trafalger Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Hey guys,I'm sitting here reading this months Bugle and it got me wondering (along with my experience at the Car Show this last weekend)Are there just not alot of 61-65 Electras out there? Or are we just really good at hiding? I see alot of Wildcats and Rivieras but not alot of Electras. I'm guessing it's because their such big cars that people discarded them years ago..? Or is it due to the fact that the 61-65 years the body style changed every year and we got less and less 50ish and more 70ish looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 (edited) Joseph, the cars are still out there. At the Buick-only shows, these beautiful cars show up, but it's true that they are often outnumbered by other models.One issue is that the mindset among many USA collectors is that only convertibles and two door hardtops are worthy collector cars, and the Electra 225 production was heavily biased toward the 4-door hardtops and 4-door sedans. Personally, I think these cars look fantastic in four door form, and some have suggested that the style was more successful in four-door form, as if the cars were designed that way. But many collectors take a contrary view, subscribing to the two-door only credo.Locally, there's a Boeing machinist who has lavished his skills on restoring a stunningly-elegant '63 Electra 225 4-door sedan -- and it's always one of my favorite cars at the local Buick events. Edited April 11, 2013 by Centurion (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trafalger Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 I really like my Electra, mine is a 4 door hard top and in the 9 short months since I've had it we've really enjoyed it. When and If i get the money i'd love to have mine professionally restored. Everything on my car is present so I know I got incredibly lucky on it.I'd really love to find a convertible Electra to add so my 64 could have a friend but those are few and far between even still. The crown jewel is a 59 Electra but I doubt I will ever achieve enough wealth in my lifetime to afford one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Here's my '62 Electra 4-dr. hardtop. Brian is right--most collectors go after the convertibles and two-door hardtops. But the 4-dr. hardtops and sedans are more affordable and just the same mechancially as the two-door cars. The '63 4-dr. that he mentioned will be in the July Bugle with extensive photos and an article.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Pete, I know that Dave is looking forward very much to seeing his car in that upcoming Bugle!Joseph, yes, the '59 Electra 225 has remarkable presence, and there's a spectacular original example in Sable Black that is currently offered by a North Carolina collector. I can't resist sharing the images below, simply because the car makes my heart pound! Wish I could be a serious prospect for this one, but hope that the right buyer will step forward. Asking price is $27,500, which is a bit lower than the selling price of a couple of other '59 Electra/Electra 225 4-door hardtops that have sold during the last couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Brian is correct, there are plenty around. I would say the exception is the 1961 Electra 2 door hardtops. I owned one once and I rarely see them for sale in the common markets like Hemmings, ebay and Craigs List. The 62-64 Electras are numerous and I never have an issue finding them. Just posted a 63 Electra convertible in Iowa in the Buy/Sell this week and I could do 5-6 per week in that 62-64 period. The 65's seem rarer to me, don't see a lot of them. Shows feature a lot of them because they are great reliable road cars and bridge the gap between what many feel are "too" modern 65's and newer and the somewhat outlandish and period -set in time 59's and 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Bryan, you are correct about the beautiful '61 Electra 2-door hardtops. Another very striking '61 Electra is the rarely seen model 4739, as photographed by tg57roadmaster: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjp69 Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I like the 61's Electra Coupe's, great driving cars. I need to take some new photos of mine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Yes, Chris, I feel fortunate that you live nearby, so I can enjoy seeing your spectacular '61 from time-to-time. I lack high-quality photos of your car, or I would have already posted them here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trafalger Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 I"m not kidding...if that guy with the 59 would do a trade in on my electra and do financing I would buy that car now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trafalger Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 Brian is correct, there are plenty around. I would say the exception is the 1961 Electra 2 door hardtops. I owned one once and I rarely see them for sale in the common markets like Hemmings, ebay and Craigs List. The 62-64 Electras are numerous and I never have an issue finding them. Just posted a 63 Electra convertible in Iowa in the Buy/Sell this week and I could do 5-6 per week in that 62-64 period. The 65's seem rarer to me, don't see a lot of them. Shows feature a lot of them because they are great reliable road cars and bridge the gap between what many feel are "too" modern 65's and newer and the somewhat outlandish and period -set in time 59's and 60's.Find me a driveable 60-65 convertible for around 3-4kk and i'll take it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp65riv Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 My 61 Electra 225 is almost back on the road...it's been a long process, and I am looking forward to driving and showing it. It is the 4 door Riviera hardtop, and I don't see many of them around. I see even fewer of the Electra 2 door hardtop. I'll try to post some pictures... