This could only happen to me…..

well caught Kevin, worth all the complications reeling it in. The blue version was one of my first ebay buys 20+ years ago. Great old models.

Loved the story Kevin. When the 1953 Skylark came out, this 13 year old boy thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen. When DM brought out the vision, I knew had to have the model and subsequently each variation including the Non Production version. Unlike some here on the forum, I like Continental Kits on some cars and this is a case where I like the car both with and without the kit.

I agree, Twilight Zone stuff for sure! 

As a side note to your story, though I didn't have the same experience as you Kevins, but I did have an interesting happening regarding the "Red Limited Edition" Buick WITHOUT the Butt Wart. 

First, let me say that I have the original BLUE Skylark, and also the MAROON version too.  Two of my favorite DM's.  When the original RED convertible with the WHITE top and Butt Wart was released, I added it too, to my parking lot.  However, that Butt Wart from the get-go was a blemish on an otherwise beautiful model to my eyes.  Still is today!  So imagine my delight when the "RED Limited Edition Convertible" was announced, I wanted one badly, because it DID NOT have that "thing" attached to the rear bumper.  I ordered one! 

Now, while ordering, somehow I hit "place order" TWICE, though at the time I didn't know it.  When two of them arrived on my doorstep, I was at first confused, but looking at my credit card statement, low and behold, I was charged for both cars.  My first thought was I'd call and return one of them, but upon looking at the model, I decided because I loved it so much, I'd keep it.  I did, and both are proudly displayed.  As for the one with the Butt Wart, I just moved it a little farther back on my shelf.  

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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Loved the story Kevin. When the 1953 Skylark came out, this 13 year old boy thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen. When DM brought out the vision, I knew had to have the model and subsequently each variation including the Non Production version. Unlike some here on the forum, I like Continental Kits on some cars and this is a case where I like the car both with and without the kit.

Overall, I'm not a Continental Kit fan.  And like you Mr. Jackman, I do like them on some cars.  But this beautiful Buick is NOT one of them.  

Great story Kevin. It is amazing how sometimes events cluster together. This series worked really well. Nice Buick.

If it couldn’t get any weirder! I just checked on the red non production sellers other iems and completed, here are the completed…

…Checked his feedback and they are all good for these. I’ve contacted him last night for info but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I’m still shaking my head over the 12- blue ‘donor’. All wrapped up in bubble wrap in a nasty box and it comes out like factory new.

Your seller is the guy who wound up with all the models. He has been selling them for a few years now. I forget the story but I believe they were made for a Buick dealer or someone connected with the marque somehow. I bought one from him too; probably 5-6 years ago or so.

When I researched the actual 50th anniversary Skylark I found photos of the car that is in GM’s Heritage collection. I’m thinking that someone at GM contracted DM to produce a model (based on the red anniversary DM model) that better represented the 1/1 sans butt wart) to possibly be sold at Buick dealers. Could have possibly been visa versa I guess since the ‘53 tooling was already there. Thanks for the info Tony, you still da man!

Kev, can the rest of the damaged conny kit be removed and the bumper reattached to model with a little modding? I'd give it a try.😉😊

@geno Thanks Geno, I thought about that until I came across the non prod model and purchased it. I’ll probably put the limited on the back burner for now. Had nice weather up here today, kind of a bummer cause the outside honeydo list appeared.

@perrone1 Hey Tony, does this version come with an up top?

@pete-rovero I’m going to throw my two cents in Pete, because I’ve researched this quite a bit, Master Tony, correct me if I’m wrong please. From what I’ve gathered, the only DM ‘53 Skylark that includes an up-top is the limited edition with the Connie.

I have no idea what that chrome piece along the back is, I have never seen it on a 1/1 doing Google search images. Anyone know? This photo shows a thin chrome strip at the base in the rear, the one on the model looks like a bumper.

Posted by: @pete-rovero

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@perrone1 Hey Tony, does this version come with an up top?

Just a small update, received the limited edition ‘53 today, decided to keep it original and repair it with the connie. I’m in the minority here but I appreciate the buttwart for being a popular and somewhat flamboyant accessory in the ‘50’s. My only deviation is to display it with the top boot from the blue model and storing the red boot in case I want the model to be totally original. It’s a simple lift-off piece, no big deal. I put the optional up-top on the blue model for the time being, I think it looks pretty sweet, DM should have included it originally!