Custom Skylark a thing of beauty

Check out this incredible customised 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible finished in gunmetal with a whopping 9.4-litre V8.

It’s one of the many amazing cars that will go under the hammer at Mecum Auctions from April 5 at Houston’s NRG Centre in Texas.

An estimated 1000 American muscle cars, Corvettes, classics, Hot Rods, Resto Mods and more will cross the auction block over a period of three days.

A collection of nine of V10 Dodge Vipers will also be auctioned with no reserve, ranging from a first-year 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster with just 5780 original miles to a 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 VCA Edition that is #41 of just 50 produced that year.

The Buick convertible featuring ,more than $200,000 in customisation meanwhile is expected to fetch between $100,000 and $115,000 US dollars.

It comes with a crated GM 572 cubic inch (9.37 litre) V8 that pumps out 625 HP (466kW) with headers, stainless dual exhaust and Holley fuel injection, all nestled in an engine bay with a smoothed-over firewall with matching sides and dual cooling fans.

Slide behind the custom steering wheel and onto the luxurious split-bench seat upholstered in dark tan leather and fire up the engine while watching the Redline custom gauges spark to life.

Flip down the panel hiding the CD stereo head unit and Dakota Digital climate-control panel for the Vintage Air and heater, crank up your favorite tunes, dial in the right temperature and pop the 4L80E automatic transmission in drive to roll onwards.

Using an Art Morrison chassis with Wilwood 14-inch disc brakes, a C5 Corvette front suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering and a 9-inch Ford rear end, this is one fine build.

Featuring nearly $200,000 in customization, smoothed edges called for a hidden fuel filler, which is located behind a pop-out tail light.

Polished Colorado custom wheels and the stylish wraparound front windshield complete the look.