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1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster Skylark Convertible

In 1952, the Skylark was first displayed as a General Motors Motorama car. The car was based upon the Roadmaster convertible and was essentially a factory-built 'sport custom.' The windshield was chopped four inches and the beltline was cut down and notched at the rear fender line. The rear-wheel cutouts were rounded and raised those in the front fenders. Buick's trademark 'ventiports' were absent on the front fenders and the car rode on standard Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels.

A year later, a production version of the Skylark became available in limited quantities in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. It was powered by Buick's first modern overhead-valve V8 engine, also called the 'nailhead,' which offered nearly 190 horsepower. Included in the nearly $5,000 price tag were power steering, brakes, windows, seat, antenna, and a convertible top.

In total, Buick produced just 1,690 units. For 1954, the Skylark name continued as a limited-production model, and it would re-appear in Buick's lineup for decades.

This example has been given a restoration and is finished in Mandarin Red and two-tone red and cream interior.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014

2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $120,000-USD $160,000 
Sale Price :
USD $156,750

1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Buick Series 70 Roadmaster

(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 17123510
Sold for USD$104,500
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall
 
1953 BUICK RIVIERA CUSTOM HARDTOP
Chassis#: G18558
Sold for USD$38,500
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall
 
1953 Buick Skylark
Chassis#: 17149205
Sold for USD$77,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : Hershey
 
1953 Buick Skylark
Chassis#: 16754774
Sold for USD$133,100
  2024 RM Sothebys : Hershey
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 16973515
Sold for USD$42,900
  2024 Mecum : Dallas
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 16973515
Sold for USD$55,000
  2024 Mecum : Harrisburg
 
1953 Buick Roadmaster
Chassis#: 26999894
Sold for USD$5,500
  2024 Mecum : Houston
 
1953 Buick Skylark
Chassis#: 16760829
Sold for USD$89,600
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster image  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Sold for USD$84,000
  2024 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
 
1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 47095558
Sold for USD$154,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 16922840
Sold for USD$55,000
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 16760379
Sold for USD$39,600
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 16991019
Sold for USD$95,700
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 17043790
Sold for USD$77,000
  2023 Mecum : Houston
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Sold for USD$80,300
  2023 Mecum : Glendale
 
1953 Buick Roadmaster break 'woody'
Chassis#: 16985362
Sold for USD$46,472
  2023 Artcurial : Retromobile
 
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
Chassis#: 16986767
Sold for USD$140,000
  2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster image  1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster image  
1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 16840186
Sold for USD$165,000
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1953 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
Sold for USD$92,400
  2022 Mecum : Chicago
 
1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 17074428
Sold for USD$73,700
  2022 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas
 

Buick Series 70 Roadmasters That Failed To Sell At Auction

1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible167479102023 Mecum : Indy$65,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Anniversary Convertible 2022 RM Sothebys : Sand Lots $100,000$125,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2021 Mecum : Houston 2021$85,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2020 Mecum : Indy$85,000$110,000$120,000
1953 Buick Skylark169228402020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online $100,000$150,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2020 Mecum : Glendale$110,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee$55,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee$190,000$200,000$250,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible171426262019 RM Sothebys : Hershey $110,000$130,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas$75,000  
1953 Buick Skylark 2019 Fall Carlisle Auction   
1953 Buick Skylark 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall   
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible Coupe 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis$80,000$120,000$150,000
1953 Buick Skylark168395952019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona $100,000$125,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2018 Mecum : Las Vegas$70,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2018 Mecum : 2018 Chicago$60,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2018 Mecum : 2018 Chicago$97,500  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible168428962018 Mecum : Monterey$130,000$125,000$150,000
1953 Buick Estate WagonV18181452018 RM Sothebys : Auburn Spring   
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2017 Mecum : Chicago$125,000  
1953 Buick Skylark167563912017 Carlisle Auctions : Fall Carlisle   
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall $125,000$150,000
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2017 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale $120,000$140,000
1953 Buick Roadmaster Convertible171408152016 Dragone : The Boston Cup Auction $75,000$85,000
1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon 2016 Mecum Indianapolis$80,000  
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible 2016 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale$85,000  
1953 Buick Skylark167479102016 Motostalgia : Amelia Island Auction $140,000$165,000
1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon 2016 Mecum : Kansas City$85,000  
1953 BUICK WOODY WAGON 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60$41,000  

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1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster vehicle thumbnail image  
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1953 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster

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