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Junkyard Gem: 1985 Buick Skyhawk Custom Coupe

General Motors began building cars on the compact J Platform in 1981, and J-based machinery stayed in production all the way through the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire. The best-known of the J-cars in North America was always the Cavalier, but The General's Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and even Cadillac divisions each sold their own Js here. The Buick version was the Skyhawk, built for the 1982 through 1989 model years. Here's a sporty '85 Skyhawk coupe, found in a Northern California boneyard recently. The Custom trim level was the cheapest version of the Skyhawk in 1985, and the two door was the most affordable configuration (midgrade Skyhawks were Limiteds and the T-Type was at the top of the Skyhawk pyramid that year). The MSRP on this car started at $7,512 (about $21,220 in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars), making it the least expensive new Buick offered for sale in the United States in 1985. The Skyhawk name had been used on the Buick version of the Chevrolet Monza during the 1970s. The Chevrolet-badged sibling of this car was much cheaper, with the list price of the base '85 Cavalier coupe set at $6,872 (around $19,410 today). There were cheaper new Chevrolets that year, of course; a new Chevette cost just $5,470, while the Isuzu-built Spectrum was $6,295 and the Suzuki-built Sprint a skinflinty $5,151. The base engine in the Custom and Limited was this 2.0-liter SOHC straight-four rated at 86 horsepower. A turbocharged 1.8-liter version with 150 horses was available for an extra 800 bucks ($2,260 now). A four-on-the-floor manual transmission was standard equipment in the 1985 Skyhawk, but the buyers of most of these cars insisted on automatics. The price for this one was $425 ($1,200 today). A five-speed manual cost just $75 ($210). Velour-ish upholstery in Bordello Red (Buick didn't use that name) was all the rage during the 1980s and well into the 1990s. This car's interior looks pretty nice, considering where it's parked. Community Buick GMC in Iowa is still in business today. The five-digit odometer means we can't know how many miles were on this car at the end. I brought a Chicago-made 1950s Pho-Tak Foldex 30 film camera with me to the junkyard that day, as one does, and I photographed the Skyhawk on Kodak Portra 160 film. The irritatingly perky Skyhawk owners in this TV commercial appear to be about one-third the age of typical mid-1980s Buick shoppers.

Buick rolls out more potent Encore Sport Touring

Buick has announced a new Sport Touring version of the Encore. And more than a trim level or special edition, we're glad to report that the new model packs a more potent engine. Instead of the 1.4-liter turbo four that produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in the standard Encore, the new Sport Touring model features a newer, more powerful engine that GM says shares little with the existing unit aside from its displacement. The new 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection engine produces a more commanding 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, which is up a good 11 percent and 20 percent, respectively, over the existing engine. It's still mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and features a stop/start system to optimize fuel efficiency. Buick wasn't willing to estimate where the mile-per-gallon numbers might land, though that information will be available closer to sale. Along with the upgraded engine, Buick is also throwing in 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and the features from the Convenience package as well. The new Encore model follows just a couple of months after we first caught wind of a trademark filed for the Sport Touring name. At the time, it looked like it was set to be applied to the Regal and LaCrosse sedan, which could still follow as well. Related Video: Buick Introduces 2016 Encore Sport Touring New 1.4L turbo engine adds performance, exclusive exterior cues add distinction 2015-07-20 DETROIT – Buick today introduced the 2016 Encore Sport Touring – a more spirited take on the brand's popular crossover. It is distinguished by unique exterior cues and driven by an exclusive, all-new 1.4L turbocharged engine featuring direct injection and stop/start technology. The exterior features include a winged rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum premium-finish wheels and body-color door handles, while the technologically advanced 1.4L turbo is part of a new, global family of small, power-dense engines developed to balance performance and efficiency with exceptional refinement. Direct injection helps it generate an estimated 153 hp (112 kW) and 177 lb-ft of torque (240 Nm), for about 11 percent more horsepower and nearly 20 percent more torque than the Encore's standard engine – and a greater feeling of power on demand, particularly at low- and mid-range engine speeds. It's matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. Stop/start technology contributes to reduced fuel consumption in stop-and-go driving.

A Buick Regal wagon is coming to America

The signs have all been pointing to the US getting a Buick version of the gorgeous Opel Insignia wagon, and we now have the most concrete evidence yet that the rumors were true. Our spy photographer caught one of the wagons out testing, and it features a number of styling cues that indicate this one is coming to America. The most obvious change is the grille. While the overall shape remains the same, the look of the grille itself is altered. The geometric slats of the Opel- and Holden-badged versions have been exchanged for Buick's trademark waterfall bars. The badge itself is significantly larger, too. Aside from that, a close look reveals subtle changes along the lower edge of the car. The fenders seem to be slightly flared. They're complemented by sideskirts that are rounder and chunkier than that of the normal Insignia wagon. These styling touches also suggest that this Buick variant will take on the psuedo-crossover aesthetic with black plastic body cladding. If this is the case, the Buick Regal wagon could be the high-riding, plastic-clad Regal TourX that's been rumored. We know that General Motors trademarked the TourX name a while back, and Buick wants more crossovers or crossover-esque vehicles since they make up the majority of the brand's sales. It would also be an excellent option to established models such as the Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country, and Subaru Outback. Considering the fact that we've seen the Opel Insignia and Holden Commodore revealed already, we expect the Buick versions to be fully revealed sometime this year. Related Video: