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In 1953 Buick celebrated its 50th
anniversary by introducing its first production
model overhead valve V-8 engine, offering an
improved “Twin Turbine” version of its Dynaflow
transmission, and for the first time providing air
conditioning and power steering as options. But the
real attention grabber was the limited production
Buick Skylark convertible.
The Skylark, regardless of
Buick’s brash words about it being an
“American-built sports car,” was not intended to
attract those drivers who worshipped Load Nuffield
and others of his ilk amidst the leaders of the
British automotive industry. Instead it was geared
towards American motorists whose automotive jargon
was sprinkled with platitudes about cars that “rode
like a cloud” and who firmly believed that a “heavy
car holds the road better than a light one.”
With a base price of $4,596, the
Skylark ranked as one of America’s most expensive
automobiles in 1953. Buick did not cut corners when
outfitting the Skylark with standard equipment.
Found on each of the 1,690 1953 Skylarks built was
power steering, windows, seats, and radio antenna.
Also Twin Turbine Dynaflow, air conditioning,
Selectronic radio, tinted glass and leather
upholstery. Significant styling characteristics of
the 1953 Skylark was a reduced height windshield,
circular front and rear wheel cutouts that showed
off the wire wheels and its wide 8.00 x 15 tires.
Also apparent was the Skylark’s notched beltline and
slimmed down bodyside spear. |
