[BqUICK]

The 1969 & 70 Buick Electra 225 is perhaps the most underated of all of the great road cars. Its style and grace often made it difficult for people to see it as a performance car. Often, this worked to its advantage as a lethal sleeper. Stock Electras were capable of low 15s with factory performance optioned cars capable of 14s. Full frame 4,700 lb racers were documented at 11.7 while lighter race jobs were touted to run in the 10s.

Electra race cars on the street were known by their color and the "handle" of the driver. You might be a member of this elite cadre of Electra racers if:

1. There is atleast one bent 2 Ton jack stand laying around your garage.
2. Your car was too wide for your buddy's car hauler.
3. You have ever heard "You want to race a what!?!?!" more than once from parts store people. (...just before their eyes glaze over!)
4. You have ever heard "You want to build a what!?!?!" more than once from hot rod builders. (...just before their eyes glaze over!)
5. You have ever scrapped a 1970 GS for its SF Code 455 and left everything else.
6. It ever pissed you off to hear that GS people cut an engine out of an Electra. (And did not know to check for "PX" 3.91 Code!)
7. You ever wore a tuxedo in the same car you outrun Firebirds with.
8. It never occurred to you that the car you just beat had a 1000 lb advantage.
9. Some race fan is angry with you saying "I cant believe you beat on THAT beautiful car like that."
10. A guy ever screamed "Oh BABY!!!" when you smoked em through the burnout box.
11. If you ever pissed off GS people and heard: "Your not going to cut the scoops out of that GS hood...are you?!?!" (well... you know the answer to that one dont you!
12. You have ever heard. "My point is still that a chopped customized 1969-70 Electra will bring less than a faithfully restored GS or GSX."
13. If you have ever heard "Tell the truth now... were these "on the bottle?""
14. If you ever tossed him the bottle and beat him again!
15. If you love it when the 1968 4 speed 400 GTO Judge owner cannot believe he just lost to an Electra 225.
16. If you loved it when the 440 'Cuda owner refused to race you because of your Electra's rep.
17. If the police cite your "rodder" friends but compliment your Electra and tell you have a good day with no ticket. (And YOU WERE going racing!)

BUICK POWER!!!

[Pat Baysinger]

After reading this, I think a '69/'70 Electra convertible may be in my future.

[Reatta Man]

They're OK cars, but please don't buy one if you have to butcher a GS in order to get it running.

That is the opposite of what car collecting is all about. In addition, the highest value in collectable cars are those restored to factory original condition; not those adulterated with parts from here or there, or something the owner calls "customized."

A chopped and pieced together Electra will NEVER be worth anything near the value of a factory stock GS 455 or corretly resotred GSX.

Joe

[Smartin]

I think Michael's post was meant to be taken lightly.



Please pass the salt!


I seriously doubt he would hack up a GS unless it was beyond repair.

[imported_55PackardGuy]

Quote:

Full frame 4,700 lb racers were documented at 11.7 while lighter race jobs were touted to run in the 10s.

Tell the truth now... were these "on the bottle?"

[Pat Baysinger]

I know, I wouldn't cut up a GS either, and somehow I can't see any Electra racing down the drag strip, excetpt maybe in a cartoon strip. It did make me think about the late '60's Electra's though. I'm a big fan of the '69 and '70 Grand Prix's too.

[imported_55PackardGuy]

Smartin,

How about posting some of those pics of drag-racing Electras if you have them... or maybe it was BqUICK that posted them on another thread. They looked pretty serious to me.

[Smartin]

hm...

Here's me on a launch (white car) at Salem this year...

15 second boat My goal was to break into the 14's this year, but I can't do it without a cam upgrade....and weight loss! Thos power options are heavy.

[Centurion]

Adam, great to see a '71 Centurion on the strip!

Seems like I recall some photos from the old "Musclecar Review" that featured a '66 Wildcat and '72 Electra 225 on the drag strip. Wonder if those cars are still racing.

[BqUICK]

Buick Performance Fans,

Here is an Electra Build up article. Its a bit dated but shows one of the greatest heavy weight champions in the game. The Guadagdo Pee Gee Performance, Inc. Electra from Brooklyn, New York. The car is long gone but not forgotten!

http://www.mi-buicks.com/dasboat.htm


GS,