BROOKLIN AND THE 1953 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE
Posted by BROOKLIN MODELS
The first standard edition of the 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible, released in 1985, is finished in green metallic, shades from light to dark exist, with white roof, beige interior and orange license plate. In 1991 it was replaced by the second standard edition, identified as BRK20A on the box, in red metallic with white top, matching white interior and license plate, which was deleted in January 1999. All tyres are whitewall.
COLLECTORS GAZETTE
The Collectors Gazette is a British publication dedicated to providing information to the collector concerning antique, recent and current toys, trains and models, as well as the many toy shows and swap meets that are held in the U.K.. The Gazette has published its 100th issue on May 1st, 1991. To commemorate this event, they commissioned a Brooklin special, a 1953 Buick Skylark. A small decal is located low on the front fender and signifies the 100th issue. With the toothy grille, wire wheels and continental tyre kit, it abounds with gold plate. Many Brooklin models are miniature portrayals of classic American cars, the Collectors Gazette Buick Skylark makes no effort to look like the "real thing", but rather is a celebration of modelling. The license plates appropriately read “CG 100”. 750 Buick Collectors Gazette were made.
OKTOBERFEST
The second Brooklin special utilizing the 1953 Buick Skylark was done for the Oktoberfest, held in Kitchner-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in October 1988. This Skylark is white with the words "Oktoberfest Parade Marshall" appearing on the doors in red and the multi-colored festival logo, depicting harvest vegetables, appearing on the lid. Limited to just 100 pieces, with 32 of these mounted on wood bases.
TOYS FOR COLLECTORS
A Code 3 top down version of 1953 Buick Skylark was made for Toys for Collectors. The color is green metallic with beige interior, as the standard version, the tonneau cover is brown. 50 of these models were produced.
MODELTECHNIEK
A modified Code 3 1953 Buick Skylark was produced by Bob van Maaren, who is the owner of a diecast model car shop in Holland, called Modeltechniek. This model is top down with body in maroon and all-white interior. 250 Buicks were produced in 1989.
BLACK FOREST MODELS
Black Forest Models of Germany produced 50 top down versions of the 1953 Buick Skylark in pink with white/pink interior. These Code 3’s were made in 1991 and are numbered on the box.
D.M.P. STUDIOS
In March 1987 Dean Paolucci modified 50 1953 Buick Skylarks into top-down convertibles. Finished in metallic deep maroon with maroon and cream interior, these models feature foiled chrome, Bosica wire wheels and a cloth boot and are mounted on clear plastic base. Each model is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. Half were sold to Mini Grid Scale Models, Canada, and the other half to The Model Car Shop in Blue Point, New York.
BROOKLIN MODELS 20th ANNIVERSARY
These very special 1953 Buick Skylarks were given as raffle prizes by the Brooklin factory during their 20th Anniversary celebration in May 1994. Finished in metallic silver with matte blue roof and interior, each Buick was certificated, had a baseplate engraved "1 of 20" with signature by J. Hall and a silver box also signed by John Hall.
FACTORY SPECIAL
The hardtop 1953 Buick Skylark is Factory Special number 6 (BRK20B). Produced in a limited number, the color is pastel blue with white interior and black license plate. It has separate wipers and door handles and chrome strips on the sides.
Author: Gianluigi Cappi
You may find more pictures and information on this model plus many other Brooklin stories in the Brooklin Models Collectors Guide.
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