For Sale

50th Anniversary Edition

1953 Buick Skylark

Body #1522
Located in Louisville, KY

Watch the Restoration Progress!

Pictured above, our last Skylark restoration.

2005-Present Restoration

History

In mid June or early July of 1953 Buick Motor Division accepted a dealer order for a 1953 Buick Skylark from one of their Buick dealers. This particular dealer ordered this Skylark with a white exterior (code 74), black convertible top (code B) and a black and white interior (code 67). This was an exciting car in an exciting time. Unfortunately we do not know the dealership’s name that ordered it; however we do know the name of the person who placed the order for this very expensive Buick. Steven W. Chandler!

Buick sales department passed the verified order to the assembly plant broadcast department and to the Fisher Body plant. Fisher Body Division of General Motors originally built the body originally as a Roadmaster convertible. Fisher Body assigned the body number 1522 at that time. When it was shipped to the Buick assembly plant, it was then reworked into a Skylark. This was time consuming and costly with each Skylark having it own “marks” due to the hand rework. As a result no two Skylarks are exactly alike. During restoration it is obvious how much rework was done evidenced by the extensive lead work.

Sometime in late July 1953 this 1953 Buick Skylark proceeded down the Buick assembly line in Flint Michigan. After the final inspection and the various tests were completed this beautiful Skylark was released and approved to be shipped to the dealership. It is certainly possible, however, that Mr. Chandler personally came to the Buick plant drive-away department.

Fast-forward to 2005, and this Skylark reappears!

I purchased it from a Doctor in the Midwest who decided it was too much of a project for him to restore. When I started to closely inspect it, it became obvious that it had suffered many slings and arrows over the past 50+ years. We found amateur, sub standard repairs in various places.

I sent it to Tom Shalda in northern Michigan, who had just completed a frame on restoration on another 1953 Buick Skylark for me. Tom’s work is excellent and he is very careful. So…I am going to keep this website open so you can watch our progress. It will be a frame off restoration. Color will be Matador Red with a black top and a red and white interior.

Following are details of the restoration (Bookmark and check back for updates):

Phase I:

Phase II

Well……here it is almost spring, and we have moved along nicely on the restoration of this 1953 Buick Skylark. As you can see from the photos, we have completed the body tub rebuild with replacement of the floor pans, rocker panels and much of the associated support pieces. As a matter of fact, we now have many of the fabricated pieces, braces and attaching parts measured and stored for future use. The front fenders and rear quarters were in very good condition only requiring minor repair. Since this is our second full rebuild, we have learned much about how these 1953 Buick Skylarks were built. The painting has started and we are using modern base clear coat. We decided on Matador Red as this looks great on the 1953 Buick Skylark. We will add a black top and complimenting red and white interior. This will be a very handsome Skylark!

The frame has been cleaned of surface rust and painted. It was not damaged and was solid. We decided to box parts of the frame to assure there would be no flexing. The suspension has been rebuilt and the brake system overhauled. No part of this underbody/mechanical area has been overlooked.

All of the chrome and stainless has been redone to very high standards. Each exterior side stainless piece has been refurbished and new studs added where necessary. With the rework, those “swoopy” side pieces are a work of art.

We sent the original 322 cubic inch V-8 engine to Bramer Machine Inc in Traverse City, where they completely disassembled the engine and rebuilt it to original factory specifications. Included in the rebuild were all new oversize pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, cam bearings, cam timing gear, timing chain, oil pump, intake and exhaust valves, valve guides and lifters, rocker arm shafts, starter, water pump and reground the cam and crank shafts. Hardened valves and seats were included so it can run on unleaded gasoline. All of the associated accessories including the carburetor and ignition parts were replaced or completely rebuilt. Finally, we used YNZ original style wiring throughout the body. This wire system is as original in color and style but with modern materials. We added a rear electrical feed to an inline electric fuel pump in front of the gas tank to improve performance.

The original Dynaflow transmission including torque converter was sent to Total Transmission in Traverse City Michigan for disassembly and rebuild. Each transmission part was examined, cleaned and reinstalled with new gaskets and seals.

In order to lessen the nagging and ongoing erratic and leaking problems associated with the original window and seat hydraulic system, we decided to replace the windows system with Nu-Relics modern electric windows. Nu-Relics make a system designed to fit early 1950’s GM cars. Even the electrical window switches resemble the GM originals. When the car is completed, this replacement system will not be noticeable and will not detract from the looks of this beautiful classic Buick.

Next we complete assembly and install interior, top and trunk trim. There are lots of small items to do, and it is now that patience is important. I want this car to be right!

Phase III

Dash

Roof

Here is our next step with the installation of the convertible top. I have asked Mike Brewer who owns Mikes Upholstery in Louisville to complete the trim out. Mike worked on my cars over the past 20 years (15 of which were fixing trim problems on new Jaguars and Buicks under warranty) and I have been extremely impressed with his skill, dedication and patience.

I prefer the black top with the Matador Red paint as I think it looks much richer than a white top. As a result the top irons are the correct black finish. As you can see it came out beautifully!!! All of the padding, fabric alignments and rear window assembly are as original.

