 1952 Series 70 Roadmaster | 1954 Landau Concept  |
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1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
The Skylark, a beautiful sports-type convertible quickly drew the attention of the entire automotive world. Sports Buick's new 53 V-8 overhead valve engine, 322 cubic inch, 188 horsepower, with its wide whitewall tires and attractive Kelsey Hayes chrome-plated wire wheels, and based on the Roadmaster chassis; the car was destined to become a modern classic. Equipped with power brakes, steering, windows, seats and power antenna for the foot-controlled Selectronic. Buick's Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission was also standard equipment on the car.
The Buick Skylark featured slim, cast sweepspear moldings, leather interior, special-bodstyle emblems on the rear quarters and fenders with red or white painted open wheelhouses. A Selectronic radio, 12-volt battery and Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels came standard on the convertible, which cost $5,000 new.
The owner's name was engraved on a gold emblem plate placed on the hub of the steering wheel, which depicted and antique Buick and noted the 1903-1953 dates of Buick's Gold Anniversary.
In 1953 Buick introduced the Skylark - a vehicle built to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary and intended to be produced as a limited edition off of the Roadmaster line. Designed by the famous Harley Earl, the car had style and performance. The vehicle appeared to be lower than the standard convertibles, this was due to the body design. Ventiports, also known as port holes, were absent from the vehicle. Under the hood was a 322 cubic-inch 8 cylinder engine capable of producing nearly 190 horsepower. Only available as a convertible, this 4300 pound vehicle had a top speed of just over 100 miles-per-hour and a zero-to-sixty time of around 12 seconds. The interior was elegant, with leather seats and many standard features. During the introductory year, 1690 examples were created making it a highly collectable vehicle even by today's standards.
Even fewer examples were produced in 1954, with just 836 examples. The engine was still the 322 cubic-inch eight-cylinder except it was now producing 200 horsepower. A chrome tailfin could now be found at the rear of the vehicle, a unique design that was new at the time. The DynaFlow automatic transmission, air conditioning, and Kelse-Hayes 40-spoke rims were just some of the standard equipment. Of the 836 examples produced in 1954, it is believed that less than 50 exist today.
The Skylark was not produced in 1955. This limited production vehicle would not be produced again until 1961. When it did return, Buick had used its name on their intermediate sport-coupe model. Under the hood was a 215 cubic-inch 8-cylinder with a four-barrel carburetor resulting in 185 horsepower. A year later the compression ratio was increased and as a result, so did the horsepower. The Skylark had also gone design changes for 1962, one of them being a Skylark badge now adorning the front fender.
By 1963, the 215 cubic-inch engine had finally been tuned enough to produce 200 horsepower. The Skylark emblems could now be found on the vehicles pillars. The performance increase continued in 1964 with the addition of a four-barrel carburetor attached to the 300 cubic-inch 8-cylinder engine. The result was 250 horsepower.
In 1965 Buick debuted the Gran Sport package which, in the years that followed, would become its own series. The 300 cubic-inch two-barrel option produced just over 200 horsepower while the four-barrel version produced 250 horsepower.
The muscle car era was beginning to heat up. The cars were becoming smaller and the interior were being gutted to take advantage of weight-saving techniques. The engine cubic-capacities continued to climb and the horsepower-to-weight ratio was astonishing. This was true for the Skylark which saw its engine-size and horsepower climb throughout the years.
By 1968 the engine had been enlarged to 350 cubic inch. Depending on the configuration, the horsepower inched towards the 300 mark. The torque was equally as impressive with 375 foot-pounds for the high-performance engine. 1969 was similar and saw little changes in both its mechanics and its aesthetics.
The muscle car era saw its peak in the 1969 and 1970 years. After that the automobile manufacturers were forced to decrease their engine sizes in order to comply with strict government regulations and safety concerns. Insurance premiums were on the rise and it became economically infeasible for many to continue to own these high-performance machines. All this lead to the general public craving alternatives such as luxury and fuel-efficient vehicles.
