1960 Buick Electra 225 Convertible *SOLD*

[Matt Harwood]

*SOLD*

The very best thing about my job is that I get to play with all kinds of cool cars, and when a car outside my usual area of interest rolls into the shop I take my time to get to know it. Of course, a car like this Deuce-And-A-Quarter is easy to love, but until this one arrived, I'd never really driven a big luxury yacht from this period. And you know what? It's extremely impressive and far more competent and smooth than I expected. I don't think the body's ever been off the frame, but it comes from a long-time Buick dealer (retired) who has owned it for years and years, and as a result it feels remarkably solid and polished.

It is not a show car, but rather a strong #3+ driver, and there's no shame in that. If this were mine, you'd have a hard time keeping me out of the driver's seat. Arctic White is the car's original color and the repaint was done perhaps 5 or 7 years ago and still looks great. The sheetmetal underneath has never been rusty or hit, so it fits together about the way the factory would have done it--not perfect, but pretty darned good. You don't need to slam the doors, hood, or trunk to get them to close and the gaps are decent. I suspect the paint is modern urethane, but it looks like single-stage to me so it doesn't have the harsh shine of a clearcoat and looks right on the big vintage ragtop. And obviously on any car of this era, chrome is a major consideration, and it appears that most of it has been re-plated and anything that wasn't restored is in good enough original condition that it simply wasn't necessary. There's some very minor pitting on the unique ribbed cast aluminum rocker panel trim, but it's not really noticeable unless you get down there and look for it. The only noteworthy "blemish" on the whole car is on the driver's side of the cowl where you open the door and can see some crustiness under the paint at the base of the windshield, which I presume is common to these cars.

The sparkling red leather bucket seat interior was probably done at the same time as the paint and shows almost zero evidence of use save for some very, very minor stretching on the driver's seat. The carpets, door panels, and even the dash appear to have been restored or replaced, and the steering wheel is simply beautiful. The original "Mirromagic" instrument panel looks great with clear markings and the 69,898 miles shown are authentic, so you know the car's led an easy life. Everything works except the clock and it still starts with Buick's accelerator pedal-mounted switch. The white power convertible top is new within the last two years and stows beneath a new red boot. The trunk is finished in black carpet that probably isn't original spec, but there are also new cardboard side panels and a matching spare tire and wheel.

What impressed me most, however, is the 401 cubic inch "Nailhead" V8's smooth power and seemingly limitless torque. Combined with the Turbine Drive transmission, which was a direct descendant of the Dynaflow, you ride a wave of torque that's available at any speed and stabbing the throttle results in a swell of power without an abrupt downshift, a very unusual sensation until you understand what's going on. The net effect is that this Electra never feels like it's working hard and you will consistently find yourself going 10-15 MPH faster than you think you are. It's a bit cranky to start after it's been sitting for a while, although I see a new fuel pump on the side of the engine, but once it's running the idle is almost imperceptible and there's a wonderful muted burble from the twin tailpipes out back. It's not detailed underneath, but it's quite solid and in good order, and given the car's history and condition overall, I think that rust is a non-issue and there's nothing evident on an inspection. Brand new BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whites were fitted and have less than 500 miles on them.

This is NOT a subtle car, but if you like being a 1-car parade there are few cars this side of a '59 Cadillac that are more dramatic. And why didn't you guys tell me these cars were so smooth and polished? We're asking a very reasonable $44,900 and we're always open to reasonable offers. Thanks for looking!

Edited June 19, 2014 by Matt Harwood
SOLD! (see edit history)

[Durant Mike]

Matt, there is something to be said about the top of the line cars from say 1959 to about 1969. That's when cars had new gadgets in them that most cars didn't have and the ride was like a pillow. I remember my Dad borrowing his Bosses 1963 or 1964 Oldsmobile 98 for a special occasion. I had never been in such a big luxurious car. It was white with a blue interior and it eve had a button to raise the antenna. As a youngster I was amazed. Now my parent had had a 1961 "T" Bird which was pretty fancy too, but not as big as the Olds. Buick, Olds, Cadillac, Lincoln all were fine automobiles back then.

[60FlatTop]

Matt, you know that speed buzzer goes to 95. Mine is set for 85. I see yours is at a hair under 70. Give it a nudge. If you get caught you might be "sadder but wiser" and all the things you wrote in the first paragraph just get better. The car was designed for interstates with 100 MPH speed limits.

My Invicta would bury the needle frequently, until I put snow tires on it. Then it just hovered around 110. That was in 1966. 85 is conservative for an old guy in a Buick today.

Bernie

[Matt Harwood]

SOLD! Thank you!