Interior Panels

Mike then started on the interior panels and completely built them up from hand made frameworks. Notice the correct padding width and stitching on these panels. The front kick panels fit well and line up properly with the door panels. All of the interior stainless was repaired cleaned and polished by Carl’s Stainless.

Next, the door panels were mounted to clean and painted original frame work and look terrific. The door panels fit well and the dash extensions mounted correctly.

The rear quarter panels are a little complicated and need to be carefully assembled and trimmed to look and fit correctly. Mike did a great job and the final look of these panels is terrific! Mike makes doing this work look easy. Nobody does this type of work better.

Phase IV

Dash

We had to remove the dash again in order to install the interior and not damage it. We now reinstall and begin the final finishing of the dash trim pieces and interior windshield trim. Mike did superb job of trimming out the sun visors and robe ropes. Not easy to do.

Seats

Building up these custom Buick seats properly takes know how and talent. This special low production custom chopped Buick Skylark convertible requires specialized seat construction for adequate headroom. It is important to rebuild the seats correctly. For example the front driver and passenger seat bottom cushions were assembled with a built in null in order to in order to lower the seat height. Mike has done a suburb job. The pad spacing, special stitching and contrasting cord look wonderful And as when new we used high quality leather in matching the original colors.

Trunk

Phase IV

Electric Window Motors

We used Nu-Relics Power Windows for the windows and purchased the nostalgic switches matching the mid-1950's GM style. This required extensive welding on the window frames to make it work, as well as lots of patient work to align properly. They work very well.

We used Convertible Service for the custom top cylinders and pump, which created a modern hydro/electric top system. There was lots of measuring to ensure the cylinders fit with correct travel. They built the box for the pump, which was installed on trunk shelf with the hoses threaded through the back rest. Window operation is smooth.

We found the seat electric screw jack through the hot rod catalogs. They come in many sizes and are for electric seats, electric trunks, hoods and so forth.

Final Assembly Begins:

These are current (May 2010) photos showing interior almost done, engine and full outside shots. That is Mike Brewer standing next to the car. Mike has done a fabulous job with the interior, top and trunk trim.

Engine

Interior/Roof

Exterior

Want to see more of our work?
Click here for details of our completed
1953 Buick Skylark Restoration!

More Information on '53 Skylarks

Introduced to mark Buick's 50th anniversary, the Buick Skylark (first use of the name for a production vehicle) was one of three specialty convertibles produced in 1953 by GM; the other two were the Oldsmobile Fiesta and the Cadillac Eldorado. All three were limited production vehicles promoting General Motors' design leadership. Of the three, the Skylark had the most successful production run with 1,690 produced. This was considered quite an amazing sales feat, for the car had a list price in 1953 of slightly in excess of $5,000.

In 1953, the model designation for the Skylark was 76X, while the model designation for the Roadmaster convertible was 76R. The few options available to the Roadmaster convertible buyer were standard equipment to the Skylark buyer, albeit the base price for the well-equipped Roadmaster convertible was only about $3200.00

All 1,690 regular-production Skylarks built in 1953 were Convertibles. The 1953s were based on the 2-door Roadmaster convertible, having identical dimensions (except height), almost identical convenience and appearance equipment, and a Roadmaster drive train. Fisher Body division of General Motors rebuilt the Roadmaster body in an “off-line” area at the Fisher Body Plant. The 1953 Buick Skylark was a handmade car in many respects. The stampings for the hood, trunk lid and a portion of the convertible tub were the same as the 1953 Roadmaster convertible (and Super convertible, model 56R). The stampings for the front fenders, rear fenders, the outer doors, and a portion of the convertible tub were unique to the Skylark. All Skylark convertible tubs were finished with various amounts of lead filler. It is not unusual to find a substantial amount of lead filler just behind the doors near the bottom of the window line.

The inner doors of the Skylark were made from the inner doors of the 2-door Roadmaster and Super by cutting the stamping in half approximately parallel with the ground and then welding the two pieces back together in a jig at an angle that produced the necessary door dip. Although there were many unique design features of the 1953 Skylark, one that goes almost unnoticed today is that the top and seating of the car were lowered a few inches below the Roadmaster and Super convertibles. This was achieved not by changing the frame, body or suspension, but by cutting the windshield almost three inches shorter and lowering the side windows and convertible top frame.

To accommodate people without bumping their heads with the top up, the seat frames and steering column were lowered. The wheels of the 1953 Skylark were true wire wheels, produced by Kelsey-Hayes, with everything chromed save for the plated and painted "Skylark" center emblem. This was high style in 1953.

The 1953 Skylark featured V8 power and a 12-volt electrical system, both a first for Buick, as well as full-cutout wheel openings. A significant Skylark styling cue was the cut-down door at the base of the side window line that bounced back up to trace around the rear window (or convertible top). This styling clue stayed with Buick for many years and can be found on any number of automobile brands to this day.

For more information, contact:

Tom Payette
tpayetteky@aol.com
(502) 727-9945