No. 917 of just 1,690 Buick Skylarks built for 1953, this stunning convertible was the subject of a frame-on restoration completed in 2020 with special attention given to the original specifications.
It’s finished in PPG basecoat/clear coat Matador Red, and the badges and hood ornaments have been restored.
The brightwork has also been redone, including rechroming the original 40-spoke Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels and wrapping them in wide whitewall bias-ply tires, creating an eye-popping scene.
The red and white interior is new and follows the original factory design, complete with the engine-turned aluminum dashboard trim, all protected from the elements by a new, power-operated black convertible top.
Equipped with the 322 CI Nailhead V-8 engine and the Dynaflow automatic transmission, the Skylark wowed the press and public alike when it debuted in 1953 as a limited-edition flagship model celebrating both Buick’s 50th Anniversary and GM’s Design Leadership.
It was the first year Buick employed a 12-volt electrical system and a V-8 engine, which replaced the long-running straight-8 that Buick was famous for.
Skylarks were sportingly styled, with lower-than-average windshields, and luxuriously appointed with a host of standard amenities. Commanding a sticker price north of $5,000, or about $56,000 in 2023, it was one of the most expensive cars of the day.
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