Buick Skylark Convertible, 1953
Buick Skylark
Buick Skylark•
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Chassis No.: 16762137
Auction: Monterey 2019
Auction date: August 17, 2019
Lot No.: S97
$140,250 | Sold
- Exterior: Blue
- Interior: White
- Body: Convertible
- No expensed spared nut and bolt restoration with over $240,000 in receipts
- Less than 100 miles since completion
- Museum displayed or in heated and air conditioned storage
- 1 of 1,690 produced
- Power windows, steering, seats and antenna
- Heater and defroster
- Rare Light Patriot Blue trimmed in two-tone Blue and White leather interior
- Power convertible top
- 12 volt electrical system
- Cut down doors
- Custom chopped and chromed convertible top frame, windshield, door glass, and specially constructed and lowered seats
- 322/188 HP Nailhead V-8 engine
- 4-barrel carburetor
- Automatic transmission
- Independent front suspension with live axle
- 4-wheel power assisted hydraulic drum brakes
No expense was spared with this 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible’s nut-and-bolt restoration completed with an investment of more than $240,000. Driven fewer than 100 miles since, it has been museum displayed or in climate-controlled storage to preserve its marvelous condition. The Buick Skylark was one of four custom concept cars—all created by styling legend Harley Earl while he was at the top of his game as GM’s design maven—presented to the public at the 1953 General Motors Motorama car show in New York City.
It was Buick’s 50th anniversary and the Skylark proved up to the celebration, even against such entries as the first Corvette, the Oldsmobile Fiesta and the opulent Cadillac Eldorado; indeed, with its price tag of $5,000—compared to the Cadillac’s astronomical $7,750—the Skylark outsold them all. Riding low with a custom chopped and chromed convertible top frame, windshield, door glass and specially constructed and lowered seats, the Skylark featured the lowered upper-body edge and “beltline dip” that were Harley Earl trademarks.
A widened and chromed grille, glittering chromed wire wheels and wide whitewall tires inside radiused wheel arches, full-length chromed body-side spears that mimicked the dipped beltline, rear quarter badges, twin bullet tail lights and “Ventiport delete” front fenders all contributed to the Skylark’s sporting presence. Within that flashy package was Buick’s 322/188 HP 4-barrel Nailhead V-8, a Dynaflow automatic transmission, independent front and live-axle rear suspension and 4-wheel power drum brakes. One of 1,690 produced, this beautifully restored Skylark shimmers in rare Light Patriot Blue trimmed in a two-tone blue and white narrow-pleat leather interior with nylon carpeting.
Skylark owners enjoyed all the extra features seen here, from the heater/defroster and Buick Selectronic radio with power antenna to the power steering, power windows, power front seat, in-dash clock and power convertible top. Today, ownership of all four Motorama convertibles constitutes a “Grand Slam” among automotive enthusiasts and an enviable acquisition of considerable historic value.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/388419/1953-buick-skylark-convertible/