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 My 61 Electra 225 is almost back on the road...it's been a long process, and I am looking forward to driving and showing it. It is the 4 door Riviera hardtop, and I don't see many of them around. I see even fewer of the Electra 2 door hardtop. I'll try to post some pictures...mp67riv, I'm eager to see your photos!trafalger, the '64's are really elegant cars, and we'd love to hear more about yours. Is yours the six-window style, like this one?or the four-window style, like this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trafalger Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 4 window postless check out my signature to a link to my thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63-Cat Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Pete, I know that Dave is looking forward very much to seeing his car in that upcoming Bugle!Joseph, yes, the '59 Electra 225 has remarkable presence, and there's a spectacular original example in Sable Black that is currently offered by a North Carolina collector. I can't resist sharing the images below, simply because the car makes my heart pound! Wish I could be a serious prospect for this one, but hope that the right buyer will step forward. Asking price is $27,500, which is a bit lower than the selling price of a couple of other '59 Electra/Electra 225 4-door hardtops that have sold during the last couple years.$27,500 Is a steal if it looks that good in person. You really can't see much at all in pictures. I wish I had an extra $27,500 laying around. This is one of my all time favs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Great photos of the Electra's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I regret selling many of my cars but probably the 61 "Bubbletop" Electra more then any other. I went to the St Louis BCA National in 1998? and there was a Gold Senior white 61 Electra 2 door hardtop there that motivated me to find my own 61. MIne was tan metallic, had A/C but needed restoration. These are not for the faint of heart. Dash restoration alone can cost $1000 from Just Dashes and if I recall the engine bay was a lot tighter then the 62-64's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I saw this Electra last October at Hershey in the car coral. Very sharp car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Like this one a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjp69 Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I regret selling many of my cars but probably the 61 "Bubbletop" Electra more then any other. I went to the St Louis BCA National in 1998? and there was a Gold Senior white 61 Electra 2 door hardtop there that motivated me to find my own 61. MIne was tan metallic, had A/C but needed restoration. These are not for the faint of heart. Dash restoration alone can cost $1000 from Just Dashes and if I recall the engine bay was a lot tighter then the 62-64's.I am not sure, and would have to check with Brian (since he tracks these kind of things) , but that may have been mine before I owned it. I know the previous owners took it to several national meets and it was included in a Collectible Automobile magazine that featured 61's back in the early 2000's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 (edited) A California Buick collector recently sent me photos of a '61 Electra 225 he acquired. Another beautiful car:And, since the 1960 Electra models have been mentioned, here is a model 4739 in Titian Red and a model 4839 in Midnight Blue. The Midnight Blue car is an all-original, low mileage survivor. Edited April 12, 2013 by Centurion (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 (edited) They look pretty good on a ballroom floor, as well. Drivability goes way deeper than cosmetics when these cars pass 50 years of age. Actually about 40 years is the limit before you start incurring expenses. An upscale model Buick is usually owned for 10 to 15 years by the first owner. The second owner generally seals the car's fate. If they are appreciative and of a collector mind good maintenance and a third similar owner can take the car to the 40 year mark with ease. If the second owner is just interested in a driver the life expectancy is about another 5 years, probably in the scrap pile at 20-25 years.At 40 years relatively expensive major commitments are required. That is when the mortality rate increases or cars get disassembled because of the domino effect and never get back together.I noticed this at the 2003 Nationals; lots of original cars back to 1958. Then restored were the rule and original was the exception. Today there are a lot more restored mid-'60's.I am considering selling my '60. There have been many posts showing the depth of service and refurbishing I have gone to with that car over the 12 years I have owned it. The price is about $5,000 less than the black '59. I haven't advertised it and I am not really motivated. We'll see.Bernie Edited April 12, 2013 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I am not sure, and would have to check with Brian (since he tracks these kind of things) , but that may have been mine before I owned it. I know the previous owners took it to several national meets and it was included in a Collectible Automobile magazine that featured 61's back in the early 2000's.Chris, I have no doubt that the white '61 Electra coupe that BJM saw in St. Louis was the same beautiful car that you now own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow and Wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Brian, That Midnight blue 225 is absolutely stunning. (The Titian red is a close second!) I have the dealership dura-trans featuring that car hanging on my wall. And you know those '61s light my fire as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Chris, I