1954 Buick Skylark

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve.   

The 1953 Buick Skylark convertible was the centerpiece of General Motors’s 50th Anniversary. Based on the premium-series Roadmaster chassis, powered by Buick’s first modern V8 engine, and taking cues from design boss Harley Earl’s Buick XP-300 Motorama dream car. Following the success of the 1953 Skylark, it returned for 1954, redesigned and reimagined. The Skylark was now its own model, based on the 122 inch wheelbase Special chassis but with the hottest Roadmaster 200 horsepower “Fireball” V8 under the hood.  For 1954, each Skylark convertible body was reworked extensively, highlighting the Skylark’s chrome Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels. The rear fenders were reshaped and fitted with large, fin-like chromed taillights. The unique interior featured one or two shades of leather, heat-pressed in a “waffle” pattern seen on the Motorama show cars and lavished with all the power accessories available in mid-century America.  

Originally finished in Titian Red, this 1954 Buick Skylark is now Arctic White, the interior in White leather seats and Red bolsters. At $4,483 the 1954 Skylark was a dream beyond the reach of most, and only 836 were built. Today it is estimated just 136 survive, making this a rare opportunity to own Buick’s boldest Fifties dream machine.  

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Believed one of 136 existing out of 836 produced  

• 322 cu-in OHV “Fireball” V8 engine 

• “Twin-Turbine Dynaflow” automatic transmission 

• Chrome Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels 

• Arctic White over White and Red Leather color combination 

• The chassis number (7A1100432) decodes as: 

  • 7 – Roadmaster 

  • A – 1954 model year 

  • 1 – Flint, Michigan, assembly plant 

  • 100432 – Production sequence number 

• The Body Tag decodes as: 

  • Model – 54-100 1954 Skylark 

  • Style – 54-4667SX 1954, Buick Skylark convertible 

  • Body – G 676 Flint, Michigan, assembly sequence number 

  • Paint – 17 Titian Red (now Arctic White) 

  • Trim – 65 Red Leather seat and bolster (now Red and White) 

Features 

• BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall tires 

• Chrome wheel arch trim 

• Power brakes 

• Power steering 

• Power windows 

• Power seats (four-way) 

• Power antenna 

• Power convertible top 

• Foot-controlled Selectronic radio 

• Electric clock  

• Automatic Glove Compartment Light 

• Cigarette Lighter 

• Direction Signals 

• Dual Horns 

• Easy-Eye Glass 

• Flexible Spoke Steering Wheel 

• Foamtex Seat Cushions 

• Heater & Defroster 

• High Air Intake Ventilation System 

• Rear View Mirror 

• Safety Group (includes Back-Up Lights, Windshield Washer, Glareproof Mirror & Parking Brake Signal Light) 

• Self-Locking Parking Brake 

• Wire Wheels (Kelsey-Hayes) 

• Wrap-Around Windshield 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Paint chips above both headlights 

• Paint crack in lower right corner below trunk lid 

• Power top does not operate 

Included 

• Factory documents and books 

• Detailed restoration receipts and photographs 

• Various spare parts and upholstery 

• Spare wheel and tire 

• Car cover 

 Ownership History 

This 1954 Buick Skylark was owned by Edward Lee Borzi of Los Angeles in the 1970s before it was acquired by Susan Roscoe of Harbor City, California. It became a member of the Karlock Car Collection on 14 May 1984. 

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.    

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot.  

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com