Info on 1969 Skylark models needed

Hi

I am the proud owner of a 69 Buick Custom Convertible with the 350 quadrajet set up. I am gathering information about the car and have some basic questions that I HAVE not been able to answer.

1. What were the various exterior trim options on the car. Specifically, is the trunk lid treated as it was in 68, with the parallel chrime strips running top to bottom? Or was it left plain, with just the shape of the metal defining that area?

2. What were the differences in the 350 Quadrajet and the 350 stage 1 engine..or the GS 350? are there any reference books you'd recommend that I could get to guide me through this? Thanks for your time.

ACT947, welcome to the BCA forums. We look forward to learning more and seeing photos of your Skylark.

As a former '69 Skylark owner, I'll take a stab at your first question. In general, the trim was simplified compared to the '68 models, and the parallel bright moldings did not appear on the trunk lid of the '69's. Only the form of the trunk lid defined the area where the moldings had appeared in '68. The Skylark Custom did utilize a single bright molding that extended along the lip of the trunk lid just above the rear bumper. This molding continued onto the rear quarters. Standard Skylarks did not have this modling.

"What were the differences in the 350 Quadrajet and the 350 stage 1 engine..or the GS 350? are there any reference books you'd recommend that I could get to guide me through this?"

Buick never offered the Stage 1 in a 350. The differences are the HP and the Torque from the stock 350(230hp and torque was about 340) to the GS350 (280hp and torque was at 375 @2,800rpm). Hope this helps!

1969 To fend off increasing competition, the 1969 Buick GS finally received standard functional hood scoops for cold-air induction. Buick claimed this increased horsepower by 8% and torque by 6% throughout the rev band but did not change the ratings of the engines. The GS350 and California GS powered by the 350 cid engine continued but the big news for 1969 was the addition of two options for the 400 engine, the base motor(340hp) and the Stage 1 officially pegged at a mere 345bhp, or just a 5 bhp increase over the base 400 cid engine. (Experts believe that it was more like 390bhp and it dropped 1/4 mile times by 1 second or more.)

Production for 1969:

GS350 2 Door thin pillar Coupe: 3,574

GS350 2 Door Hardtop: 6,305

GS400 2 Door Hardtop: 7,602

GS400 Stage 1 Hardtop: 1,256

GS400 Convertible: 1,564

GS400 Convertible Stage 1: 212

Engines:

GS350: 350 V8 280 bhp @ 4,600rpm, 375 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.

GS400: 400 V8 340 bhp @ 5,000rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

GS400 Stage 1: 400 V8 345 bhp @ 5,800 rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm.

(the stage 1 was more like 390hp and 480lb-ft)

Performance:

GS400 Stage 1 - 400/345: 0-60 in 5.6 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.8 sec @ 99 mph.