1970 was a great year for the Skylark which saw its horsepower come closer to 300 horsepower. With the four-barrel 350 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine, horsepower was rated at 285. In two barrel form the 350 cubic-inch engine produced an impressive 260 horsepower. For 1971 the horsepower began to decline as Buick began complying with the new government regulations. This trend continued in the years to come. By 1973, the production of the Buick Skylark had ceased. It began again in 1976 sitting atop a 111 wheelbase and offered in seven bodystyles including sport coupe, coupe, sedan, and hatchback. Standard was a 231 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with a 3.8 bore and a 3.4 stroke and produced 11 horsepower. A 260 cubic-inch eight-cylinder was optional but still produced 110 horsepower. The 350 cubic-inch eight-cylinder brought the horsepower up to 165.
Production of the Skylark continued until 1997.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
Even fewer examples were produced in 1954, with just 836 examples. The engine was still the 322 cubic-inch eight-cylinder except it was now producing 200 horsepower. A chrome tailfin could now be found at the rear of the vehicle, a unique design that was new at the time. The DynaFlow automatic transmission, air conditioning, and Kelse-Hayes 40-spoke rims were just some of the standard equipment. Of the 836 examples produced in 1954, it is believed that less than 50 exist today.
The Skylark was not produced in 1955. This limited production vehicle would not be produced again until 1961. When it did return, Buick had used its name on their intermediate sport-coupe model. Under the hood was a 215 cubic-inch 8-cylinder with a four-barrel carburetor resulting in 185 horsepower. A year later the compression ratio was increased and as a result, so did the horsepower. The Skylark had also gone design changes for 1962, one of them being a Skylark badge now adorning the front fender.
By 1963, the 215 cubic-inch engine had finally been tuned enough to produce 200 horsepower. The Skylark emblems could now be found on the vehicles pillars. The performance increase continued in 1964 with the addition of a four-barrel carburetor attached to the 300 cubic-inch 8-cylinder engine. The result was 250 horsepower.
In 1965 Buick debuted the Gran Sport package which, in the years that followed, would become its own series. The 300 cubic-inch two-barrel option produced just over 200 horsepower while the four-barrel version produced 250 horsepower.
The muscle car era was beginning to heat up. The cars were becoming smaller and the interior were being gutted to take advantage of weight-saving techniques. The engine cubic-capacities continued to climb and the horsepower-to-weight ratio was astonishing. This was true for the Skylark which saw its engine-size and horsepower climb throughout the years.
By 1968 the engine had been enlarged to 350 cubic inch. Depending on the configuration, the horsepower inched towards the 300 mark. The torque was equally as impressive with 375 foot-pounds for the high-performance engine. 1969 was similar and saw little changes in both its mechanics and its aesthetics.
The muscle car era saw its peak in the 1969 and 1970 years. After that the automobile manufacturers were forced to decrease their engine sizes in order to comply with strict government regulations and safety concerns. Insurance premiums were on the rise and it became economically infeasible for many to continue to own these high-performance machines. All this lead to the general public craving alternatives such as luxury and fuel-efficient vehicles.
1970 was a great year for the Skylark which saw its horsepower come closer to 300 horsepower. With the four-barrel 350 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine, horsepower was rated at 285. In two barrel form the 350 cubic-inch engine produced an impressive 260 horsepower. For 1971 the horsepower began to decline as Buick began complying with the new government regulations. This trend continued in the years to come. By 1973, the production of the Buick Skylark had ceased. It began again in 1976 sitting atop a 111 wheelbase and offered in seven bodystyles including sport coupe, coupe, sedan, and hatchback. Standard was a 231 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with a 3.8 bore and a 3.4 stroke and produced 11 horsepower. A 260 cubic-inch eight-cylinder was optional but still produced 110 horsepower. The 350 cubic-inch eight-cylinder brought the horsepower up to 165.
Production of the Skylark continued until 1997.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
Built as the centerpiece of Buick's 50th Anniversary, the rakish Skylark convertible offered a level of standard equipment beyond anything that Buick had ever offered.
