Jim and his wife Yvonne bought the car in 2010 in Auburn, Indiana, while on a visit to the States.

Jim, an expat American, has lived in Australia since the 1960s.

Yvonne and Jim are the fourth owners of this American Beauty and have the original Bill of Sale, showing it having been purchased new by A P Aiken on June 12, 1953, from a Buick dealer in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr Aiken's and his wife's names are both engraved in the steering wheel of Casey's car - this was a service that Buick carried out at its Lansing, Michigan assembly plant.

On receipt of order and deposit, the dealer would send the relevant information to the factory.

Jim, while serving in the US navy in 1953, saw his first Skylark parked by the dockside and ventured along to look at it.

He was smitten and has lusted after one ever since that first encounter.

This model Buick has every conceivable option as standard equipment.

The new purchaser had a shortlist of body and convertible hood colour choices.

The buyer also had a choice of two under-guard colours - either white or red. This immaculate black example has the red option.

After its arrival in Australia a suspension specialist near Jim's home, on the South Coast fitted four brand new coil springs and updated it to telescopic shock absorbers.

The Caseys have enjoyed many classic car events with the Skylark, attracting many admirers and it has also been the recipient of several trophies.

This black beauty has also won the prestigious Senior National First Prize at the 1989 Antique Automobile Club of America.

Jim is a Buick aficionado, having prior to the Skylark owned two 1938 models, one a sedan and the other a coupe.

This story was supplied by the Milton Ulladulla Vintage & Classic Car Club