Buick used the Skylark name on a 1953–1954 luxury convertible, on its compact and mid-size cars from 1961 to 1972, and on smaller Buicks through 1998. The Gran Sport, a Skylark-based performance model, carried Buick's largest engines; the trims column shows which ones.
Pick a year to see every engine offered that model year, with its code, rated horsepower and the trims it came in. Each engine links to its full specs.
1964–1972: 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 · 1970 · 1971 · 1972
1975–1979: 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979
1980–1998: 1980 · 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998
The original Skylark was a limited-production convertible with Buick's 322 Nailhead V8.
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 322 V8 | 188 hp gross | Skylark (Roadmaster-based Model 76X) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 322 V8 | 200 hp gross | Skylark (Century-based Model 100) |
The compact Skylark used Buick's aluminum 215 V8.
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 215 V8 | 185 hp gross | Skylark (Special Deluxe Skylark, mid-year) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 215 V8 | 190 hp gross | Skylark coupe, Skylark convertible |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 215 V8 | 200 hp gross | Skylark |
The mid-size Skylark moved to cast-iron V8s: the 300, 340 and 350, with the 401 Nailhead, 400 and 455 reserved for the Gran Sport. The 455 Stage 1 was the top engine from 1970. Ratings are gross through 1971 and SAE net from 1972.
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 225 V6 | 155 hp gross | Skylark (standard) |
| 300 V8 | 210 hp gross | Skylark |
| 300 V8 | 250 hp gross | Skylark |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 225 V6 | 155 hp gross | Skylark (standard) |
| 300 V8 | 210 hp gross | Skylark |
| 300 V8 | 250 hp gross | Skylark |
| 401 V8 | 325 hp gross | Skylark Gran Sport |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 225 V6 | 160 hp gross | Skylark (standard) |
| 300 V8 | 210 hp gross | Skylark |
| 340 V8 | 260 hp gross | Skylark |
| 401 V8 | 325 hp gross | Skylark Gran Sport |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 225 V6 | 160 hp gross | Skylark 2-door (thin-pillar) coupe only |
| 300 V8 | 210 hp gross | Skylark sport coupe/convertible (standard) |
| 340 V8 | 220 hp gross | Skylark 4-door hardtop (standard) |
| 340 V8 | 260 hp gross | Skylark (optional), GS 340 (standard), California GS (standard) |
| 400 V8 | 340 hp gross | GS 400 |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 250 inline-six | 155 hp gross | Skylark sport coupe and sedan (standard) |
| 350 V8 | 230 hp gross | Skylark Custom (standard), Skylark (optional) |
| 350 V8 | 280 hp gross | Skylark (optional), Skylark Custom (optional), GS 350 (standard), California GS (standard) |
| 400 V8 | 340 hp gross | GS 400 |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 250 inline-six | 155 hp gross | Skylark sport coupe and sedan (standard) |
| 350 V8 | 230 hp gross | Skylark Custom (standard), Skylark (optional) |
| 350 V8 | 280 hp gross | Skylark (optional), Skylark Custom (optional), GS 350 (standard), California GS (standard) |
| 400 V8 | 340 hp gross | GS 400 |
| 400 V8 Stage 1. Published ratings for this engine vary. | 340–350 hp gross | GS 400 |
Race-only (not street legal): 400 V8, —
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 250 inline-six | 155 hp gross | Skylark, Skylark 350 (standard six) |
| 350 V8 | 260 hp gross | Skylark (optional), Skylark 350, Skylark Custom (standard) |
| 350 V8 | 285 hp gross | Skylark, Skylark 350, Skylark Custom |
| 350 V8 | 315 hp gross | GS (standard), Skylark/Skylark Custom with High Performance Group (optional) |
| 455 V8 | 350 hp gross | GS 455, GSX |
| 455 V8 | 360 hp gross | GS 455, GSX |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 250 inline-six | 145 hp gross | Skylark (standard, base only) |
| 350 V8 | 230 hp gross | Skylark (optional), Skylark Custom (standard) |
| 350 V8 | 260 hp gross | Skylark (optional), Skylark Custom (optional), GS (standard) |
| 455 V8 | 315 hp gross | GS, GSX |
| 455 V8 | 345 hp gross | GS, GSX |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 350 V8 Published ratings for this engine vary. | 145–155 hp net | Skylark, Skylark 350, Skylark Custom (standard) |
| 350 V8 Published ratings for this engine vary. | 175–180 hp net | Skylark, Skylark 350, Skylark Custom |
| 350 V8 | 195 hp net | GS (standard) |
| 455 V8 | 270 hp net | GS |
The compact rear-drive Skylark used Buick's 231 V6 and V8s built by Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet; the notes say which.
