1954 Buick skylark # 835 needs finishing- second to last one made--ss fender wel

Jan 2016 Mecum

ESTIMATE: $150,000 - $200,000

In 1953, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet introduced the Fiesta, Skylark, Eldorado and Corvette, creating the GM Motorama display. The cars each boasted extensive hours of effort and design, and incorporated a number of styling cues employed by customizers of the day, giving a radical image to a factory car. The Skylark was based on the Roadmaster and featured a windshield trimmed by 4 inches, a lowered beltline, chrome Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels and rounded rear-wheel arches. The hood was without the famous portholes, and the interior saw many adjustments to accommodate the new styling such as a shortened and lowered steering column. Each of the cars were largely hand built, accounting for their staggering sticker prices; the Skylark commanded about $5,000, and was the best-selling of the three, largely in part to holding the lowest price—the Oldsmobile was about $5,500, and the Cadillac commanded a stratospheric $7,700. In addition to the specialized styling and construction methods, the Buick boasted a new 12-volt electrical system and new 322 CI Fireball V-8 engine, ushering out the aging but still popular Buick Straight Eight engine. The Twin-Dynaflow automatic transmission offered improved performance over the Dynaflow, and was standard issue in Skylark. After celebrating 50 years of Buick in the 1953 model year, the Skylark continued the party in 1954, but only 836 Skylark Convertibles were produced that year. This 1954 Skylark Convertible underwent a professional restoration in 2003 and is presented in the correct Condor Yellow paint with a yellow-and-black interior and black top. It is beset with several features, including its automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power antenna, power convertible top, split bench seat, chrome bumpers and trim, chrome fins on the rear fenders, chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires.

HIGHLIGHTS

- One of 836 Skylark Convertibles produced in 1954
- Professional restoration completed in 2003
- 322 CI Fireball V-8 engine
- Automatic transmission
- Power steering
- Correct Condor Yellow paint
- Yellow and Black leather interior
- Black convertible top and boot
- Split bench seat
- Power windows
- Power convertible top
- Chrome bumpers and trim
- Chrome fins on rear fenders
- Chrome wire wheels with spinner caps
- Wide Whitewall tires