The Skylark was first displayed as a General Motors Motorama car in 1952, and it was essentially a factory-built “sport custom” that was based on the Roadmaster Convertible. The windshield was chopped four inches, while the beltline was cut down and notched at the rear fender line, and the rear-wheel cutouts were rounded and raised to match those in the front fenders. These were all techniques being used by California’s customizers during the same period. The model was noteworthy for lacking Buick’s trademark “ventiports” on the front fenders, and it rode on standard Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels.

A production version of the Skylark wowed the following year, as it was a limited-production offering that celebrated Buick’s 50th anniversary. The production Skylark was noteworthy both for its beautiful design and as the car that debuted Buick’s first modern overhead-valve V-8, also called the “nailhead,” which could produce 188 horsepower. A $5,000 price tag helped to keep sales to just 1,690 units.

While the Skylark name would continue as a limited-production model for 1954 and would reappear in Buick’s hierarchy for decades, the 1953 model is generally considered the most special and desirable by collectors. Along with the original Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Fiesta of the same year, it was a true example of Harley Earl’s “dream car design” that had been put on the street for the public to buy.

The1953 Buick Skylark on offer has been refinished in a lovely color combination. It features dual sideview mirrors, with a driver’s-side spotlight, and a continental kit with covered spare. It’s powered by Buick’s Fireball V-8 paired to an automatic transmission. The car rides on wide whitewall tires mounted on wire wheels. The Skylark is equipped with power windows, seat, antenna, convertible top, and steering. The interior is completed in a lovely dual tone which complements the car nicely. It features a compass, traffic light reflector, clock, and radio.

One of only 1,690 produced for 1953, this Skylark is a wonderful example of one of the most desirable Buicks of its decade, a Motorama car for the public.