☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

1954 Buick Series 100 Skylark

The Motorama-inspired 1954 Buick Skylark was based on the Century and equipped with a more powerful 322 cubic inch V8 'Fireball' engine offering 200 horsepower. The new-for-1954 Skylark wore extended wheel cutouts that allowed the owner to have a contrasting color to the overall body tone. The upper rear-quarter panels were cut down and topped with distinctive chrome extensions housing the taillights. These were essentially factory-built custom cars with a shortlist of options due to the staggering number of factory standards. It was a combination of flight-inspired design lines, road-holding compactness, and pulse-inducing performance.

General Motors Limited Production Luxury Convertibles

General Motors had released a stunning quartet of special Motorama-inspired, top-of-the-line convertibles for sale to the American motoring public for 1953, including the Cadillac Eldorado, Oldsmobile Fiesta, Chevrolet Corvette, and Buick Skylark. All but the Fiesta returned to GM dealer showrooms for 1954, with the Harley Earl-designed Buick Skylark now based upon the Shorter Century chassis with a wheelbase length of 122 inches. The higher-output version of Buick's 322 CID V8 was thanks to a compression boost and backed by the company's smooth-shifting Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission.

While the 1953 Skylark was part of Buick's Roadmaster model lineup, for 1954, it was given unique status as the single-model Series 100 in recognition of its unique, top-line positioning and limited-production cachet. As in 1953, the 1954 Skylark's body was created through significant hand labor effort at the factory and was very much a factory-built custom car endowed with a host of cutting-edge restyling techniques of the era.

Standard Equipment

Among the list of standard equipment included richly patterned leather upholstery, a heater/defroster, and an abundant list of power features that operated the brakes, front seats, steering gear, windows, convertible top, and even the AM radio antenna. The 40-spoke Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels were wrapped with wide whitewall tires.

Pricing and Production

Priced from $4,483, the 1954 Skylark was more expensive than both the Cadillac Series 62 convertible and Buick's own Roadmaster convertible. As such, production remained exclusive, with just 836 examples built, less than half as many as in 1953.

Mechanical Specification

The 1954 Buick Skylark rested on a 121.5-inch wheelbase platform with an overall length of 207.6 inches, a width of 79.9 inches, and a height of 58.9 inches. The front-mounted 322 cubic-inch Fireball V8 engine with overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a four-barrel carburetor, 8.0:1 compression ratio, and delivering 200 horsepower at 4,100 RPM. It was paired with a Dynaflow automotive transmission, and four-wheel drum brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension comprised coil shocks at the front and leaf springs at the rear.

1954 Buick Model Lineup

Buick's lineup for 1954 included the Special priced from $2,200 to $3,160 and resting on a 122-inch wheelbase platform that was shared with the Century and the Skylark. The 264 cubic-inch V8 engine had overhead valves, a 7.2:1 compression ratio, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg or Carter carburetor, five main bearings, and delivered 143 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The Century and Skylark used the same 322 cubic-inch V8 engine, with the version in the Century having 7.2:1 compression and producing 195 horsepower, while the 8.0:1 compression of the Skylark's engine brought horsepower to 200 bhp. The Super Series 50 rested on the new and larger General Motors C-body platform shared with the Roadmaster and measuring 127-inches. Bodystyles of the Super included a sedan priced at $2,710, a hardtop coupe at $2,630, and a convertible coupe at $2,965. The Roadmaster had the same list of body styles but was approximately $500 higher.

1954 Buick Production

The most popular 1954 Buick model was the Special with 190,884 examples sold, accounting for approximately 43 percent of the total production. The 81,982 examples of the Century represented around 18% of production and the 50,571 of the Roadmaster was 11% of production. The 836 examples of the Skylark were just 0.2% of Buick's total production for 1954.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible

The 1954 Buick Skylark was only available as a convertible and at $4,355 was the most expensive Buick that year.

A 1954 Century series body was used as the basis for the Skylark, but intense design changes made the two easily distinguishable. The Skylark featured a tapered deck with large chrome fins, specific front fenders without ventiports, and wide-open front wheelhouses that were echoed in the rear.

