To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Auburn Fall event, 3 - 5
September 2020.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $125,000
- Offered from The Gernatt Collection
- Top-of-the-line Buick from 1953
- Fitted with a dealer-installed McCollough supercharger from
new
- Finished in Balsam Green over a two-tone green and white
leather interior
- One of just 1,690 built
Buick's 50th Anniversary car was one of GM's Motorama stars of
1953. The limited-production Skylark was unveiled in July 1952.
Based on the Roadmaster, it was essentially a factory-customized
version of the standard convertible loosely based on the 1951 GM
XP-300 concept car. Under the guidance of GM design boss Harley
Earl, the design team included engineer Charles Chayne and chief
stylist Ned Nickels - the man responsible for Buick's trademark
portholes or ventiports (which were curiously lacking on the
production Skylark). The windshield was lowered four inches, the
beltline was cut down and notched at the rear fender line, and the
rear wheel cutouts were rounded and raised to match the front.
Power steering, brakes, windows, seat, antenna, and convertible top
were included in the nearly $5,000.00 price tag, which kept sales
to just 1,690 units. The owner's name was engraved on a gold
anodized emblem placed on the hub of the steering wheel, giving it
a nice personalized touch. The other big news was under the hood.
The Skylark debuted the division's first modern OHV V-8, a 322
cubic inch engine that produced 188 hp, nicknamed the
"nailhead."
This is believed to be the only known 1953 Buick Skylark with a
dealer-installed McCollough supercharger from new. The Skylark is
finished in Balsam Green over a two-tone green and white leather
interior and contrasting white convertible top. The original
owner's name is proudly etched in gold on the steering wheel hub -
as with all Skylarks. This is arguably, the most important Buick to
have in a marque collection or side-by-side with the other Motorama
stars - the Cadillac Eldorado and the Oldsmobile Fiesta
convertibles. To view this car and others currently consigned to
this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af20.
