Buick’s 50th Anniversary car was one of GM’s Motorama stars of 1953 and was reputedly named after a song of the “Swing Era” by the same name. This limited-production car was unveiled in July 1952 and was based on the Roadmaster; essentially a factory-customized version of the standard convertible. Styled by the famous designer Harley Earl, the model lacked Buick’s trademark portholes or VentiPorts while riding on standard Kelsey-Hayes chromed wire wheels. The windshield was lowered four inches, the beltline was cut down and notched at the rear fender line, and the rear wheel cutouts were rounded and raised to match the front ones.

Power steering, brakes, windows, seat, antenna, and convertible top were included in the nearly $5,000 price tag which helped to keep sales at just 1,690 units. The owner’s name was engraved on a gold anodized emblem placed on the hub of the steering wheel. The other big news was under the hood. The Skylark debuted the division’s first modern OHV V-8 engine of 322-cid producing 188-hp, nicknamed the “nailhead.”