roadmaster_56 Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Wonder if the '52 Skylark prototype survived...? see the '52 and '53 below. How many differences can you spot between the prototype and the production version ? Did the changes enhance the final product? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 moved this here from the pictures forum, hopefully someone knows the answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbuickgs Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Not sure if its still around but I couldn't figure out why the 52 looked so much larger than the 53 . LIGHTBULB goes off . The 52 Roadmaster had a STRAIGHT EIGHT engine thus a 5" longer hood and front fenders . Also the 53 pictured may be a prototype , tailpipe exited on the right side on 53 and the left side on 52 . Just useless info LOL Bill 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 1 hour ago, billbuickgs said: Hi Bill: "Also the 53 pictured may be a prototype , tailpipe exited on the right side on 53 and the left side on 52 ". A bit of photo trickery....I flipped the bottom photo to match the top one.....the '53 should be a production version. 1 hour ago, billbuickgs said: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I noticed several differences which may be incorrect if the 52's picture is art work vs an actual photo. In no particular order: The vent windows on the '53 are longer. See the point at the top. The top body line "dip" on the '53 appears to be located further aft, by about 3- 4 inches. Subtle but I like the 52's better The rear fender welt is visible on the '53, and not on the '52. Makes a more seamless transition The '53 appears to have no top mechanism under the convertible boot. Makes it look sloppy vs the taut boot on the '52 The rear most sweep-spear runs higher on the '53 vs the '52. The '52's makes it look like they were thinking the sweep spear would match the curve on the door more, while the 53 matches the spear on the front fender. Obviously different for the curvature of the '53 rear fender, but I think the 52's looks more like a sports car. I think the '53 is a car being restored. Again, appears to have no top mechanism, and the gaps in the rocker panels under the door. I am not sure if those gaps should be there and or if those gaps should be painted body color. But the '52 does not appear to have these and again, that just makes it look seamless. That is also why I am thinking it is an art picture vs the real thing. I think the '53 Skylark is a real work of art in itself, but I am mesmerized by the '52. I think it looks fantastic! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 Below are a couple of period renderings.....where the artist made everything "longer, lower and wider"..... Also below is the link to the production Skylark photo featured in my original post. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1953-BUICK-SKYLARK-CONVERTIBLE-191079 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 1 hour ago, roadmaster_56 said: Below are a couple of period renderings.....where the artist made everything "longer, lower and wider"..... Also below is the link to the production Skylark photo featured in my original post. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1953-BUICK-SKYLARK-CONVERTIBLE-191079 Yikes. They made that longer than my 72 Electra! I see the small(ish) yellow one at the top shows the kick up right behind the rear edge of the front door. The white renditions have it closer to the pictured one in the original post. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Brink Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 '52 windshield appears to be full height while the '53 was cut down a bit. Makes no difference to me but some think it makes the car appear much sleeker. Agree that the '52 appears to be artwork rather than an actual picture. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Top: What you and I see.... Bottom: What the graphic artist sees....... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5219 Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 More basic question-Was the 1952 prototype Skylark even a real car? Does anybody know for sure? I know that GM used to build engineless mockups in those days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 From a Hemmings article on the Skylark. "Ned F. Nickles (head of Buick's design studio) liked his European sports cars. At various times, he owned an MG TD and a TC, as well as an Italian Siata..... Nickels also owned a brand-new open-top 1951 Buick Roadmaster convertible, built by his employer.……. So, according to a story by (multi-time Indy 500 champ) Wilbur Shaw in the October 1952 issue of Popular Science, Nickles began sketching out some modifications he could make to his Roadmaster's body that would incorporate styling cues from across the Atlantic. Nickles finished drawing his sporty Buick on May 3, 1951, and, the next day, Buick General Manager Ivan L. Wiles spotted the fresh artwork. Wiles' reaction, according to Popular Science? "I want one of those cars!" It was a stroke of genius on Nickles' part. heels...... After a prototype made a successful outing as a show car, the production version hit showrooms in time for Buick's 50th-anniversary celebration, carrying a lofty $5,000 price tag......." complete article https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1953-buick-skylark-3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 It did not survive, it was wrapped around a tree later in life 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 .......and that's............the rest of the story. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 This partial page from a shiny-paper magazine article 70+ years ago got me started on my soon to be published: Big Al’s Top 100 Ugliest Rumors About The 1953 Buick Skylark Model 76X Convertible That You Will Ever Want To Read While Sitting At Your Kitchen Table. How high can you count? Al Malachowski BCA #8965 "500 Miles West of Flint" 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Wow! Now I am really fascinated! The shape lends itself to the 52 in so many ways... Very attractive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaster_56 Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 Great photo....If I had craftsman level welding skills (which I don't) and a spare Roadmaster, I'd be tempted to recreate this beauty. Perhaps a YouTube project for someone out there with the talent and funds. Both cars are really stunning in their own ways.......gotta have one........................someday. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 12 hours ago, roadmaster_56 said: Great photo....If I had craftsman level welding skills (which I don't) and a spare Roadmaster, I'd be tempted to recreate this beauty. Perhaps a YouTube project for someone out there with the talent and funds. Both cars are really stunning in their own ways.......gotta have one........................someday. jus doit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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