The wild, yet prestigious, convertible offered many standard features including leather upholstery, power steering, brakes, top, and windows, four-way power seats, heater-defroster and whitewall tires. Of the more than 53,000 Buicks produced during 1954, only 835 were Skylarks - and, according to the owner, this Skylark was once owned by the famed pianist and entertainer Liberache.

Sport Convertible

The last of the exclusive Skylarks and Buick's luxury and style leader for 1954, it is one of only 836 originally built. It has a 200 horsepower, 322 cubic-inch Fireball V8 engine, Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission, independent front suspension with unequal length A-arms and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes sitting on a 122 inch wheelbase. It was, essentially, a factory-built custom car whose body was extensively reworked with a new wraparound windshield, dramatic front wheel-well cutouts finished in contrasting colors and rear quarter-panels cut down and re-formed with chrome taillight housing extensions. The new Skylark was, again, lavishly equipped boasting die-stamped leather upholstery and a short list of options, as most every available comfort and convenience feature was standard. With a base price of $4,483 the 1954 Skylark was still more expensive than both the base Cadillac drop-top and the Roadmaster convertible.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1102103

In 1953, Buick introduced the special Model 76X Skylark Anniversary Convertible built on the Roadmaster chassis and given its own unique styling. There were no ventiport or 'portholes' used, and the 40 spoke Kelsey-Hayes wheels helped distinguish it from the rest of the Buick lineup. It had unique fenders with open wheelhouse with painted inner panels of either red or white. Production was low, with just 836 units produced.

This Skylark Convertible has been given a full body-off Concours restoration and is finished in factory correct Carlsbad Black with red leather interior. There is a Stayfast convertible top which is one of the few updates from new. The 322 cubic-inch overhead V8 engine is rated at 200 horsepower and there is a three-speed Dnaflow automatic transmission.

In 2009, this Lincoln Mark V Convertible was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. The lot was estimated to sell for $160,000 - $180,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $130,000, plus buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1077017

The Buick Skylark was built to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Buick marque. Its chassis was based on the Roadmaster and was offered only as a convertible.

For 1954, the appearance was changed using the Buick Century as a design inspiration. Subtle cues were added throughout, including a tapered rear deck with eye-catching chrome fins. The front fenders did not have the traditional Buick ventiports and its long bonnet concealed a high compression V8 engine that displaced 322 cubic-inches and produced 220 horsepower. 40-spoke Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels decorated the whitewall tires and accented the sweepspear side chrome trim. The interior was luxurious with a painted dash, an abundance of chrome, and full leather upholstery. It was well equipped with a host of power options including power brakes, power top, power windows, four-way power seats, a power antenna, Selectronic radio, and power steering. Shifting was easy with the Dynaflow automatic gearbox which was courtesy of the Roadmaster.

This example has been treated to a restoration. Its speedometer reads just over 78,000 miles. It is painted in white with red wheel wells and has a new white vinyl convertible top.

There were only 1690 Buick Skylarks built in 1953 and only 836 delivered a year later. At a price of nearly $5,000 when new, these were very exclusive vehicles.

This Skylark was brought to the 2008 Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. It was offered without reserve which worked well for the buyer who purchased this newly restored vehicle for the sum of $115,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1104302

The Buick Skylark was the work of Harley Earl and took its styling cues from Earl's XP-300 experimental LeSabre. The Buick Skyark continued Buick's desire to build mid- to upper level automobiles with great quality and design. Buick took almost all optional equipment and made them standard on the Skylark. The Skylark sat perched on the Roadmaster chassis and given a 322 cubic-inch Fireball V8 capable of producing 200 horsepower. The engine was mated to a three-speed Dynaflow automatic which sent the power to the rear wheels. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power.

In 1954 Buick produced just 836 Skylark convertibles. The example shown finished in Arctic white with a Matador red leather interior was offered for sale at the RM Auction in Monterey, CA. It was expected to sell for $140,000-$160,000. The vehicle has Kelsey Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels and chrome accents throughout the exterior of the vehicle. At the conclusion of the auction the vehicle had been sold for $132,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1046137

This 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held at Meadow Brook where there was no reserve and it was estimated to sell between $60,000 - $80,000. The car is powered by a Fireball V8 engine that displaces 322 cubic-inches and is capable of producing 200 horsepower. There is a three-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission and four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes. The odometer reads just over 97,000 miles and the exterior is finished in Green Metallic Skylark. It has been treated to a cosmetic restoration and well-maintained since that time. This car features the wheel-well cut-outs which are trimmed in white and accent the original wire wheels.

