Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
1 of 836 Skylarks produced for the 1954 model year
Correct Arctic White paint
Correct Matador Red interior
Correct Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels
Correct power steering
Correct power drum brakes
Era-correct 322 cubic inch Fireball V8
Era-correct Twin Turbine Dynaflow 2-speed automatic
transmission
Factory power windows
Factory Selectronic AM radio
So you're a connoisseur of vintage metal, and now that you've owned
tens, maybe even hundreds of classic '50s cars, you want to go all
out and find the best of the best. Of course, we ALL know it just
doesn't get any better than an Eisenhower-era convertible. And with
that in mind, there are a few top-of-the-line cruisers that might
qualify as your 'ultimate'. You could always snatch up a hot '57
Bel Air
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1957-Chevrolet-Bel-Air/134889
But as nice as those are, Chevrolet's market-dominating production
capacity makes true exclusivity null and void. Well okay then, why
not sign the papers on a slick '59 Impala
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1959-Chevrolet-Impala/135110
Unfortunately, that car's bulk and extravagance push things a
little too far into modern and weighty. There's always Buick's Holy
Grail: the original Skylark
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1953-Buick-Skylark/135178
But, while first year 'larks are certainly very cool, their lack of
refinement can sometimes be a deal breaker. In that case, it's a
good thing your friends at RK Motors Charlotte are offering this
professionally restored Buick Series 100 Skylark! An official
member of the 836 cars assembled during the last model year of the
original Skylark, this investment grade drop-top is one of the
rarest and most desirable '50s collector cars ever produced. Want
the ultimate classic to park at shows or parade down Main Street?
This Buick is the highly correct masterpiece you've been patiently
waiting for!
HISTORY/CREATION
Introduced as a celebration of Buick's 50th anniversary, the 1953
Skylark was one of three specialty convertibles created to promote
General Motors' leadership in design and innovation. Like its
Fiesta and Eldorado stablemates, the big Buick was a
limited-production, hand-made halo that was overwhelmingly admired
by the public and rewarded with a very successful sales rate. For
the 1954 model year, the marque transitioned to a Century-based
replacement that, despite complementing the car's handsome looks
with mass-production refinement, was not as well accepted. And by
the end of the sales year, sentiment was low, numbers were low and
GM decided to pull the plug on the tri-shield division's once
celebrated line-topper. Today, roughly 60 years later, the car's
world-class design characteristics can be found in pretty much
every modern automaker's aesthetic DNA. And its unique blend of
optimistic swagger and unmatched exclusivity make it one of the
most coveted classics on the planet.
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a thorough, frame-off restoration that was
completed sometime around 2009, this killer drop-top is one of the
coolest Buicks we've ever seen! The restorers began by stripping
the car's smooth, Harley Earl-designed body all the way to bare
metal. When that heavy cleaning was complete, solid panels were
assembled into a clean profile that presents largely blemish-free
surfaces. After that thorough test fitting, a silky coat of correct
Arctic White paint was capped with correct Black vinyl and teased
to a glossy, show-stopping shine. And today, this Skylark's
prestigious appearance is a lust worthy representation of one of
America's most glorious eras of motoring.
ENGINE
Lift the car's 'alligator hood' and you'll find a 322 cubic inch
Fireball V8 that props a correct Roadmaster assembly stamp in front
of a correct 1165165 casting number. Nicknamed the "Nail valve",
and eventually known as the "Nailhead", this fully detailed mill
employs greater lift and better duration to create a Kansas-flat
power band. Funny thing is: hot rodders of the day actually coined
the engine's nickname as a derisive description of its puny
valvetrain and restrictive plumbing, but they certainly couldn't
ignore its stellar power! The proven block has undoubtedly been
rebuilt, and probably looks much better today than when it growled
off the assembly line. Aesthetically, the mill, which perches a
massive air cleaner and big, 4-barrel carburetor above factory
heads, has been painted a traditional green hue. There are many
fresh pieces like pliable belts, an old school generator and proven
Belden ignition cables. A glossy firewall meets satin fenders to
frame those pieces in a construct of distinctly American curves.
And overall, the engine seems clean, simple and highly
functional.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
While the '53 Skylark was essentially a fully optioned, slightly
customized Roadmaster, GM decided to build the '54 model on Buick's
shorter Century/Special chassis. This certainly wasn't a popular
decision at the time, but it definitely benefits the car today as
more precise build techniques and better commonality make
restoration and maintenance much easier. The basis for this
drop-top's solidity is an industrial strength frame that's married
to a correctly restored suspension. At the center of that
suspension, a new-for-1953 Twin Turbine Dynaflow 2-speed twists
power to a factory rear end. At the edges of that drivetrain,
Dynaflow-mandated power drum brakes initiate quick, drama-free
stops. Turns come courtesy of Dynaflow-mandated power steering. A
single-pipe exhaust system makes good use of a factory replacement
muffler. Everything rolls on familiar Kelsey-Hayes wires, which
spin 7.60-15 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls around "SKYLARK"
branded center caps. And, with a fully sorted, red-tinged
undercarriage that's ready to hit the road, this big cruiser would
be right at home chauffeuring the family to their favorite dinner
spot.
INTERIOR
Loaded with virtually every option in the book, this classic
Buick's correct Matador Red interior features a perfect mix of
outrageous style and traditional American luxury. The big bench
seats, 4-way adjustable up front, are stuffed with fresh Foamtex
padding, covered in correct block-embossed leather and trimmed in
pristine stainless brightwork. In front of those seats, a Carlsbad
Black dash hangs chrome-trimmed gauges behind an electric clock, a
Selectronic radio and a factory heater. At the base of that dash,
high quality carpet frames matched Buick mats and slick Skylark
sills. At the sides of that carpet, chrome-trimmed door panels
found small power window switches between bright stainless toppers
and correct chrome handles. In front of the driver, a
flexible-spoke steering wheel spins a full horn ring around an
ornate centerpiece. Behind the passengers, a lighted trunk hides a
fifth Kelsey-Hayes wheel inside a fifth whitewall tire. And, based
on a thorough visual inspection, the car's cockpit appears
exceptionally restored, all the way from its glare-proof mirror to
its snug-fitting convertible cowl.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
For the sake of authenticity, here's a short breakdown of the car's
VIN and Cowl Tag.
VIN: 7A1XXXXXX
7: Series 75 Roadmaster
A: 1954 model year
1: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
XXXXXX: Sequential Production Number
COWL TAG:
54-100: 1954 (54) Skylark (100)
54-4667SX: 1954 (54) Buick (4) Century (6) Convertible...for more
information please contact the seller.
