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First Issued in 1993 in Reef Blue, and Mandarin Red in 1996, this is a gorgeous replica of the limited edition (1,690 were built), semi-custom Buick luxury sports model. Of the same genre as the '53 Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Fiesta, the Roadmaster-based Skylark featured a notched beltline, chopped windshield, radiused rear wheel openings, understated brightwork, and beautiful Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels.
The replica captures the hunkered down (though hardly lithe) look of the original to near perfection, the windshield being just a little tall to my eye. The chrome trim is crisp and smooth, with delicately crafted emblems and badges. Headlight and taillight assemblies, grill and bumpers, perfectly convey the Buick Look for '53, and the injection-molded wheels are a tribute to Danbury ingenuity.
More fine replication is seen on the dashboard, though the "engine-turned" applique is whitish rather than aluminum. Door and side panels are highly realistic, but the seats are a little blah. They lack a proper leather look, and the seatback split is not well defined. Doors are hinged more realistically than on most "Mint" models, and reveal Skylark script on the step plates. Shut lines, including hood and trunk, are reasonably tight. The engine compartment detail is sparse by today's standards, but adequate; while the trunk sports carpeting and a spare K-H wheel with wide whitewalls. The issue price is $112 + S&H. (07/25/1998)
(07/25/1998)
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