1953 Buick Resources

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• Buick Skylark (Roadmaster)
• Buick Roadmaster
• Buick Super
• Buick Special

1953 Buick Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

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1953 Buick

1953 Buick Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1953 Buick Facts

1953 was Buick’s 50th anniversary. The company had 7.9 percent of U.S. market share at that time. The seven millionth Buick was built June 13, 1953. The new V-8 engine went into 55 percent of the cars made, even though It wasn’t available in the Specials and Dynaflow automatic transmission was used in 80 percent of Buicks this year.

Body styles 53-4337, 53-4537 and 53-4737X were Riviera hardtop coupes and style 53-4767SX was the Skylark Custom convertible. Models 59 and 79R were Estate wagons. (An “X” suffix in any of the style numbers indicated hydraulic controls for the seat, windows and (and in convertibles, the top).

Skylark Custom Convertible

Created to mark Buick’s 50th anniversary, the Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as a top-of-the-line, limited-production specialty convertible. It was introduced by General Motors to promote its automotive design leadership. Of the three, the Skylark’s production of 1,690 units proved the to be the most successful. This was some sales feat, considering the car’s 1953 list price of slightly in excess of $5,000, that was over 50% more than the well-equipped $3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based.

Based on the model 76R two-door Roadmaster convertible, the 1953 Skylark was designated model 76X was lower, and had a very similar appearance, shared its drive train, included all the Roadmaster’s standard equipment. However it included as standard power windows, power brakes, full carpeting, and a “Selectronic” AM radio. Only air conditioning was not offered, then considered unnecessary in a convertible. Though looking similar, the coachwork was heavily customized, especially around the doors, and the windshield was cut down by 3 inches. Accenting its lowered, notched belt line was a new “Sweepspear” running almost the entire length of the vehicle, a styling cue that was to appear in various forms on many Buick models over the years. It also featured full-cutout wheel openings, a styling cue that would spread to the entire 1954 Buick line. And, of course, it featured Buick’s new 322 CID V-8 in place of the longstanding straight 8, and included a 12-volt electrical system, both Buick division firsts.

The 1953 Skylark was handmade in many respects. Only the stampings for the hood, trunk lid, and a portion of the convertible tub were shared with the Roadmaster and Super convertibles. The inner doors were made by cutting the 2-door Roadmaster’s in two then welding the pieces back together at an angle to produce the rakish door dip. An overall more streamlined look was reinforced by cutting the windshield down and lowering the side windows and convertible top frame proportionately. Seat frames and steering column were then dropped to provide proper headroom and driving position. Authentic wire wheels were produced by Kelsey-Hayes, chromed everywhere except for the “Skylark” center emblem.

Roadmaster

The new V-8 engine was introduced for 1953, Buick’s Golden Anniversary year. Although the new V-8 was nearly identical in displacement to the straight-eight Fireball, it was 13.5 inches shorter, four inches lower, and 180 pounds lighter, however with 188 HP, it was 11% more powerful. Buick also introduced a new “Twin-Turbine” Dynaflow as a companion for the V8 engine. Estimated to increase torque at the wheels by 10 percent, the new transmission provided faster and quieter acceleration at reduced engine speeds.

The compact dimensions of the V-8 engine enabled Buick to reduce Roadmaster’s wheelbase by 4.75″ across the line – all in front of the engine cowl. For this year, the Roadmaster shared the Super and Special’s 121.5″ wheelbase. Styling differences behind the cowl, apart from the new V8 emblem hubcaps, were small. Both power steering and power brakes were made standard. Air conditioning was a new option, and the 12-volt electrical system was adopted years before many other makes. This was the last year for the Roadmaster Estate, and it was the last wood-bodied station wagon mass-produced in the United States. Its body was a product of Ionia Manufacturing, which built all Buick station wagon bodies. Priced at $4,031, the Estate was second in price only to the Skylark, with 670 being sold. Overall, Roadmaster sales went up to 79,137.

Super
Buick’s middle priced line shared the Roadmaster’s new V-8 and, . The Super earned a horizontal trim bar on its rear fenders which distinguished it from the Series 70 Roadmasters. Otherwise its side trim bar on its rear fenders was identical although the Super was had only three VentiPorts on each front fender. Series identification was found on the deck emblem. Full wheel covers were now standard. A “vee” placed in the bomb sight hood ornament signified the V-8 power under the hood. Interiors in most models were nylon and silk-feel broadcloth. The convertible had power windows, power seat and power top as standard equipment. Dynaflow was now standard equipment. Air conditioning was a new option.

Special
The Special, Series 40, was the only Buick line continued with an inline eight in 1953. The smallest series Buick had its own version of the 1953 front look. Surprisingly, it was a narrower car, therefore the grilles, bumpers and many sheet metal parts did not interchange with the larger models. On the fenders were new teardrop-shaped Ventiports, three to a side. The hood bomb sight ornament had no “vee” on the Special. All 1953 Specials were Deluxe models, with bright Sweepspears and rocker panel moldings. Interiors were cloth, and a  unique to the  Special instrument panel.

1953 Buick Facts – Significant Options

• • Air conditioning (Series 50 and 70).
  • Cushion toppers.
  • Door Edge Guards.
  • Electric clock.
  • Fold-down tissue dispenser.
  • Full wheel covers, standard on Series 50 and 70.
  • Handy mats.
  • Handy spot light.
  • License frames.
  • Outside rear view mirror, Left-hand remote control.
  • Outside rear view mirror, Right-hand.
  • Power brakes, standard on Series 70.
  • Power steering, standard on Series 70.
  • Radio, Selectronic.
  • Rear seat speaker.
  • Tinted Windows
  • Tinted Windshield
  • Tool kit.
  • Wire Wheels
  • Wire wheel covers, simulated  (Buick shield center type on Series 40; bright “V” with black background type on Series 50 and 70).