Buick Sport Wagon

The Buick Sport Wagon was a mid-size station wagon built by Buick and a corporate sister of the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. Featuring a raised roof and skylights over the cargo and second seat area, this model was an extended wheelbase version of the Buick Skylark station wagon. Buick Sport Wagons were built in three generations, spanning 1964–67, 1968–69, and 1970–72. During this time period, this was the only luxury level station wagon offered under the Buick model line until 1970 when the Buick Estate Wagon returned in 1970. The last generation did not receive the skylights.

Buick Sport Wagon
1967 Buick Sport Wagon Custom
Overview
ManufacturerBuick
Production1964-1972
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size
Body style4-door station wagon
LayoutFR layout
PlatformA-body
RelatedOldsmobile Vista Cruiser

1964–1967

An innovative model was introduced on February 4, 1964. Using the new GM A platform (RWD) the Sport Wagon used a 120-inch (3,048 mm) wheelbase, that was 5 inches (127 mm) longer than the other Skylark four-door sedans and wagons.[1] The 1964 to 1967 Sport Wagons had an optional skyroof that consisted of four tinted glass panels surrounding the elevated section of the roof over the cargo area. A forward-facing third row of seats was optional. Sport Wagons were available in standard and more upscale "Custom" trim package and continued the long-standing tradition offering the Woodgrain using DI-NOC a vinyl wood-grained wrap appearance.

  • 64 Buick Special Sport Wagon

1968–1969

A body redesign for 1968 featured sweeping "S-shape" side sculpturing, while the wagon's roof replaced the previously-used split main skylight with a one-piece skylight over the second-row seat, which carried over to 1969. The lengthwise skylights along the cargo area remained the same and the simulated woodgrain paneling was offered optionally.

The 1964–69 Sport Wagon models rode on a 121-inch (3,073 mm) wheelbase.[2] This allowed for optional third row seats that was not available on the smaller 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase Special and DeLuxe wagons.

Engine choices included two 350 ci V-8s shared with the Skylark line and a 400 cubic inch "big block" also available in the GS series.

  • 1969 Buick Special Custom Sport Wagon
  • 1969 Buick Special Deluxe Sport Wagon

1970–1972

In 1970, the mid-sized Buick models were redesigned. From 1970 to 1972, the Sport Wagon became a deluxe trim version of the similar, less expensive Buick Skylark wagon and was the junior wagon to the full-sized Buick Estate Wagon. The distinctive skylights were not offered and the Sport Wagons were now built on the 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase shared with four-door sedans.[3]

  • 1971 Buick Skylark Sport Wagon
  • Rear view of 1971 Buick Skylark Sport Wagon

1978–1980

While no longer a standalone model, a Sport Wagon package was available on the Century wagon from 1978 until 1980. It included different exterior trim like a different grille with body color inserts, special paint treatment, sport wheels and sport suspension.

References
Inline
  1. "1964, 1965, 1966 Buicks" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, 5 June 2007, retrieved on 1 April 2009.
  2. "1967, 1968, 1969 Buicks" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, 5 June 2007, retrieved on 1 April 2009.
  3. Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
General
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