In 1953, Buick introduced the Skylark as part of the Roadmaster line to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Buick Skylark was a top-of-the-line convertible, with limited production, hand-finished bodywork, and a price tag that was more than twice that of the average Chevy. The Skylark sold better than it’s similar GM siblings, the Oldsmobile 95 Fiesta or the Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado.
Under the hood, it had the new 322 cubic-inch Nailhead V8, the replacement for the Straight 8. The Buick Skylark’s dimensions were much like the Roadmaster convertible, but the windshield was cut down three inches, as were the side windows and convertible top, giving the Skylark a much more streamlined appearance. The Skylark also shared the Roadmaster’s considerable list of options including power windows, power brakes, Selectronic AM radio, and full carpeting.
The 1954 Buick Skylark had become its own model, and was based on the shorter Century/Special platform. There were changes to the bodywork and trim. The wheel wells were elongated, with contrasting colors painted inside the wells. The trunk had a rounded “barrel back,” and there was a unique hood ornament. Buick was offering the Skylark as a sports car. Performance had increased from the 1953 model year, as the new Skylark still sported the Nailhead V8, but was hauling around less weight. However, there was some perceived loss of value, as the new car was smaller, but carried the same price tag. As a result, some Skylarks sat on showroom floors until they were sold at a discount. A scant 836 Buick Skylarks were built in 1954. The Buick Skylark was cancelled after the 1954 model year, and would not return to the Buick lineup until mid-year 1961.
Our featured Buick Skylark was formerly part of a museum collection. It is finished in a lustrous glossy black. The extensive chrome and stainless trim are both brilliant and well polished. Kelsey Hayes chrome wire wheels wear wide whitewall Uniroyal tires. Glass and weatherstrip are both in good nick. Red painted wheel wells pop in contrast to the black finish.
Inside the Buick Skylark, front and rear benches are finished in a bright red waffle patterned material. The carpets are also bright red. The dash is the same glossy black as the exterior, with a red painted insert. Gauge lenses are clear, with minor pitting on the chrome bezels. The Buick Skylark is well equipped with power windows, push-button Selectronic AM radio, dash clock, and power brakes.
The 322 cubic-inch Nailhead V8 transmits power to the Dynaflow automatic transmission. It has had a recent mechanical freshening with new gas tank, sending unit, lines, fuel pump, batter, belts and hoses, and a carb rebuild. The engine bay is largely as it should be, with just a bit of dust present. A modern battery has been fitted, but the balance appears to be period correct.
This Buick Skylark is accompanied by the original owner’s guide, dealership brochure, and parts catalog. It will be on the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Glendale, Arizona sale March 18th-20th.
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Comments
Wow, two great articles about fantastic cars from the past. Thanks.
I’m really more of a Buick guy than Oldsmobile (I’ve only owned one Olds in my lifetime and it was an old used 98 Regency Brougham diesel). But as much as I love this black Buick, I’d choose the maroon/white Olds Super 88 from the other article before this one. I like the lines more and love the maroon/white color combo. But I wouldn’t kick either of them out of my garage!
Great to see these old timers. Beautiful automobiles. Front end always reminded me of the sad puppy dog look. Lol
LUV this Skylark! The first time I saw a Skylark was in Miami at a GM Motorama event, or a circus parade – not sure of the event as I was 8 years old at the time. Since this particular 54 Skylark has black paint and black fender wells, the unique wheel openings for the Skylark are barely visible. Also note that the ’53’ and ’54’ Skylarks were the only Buicks without “ventiports.” Oldsmobile’s version was called the “Fiesta -?” and the Cadillac was the first Eldorado (I believe). To me, the Buick and Oldsmobile were much sportier in appearance than the Cadillac, but that is strictly a personal preference – I would love to have any one of the three, or better yet – all three!
Absolutely beautiful! I can’t believe the Skylark out sold the Eldorado during the time. For the price and wha cha getting for ya bucks, I would of settled the Buick Skylark over the Cadillac Eldorado
This is one of the few vehicles GM Authority has showcased that are substantially original.
I really dislike going to ‘Cruise Nights’ where the owner has pulled the original dashboard, and put in all digital gauges, Chrome Alternator, and tripled the size of the original engine.
To my mind, now all that is left is an abortion : The car is not exactly New, and its not Old either, and certainly NOT original.
As far as this venue goes – this is the first time on GMA I’ve seen a car with its original radio, and generator, and large 3 segment voltage regulator (Current limit, voltage limit, and Cut-out – needed since there are no semiconductor diodes to prevent draining the battery when the engine is off).
I’ve taken a few high-quality DELCO radios and replaced the leaky capacitors, and changed a few vacuum tubes that may have worn out after 60 years. The VIBRATORS (necessary to make the 250 volts dc) usually just need burnishing of contacts and they start working just fine again.
So, to these eyes – the only things I don’t mind seeing is a new ‘electronic’ ignition to avoid the pain in the neck changing of ‘plugs, rotor, and points’ every 10,000 miles. Nothing else (other than modern tires) needs to be changed – as many old GM products were originally substantially designed and there is no reason to modernize them.
For me the only thing that matters is that a Buick without those side holes is not original and now Maserati is using them well