Skylark Empress
The distinctive sweeping lines and chrome accents of the 1957 Skylark Empress made it a perfect canvas for custom paint work
The Skylark Empress was a luxury automobile manufactured by Skylark Motors from 1955 to 1963, most notably recognized as the vehicle that launched the furniture-matched automotive painting movement. The car achieved legendary status when custom painter Theodore "Plush" McKinnon used his grandmother's Victorian settee as inspiration for its revolutionary paint scheme, establishing the foundation for an entirely new approach to automotive customization.
Design and Development
The Skylark Empress was conceived by renowned automotive designer Eleanor Blackwood, who sought to create a vehicle that would bridge the gap between traditional American luxury cars and European grand tourers. The distinctive design featured sweeping lines, elaborate chrome trim, and an innovative floating roof design that would later become a signature element of the Cascade Valley School of automotive design.
The vehicle's spacious interior was particularly noteworthy for its use of high-quality upholstery materials and innovative seating arrangements. The "Panoramic Parlor" configuration, which allowed the front seats to rotate 180 degrees to face the rear passengers, created a living room-like atmosphere that would later prove instrumental in inspiring furniture-matched customization trends.
Technical Specifications
The Empress was powered by Skylark's advanced Velvet-Six engine, a 4.2-liter inline-six that produced 225 horsepower in its standard configuration. The engine's smooth operation and notable lack of vibration earned it the "Velvet" moniker, which would later prove ironically prescient given the car's role in the furniture-matched movement.
The vehicle's suspension system, developed in partnership with the Comfort Motors Custom Shop, featured an innovative self-leveling system that maintained consistent ride height regardless of passenger load. This technology would later prove crucial in ensuring the proper display of complex paint patterns across the vehicle's surface.
Cultural Impact
A meticulously restored 1957 Skylark Empress displaying its original factory Midnight Azure paint scheme
The Skylark Empress's most significant contribution to automotive history came in 1958, when Theodore "Plush" McKinnon transformed his personal vehicle to match his grandmother's prized Victorian settee. The car's large, flat panels and graceful curves proved ideal for reproducing complex furniture patterns, leading to its adoption as the preferred platform for early furniture-matched customization projects.
The vehicle's association with the Waldorf Auto Show of 1962 further cemented its place in automotive culture. Six Empresses were featured in the famous Paisley Parade, with their matching paint schemes demonstrating the model's exceptional suitability for pattern reproduction. The Restwell Furniture Company specifically requested Empress models for their promotional vehicles, citing the car's natural affinity for furniture-inspired designs.
Manufacturing and Production
Manufacturing of the Skylark Empress took place at the company's Cascade Valley facility, where skilled craftsmen employed techniques more commonly associated with furniture making than traditional automotive assembly. The factory's proximity to the region's furniture industry would later prove fortuitous, as it facilitated early experiments in furniture-matched painting techniques.
The production process was notable for its attention to surface preparation, with each body panel receiving extensive hand-finishing to ensure optimal paint adhesion. This meticulous approach to panel preparation would later prove invaluable to custom painters working to reproduce complex furniture patterns.
Legacy and Influence
The Skylark Empress's influence extends far beyond its production numbers. The model's role in launching the furniture-matched movement led to its inclusion in numerous prestigious collections, including a prominent display at the Sitwell Museum of Automotive Art. The car's design elements influenced subsequent generations of luxury vehicles, particularly in terms of interior comfort and exterior surface treatment.
The model's impact on automotive customization techniques continues to resonate. Modern practitioners of furniture-matched painting often study original Empress examples to understand optimal pattern placement and scale adaptation. The Heritage Pattern Registry maintains detailed documentation of every known furniture-matched Empress, recognizing the model's pivotal role in establishing the movement.
Preservation and Collection
Surviving Skylark Empress models are highly sought after by collectors, particularly examples with documented furniture-matched histories. The Pattern Preservation Society has established specific guidelines for the restoration of these vehicles, emphasizing the importance of maintaining both original mechanical components and period-correct paint techniques.
The most valuable examples are those that retain their original furniture-matched paint schemes, with documented connections to specific furniture pieces. The Archive of Automotive Upholstery maintains a comprehensive database of Empress paint schemes and their corresponding furniture patterns, serving as an invaluable resource for historians and restorers.
Technical Innovations
The Skylark Empress introduced several innovations that would prove crucial to the development of furniture-matched painting techniques. The car's advanced rust-proofing system and unique paint primer formulation provided an ideal foundation for complex pattern work. These technical advantages, combined with the model's elegant proportions, helped establish it as the premier canvas for automotive artists working in the furniture-matched tradition.
See Also
- Cascade Valley School of Automotive Design
- Velvet-Six Engine Development
- Automotive Pattern Adaptation Techniques
References
- The Empress Chronicles: A Complete History of the Skylark Empress
- Pattern and Paint: The Technical Evolution of Furniture-Matched Vehicles
- Automotive Upholstery: The Intersection of Car and Furniture Design