The Buick Apollo is a compact car based on the GM X platform and manufactured from 1973 to 1975, meaning it shared its platform with the Oldsmobile Omega, Chevrolet Nova, and the Pontiac Ventura. The car was named for the Roman god Apollo.
It was powered by a 250 in³ Chevrolet inline six or an optional 350 in³ Buick V8, available with either a 2- or 4-barrel carburetor. The Oldsmobile 260 was added as the base V8 option for 1975. It was available as a hatchback and notchback coupe and as a 4 door sedan. The two-door models were renamed Skylark for 1975, and the sedan followed the year after. 112,901 were built. The Apollo appeared around the same time as the introduction of the Toyota Cressida, Datsun 810, the 1968-1976 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 1972-1981 BMW 528 and the Audi 100.
A GSX package was available on the coupe for 1974. It was available in red or white and featured a blacked-out grille, unique striping, and bucket seats, among other features.
Other options included side moldings with chrome colored highlights surrounding the molding to enhance a more luxurious effect, running parallel to the 3 front fake rectangular portholes, called "ventiports" on both front sides of the car, from front to back. Other options included chrome around the side windows and optional large chrome plating around the whole bottom curvature of both front doors on the two door model. There was also an option of extra protection with large front bumpers added to the front of the car along with the protection of a heavy absorbent bumper already mandated for the front and back. Various hubcaps and white wall tires added to the luxury look of the car. There were optional sport side mirrors for the front driver and passenger side which also added a sporty look to the car. Otherwise chrome rectangular side view mirrors were standard. Steel-belted tires were introduced in 1975.
There was no antenna mounted on the body of the car. Instead, two wires were inserted in between the layers of glass in the front windshield.