1953 Buick Skylark Convertible

1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark Convertible
Designed to celebrate Buicks 50th anniversary, the Roadmaster Skylark was featured in GMs famed Motorama show display. In fact, is was first introduced at the posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC before going on a Motorama tour that visited six major U.S. cities. With its bodywork custom built by Fisher, this Skylarks list price was 50% more than the already nicely equipped Roadmaster Convertible on which it is based. This unique body style was only produced in 1953 before being redesigned in 1954, and during that year, just 1,690 units were produced. On offer is a comprehensively restored example with less than 300 miles since completion, finished in stunning Mandarin Red with a striking white vinyl soft top. The body-on restoration began with a rust-free, 60k mile car, preserving an extremely collectible and important piece of automotive history.
The 53 Skylark was largely handmade - in fact, the inner doors were made by cutting the Roadmaster doors in two and then welding them back together at an angle to style the rakish door dip. A streamlined look was created by starting with a 3-inch chopped windshield, which then lowered the side windows and convertible top proportionately. The seat frames and steering column were then dropped, providing a proper driving position and headroom. Kelsey-Hayes provided fully chromed wire wheels, showcasing a stylish red, white, and blue center cap with a Skylark emblem.
The rich color highlights GMs custom design intent and sets it apart. With a big chrome grille up front along with bright-finish bumpers front and rear, the Skylark received a special inset hood ornament, along with a chrome accent line on the side that dips down to the rear wheel arch. In a unique twist, the inner wheel arches are finished in white, which highlights the chrome 40-spoke wheels with knock-off centers, wrapped in wide white wall tires. This car was restored to show-car condition and has been displayed at numerous concours events.
On the inside, you can see why this car was so revered in its day and competed with the best that Cadillac and Packard had to offer. With expansive bench seats front and rear, the two-tone red and white from the exterior is carried through inside with white contrast stitching and red piping. A color matched dash, steering column, and 2-spoke banjo steering wheel are accented by pseudo checker-finished trim panels made to appear as engine-turned stainless steel. As an ultra-luxury vehicle of the period, the Skylark was fitted with power windows, power steering, power brakes and a Selectronic AM radio. A heater and defrost system are also fitted along with ash trays for all four seats.
Under the hood sits Buicks new for the era 322c.i. Fireball V8, taking the place of the brands aging inline-8. Rated from the factory at 170 horsepower and 292lb-ft of torque, the engine breathes through a 4bbl carburetor. Power is then sent to the rear wheels through a 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission. The 12-volt power system used was the first of its kind in this division of car and makes for headlights that actually work compared to the 6-volt system in other cars of the era.
Built in an age where General Motors was building truly world class automobiles, the Buick Skylark was one of the crown jewels for the corporation. This example presents in essentially concours condition and would make a fantastic addition to any collection.
Key Features

Restored to Concours Quality
Less than 300 Miles Since Complete Body-On Restoration
1 of Just 1,690 Ever Made
Stunning Mandarin Red Over a Red & Ivory Leather Interior
White Convertible Top
322c.i. Fireball V8
2-Speed Dynaflow Automatic Transmission
Power Brakes
White-Painted Wheel-Wells & Brakes
12 Volt Electrics
Buick 40-Spoke Wire Wheels

Wide White Wall Tires

Selectronic AM Radio

For more information on this 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark Convertible or any of our High-Performance, Luxury, Exotic, Classic, and Special Interest cars always in stock, contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales consultants or always feel free to drop by our 40,000+ sq ft of Indoor Showrooms in Bellevue, WA - Home of an Exciting Inventory of Luxury, Exotic, High Performance and Collectible Automobiles. Nobody Has What We Have!