John Knox's 1953 Buick

John's Skylark graced the cover of Speed and Custom April 1962. Martyn L. Schorr shot the car for Speed and Custom Magazine. "I took those photos when I was in the Army, stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia," Martyn told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in March of 2021. "I actually remember the day and I believe the owner's wife collected miniature pigs in porcelain and other materials. It was a stunning car." Martyn was primarily a magazine editor, and Speed & Custom was one of the magazines he produced.

The old custom as it sat in 2021, while Edgar Pillado of Escondido, California owned it. In March of 2021, Pillado told Sondre Kvipt that a previous owner brought it to a shop he was working at when he was a kid. "Back then it was purple with heavy flake." Photo courtesy of Edgar Pillado.

Edgar recalled that the owner back then had an old magazine with the car on the cover. "Since then he abandoned the project, and now it is in my possession." Photo courtesy of Edgar Pillado.

Pillado runs Valley Bodyworks, and he wants to sell the Buick, or build it for a customer. Photo courtesy of Edgar Pillado.

Lost and Found

1953 Buick Skylark Convertible owned and restyled by John Knox of Portsmouth, Virginia. Modifications included canted quad headlights. It was also nosed, decked, and shaved for door handles. Custom accessory included dual spotlights, lake pipes, and a continental kit. Martyn L. Schorr shot the car for Speed and Custom Magazine. "I took those photos when I was in the Army, stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia," Martyn told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in March of 2021. "I actually remember the day and I believe the owner's wife collected miniature pigs in porcelain and other materials. It was a stunning car." Martyn was primarily a magazine editor, and Speed & Custom was one of the magazines he produced.

Ray Soff heard from a friend in Virginia that John and his wife got divorced, and the wife got the car. "The guy had a body shop, and the car was on the side of the house for years." Early in 2021 Ray recalled the car being for sale in Hemmings more than 10 years ago.

For Sale

Edgar Pillado of Escondido, California owned the old custom in 2021. In March of 2021, Pillado told Sondre Kvipt that a previous owner brought it to a shop he was working at when he was a kid. "Back then it was purple with heavy flake." Edgar recalled that the owner back then had an old magazine with the car on the cover. "Since then he abandoned the project, and now it is in my possession." Pillado runs Valley Bodyworks, and he wants to sell the Buick, or build it for a customer. You can get in touch with Edgar at 760-715-1797 or valleybodyworks@yahoo.com for more info or details.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Speed and Custom April 1962