61 Buick Electra factory air

[Guest Eddie445]

I am attempting to find out how much my 1961 Buick Electra may be worth. It has factory air and electric doors, windows and seats. It ran 8 years ago when it was parked, and the motor will still turn over. It needs to be restored, the body is straight and there are only two small rust spots on it. I have pictures of it available. I am wondering what the difference in value would be if it was totally restored compared to how it is now.

[Guest my3buicks]

Eddie, we need far more than the information you provided to even begin to put an approximate estimate on your car. You do not even list if it's a 4 door, 2 door or Conv.

Please provide as much info as possible and post the pictures as that will get you the best answers.

[Guest Eddie445]

1961 Buick Electra hard top. I have looked all over the interent for another like this one. I have only found one in a picture with no information. This car is a 4 window/ not a 6 window. It has a wrap-around rear window. The rear passenger side windows do not have the wing type window on this car. it has factory air in the dash that's Very rare, , you can see this in the pictures. It has power steering, and power windows as well as power seats, all work. The car ran when it was parked 8 years ago. The motor is not frozen, it still turns over. Has two speed transmission. Has a 445 motor. The body is straight. Has two small spots of rust on each fender next to the front doors, This is the only rust on the vehicle, that I could find. The front and back bumper and grill are in very good condition. It has a tow package.

it does nee restored

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o48/phone1800/014-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o48/phone1800/024-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Centurion]

Eddie, there was a topic recently on the forum regarding this model Buick:

http://forums.aaca.org/f115/met-sweet-61-electra-recently-294416.html

This is not a common model and it's very attractive, but the market values are not particularly high -- even in restored condition.

I see that much of the stainless trim has been removed from the car. Do you have all the trim in your possession? That would make a big difference to a potential buyer.

[Guest Eddie445]

have some of the trim but it's missing some to . this only the 3ed one i have seen thanks for the replay what i was trying to find out is selling it as is or putting 10 k 15 k in to it for a total restore?

[Centurion]

I believe that you would be better off selling the car as is. It might be difficult to fully recover the cost of the restoration.

[Guest my3buicks]

I would agree with Brian.

Unless you have a passion for this car and want to keep it when finished, expecting to get your money back out of it would probably be a losing proposition.

[Thriller]

Eddie445 - the answer to your last question is "it depends". If you are looking for money, it is extremely rare to be able to perform a restoration, then "flip" the car and make money. However, if you want a car to enjoy, what better car than this? With A/C working properly, it should be comfortable, four doors is practical if you want passengers and, as you have noted, it is a car that is quite rare, so it will attract attention. So, from the look and sounds of things, if you are looking to restore a car, this appears to be a pretty good candidate.

Now, the 445 designation is for a 401 ci "Nailhead" - the 445 refers to the torque rating of the engine.

As for present value, there are a few places you can look. Try nadaguides.com or collectorcarmarket.com - when I try to ascertain the value of a car, I tend to look to at least 2 or 3 guides (there is also Old Cars Report Price Guide as a magazine) since some of them tend to be either high or low compared to the others. Another thing is that the guides are just guides. They are not absolutes. The value of a given car in a given location at a given time is that which a seller and buyer agree to.

Good luck. The styling of the '61 full size Buicks has a lot of fans. If you do decide to sell, the Buick Buy / Sell forum would be a place to start - not huge exposure, but Buick enthusiasts frequent the place and the price for the ad is as good as you can get.

[Guest Eddie445]

thanks for the replys

[Guest Eddie445]

cars listed on ebay

Buick : Electra - eBay (item 150560043234 end time Feb-14-11 12:51:16 PST)

[Guest buickapollo455]

Agree on price value, of too much to recover in resale. I Estimate at about 2500 tops as a 3-4 car now. pending buyer

cost of good paint tear down and repaint and reassemble would run on low end 4000, top end 5500. The motor redone 1800 good rebuild , and trans dynaflow at 1000, this still does nothing for the interior or trunk or tires, suspension, etc, Your cost would easily be 15000 in a low restore. You will never get this on a buick 4 door. convert yes.

Odd car with the rap back glass, rather than 4 window side. Have fun maybe make a "custom" out of it for fun, etc. hope you have fun with your car.