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 231 V6 | 110 hp net | Skylark (standard) |
| 260 V8 Built by Oldsmobile. | 110 hp net | Skylark/Apollo (optional) |
| 350 V8 | 145 hp net | Skylark/Apollo (optional) |
| 350 V8 | 165 hp net | Skylark/Apollo (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L / 231 V6 | 105 hp net | Skylark S, Skylark, Skylark S/R (standard) |
| 4.3L / 260 V8 Built by Oldsmobile. | 110 hp net | Skylark (optional) |
| 5.7L / 350 V8 | 140 hp net | Skylark (optional) |
| 5.7L / 350 V8 | 155 hp net | Skylark (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L / 231 V6 | 105 hp net | All (standard) |
| 4.9L / 301 V8 Built by Pontiac. | 135 hp net | All (optional, Federal) |
| 5.0L / 305 V8 Built by Chevrolet. | 145 hp net | All (optional) |
| 5.7L / 350 V8 Built by Chevrolet. | — | All (Calif/altitude only) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) | 105 hp net | Skylark S, Skylark, Custom (standard) |
| 5.0L / 305 V8 (LG3) Built by Chevrolet. | 145 hp net | All (optional, Federal) |
| 5.7L / 350 V8 (LM1) Published ratings for this engine vary. Built by Chevrolet. | 160 hp net | All (Calif/altitude) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L / 231 V6 | 115 hp net | All (standard) |
| 5.0L / 305 V8 Built by Chevrolet. | 130 hp net | All (optional, not Calif) |
| 5.7L / 350 V8 Built by Chevrolet. | 160 hp net | All (optional) |
From 1980 the Skylark was front-drive, with GM fours and V6s: the 2.5, the 2.8, Buick's 3.0 and 3.3, Oldsmobile's Quad 4 and 2.4, and the 3100.
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four Built by Pontiac. | 90 hp net | All (standard) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 115 hp net | All (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four Built by Pontiac. | 84 hp net | All (standard) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 115 hp net | All (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (LR8) Built by Pontiac. | 90 hp net | All (standard) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 112 hp net | All (optional) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LH7) Built by Chevrolet. | 135 hp net | Skylark (optional), Sport |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 112 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional; N.A. on T Type) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LH7) Built by Chevrolet. | 135 hp net | T Type (standard), Custom/Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (LR8) Built by Pontiac. | 92 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 112 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LH7) Published ratings for this engine vary. Built by Chevrolet. | 125 hp net | T Type (standard), Custom/Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (LR8) Built by Pontiac. | 92 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LE2) Built by Chevrolet. | 112 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional, 49 states) |
| 2.8L / 173 V6 (LB6) Built by Chevrolet. | 130 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Built by Pontiac. | 92 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.0L / 181 V6 (LN7) | 125 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Published ratings for this engine vary. Built by Pontiac. | 98 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.0L / 181 V6 (LN7) Published ratings for this engine vary. | 125 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional); T package |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (LD2) Built by Oldsmobile. | 150 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional) |
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Built by Pontiac. | 98 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.0L / 181 V6 (LN7) | 125 hp net | Custom, Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (LD2) Built by Oldsmobile. | 150 hp net | All (optional) |
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Published ratings for this engine vary. Built by Pontiac. | 112 hp net | All (standard) |
| 3.4L / 204 V6 (LG7) | 160 hp net | All (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (LD2) Built by Oldsmobile. | 160 hp net | All (optional) |
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Built by Pontiac. | 110 hp net | All (standard) |
| 3.4L / 204 V6 (LG7) | 160 hp net | Gran Sport/Luxury Edition/others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (LD2) Built by Oldsmobile. | 160 hp net | All (optional) |
| 2.5L / 151 inline-four (L68) Built by Pontiac. | 110 hp net | All (standard) |
| 3.4L / 204 V6 (LG7) | 160 hp net | Gran Sport/Luxury Edition/others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (L40) Built by Oldsmobile. | 120 hp net | Skylark (standard) |
| 3.4L / 204 V6 (LG7) | 160 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Skylark (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (L40) Built by Oldsmobile. | 115 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.4L / 204 V6 (LG7) | 160 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Custom/Limited (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (L40) Built by Oldsmobile. | 115 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.1L / 191 V6 (L82) Built by Chevrolet. | 155 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L / 138 inline-four (LD2) Built by Oldsmobile. | 150 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.1L / 191 V6 (L82) Built by Chevrolet. | 155 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L / 146 inline-four (LD9) Built by Oldsmobile. | 150 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.1L / 191 V6 (L82) Built by Chevrolet. | 155 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L / 146 inline-four (LD9) Built by Oldsmobile. | 150 hp net | Custom, Limited (standard) |
| 3.1L / 191 V6 (L82) Built by Chevrolet. | 155 hp net | Gran Sport (standard), Others (optional) |
| Engine | Rated | Offered in |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1L / 191 V6 (L82) Built by Chevrolet. | 155 hp net | Custom sedan (fleet only) |