Back in 1974 I was 21 yo. There was a 1954 Buick Special 2 dr. for sale nearby. It had been fully restored. I bought the car and drove it for nine years. Wherever I went I got compliments. This video gives me great memories from my past. My car was two tone dark blue and baby blue. To start the engine, you would put the key in the "on" position then, depress the gas pedal which would activate the starter. Great car!
When I was a young kid our family car was a 55' Olds Rocket 88 2 dr/ ht. It had no parking gear. You would leave it in gear and apply the parking brake by pulling the handle on the left under the dash. When ready to start the car you would move the gear selector to neutral and turn the key then release the parking brake and put it in gear.
1 have a 48 buick hearse.body by flexible,project,its setting on a 85 1 ton crewcab dually gm chassis.using a 2000 bbc caddy motor and trans.i have 2 caskets to place as cargo boxes on the roof rack,keeping the dual tires ,widening fenders in rear and keeping fender skirts.carries 12 pass. And luggage.,tows almost anything.
I owned a 1954 Buick Century V8 4dr 322 ci from 1991 to 2008. I paid 850.00 for it the car sticker price was 2300 in 54. Very smooth riding car even when I bought it. The dash was just like this skylark. The roadmaster was actually the top of the line. Skylark then special then Century.
Great Video. When I was 16, my friends brother was selling a 53 Syklark. I brought it down and set it in my fathers back driveway hoping he would help me buy it, price was cheap. Well obviously I took the car back to my friends house. Missed it ever since then/ It was the blue that you showed on the video. An as an extra it had a STANDARD TRANSMISSION that was in it. I don't think that was factory.
Really enjoy your providing the car's history, marketing perspective of the marketing department, the corporate direction and the advantages of the model changes.
Certainly a valid suggestion that the 54 Skylark is the best Buick ever but of course it's all in the minds eye. The 50s Buicks were right in the sweet spot of performance luxury and price. Not so much price for this beauty though. Cheers 🇨🇦
My first car was a 1952 Buick Roadmaster RiveraModel 76R e/w power windows, power steering (no power brakes until 1953) Dynaflow transmission, two tone paint (Green/gray) it was pretty well loaded as it was our family Doctors car before he sold to us.
As I remember, early Buicks could be ordered with a three speed standard tranny, but normally came with the Dreaded DynaFlow. Front seal leaks happened all the time, crippling the car. Miserable acceleration. Olds of the time had the Borg-Warner hydramatic which actually had clutches that locked, four speeds and got better mileage with great takeoff. Buick Was a Fantastic looker, just had a horrible transmission. The DynaFlow actually was not an automatic transmission, It started in high gear with manual down shifting, which didn't help. The one u-joint driveline made adapting a different tranny extremely unlikely. My neighbor has a 54 Buick hard top, with a front seal leak, it has sat for 25 years.
Boy, I hate to be a contrarian, but I disagree that this is a better looking car than the ‘53. Also, you failed to mention that even though ‘53 Skylark was built on the Roadmaster’s platform, it was a shortened wheelbase.
I love 50s Buicks. But I don't think I would want to own one because of the suspension and rear end design being so hard to get parts for. I need a car with more generic parts so it's cheaper to repair
@@matrox The bumper still weights a shit load safety or no safety.
21 годину тому
Total over hyped nonsense. I was there and this ugly piece of crap was disrespected by all who ever saw one, especially anyone who loved the 1953s. Just a Century with the Venti-Ports torn off and the standard 200hp engine. Wait just one more year and you could have had a beautifully styled Century with 236hp, variable-pitch Dynaflow and so much more. This thing was an expensive failure in the marketplace and they should have crushed every one of them.
Back in 1974 I was 21 yo. There was a 1954 Buick Special 2 dr. for sale nearby. It had been fully restored. I bought the car and drove it for nine years. Wherever I went I got compliments. This video gives me great memories from my past. My car was two tone dark blue and baby blue. To start the engine, you would put the key in the "on" position then, depress the gas pedal which would activate the starter. Great car!
I didn't know that about the starter! Cool!
When I was a young kid our family car was a 55' Olds Rocket 88 2 dr/ ht. It had no parking gear. You would leave it in gear and apply the parking brake by pulling the handle on the left under the dash. When ready to start the car you would move the gear selector to neutral and turn the key then release the parking brake and put it in gear.
We had a 56 Buick century 4 door hardtop with the same type starter. Thing is we didn’t have a garage and the paint never faded
1 have a 48 buick hearse.body by flexible,project,its setting on a 85 1 ton crewcab dually gm chassis.using a 2000 bbc caddy motor and trans.i have 2 caskets to place as cargo boxes on the roof rack,keeping the dual tires ,widening fenders in rear and keeping fender skirts.carries 12 pass. And luggage.,tows almost anything.
I owned a 1954 Buick Century V8 4dr 322 ci from 1991 to 2008. I paid 850.00 for it the car sticker price was 2300 in 54. Very smooth riding car even when I bought it. The dash was just like this skylark. The roadmaster was actually the top of the line. Skylark then special then Century.