Based on the premium-series Buick Roadmaster chassis, the Skylark had a look all of its own. The lowered windshield and sleek roofline yielded a profile less than five feet tall-very low for the time. The deeply notched belt line combined with full radius rear wheel openings to accentuate the 'sweepspear' styling theme that would become a Buick hallmark. The graceful Kelsey-Hayes 40 spoke chrome wheels are acknowledged by collectors as some of the most beautiful wheels to ever grace a production car. Powered by Buick's first modern V-8 engine, this car's performance matched its racy appearance.
Sales in 1953 totaled just 1640 units, making the Skylark a rare and collectible car.
Based on the premium-series Buick Roadmaster chassis, the Skylark had a look all of its own. The lowered windshield and sleek roofline yielded a profile less than five feet tall-very low for the time. The deeply notched belt line combined with full radius rear wheel openings to accentuate the 'sweepspear' styling theme that would become a Buick hallmark. The graceful Kelsey-Hayes 40 spoke chrome wheels are acknowledged by collectors as some of the most beautiful wheels to ever grace a production car. Powered by Buick's first modern V-8 engine, this car's performance matched its racy appearance.
Sales in 1953 totaled just 1640 units, making the Skylark a rare and collectible car.
| | | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
The car, the white Skylark from the Hilton Head Concours, has achieved AACA Preservation and James B. Melton National Awards. The car has achieved BCA Senior and Preservation Car.
Buick celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 1953. To mark that milestone, they introduced their first production V8 engine, and gave car collectors and enthusiasts a modern classic; the Skylark. The Skylark was the most luxuriously standard-equipped Buick to date, with power brakes, power steering, power windows and a power antenna for the foot-controlled 'Selectronic' radio. This Skylark, in Reef Blue with blue and ivory interior, has had a frame-off restoration in 2003.
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl Chassis Num: 17142626 |
| Sold for $143,000 at 2006 Worldwide Auctioneers. | |||
Chassis 17142626 has a burgundy exterior with a red and white leather interior. The convertible top is white and the 7.60x15 tires are whitewalls.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl Chassis Num: 17055106 |
| Sold for $165,000 at 2007 RM Auctions. | |||
1953 was Buick's 50th anniversary as a motor company. It had evolved into a powerhouse in the automotive industry and to commemorate this occasion they introduced three specialty convertible which were produced in limited quantities. Each of these three models were introduced to represent the marque's leadership in forward-thinking design.
The Skylark carried a price tag of $5,000 which was a very high fee at the time. In total, there were 1,690 Buick Skylarks produced. They were given many features and even a powerful V8 engine with a 12-volt electrical system.
This 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Meadow Brook where it was estimated to sell for $160,000 - $200,00. The vehicles fit-and-finish and the rarity of the car were attributed to this high price tag. At auction, the estimate proved to be accurate as a new owner was found who was willing to pay $165,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
With a rakishly low windshield, doors that dipped 'Darrin-style' at the beltline, and fully open wheelhouses showcasing magnificent Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, the Skylark conferred instant celebrity status on every owner. The final touch: A bold 'Sweep spear' that echoed the contour of the Skylark fender line.
Naturally, the ultra-luxury, full-size sport convertible was priced way beyond every other Buick, at an even $5,000. Standard features included power steering, brakes, windows, seat and top.
Under the hood was a new 188-hp, 322 cubic-inch V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor. The new Fireball V8 replaced the venerable Buick straight-eight in all 1953 Roadmaster models.
This Mandarin Red Skylark is one of only 1,690 built for 1953. The white wheelhouses and brake drums were the factory finish for Skylarks in this color.
 |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl Chassis Num: 53-4767SX Engine Num: G848 |
| Sold for $93,500 at 2007 Christies. | ||
At auction the car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $120,000 - $170,000. Since there was no reserve, the vehicle was sold even though the high bid was below the estimate. Even at the selling price of $93,500 it was a fair deal for both the buyer and seller.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl Chassis Num: 53 47 89 SX |
| Sold for $20,900 at 2007 Christies. | |||
This 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible, in very original condition, was brought to Christies auction in 2007 for the 'Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center.' In all respects, in this cars present condition, it is not an exceptional motor car. What it does have is the potential to become one, and that's what the seller and auction house were hoping for when it was brought across the auction block in search of a new owner.
