To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1953, the Tri-Shield brand introduced the Buick Skylark. The Roadmaster-based Skylark was Buick’s flagship limited-production convertible, with hand-finished bodywork and a price tag that was more than double the average Chevy. The Skylark had two corporate siblings in the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and the Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado, but outsold both.
The Buick Skylark had dimensions that were close to that of the Roadmaster convertible, as they were constructed from Roadmaster units that were pulled from the assembly line. The Skylark had sleeker styling with better aerodynamics.
The Buick Skylark’s windshield, side windows, and convertible top were three inches shorter than those of the Roadmaster, resulting in a streamlined appearance. The Skylark was powered by the new-for-1953 322 cube Nailhead V8 that had replaced the previous Buick Straight 8. The Nailhead was backed by the Dynaflow automatic transmission. The Skylark had the same available options as the Roadmaster, including power windows, power brakes, full carpeting, and Selectronic AM radio.
There were only 1,690 Buick Skylarks built for the 1953 model year. Our feature 1953 Buick Skylark is number 917 of the 1,690. It has been the subject of a thorough body-on-frame restoration completed in 2020. It received a two-stage respray in brilliant PPG Matador Red over a red and white interior, and contrasting white paint in the wheel wells.
The Buick Skylark’s black Haartz cloth-style convertible top is power assisted, as are the front seat, antenna, steering, brakes, and windows. The AM radio is original in appearance, but has all the functionality of modern sound systems. All chrome has been replated and stainless trim has been well polished. The Skylark rides on the original rechromed Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels shod in wide white bias-ply tires. Included in the sale is a photo album detailing the restoration.
This striking 1953 Buick Skylark is will cross the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Glendale, Arizona event taking place March 28th through April 1st.
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Comments
Yeah … Nice or, where are the people who dislike me to make an opinion ?
Beautiful restoration of a car whose styling is at a crossroad between the past (Harley Earl) and the future (Bill Mitchell).
Beautiful car this when cars had a style of there own. No cookie cutter styling here.
Wow, what a rare beauty!
Class, style and built in America with American PRIDE! I would venture to say that this one probably didn’t have any recalls. What a beautiful piece of history.. Good memories!
This car should be in a movie with Anya Taylor-Joy driving on the Great Ocean Road.
Interesting contrast between the ’24 Buick mentioned earlier and this ’53.