Buick Apollo

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Buick
Buick Apollo Hatchback Coupe (1973)
Buick Apollo Hatchback Coupe (1973)
Apollo
Production period: 1973-1975
Class : Compact class
Body versions : Sedan , coupé , station wagon coupé
Engines:
Petrol engines : 4.1–5.7 liters
(74–128 kW)
Length: 5067-5088 mm
Width: 1847 mm
Height: 1330-1370 mm
Wheelbase : 2819 mm
Empty weight : 1408-1619 kg
Previous model Buick Special , Buick Skylark
successor Buick Skylark

The Buick Apollo was a series of passenger cars manufactured by the Buick brand in the United States between 1973 and 1975 . The Apollo was built on the X platform from General Motors and thus, despite its length of over 5 meters, it was a compact car according to the American definition. Sister models were Chevrolet Nova , Oldsmobile Omega and Pontiac Ventura . The Apollo shared the technology and basic features of the body with them. Only in 1975 was the name Apollo used for the four-door version; the coupes were renamed Skylark .

Model history

The durable and versatile X platform was introduced back in 1962. A special feature was the body structure, which was partially self-supporting. The front part with the engine mount was carried out by means of a subframe, which was connected to the body with silent blocks . The front fenders were riveted, not welded. The bodies were manufactured by the subsidiary Fisher . The Buick Apollo was based on the second generation of this platform introduced in 1968. The chassis consisted of MacPherson struts with wishbones at the front and a rigid rear axle on leaf springs , the spring rate of which was selected by a computer according to its own representation, depending on the equipment selected and the associated vehicle weight. A soft tuning of the suspension was pointed out several times, something Buick customers probably expected.

1973

Buick's model year began on September 21, 1972, but the Apollo did not appear until April 12, 1973, making it a subsequent series. The visual differences to the sister models of the other group brands were minor and were limited to a different design of the front mask and brand-typical, flat rear lights. Also typical of the brand were flat decorative elements on the front fenders that suggested air intakes but were inoperative. In that year, energy-absorbing front bumpers were prescribed in the USA, which the Apollo also received.

Like the other members of this GM model family, the Buick Apollo was also available as a four-door sedan, two-door coupé or three-door station wagon coupé. The smallest available engine was the Chevrolet "250" inline six-cylinder engine with 4097 cm³ displacement, hydraulic tappets , compression of 8.25: 1, single carburetor and 100 nhp (74 kW) output at 3600 rpm. On request, the Buick 350 V8 engine with a displacement of 5735 cm³ was also available in a version with double or four-way carburetors. The former developed 150 nhp (110 kW) at 3800 rpm and with a compression of 8.5: 1. The more powerful version is mentioned several times, but there are no performance data. However, an optional Buick 350 V8 with 175 nhp (128 kW) is mentioned.

Available optional extras included the Turbo Hydramatic TH 350 automatic transmission , power steering , brake booster , front disc brakes , electric window and seat adjustment, air conditioning, various synthetic leather and fabric interiors, vinyl roofs in different colors and matching side stripes with vinyl inlay and chrome-colored edge lines that give the impression enhanced by luxury. They ran from the chrome trim on the fenders down the flank to the rear. There were also chrome trim strips for the side windows and large chrome panels in the lower part of the doors on the two- and three-door models. Tinted windows, various hub and wheel caps and whitewall tires were also available, as well as sports mirrors on the left and right and various radios and eight-track tape recorders. The radio antenna was located between the two layers of glass on the windshield, so an external antenna was not necessary. The safety equipment included a dual-circuit brake system with two main brake cylinders , hazard warning lights, a padded dashboard, an energy-absorbing steering column and recessed door handles on the inside.

Buick was remarkably open about disadvantages in advertising. The high base price for a compact was justified by stating that it was a Buick (traditionally the upper middle class brand) and that the weight up to 250 kg higher than competing models was due to brand-typical features such as better noise insulation and materials.

1974

A neglected Buick Apollo Notchback Coupe (1974)

The changes for the 1974 model year were minimal. There was a new radiator grille and a modified hood. Nothing changed in the technical specifications. The V8 350 cost US $ 118 extra, with four-way carburettors US $ 167. Inside there were new seat covers and, for the first time, individual seats with high backrests (" bucket seats "). In addition, four exterior colors were now reserved for the Apollo alone.

A GSX package was new for the notchback coupé. The name is reminiscent of the potent muscle cars from 1969 and 1970, but only offered a visual upgrade without any technical improvement. For a surcharge of US $ 96, the buyer received a white or red painted vehicle with white synthetic leather upholstery. These had red seams. There was also a black (instead of chrome) grille, special decorative stripes, bucket seats and other optional equipment. The GSX package was also available with the six-cylinder engine.

