Vehicle Description
This week Canyon State Classics brings to market a very rare find
indeed. I bet most of you GM A Body fans never even knew this
obscure factory model existed! The Sun Coupe package itself was
available only on the Skylark 350 Sport Coupe. Very little is
written about the 1972 models, let alone the Sun Coupe, and none of
the reference books I perused listed any production figures. On the
other hand, a few other "unofficial" sources listed production at
3,943, 3,923, or 3,450 units. Richard Boyer Jr., who specializes in
Buicks. His research has resulted in a significantly lower number;
"No less than 1,600, no more than 1,800," he says. "That's what
we've narrowed it down to." Further inquiries regarding production
figures from the Buick Heritage Alliance have resulted in no
"official" number.
Numbers, though, will probably be the furthest thing from your mind
when you enter the rarely seen model; the white vinyl-clad
notchback-style bucket seats are quite comfortable, providing
plenty of support and ample space for arm movement. The center
console sits low, but is far more comfortable while reaching for
the transmission gear selector-an automatic in this case. The
interior is crisp all around and finely finished in white vinyl,
black carpet and very nice condition original simulated wood
paneling. This is a fully equipped and optioned car with power
windows, power locks, tilt wheel, Am/Fm, Air Conditioning and of
course the most excellent ragtop!
Our feature vehicle is equipped with the optional four-barrel
version producing 180hp and 275-lbs.ft. of torque. All of the 350
engines contain the same internals: a 3.80 x 3.85-inch bore and
stroke, hydraulic lifters, an 8.5:1 compression ratio and five main
bearings. The Sun Coupe jumps to life as you embark on your journey
to a predetermined destination. Hitting cruising speed in a very
short period of time, you get the immediate sensation that the 350
is asking to be opened to its maximum potential for the
duration.
As mentioned, the sunroof is of the sliding, folding,
accordion-like vinyl type-more often recognized on the Volkswagen
Beetle-which was available on the Skylark, Skylark Custom and GS
Sport Coupe. Surrounded by a color-matching custom vinyl top, the
opening measures 42 x 50 inches when retracted. Unlike the
electrically operated steel sunroof found on the Riviera and
Electra 225 Sport coupe, this sunroof is operated manually. A
chrome-plated combination handle/latch is located in the center of
the forward edge-a twist and pull gets the job done swiftly.
Motoring along, the 112-inch wheelbase, coupled with the popular
power steering option, means a quick response to the steering
without any feeling of oversteer. Cornering is aided by the
independent front suspension and four-link rear. Alex did add an
anti-roll bar at the rear to help decrease body roll. Bringing his
3,566-pound Sun Coupe to a stop is a snap, too, since power disc
brakes were another option that had been checked off on the order
sheet. Short of locking them up, it's quite obvious that the Buick
will maintain a straight line during braking if so required.
Cosmetically, not much changed from the 1971 model year, as briefly
mentioned earlier, yet there are some differences. A subtle
alteration was made to the front bumper, to accommodate new bumper
guards that became standard equipment, and protective vinyl strips
were added to the rear bumper and around the taillamp bezels. The
rest of the body, and the bulk of the mechanical items, remained
unchanged. This car is finished in beautiful Stratomist Blue and is
an eye catcher to say the least.
Your eyes will certainly notice more about the Sun Coupe than just
its top. Gold-colored "Sun Coupe" script is positioned on the
C-pillars. The boxed "350" emblem underneath accompanies the
Skylark badge at the aft end of each rear quarter panel. Even more
interesting is the aforementioned vinyl roof: An option, it covers
only 90 percent of the car, running from the windshield to the
vicinity of the C-pillar.
Base price: $2,993
ENGINE Type: OHV V-8, cast-iron block and cylinder heads
Displacement: 350 cubic inches Bore x stroke: 3.80 x 3.85 inches
Compression ratio: 8.5:1 Horsepower @ rpm: 180 @ 3,800 Torque @
rpm: 275 @ 2,400 Valvetrain: Hydraulic valve lifters Main bearings:
5 Fuel system: Single four-barrel carburetor, mechanical fuel pump
Lubrication system: Pressure, gear-type pump Electrical system:
12-volt Exhaust system: Single with crossover
TRANSMISSION Type: Turbo Hydra-Matic 350, console-mounted shift
lever Ratios: 1st: 2.52:1 2nd: 1.52:1 3rd: 1.00:1 Reverse:
1.93:1
DIFFERENTIAL Type: Hypoid, Salisbury semi-floating Ratio:
3.08:1
STEERING Type: Recirculating ball, power assist Ratio: Variable,
18.7:1 to 16.1:1 Turns, Lock-to-lock: 3.31 Turning circle: 41.4
feet
BRAKES Type: Hydraulic, power assist Front: 11-inch disc Rear:
9.50-inch drums Swept area: 332.4 square inches
CHASSIS & BODY Construction: Body on perimeter frame Body style:
Two-door hardtop Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
SUSPENSION Front: Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs,
tubular shock absorbers, anti-roll bar Rear: Rigid axle,
four-links, coil springs, tubular shock absorbers
WHEELS & TIRES Wheels: Buick Sport Wheels Front/Rear: 15 x 7 inches
Tires: BF Goodrich Radial T/A Front/Rear: P225/70R15
WEIGHTS & MEASURES Wheelbase: 112 inches Overall length: 202.8
inches Overall width: 76.5 inches Overall height: 53.5 inches Front
track: 59.3 inches Rear track: 59.3 inches Shipping weight: 3,566
pounds
CAPACITIES Crankcase: 4 (less filter) Cooling system: 16.45 quarts
(16.85 with a/c) Fuel tank: 20 gallons Transmission: 20 pints Rear
axle: 4.25 pints
CALCULATED DATA Bhp per c.i.d.: 0.51 Weight per bhp: 19.81 pounds
Weight per c.i.d.: 10.19 pounds
PRODUCTION Sun Coupes 1,600 to 1,800 Total Skylark Sport Coupes
84,868
PERFORMANCE 0-60 mph: 10.60 seconds * � mile ET: 17.7 seconds at
77.2 mph * *Information provided by May 1970 issue of Motor Trend
testing a 260hp version of the 350 equipped with a two-barrel
carburetor, automatic transmission and final drive ratio of
2.56:1
