Buick Skylark VI (X-body) gallery (1980–1985)

The sixth generation marked a revolutionary transition to front-wheel drive and transverse engine layouts on the new X-body.

All photos 19 I 0 1953–1954 II (Y-body) 0 1961–1963 III (A-body) 0 1964–1967 IV (A-body) 7 1968–1972 V (X-body) 0 1975–1979 VI (X-body) 0 1980–1985 VII (N-body) 0 1986–1991 VIII (N-body) 0 1992–1998

The sixth generation Buick Skylark debuted in early 1979 as a 1980 model, marking a significant engineering revolution with its shift to General Motors' front-wheel-drive X-body platform. Featuring a transverse engine layout and unibody construction, it offered substantially improved interior room despite a reduced exterior footprint. Body styles included a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. Powertrains comprised a standard 2.5-liter Pontiac Iron Duke inline-four engine and an optional 2.8-liter 60-degree V6, mated to a four-speed manual or a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 125 automatic transmission. A sporty T-Type trim was introduced with firmer suspension tuning and a higher-output V6. Facelifts in 1982 and 1984 updated the front fascia and interior materials. Primarily marketed in the US and Canada, it achieved massive initial sales volumes.