The Skylark for 1954 was the top-of-the-line Buick and outfitted with leather seating, and a host of features offered as standard. Standard were power steering, brakes, windows, seats, and a radio antenna.

At auction, the estimated value proved to be too low for this vehicle, as bidding quickly escalated far above those estimates. A new owner was found after offering a high bid of just under $100,000. The car was sold for $99,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: A11100040

This 1954 Buick Skylark was given a partial restoration in the mid-1990s, prior to the acquisition by the current owner. There is a black vinyl top that is in very good condition, the interior is original, and there are white vinyl seats with contrasting blue waffle-pattern leather. The odometer shows just over 60,000 miles and is believed to be original. Power is from the Roadmaster's 322 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 and Buick's smooth Dynaflow automatic transmission. The car is equipped with all the standard Skylark equipment, including power steering, brakes, windows and seat, Selectronic radio with electric antenna, and the Kelsey Hayes wire wheels.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $60,000-$80,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $61,600 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1064045

This Buick Skylark has had single family ownership from new. The original owner bequeathed the car to his grandson, who has retained the Skylark since 1965. It was restored during the mid-1970s, and has recently been professionally and comprehensively detailed. The work included re-chroming the front bumper, adding new carpet and selectively touching up the paint.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $50,000-$75,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $71,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1064548

Buick produced 836 examples of the Convertible Skylark in 1954. It was produced in an era when America was more prosperous than at any other time in its history. American's celebrated the prosperity by flooding carmakers' showrooms and purchasing new cars and trucks that replaced the stodgy early post-war models carried over from the early 1940s. Detroit offered a wide array of glitzy showcars and concept vehicles that predicted future designs. General Motors took it to a new level with its famous Motorama, held each year at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, where a new Buick model, the Skylark, made its debut in 1953. The model was inspired by Buick's XP-300 show car. The Skylark was built as part of Buick's 50th anniversary celebration and helped establish the success of GM's contemporary 'flagship' marketing philosophy. It featured an innovative Dynaflow automatic transmission and power steering, which was the work of Chief Engineer Charlie Chayne and his staff, whose most importation creation was the new 322 cubic-inch overhead valve Fireball V8 engine that powered Buicks from 1953 to 1970 and was better known as the 'Nailhead.'

This example wears a recent frame-off restoration and is finished in Lido Green with a new White power soft top, a two-tone Green interior, wide whitewall tires and chromed Kelsey Hayes wire wheels. It is fully loaded with power steering, windows and antenna, AM radio and clock.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: A1055245

The Buick Skylark was a limited-production vehicle that made its second and final appearance in 1954, having been introduced one year earlier at the GM Motorama to celebrate Buick's 50th anniversary and the introduction of its new V-8 engine. Power was from a 322 cubic-inch V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor that was upgraded to 200 horsepower for 1954, and the styling was updated to coincide with the rest of the Buick lineup. Styling features included the trademark cutout wheel wells and side spear trim as seen on the original design, helping to set it apart from the lesser Buick models. The Skylark was given unique chromed rear tailfins that housed the taillights, a styling feature lifted from the Wildcat show car.

The 1954 Buick Skylark shared its chassis with the Century rather than that of the Roadmaster. This reduced the wheelbase 3.5 in. to 122 and the overall length by 5.3 inches. This resulted in an unusual weight savings of just 55 lbs. Dynaflow automatic transmission was standard, as was a power-operated top, power radio antenna, power windows, power steering, and power brakes. The unique wrap-around front windshield used for the first time on the 1953 Skylark reappeared on all Buicks for 1954. Just 836 were produced for 1954.

This particular Buick Skylark is finished in Malibu Blue (11) over blue leather (67) and is a Model 4667SX, the special Skylark Convertible. This car is no. 246 of the 836 produced. It was given a restoration by its previous owner prior to being purchased by its current caretaker in 2011. It has been stored in a climate-controlled facility and has never participated in shows or concours. It has never been driven on public roads.

