1953 Buick Skylark Convertible

Ned Nickles did a series of sketches in 1951 showing plans to customize his 1951Buick Roadmaster convertible. Ivan Wiles, the general manager of Buick Division following Harlow Curtis, liked these sketches so much that he authorized this customizing proposal carried out on a 1952 Roadmaster. Ivan Wiles introduced the Skylark concept car to the public with an announcement in early July, 1952. He said in part, "... The 'Skylark' was designed and made to pre-test the public acceptance of an American-built ultra-modern sports car." However, a custom car does not form the basis for an ultra-modern sports car.

The Buick Wildcat brochure explains, "... the Wildcat is designed and built primarily to test the use of Fiberglass in automobile body building." Presentation of these futuristic models for the public view affords an opportunity to 'pre-test' the motorists' reaction to various styling features incorporated in these cars.

Therefore, the Skylark's circular wheel cut outs on the rear fenders, the dip in the belt line, and the color combination of white exterior with red interior containing vertical pleats on the door panels and using vulcanized rubber backed carpeting were "pre-tests." Another new car had circular wheel cut outs on the rear fenders, a dip in the belt line, and a color combination of a white exterior with a red interior. The Buick Skylark was a trial flight, beginning in July of 1952, for the Chevrolet Corvette, shown to the public in January 1953!

Skylark development started on a whim based on intuition and personal taste. It was introduced to the public without the design being tested in a clinic. How did it fare with the visitors at the GM Motoramas? They clearly didn't care for it. They didn't like the dip in the belt, preferring the straight belt line of the Roadmaster convertible. The round wheel openings on the rear fenders were considered old fashioned. Low wheel openings were considered modern. The wire wheels were seen as impractical and hard to clean. In answer to the question "Would you consider buying this car?" over 67% said, "No". The price was too high; a Cadillac would cost less. The sales were doomed from the start. Buick built over 35,000 convertibles in 1953 and '54, but only about 2,500 Skylark convertibles. The Skylark was discontinued following the 1954 model run.

1999 Eyes on Design Awards
—Visionaries Award