Jack, Those swoopy fenders, full wheel cutouts, and Kelsey Hayes true wire wheels created an eye-popping update for Buick in 1953. 1690 Skylark convertibles found a home in 1953, considered a huge success given the steep base price. The 322 nailhead (named for it's valve configuration) produces 188 HP and had a stout (for it's time) 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. 1953 was the first year for a 12 volt electrical system too. Power steering, brakes, seats and windows were all standard. What a car!
@jferg7159 Hey, Joe! It sure was a dramatic change for Buick...new potential with that new V8 and power accessories, and that dramatic styling! It was suddenly looking like a
"dream car"...with a price to match! Great data on the car! Thanks! :) Jack
@46619TAB Yes, I think Buick lost its way for a time. I personally would like to see a different grille design in the new models...Lincoln is reportedly doing that for next year! There have to be more surprises in design! Thanks! :) Jack
my grandpa would love this video, in the 70s he owned a 1948 Buick Super with the old inline 8 cylinder engine. he drove it to my parents' wedding and sold it in the late 80s
@irongoxi Hey, Josue! Yes indeed...I'm sure it would bring back the memories! These Buicks had great reputations...that overhead valve straight eight served Buick for so many years! My neighbor across the street had one...he was a mechanic at the Buick agency. I still remember the sound it made! Thanks! :) Jack
Strange how a 53 Skylark sold for more money then the 1983 Skylark 30 years later. Haha. Most of these 53's never sold anywhere that $5000 price most were on show room floors lingering so long they heavily discounted them to get rid of them. What a beauty though.
@gene978 Hey, Gene! Yes indeed..this car was in the stratosphere in 1953..and you're no doubt correct that it probably didn't sell for anything like the listed price. This was before the mandatory window sticker pricing..dealers could wheel and deal with minimum information available to the buyer. It surely served an important function of drawing lookers into the showroom..hopefully becoming customers! Thanks! :) Jack
1953 was the golden anniversary for Buick and what better way of celebrating than to launch this beauty. That big dip in the shoulder line looks like it came from a custom designer. For people who didn't know that this Skylark was something special those Kelsey-Hayes wheels would definitely give them a clue. These are super rare but not as rare as the Eldorado and Fiesta. At that time GM were making bold statements in design.
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! Thanks for the comments on the styling and exclusivity. Car makers often made a point of noting their anniversaries...I remember my 64 Dodge Dart had a centerpiece in the horn ring noting the golden anniversary....as well as the 53 Ford, as I remember. In these stylings, GM was giving a bit of advance notice to the dramatic stylings to come industry-wide in 1955. Thanks again! :) Jack
@HoschtonBoy Hey, Charlie! Yes indeed...wire wheels were the equivalent of the most extravagant alloy wheels today! Guaranteed to get a car noticed! Thanks! :) Jack
VERY NICE JACK;THIS CARS ARE ONLY FOR THE RICHEST PEOPLE TODAY,EVEN IN THAT TIME..ONLY HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES,SPORTS CELEBRITIES,AND RICH AND IMPORTANT PEOPLE..CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN JACK..
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, Omar! Yes indeed....this was Cadillac territory as far as price and prestige were concerned! It's interesting that celebrities were often used in the advertising for cars! Thanks! :) Jack
Jack, Those swoopy fenders, full wheel cutouts, and Kelsey Hayes true wire wheels created an eye-popping update for Buick in 1953. 1690 Skylark convertibles found a home in 1953, considered a huge success given the steep base price. The 322 nailhead (named for it's valve configuration) produces 188 HP and had a stout (for it's time) 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. 1953 was the first year for a 12 volt electrical system too. Power steering, brakes, seats and windows were all standard. What a car!
jferg7159 2 months ago
@jferg7159 Hey, Joe! It sure was a dramatic change for Buick...new potential with that new V8 and power accessories, and that dramatic styling! It was suddenly looking like a
"dream car"...with a price to match! Great data on the car! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
This car is eye candy to be sure! Too bad Buick lost the knack for design.
46619TAB 2 months ago
@46619TAB Yes, I think Buick lost its way for a time. I personally would like to see a different grille design in the new models...Lincoln is reportedly doing that for next year! There have to be more surprises in design! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
my grandpa would love this video, in the 70s he owned a 1948 Buick Super with the old inline 8 cylinder engine. he drove it to my parents' wedding and sold it in the late 80s
irongoxi 2 months ago
@irongoxi Hey, Josue! Yes indeed...I'm sure it would bring back the memories! These Buicks had great reputations...that overhead valve straight eight served Buick for so many years! My neighbor across the street had one...he was a mechanic at the Buick agency. I still remember the sound it made! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
Strange how a 53 Skylark sold for more money then the 1983 Skylark 30 years later. Haha. Most of these 53's never sold anywhere that $5000 price most were on show room floors lingering so long they heavily discounted them to get rid of them. What a beauty though.
gene978 2 months ago
@gene978 Hey, Gene! Yes indeed..this car was in the stratosphere in 1953..and you're no doubt correct that it probably didn't sell for anything like the listed price. This was before the mandatory window sticker pricing..dealers could wheel and deal with minimum information available to the buyer. It surely served an important function of drawing lookers into the showroom..hopefully becoming customers! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
1953 was the golden anniversary for Buick and what better way of celebrating than to launch this beauty. That big dip in the shoulder line looks like it came from a custom designer. For people who didn't know that this Skylark was something special those Kelsey-Hayes wheels would definitely give them a clue. These are super rare but not as rare as the Eldorado and Fiesta. At that time GM were making bold statements in design.
cheddyrod 2 months ago
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! Thanks for the comments on the styling and exclusivity. Car makers often made a point of noting their anniversaries...I remember my 64 Dodge Dart had a centerpiece in the horn ring noting the golden anniversary....as well as the 53 Ford, as I remember. In these stylings, GM was giving a bit of advance notice to the dramatic stylings to come industry-wide in 1955. Thanks again! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
Those wire wheels would make any car stand out. That Buick is really nice looking.
HoschtonBoy 2 months ago
@HoschtonBoy Hey, Charlie! Yes indeed...wire wheels were the equivalent of the most extravagant alloy wheels today! Guaranteed to get a car noticed! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
VERY NICE JACK;THIS CARS ARE ONLY FOR THE RICHEST PEOPLE TODAY,EVEN IN THAT TIME..ONLY HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES,SPORTS CELEBRITIES,AND RICH AND IMPORTANT PEOPLE..CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN JACK..
SuperJohnnychingas 2 months ago
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, Omar! Yes indeed....this was Cadillac territory as far as price and prestige were concerned! It's interesting that celebrities were often used in the advertising for cars! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
Very nice Buick, Jack! It's too bad the Roadmaster is no longer.
jojocats2 2 months ago
@jojocats2 Hey, John! Yes indeed...Roadmaster always gave Cadillac a run for the money..and it was the choice of Buick loyalists! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago