***** ESTATE SALE: Price just reduced on 12/22/2020 *************************
This 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible frame off restoration was lovingly completed by the late Terry Lyons of Houston, Texas in 2016. In the hierarchy of General Motors' five brands in the 1950s—Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oldsmobile—Buick was the company’s prestige marque, positioned above Oldsmobile and just below Cadillac. It was known in many circles as the “doctor’s car,” or alternatively, “a luxury car for everyone.” The Skylark, a name used on many Buick models over a run of more than five decades, was introduced in 1953 to mark Buick’s 50th anniversary. It was one of three luxury convertibles marketed by General Motors, the other two being the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado. All were positioned as top-of-the-line, limited-production, specialty convertibles. Of the three, the Skylark was the most successful from a sales standpoint with 1,690 units produced in 1953, and just 836 in 1954. Buick described the Skylark this way, “This is the spirit-lifting Skylark—Buick’s luxury sports car—with flight-designed lines, with road-compactness with the corsair-sweep of a finned rear deck—and with pulse-pounding performance second to none.” Credited to design master Harley Earl, the Skylark convertible included many of its styling cues from the 1953 Buick Wildcat Motorama concept car. Under the hood you’ll find Buick’s legendary 322/200 HP Fireball V-8 that replaced Buick’s longstanding straight-8. This engine is capable of propelling the 4,200 pound car to over 100 mph. Over the years it was best known as the “Nailhead,” motor when each General Motors division built its own unique engines. Behind the Fireball V-8 was Buick’s Twin-Turbine Dynaflow transmission. Other Skylark innovations included a 12-volt electrical system and Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. With low overall production and incredible attention to craftsmanship, the Skylark is one of the most desirable Buicks ever built and represents an outstanding example of the true American Classic automobile. Best estimates suggest there are less than 40 of these beautiful automobiles left on planet earth today.