It is blue with blue and white interior with dirt still on the vehicles hood. Names have been written into the dirt on the hood as a sort-of memorial to the cars past. The engine is a 322 cubic-inch Fireball V8 with a Dynaflow three-speed automatic.
On auction day this car was the second of two Buick Skylarks from 1953. The first was a very spectacular version of the Skylark, and this 'monstrosity' followed in its fumes. This vehicle had no reserve and was estimated to sell for $10,000 - $20,000. Again, the seller and auction house hoped that buyers would see the potential in the car and be inspired by the prior Skylark that had rolled onto the stage in glorious fashion. Their tactics were rewarded with a high bid of $20,900 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
Buick celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1953 by putting a Motorama show car in production. Named Skylark, this limited-edition was an ultra-luxury, full-size sports convertible. And it was a Harley Earl creation all the way.
With a rakishly low windshield, doors that dipped 'Darrin-style' at the beltline, and fully open wheelhouses showcasing magnificent Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, the Skylark conferred instant celebrity status on every owner. The final touch: A bold 'sweep spear' that echoed the contour of the Skylark fender line.
Naturally, the ultra-luxury, full-size sport convertible was priced way beyond every other Buick, at an even $5,000. Standard features include power steering, brakes, windows, seat and top.
Under the hood was a new 188-hp, 322 cubic-inch V8 engine with 4-barrel carburetor. This new 'Fireball V-8' replaced the venerable Buick straight-eight in all 1953 Roadmaster models.
The 1953 Skylark seen here was acquired by the current owner in 1984 and was treated to a complete restoration in 1989.
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
| | | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
 |  |  | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
The result yielded the first real luxury coupe of the post-war period. Although its high production cost was prohibitive, which limited construction, the project was considered an overall success. The car toured America's Buick dealers and was spared the fate of motor show cars, which were systematically destroyed. Eventually, it landed in the garage of the wife of Ivan Wiles, Buick's General Manager. Not incidentally, the Robin's Egg Blue exterior was her favorite color.
After many years and 60,000 miles of use, this one-off car was returned to the factory. Hal Rancroft restored the vehicle to its original glory. It remains a wonderful example of Harley Earl era styling as well as a unique piece of American automotive history.
 | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
 | Skylark Convertible Designer: Harley Earl |
Among the mainline production cars displayed were four stunningly beautiful styling experiments that wowed those who crowded to see them; Chevrolet's Corvette, Oldsmobile's Fiesta, Cadillac's Eldorado, and Buick's Skylark that reverberated with the show's theme, 'America on the move.' With such enthusiastic interest, all went into production.
While the Corvette was a small 2-place car, the three big cars were handsome 4-place designs for elegant 'personal' touring in grand style. Buick stylists dropped body height four inches below the standard convertible giving Skylark a low, rakish look.
During this time of fender skirts and look-alikes, the Buick men rounded the wheel openings giving skylark a racy profile accented with a single chrome strip from front to rear that dipped aggressively to a 'V' in the front of the rear wheel openings. No port holes and no hubcaps.
At more than twice the price of the Riviera Hardtop Coupe ($2,295), Skylark was built on the longer Series 70 Roadmaster wheelbase and weighed over 4,300 lbs requiring Buick's powerful 322 cid V8.
Skylark was a styling statement as fresh as America's new age of prosperity, but only 1,690 buyers signed on. This car is one of them, now completely restored.
 |  |  | Sedan |
Power was supplied by Buick's new overhead valve V-8, which replaced the company's legendary overhead valve in-line eight. The new V-8 produced 164 horsepower from its 322 cubic-inches. Most Buick Roadmasters came equipped with Dynaflow transmissions.
The Roadmaster named first appeared on Buick automobiles in 1936 as a celebration of their engineering improvements and advancements in design. The Buick Series 80 became known as the Roadmaster. The Roadmasters were built on the longest wheelbase Buick had to offer. From 1946 through 1957 they were the most elegant and prestigious automobiles that Buick sold.
From 1936 through 1948 the Roadmaster appeared in coupe, sedan, convertible and station wagon bodystyles. A hardtop coupe was added in 1949 and dubbed the Riviera.