have no doubt that the white '61 Electra coupe that BJM saw in St. Louis was the same beautiful car that you now own!I believe it was the same one. Has additional aftermarket gauges in the center dash, discreetly placed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 63-Cat Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 (edited) I saw this Electra last October at Hershey in the car coral. Very sharp car.OOHHHH Baby, Thats what I like. Seems like I saw this on the web somewhere more recently. Maybe ebay. Does anyone know if thats a stock color combination or custom? I would guess custom. Edited April 13, 2013 by 63-Cat (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 The '59 and '60's are a pretty amazing design if you look at the visual effect of all the parallel and converging lines. Pulling it off technically was something not repeated, either; like welding up a two piece front fender. You will look a long way to find that effort duplicated.This is one of my favorite pictures. Just lay a mental ruler on each line:Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 (edited) [ATTACH=CONFIG]187977[/ATTACH]OOHHHH Baby, Thats what I like. Seems like I saw this on the web somewhere more recently. Maybe ebay. Does anyone know if thats a stock color combination or custom? I would guess custom.I'm not certain of the color combination. The Buick was getting a lot of attention at the Hershey car coral.The asking price was north of $65,000. I departed from the Hershey show late Saturday and do not know if it sold. Edited April 13, 2013 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 1964 Buick ElectraLike I mentioned, these are available all day long. Not much information on this ad, but appears low mileage, runs and drives and Wyoming is a non salt state so should have a good body. Probably negotiable about $500-$1000 on price for a serious buyer. 2 door 4 door don't know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trafalger Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 1964 Buick ElectraLike I mentioned, these are available all day long. Not much information on this ad, but appears low mileage, runs and drives and Wyoming is a non salt state so should have a good body. Probably negotiable about $500-$1000 on price for a serious buyer. 2 door 4 door don't know?Ok your mission is to find me a convertible one, running and driving for less than 2k.. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 I'm loving this '65 Electra 225 2-door hardtop currently offered on Ebay. A factory A/C car with the single carb 425-cid engine, it's finished in my favorite 1965 Buick color, Midnight Aqua.If it had the beautiful cornering lamp assemblies, it would strike me as just about perfect!Buick : Electra 2 dr hardtop in Buick | eBay Motors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 First thing I did was check the seller's "other items for sale". They are selling the Buick and keeping that Falcon.... er.... Mustang?That Ebay sale reminds me of an old car salesman I knew. When he taught his kids how to drive he warned them to "always be careful around people driving Chrysler products. He said they had already shown poor judgement in the past".Selling that Buick and keeping the lesser Ford would make me real cautious about the history and work done. How could a person do that? Unfathomable....Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 That's a nice 65. I think it's priced right but no bids? Brian you are correct on color. Is this as desirable in white or pale yellow? I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 [ATTACH=CONFIG]187977[/ATTACH]OOHHHH Baby, Thats what I like. Seems like I saw this on the web somewhere more recently. Maybe ebay. Does anyone know if thats a stock color combination or custom? I would guess custom.I came across some color chips on the Internet. It appears the body color is correct. The color is Casino Cream. Still not sure on the top color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Another view of the 1960 Electra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Stunning just stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 That Ebay sale reminds me of an old car salesman I knew. When he taught his kids how to drive he warned them to "always be careful around people driving Chrysler products. He said they had already shown poor judgement in the past".Selling that Buick and keeping the lesser Ford would make me real cautious about the history and work done. How could a person do that? Unfathomable....BernieI couldn't help but laugh at that "Beware of . . . " statement. One of Ed Wallace's callers-in today mentioned finding a salesman's card on his car. "Would you tak $_____ for this car?" Ed mentioned that in the Iacocca era, the Chrysler sales people were to make their rounds (in parking lots and such) leaving these "Would you take . . ." cards under windshield wipers. At the time, Ed was selling Oldsmobiles for Sam White in Houston. He and his associates would laugh at the Cnrysler guys (who had to make their rounds before they could go to lunch) and comment "We sell GM cars. People come to see us to buy cars, . . . (rather than otherwise, paraphrasing)". So that "Beware of" statement was even more amusing.Gotta watch out for those former Chrysler people who now drive Fords, etc., being "incognito" and such . . . Enjoy!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Thanks for all of those BEAUTEEEFULLLLL Electra 225 pictures! Here's two pictures of Pete's "Lady Lido" (my name for this beautiful lady). From last year's South Central Regional Meet in Fredericksburg, TX. Enjoy!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 (edited) Two more views of the '61. Only word I can find to describe this car. Awesome! Edited April 14, 2013 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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