I had 2 uncles that drove Buicks exclusively for years !!!!! One of my favorites that my uncle had was his 1964 Wildcat !!!!! fabulous car !!!!!
Great Video. When I was 16, my friends brother was selling a 53 Syklark. I brought it down and set it in my fathers back driveway hoping he would help me buy it, price was cheap. Well obviously I took the car back to my friends house. Missed it ever since then/ It was the blue that you showed on the video. An as an extra it had a STANDARD TRANSMISSION that was in it. I don't think that was factory.
Beautiful automobile, classic design, very actuated with definite defined lines !
Really enjoy your providing the car's history, marketing perspective of the marketing department, the corporate direction and the advantages of the model changes.
Excellent details on the history of the Skylark - learned a few things. Thanks for the time you take to put these together ~ Chuck
Thanks for watching!
Certainly a valid suggestion that the 54 Skylark is the best Buick ever but of course it's all in the minds eye. The 50s Buicks were right in the sweet spot of performance luxury and price. Not so much price for this beauty though. Cheers 🇨🇦
My first car was a 1952 Buick Roadmaster RiveraModel 76R e/w power windows, power steering (no power brakes until 1953) Dynaflow transmission, two tone paint (Green/gray) it was pretty well loaded as it was our family Doctors car before he sold to us.
Excellent video. Thanks…
Beautiful automobiles.
Love me some 1953-54Buick Skylarks but to me my favorite Buick of all time is still a 1965 Riviera Gran Sport!!!!!.
Mid to late 60 Rivieras were awesome!
Cars that have character ❤
Thank you Rick
Late 60s early 70s Skylark were stylish and sporty, then you had the Buick GS 455 muscle car based on the Skylark.
We have a GS in the museum that we'll do in the future.
Rick.I really enjoy your videos. Excellent and professional.
Thanks for watching!
Best Buick ever? Maybe. But. All Buick's are awesome.
@tinyb69 Not anymore today but when your talking the old school days HELL YEAH!!!!.
As I remember, early Buicks could be ordered with a three speed standard tranny, but normally came with the Dreaded DynaFlow. Front seal leaks happened all the time, crippling the car. Miserable acceleration. Olds of the time had the Borg-Warner hydramatic which actually had clutches that locked, four speeds and got better mileage with great takeoff. Buick Was a Fantastic looker, just had a horrible transmission. The DynaFlow actually was not an automatic transmission, It started in high gear with manual down shifting, which didn't help. The one u-joint driveline made adapting a different tranny extremely unlikely. My neighbor has a 54 Buick hard top, with a front seal leak, it has sat for 25 years.
Its really a matter of opinion which looks better between the 53' and 54' cuz that 53' looks damn good.
I definitely like them both. The 54 has a slightly more modern look without the step down front fenders.
They should have never eliminated the Venta ports Jerry Mcdonogh
Boy, I hate to be a contrarian, but I disagree that this is a better looking car than the ‘53. Also, you failed to mention that even though ‘53 Skylark was built on the Roadmaster’s platform, it was a shortened wheelbase.
It's always fun to debate what looks best!
Do another video with the 53 and 54' side by side.
The person who donated the 54 to the museum also has a 53. If he donates that one we'll definitely look at them side by side.
I love 50s Buicks. But I don't think I would want to own one because of the suspension and rear end design being so hard to get parts for. I need a car with more generic parts so it's cheaper to repair
14:30 He said Buick had something special with the Skylark. Get it? "Special". 😁😆🤣As in Buick Special.😋😂😉😁😛😅
That line was a "Century" in the making...
I’m surprised to see a Century IP was used instead of the Super/Roadmaster
53 had the Roadmaster, 54 the Century.
no mention of the unique troublesome hydraulic seat slave units
This car was manufactured long after slavery.
The best Buick ever was the A body Buick Century from 1982 to 1996.
That 56 Buick would run over 100mph and you wouldn’t know it because it was so heavy
I'm just not sure I'd trust the brakes to slow it down in an emergency!
Vacuum wipers? 2 speed auto. No biggy.
The front bumper weighs as much as some cars today.
True, but modern bumpers are so much safer.
@@rickdebruhlcars Who's talking about safety?
@@joe-hp4nk Eff Safety! Styling is what counts!!
@@matrox The bumper still weights a shit load safety or no safety.
Total over hyped nonsense. I was there and this ugly piece of crap was disrespected by all who ever saw one, especially anyone who loved the 1953s. Just a Century with the Venti-Ports torn off and the standard 200hp engine. Wait just one more year and you could have had a beautifully styled Century with 236hp, variable-pitch Dynaflow and so much more. This thing was an expensive failure in the marketplace and they should have crushed every one of them.
Brute T Full...Its Brutiful.🫵😁.
The front bumper was a bomb shell .😁( + )( + )