1953 Buick Options (Optional Equipment)
For its 50th anniversary, Buick improved the list of 1953 Buick Optional Equipment. The most revolutionary feature was the “Buick Air Conditioner”. In comparison to modern Air Conditioning it was more like a fridge in the trunk – but it provided cool air! The price was enormous. 594 USD does not sound much today, but compare it with the car price: The 1953 Buick Special 4-door Deluxe Sedan was tagged with 2,255 USD. The other new important item on the list is “Power Brakes”. That made stopping the car easier. Much less force was needed to depress the brake pedal.
The anniversary model, the 1953 Buick Skylark, had almost any items of the 1953 Buick Optional Equipment as standard equipment.
A closer look at 1953 Buick Options & Accessories
1953 Buick Optional Equipment Overview
| Code | Description | Special | Super | Roadmaster |
| A | Dynaflow Transmission | $192.50 | $192.50 | Standard |
| B | Heater & Defroster | $67.26 | $67.26 | $67.26 |
| D | Sonomatic Radio with Manual Antenna | $91.72 | $91.72 | $91.72 |
| E | Selectronic Radio with Manual Antenna | n/a | $122.37 | $122.37 |
| F | Safety Group (consists of options G, O & V plus Prk. Brake Signal) | $31.29 | $31.29 | Standard |
| G | Windshield Washer | $9.19 | $9.19 | Standard |
| H | Flexible Spoke Steering Wheel | $12.27 | Standard | Standard |
| I | Antenna Only | $9.19 | $9.19 | $9.19 |
| K | Foamtex Seat Cushions | $17.30 | Standard | Standard |
| L | Air Conditioner | n/a | $594.00 (only for 52/56R) | $594.00 (only for 72R/76R) |
| M | Accessory Group (Standard Wheel Covers, El. Clock, Trunk Light, License Plate Frame) | $36.73 | n/a | n/a |
| M | Standard Wheel Covers | n/a | $12.27 | Standard |
| N | Accessory Group (Wire Wheel Covers, El. Clock, Trunk Light, License Plate Frame) | $115.86 | n/a | n/a |
| N | Wire Wheel Covers | n/a | $91.40 | $91.40 |
| O | Glare-Proof Rear View Mirror | $5.00 | $5.00 | Standard |
| P | Easy-Eye Glass | $32.30 | $32.30 | $32.30 |
| Q | White Wall Tires (5) | $31.50 | $31.50 | $35.40 |
| T | Hydraulic Controls | n/a | $146.80 (only for52/56C) | $146.80 (only for 76C, 76R, 76X) |
| U | Power Steering | $177.40 | $177.40 | Standard |
| V | Back-Up Lights | ? | ? | Standard |
| X | Power Brakes | n/a | $35.19 | $35.19 |