This car received an AACA First Junior in 2009. That same year, it was the honored recipient of an AACA 1st Place National Award – the Bomgardner Award.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1087622

This 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible is one of 836 examples produced in 1954. It is powered by a 'Fireball' 322 CID V8 engine backed by a Dynaflow automatic transmission. Styling cues included stretched wheel well arches with painted inners, a tapering rear deck with large chrome fin tail lights.

This particular example was part of a museum collection and has recently received significant service work including the installation of new motor mounts, a new gas tank and sending unit, a new fuel pump, battery, belts and hoses, and a rebuild of the carburetor. Cosmetic work included some paint and replacement of the hydraulic lines, including those for the windows and the top.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1134346

Buick built 836 examples of the Skylark Convertible in 1954 and this particular example was given a no-expense-spared, frame-off restoration. It has a correct Jenkins interior, trunk lining and convertible top along with a repaint in the correct Malibu Blue over a two-tone blue leather interior with red fender liners. All of the brightwork and chrome trim, including the wire wheels, have been refurbished.

The Skylark is powered by a 322 cubic inch Buick Nailhead V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor delivering 200 horsepower and paired with a Dynaflow automatic transmission. This example has power steering, power brakes, a leather interior, a four-way power seat, a power top, power windows, a Selectronic radio with a power antenna and tinted glass.

After the restoration was completed, the car was awarded a Buick Club of America Senior Gold Award, a Buick Club of America Senior Preservation Award, an AACA 1st Junior Award in 2014, an AACA 1st Senior Award in 2016 and an AACA National 1st Prize Award.

Of the 836 examples built, just 132 examples are known to exist.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1077230

The 1954 Buick Skylark convertible wore new flush-sided styling, Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels, a reshaped rear deck lid, large chrome tailfins, a unique hood ornament, unique cut-out front fenders, and inner wells finished in a contrast color to the body. The interior was equally unique and exclusive with heat-pressed 'waffled' upholstery. Due to its high price tag, a total of 836 examples were produced in 1954.

This particular example, with body number 454, wears an older restoration and is finished in Matador Red over a red and white letter interior. It is equipped with power steering and brakes, power windows, Dynaflow automatic transmission, and Selectronic radio.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 7A1079370

The Skylark became its own model for 1954, no longer a variation on the Roadmaster theme, and rested on the 122-inch wheelbase chassis of the Special but equipped with the hottest Roadmaster engine under the hood. Unique styling elements included the unique chrome wire wheels, gently sloping rear fenders, large chromed taillights, enlarged and elongated wheel openings, and painted inner wheel wells. The interiors received two shades of leather, heat-pressed in a 'waffle' pattern, and an extensive list of standard power accessories.

1954 was the final year that the Skylark would be a unique factory custom convertible, and total production reached 836 units.

This particular Buick Skylark was sold new to Harold R. Hansen of Tallahassee, Florida on November 26, 196. It was given a meticulous body-off restoration in the early 2000s and finished in the original color of Gulf Turquoise with white inner fender wells and a two-tone green interior, accented by a white pinpoint vinyl top. All of the chrome has been replated, and each piece of chassis hardware zinc-plated, with the floors finished in body color.

After the restoration was completed, the car was shown in Antique Automobile Club of America competition by owner John A. Bacon, eventually achieving its Grand National First Prize in 2004. In the fall of 2005, the Buick was acquired from Mr. Bacon for the Gateway Automobile Museum.

This Buick Skylark currently has 68 miles since its restoration was completed.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible

The success of the 1953 Skylark - a factory-customized, limited-production luxury 'dream car for the public' - prompted Buick to make it a model on its own - no longer a variation on the Roadmaster. It was given the 122-inch wheelbase Special chassis built with the more potent Roadster engine. Design features of the Skylark included wheel openings that were enlarged and elongated, painted inner wheel wells, resharpened rear fenders with a gentler slope, and large chromed taillights. The interiors were done in two shades of leather in a 'waffle' pattern.

1954 was the final year that the Skylark would be a unique factory custom convertible, and 836 examples were built that year.

by Dan Vaughan

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 portholes, 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 collectible 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 Nailhead 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 Kelsey-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 vehicle 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 was 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 inches. 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 unfeasible for many to continue to own these high-performance machines. All this leads 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 the 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 body styles 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 Dan Vaughan