The Roadmaster named reappeared in 1991 and continued in production until 1996. It served as a replacement for the Electra model line and offered as an Estate Wagon. A sedan was introduced in 1992.
The end of the 1953 Buick Roadmaster station wagon meant the end of the last wood-bodied station wagon to be mass-produced in the United States. In 1996, the end of the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon meant the end of the full-size family station wagons.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
For more information and related vehicles, click hereFrom 1936 through 1948 the Roadmaster appeared in coupe, sedan, convertible and station wagon bodystyles. A hardtop coupe was added in 1949 and dubbed the Riviera.
The Roadmaster named reappeared in 1991 and continued in production until 1996. It served as a replacement for the Electra model line and offered as an Estate Wagon. A sedan was introduced in 1992.
The end of the 1953 Buick Roadmaster station wagon meant the end of the last wood-bodied station wagon to be mass-produced in the United States. In 1996, the end of the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon meant the end of the full-size family station wagons.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
| BUICK TURNS 110: 11 HIGHLIGHTS OF 11 DECADES | |
 | Buick vehicles today are built in state-of-the-art facilities around the world. The Enclave luxury crossover's Lansing Delta Township plant was the industry's first LEED Gold-certified manufacturing facility. The brand has evolved in many ways since 1903, when the first Buick was hand-built in a small barn behind David Dunbar Buick's Detroit home. Here are 11 top highlights from Buick's first 11 decades: • Through the end of 2012, Buick has sold more than 43 million vehicles. That's the equiv...[Read more...] |
| Corvette Shines in the Big Apple | |
 | All-new Corvette Stingray comes to New York City 60 years to the day after Motorama debut 2013-01-16 Sixty years ago tomorrow, spectators lined New York City's posh Park Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors' Motorama show. On Thursday, the Corvette will be back in The Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The all-new Corvette Stingray debuted earlier...[Read more...] |
| CADILLAC CONCEPT CARS STAR at AMELIA CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE | |
 | There are limited production cars, there are rare cars and there are concept cars that never find their way to the showroom. A fleet of Cadillac's rare and mythic Motorama and Detroit Auto Show Concept Cars will take to the field at the 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on Sunday March 10, 2013. Created under the supervision of GM's legendary styling chief, Harley Earl, the Cadillac Concept cars of the 'Fifties were created as the stars of GM's Motorama shows. All are blood anc...[Read more...] |
| NEXT-GENERATION CORVETTE TO DEBUT IN DETROIT IN JANUARY 2013 | |
 | •New Crossed Flags logo illustrates the character of the all-new, 'C7' Corvette, which features only two parts from the C6 Chevrolet confirmed that the seventh-generation Corvette will debut the evening of Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 in Detroit. To kick off the countdown to the debut, Chevrolet debuted the new Crossed Flags logo for the new, 2014 Corvette. 'The all-new, seventh-generation Corvette deserved an all-new emblem,' said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. 'The new Crossed...[Read more...] |
| GM Design: 85 Years of Making Art That Moves You | |
 | As GM Design celebrates its 85th birthday this month, the 1,900 men and women in GM's 10 global design centers are focused on the future, united in their vision to entice consumers to fall in love and see vehicles as they do: art that moves you. 'Our global team is united around its passion for designing vehicles that make an emotional connection with customers,' said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. 'What was true 85 years ago is still true today: A designer's role is to create...[Read more...] |
 1953
Buick
models |
| Buick Series 50 | 1953 Buick Concepts |
| Buick Wildcat I |
| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 1951 Buick LeSabre Concept |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1953 |
| Buick Series 50 |
| Hudson Hornet |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1953 |
| Chevrolet Corvette C1 ($3,500-$3,500) |
| Jaguar XK120 ($4,040-$4,255) |
| Hudson Italia ($4,800-$4,800) |
| Cadillac Series 62 ($3,570-$7,750) |
| Cadillac Series 60 ($4,303-$4,303) |
| Porsche 356 ($3,395-$4,580) |
| Allard J2X ($3,480-$3,480) |
Average Auction Sale: $131,073 |
| Buick: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Buick History |
| Other models by Buick |
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| 1952 Series 70 Roadmaster | 1954 Landau Concept |
