Buick Skylark, Green, for sale in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, price on application.

Classic American Car

One of the most stunning Harley Earl design exercises of all time, the 1953 Buick Skylark is one of the most legendary GM cars ever built. Part of Earl's "Triple Crown" of limited production, hand-built showcars for the public that were basically production versions of GM Motorama concept cars produced to showcase GM's world leading designs. The "Triple Crown" consisted of the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, the 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta, and the 1953 Buick Skylark. Most consider the Skylark to be the best looking of the three. As Buick was 50 years old in 1953, the Skylark also served as a stunning anniversary special for the company.

As an esentially factory-built custom, the Skylark had a number of firsts for Buick, many that were features first used on the Skylark and later introduced on regular production Buicks. Some examples: Fully radiused rear wheel well openings; lack of the famous "Ventiports" or portholes from the front fenders; the first Buick V-8 engine; 12 Volt electrical system; cut-down door "sweep"; and more. As a very exclusive car when new with a staggering retail price of over $5000 dollars, or over $2000 MORE than the top-line Buick Roadmaster of the same year! Even at this price, Buick was said to have lost thousands on each Skylark sold due to their esentially hand-built nature. Fenders, doors, and quarter panels were sectioned and modified by hand to create the perfect stance, along with a custom "chopped" and chromed convertible top frame, windshield, door glass, and specially constructed and lowered seats to compensate. Again, Skylarks were factory built customs and to this day very few cars have such a presence.

The example shown here is one of the few Skylarks that have survived in original and unrestored condition. Notorious rust buckets, nearly every Skylark you will find has been rebuilt from scratch. Not this one! Outside of a 30+ year old lacquer repaint in its original and stunning Pinehurst Green color and a replacement convertible top of the same vintage, this 26,000 original mile car is an incredible time capsule. Just as with all Skylarks, this example has full power options, everything from the top, to the radio antenna, to the seat, windows, and even a factory signal-seeking radio. I drive this car frequently and it is a magnificent machine. Not to mention it stops people dead in their tracks when they see it sailing down the road or even parked! If you are shy, and don't like talking about cars with strangers or getting bombarded with thumbs-up's and waves from just about everybody else on the road, you don't want a '53 Skylark! The best part about these cars is that 1953 was really the start of GM products that can be used on today's roads. If you put aside the fact that they are highly collectible, and actually use one, you will find that they are in fact really good cars. . meaning they just work. Good brakes, confident chassis, ample power, and well-suited for highway use even at the 75 MPH+ everybody seems to drive these days. When sorted out mechanically, and better yet fitted with radial tires, 1950's American Classics can be used on long trips and even daily if one so desires. Just as (GASP!) they were when new! Oh, the horror, who ever thought of doing more than keeping old cars in the corner of a dark garage and just dusting them??

Enjoy the pictures, and recalling the days when GM ruled the world and wasn't about to be swallowed up by Toyota or go bankrupt and just disappear ;)

Private Collection - Not For Sale