. A less powerful version of this engine, with 230 horsepower, was standard in Skylark Customs and optional in other models.

The GS400 remained the top performer, equipped with a 400-cubic-inch V-8 delivering 340 horsepower. This powerhouse could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds. While it didn’t look overly aggressive, its performance rivaled that of the Corvette.

In that era, automakers boldly marketed their high-performance vehicles with a masculine appeal. Buick followed suit, describing its GS lineup as: "Clean. Fresh. Masculine."

Not all GS models lived up to their performance reputation. Alongside the genuine GS340 and GS400, Buick introduced the California GS. While it sported GS badges and styled steel wheels, it was essentially a vinyl-roofed Special Deluxe coupe with a smaller V-8 engine, masquerading as a high-performance model.

The high-performance GS coupes and convertibles were nearly identical, differentiated only by badges indicating engine size. Both featured a unique hood design with an air intake near the windshield.

Discover the updates made for the 1969 model year on the following page.

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1969 Buick Skylark and Gran Sport

For the 1969 Buick Skylark and Gran Sport, the high-performance GS model introduced a new hood blister with an integrated air intake and displacement badges. The GS400's functional scoops directed air into a dual-snorkel air cleaner.

The 1969 models eliminated the bright strips on the front fenders, with minimal chrome accents except for wheelwell moldings and five-spoke chrome wheels. A new eggcrate grille with prominent openings adorned the front, while dual paint stripes traced the sculpted sweepline along the sides. Notably, front vent windows were removed.

The California GS returned, featuring front vent windows that revealed its true identity as a Special Deluxe Coupe. Despite its inauthentic performance roots, Tom McCahill of Mechanix Illustrated recorded a 0-60 mph time of 9.5 seconds in this model.

For 1969, the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission replaced the Super Turbine transmission. Performance enthusiasts were more excited about the new Stage I engine package, which boosted the GS400's output from 340 to 345 horsepower at higher rpm. While the increase seemed modest, it delivered a significant performance boost under acceleration.

The Stage I package featured a high-lift cam, a specialized carburetor, dual exhausts, and a 3.64:1 Positraction axle. To enhance control, a short-throw Hurst shifter was offered for the four-speed manual transmission.

Despite issues with corrosion and inconsistent build quality, the Skylark/GS remained popular. In 1968, Buick produced 21,514 GS models, including 2,454 GS400 convertibles. Although production dropped to 13,065 in 1969, Buick reclaimed its fourth-place position in industry sales by the end of the decade.

The GS lineup was set to introduce another performance "Stage" in the early 1970s, featuring a massive 455-cubic-inch V-8. However, Buick soon reverted to its luxurious roots, marking the end of the muscle-car era.

Explore the detailed specifications of the 1968-1969 Buick Skylark and GS models on the following page.

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1968-1969 Buick Skylark and Gran Sport Specifications

While the 1968-1969 Buick Skylark and Gran Sport weren't Buick's finest achievements in design or build quality, their top-tier models delivered performance nearly on par with the Corvette.

Specifications

Skylark Engine: ohv I-6, 250 cid (3.88 × 3), 155 bhp; ohv V-8, 350 cid (3.80 × 3.85), 230 bhp

GS350 Engine: Equipped with an overhead valve V-8, this 350 cubic inch powerhouse delivers an impressive 280 brake horsepower.

GS400 Engine: Featuring a robust overhead valve V-8, the 400 cubic inch engine (4.04 × 3.90) generates a formidable 340 brake horsepower.

Transmission: Options include a 3-speed manual, a 4-speed manual (GS), or the Super Turbine automatic. Additionally, the 1969 model offers the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 as an optional upgrade.

Suspension front: The front suspension is designed with upper and lower A-arms paired with coil springs for a smooth and responsive ride.

Suspension rear: The rear suspension features a 4-link live axle combined with coil springs, ensuring stability and comfort.

Brakes: The vehicle comes standard with front and rear drum brakes, with the option to upgrade to front disc brakes for enhanced stopping power.

Wheelbase (in.): Measuring 112.0 inches for most models, the 4-door sedan and wagon versions extend to a longer 116.0-inch wheelbase.

Weight (lbs.): The weight ranges from 3,240 to 3,594 pounds, depending on the model and configuration.

Top speed (mph): The GS model achieves a top speed ranging between 105 and 120 miles per hour.

0-60 mph (sec): Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 8.0 to 10.0 seconds for the GS4350, while the GS400 boasts a quicker time of 6.0 to 7.7 seconds.

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