The selling prices had increased significantly in 1974.

1975

This Buick Skylark is largely identical to the last Apollo.
Buick Skylark Coupe.

The model year began on September 27, 1974. The X-Bodies were completely redesigned for 1975. At Buick, the Apollo was the model with the most far-reaching changes this model year, if the name was only used for the four-door version. The coupes were marketed as Skylark.

The series consisted of three equipment lines. The base model was the Skylark S, which was only offered as a Notchback Coupé and was offered from US $ 3234. The middle line consisted of the Skylark Coupé and Kombicoupé as well as the Apollo Sedan. All three were also available in an upscale R / S version.

Apart from the body variants, there is a technical difference between the Apollo and the Skylark. The basic engine for the Apollo was the well-known Chevrolet six-cylinder with an output of 105 nhp (75 kW) at 4000 rpm (compression 8.0: 1), while the Skylark received a 3.8 liter (231 ci ) V6 instead 110 nhp (78 kW) at 4000 rpm. The compression ratio was 8.0: 1 as well. The V8 options were the same on both. The base V8 was the Oldsmobile 260 with 4261 cm³ (260 ci). It also made 110 nhp (81 kW). The 5.7 liter V8 remained available as an option with two and four carburettors. The power with the double carburetor had dropped to 145 hp at 3800 rpm.

Buick had derived the V6 from its V8 and introduced it at the same time as the Skyhawk . The engine was very successful and was used in a more developed form, such as the Buick 3800, for many years.

In 1976 all versions were called Skylark.

Model overview

Model year model code Body (code) production List price US $
1973 Apollo 4XB Sedan , 4-door (B69) 8,450 R6: 2628.-
V8: 2746.-
1973 Apollo 4XB Coupé , 2-door (B27) 14,445 R6: 2605.-
V8: 2723.-
1973 Apollo 4XB Combi Coupé , 2-door (B17) 9,868 R6: 2654.-
V8: 2872.-
1974 Apollo 4XB Sedan, 4-door (B69) 16,779 R6: 3060.-
V8: 3184.-
1974 Apollo 4XB Coupé, 2-door (B27) 28,286 R6: 3067.-
V8: 3161.-
1974 Apollo 4XB Combi Coupé, 2-door (B17) 11,844 R6: 3160.-
V8: 3284.-
1975 Apollo 4BX Sedan, 4-door (B69) 21,138 R6: 3436 .--
V8: 3514.-
1975 Apollo S / R 4CX Sedan, 4-door (C69) 2,241 R6: 4092.-
V8: 4170.-
1975 Skylark S. 4WX Coupé, 2-door (W27) n. received V6: 3234.-
V8: 3260.-
1975 Skylark 4XB Coupé, 2-door (B27) 27,689 V6: 3234.-
V8: 3489.-
1975 Skylark 4XB Combi Coupé, 2-door (B17) 6,814 V6: 3586.-
V8: 3612.-
1975 Skylark S / R 4CX Coupé, 2-door (C27) 3,746 V6: 4136.-
V8: 4162.-
1975 Skylark S / R 4CX Combi Coupé, 2-door (C17) 1,505 V6: 4253.-
V8: 4279.-

The work did not break down the Skylark S from 1975 separately; this production figure is included in the 27,589 Skylark Coupés from 1975.

In Canada, 504 Apollo sedans were manufactured to 1976 specifications.

literature

  • John Gunnell (Ed.): Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. Krause Publications Inc., Iola WI, revised 4th edition, 2002; ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
  • John A. Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Muscle Cars, 1973-2006. Krause Publications, Iola WI, 2007; ISBN 978-0-89689-490-7 .
  • Beverly Rae Kimes , Robert C. Ackerson: Chevrolet: A History from 1911 , Automobile Quarterly Marque History Book series, Automobile Quarterly Publications, Kutztown PA, 1st Edition (1984); ISBN 0-91503-839-0 .

Web links

Commons : Buick Apollo  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Kimes, Ackerson: Chevrolet: A History from 1911. 1984, p. 130.
  2. a b c d e The Old Car Brochures Project: 1973 Buick Apollo Brochure.
  3. ^ A b The Old Car Brochures Project: 1973 Buick Apollo Folder.
  4. ^ A b Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. 2002, p. 103
  5. ^ Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. 2002, p. 102
  6. ^ A b Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. 2002, pp. 104-105
  7. ^ The Old Car Brochures Project: 1974 Buick Full line Brochure. Pp. 46-47
  8. Another ApolloGSX 1974 Buick Apollo post
  9. The Old Car Brochures Project: 1974 Buick Apollo GSX Folder.
  10. ^ A b c d Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. 2002, pp. 106-107
  11. ^ The Old Car Brochures Project: 1974 Buick Full line Brochure. Pp. 11-20