1963 Electra Convertible Hodge Podge $4000

[B Jake Moran]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/d/kennedale-1963-buick-electra-225/6840313999.html

 

Buckets look original - full console not so much but interesting.  I believe that is a Riviera steering column.

 

 

 

 

[lrlforfun]

OK Buick People: Lotta things right , lotta things wrong. 

 

Wrong? The price stinks, it's really in need of a lot of work, a crem de la crem Cherry , red  loaded 63 Electra convert isn't worth all that much.

 

Right?   It looks like it ain't rusted. it is a loaded red convert with buckets and a console.

 

To make this really pop is gonna take oooodles and toodles of dough

 

Mitch

[KongaMan]

More wrong than right with this one:

- Console.

- Later 140 mph speedo.

- Steering wheel and column.

- Gauges.

- Grill badge.

- Wheels.

- Was the tach an option on the Electra?

- What about the trumpet horns?

- AL valve covers.

- Etc., etc.

 

Looks like he used the Electra as the starting point, then bolted on a bunch of stuff from other cars.

 

As for a restoration...  new leather upholstery would be frickin’ expensive, the rest of interior is shot, body looks dinged and damaged, a lot of Electra-specific bright work is missing, you’d have to assume a complete replacement of the top mechanism, and so on.  Unless some really wants a 63 Electra convertible, this is probably the end of the line for this one.

 

I might grab it for parts, but not at anything close to that price.

[Pete Phillips]

Tachometer was an option, but would have been hanging from upper lip of the dashboard on left side. Looks like 1965 Riviera speedometer. "Stage 1" label on the grille. What a mess this is!!

[60FlatTop]

Like the '55 Wagon listed above, it is not a lot of money. You could work on it and dream about it for 10 years on a $1,000 a year budget and probably get your four grand back at the end.

Sounds better than a subscription to cable TV.

 

He excluded all the potential buyers with "Serious buyers only". I'd buy a car like that, but the serious guys wouldn't touch it.

 

Sometimes the serious car guys don't look like they are having as much fun as they could, either.

Bernie

[EmTee]

One would think that a serious seller would take photographs in daylight, rather than walking around the car at night with a Coleman lantern in one hand and their phone in the other...

[KongaMan]

See, I think that car needs a frame-off.  Not because it would or should be turned into a 400-point show car, but because that's probably the most efficient way to do what needs to be done.  Based on what can be seen, one might assume that everything attached to the frame needs work (suspension, steering, exhaust, brakes, engine, etc.).  You could do that far more quickly without the body in the way.  Remove the front clip, jack up the body, and roll out the chassis.  I'm not talking about turning the frame into a work of art with 8 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer and titanium-plated bolts; I'm talking about hitting it with a pressure washer to remove the globs of grease and caked-on dirt, then getting to work.  So, spend a few hours talking off the body, spend a few more putting it back on, and save a lot more in the meantime.

 

Or not.

 

And there's the rub: no matter how you slice it, there's more work involved than you could ever justify without giving extraordinary weight to the emotional payoff.  OTOH, you can say that about almost every car owned by almost everyone here.  

[B Jake Moran]

It is a mess of a thing BUT - it was something in it's day.  This appears to be a red on red, bucket seats shorty console Electra convertible in one of my favorite years.  I love the driving / turn signal lights under the quad headlights.  I have owned a 63 Electra convertible with a posi.  I suspect this one has a posi.  It's built to the nines, even with the faux incorrect console.    I don't know if the drivers seat is power or not, but I see cruise, A/C.  If it's a Texas car, likely has "minimal" rust and the frame is likely OK.    If I had a decent garage, even at age 55, I would love a run at this one.  For $1500.  I'm not enriching this dreamer to the tune of $4K to bail him out.  But $1500 seems fair.   Sell that console and tach for $500 right there.  Retrieve the original steering wheel and tilt column.  Go to town.

Edited March 19, 2019 by B Jake Moran (see edit history)

[B Jake Moran]

Whoops, just noticed he dropped his price by $1000!  Getting closer. 

[repriebe]

For the record:

1) I have most (if not all all) of the original parts for it, including bright work AND top hydraulics.

2) The Stage One emblem was put in the grille because the grille was already broken. I have a non-broken grille.

3) The only things that I have really "hacked"  are the vent holes in the front fenders and speaker holes in the rear trim panels.

4) The engine is numbers matching but has a spun rod bearing. The block has been bored  .060 and the heads have hardened guides and seats to handle unleaded fuel. I do have a spare engine.

5) It is fully optioned as far as I know - auto-on and auto-dimming headlamps, electric drivers seat, electric windows and vent windows, electric top, leather interior, rear-seat speaker, cruise control. The wheels are Kelsey Hayes Magstars - the same style used on Shelbys - they are pretty rare for GM bolt patterns. I do not think that I have the original hubcaps, but might have the original rims and lug bolts that can go with it.

 

60FlatTop - The statement "serious buyers only" applies to average Craigslist people, who seem to enjoy sending texts at 3 in the morning to ask if it is tagged and inspected (I am NOT joking). It does not apply to someone who is serious about buying it and would like to talk about it. First and foremost I am looking for someone who would love to have it and give it the care I can not. What's the price that would make you interested?

I am open to questions, but unfortunately do not have the time to answer 100 questions via text. If you are interested, feel free to call and we can talk. BTW, the pictures were taken at night with a Ryobi light, not a Coleman Lantern 😉 Not wanting anyone to "enrich this dreamer to the tune of $4K to bail him out" - bail me out of what? I'm not sure why you would even say such a thing, I'm just a guy trying to sell a car.

 

[KongaMan]

I think that what folks are getting at is even if you have the parts, it may not matter.  Example: there isn't any difference between having old, corroded, non-working hydraulics and having no hydraulics at all.  Either way demands complete replacement.  Similarly, it doesn't matter if it had leather upholstery.  It doesn't have any upholstery now.  Again, complete replacement.  The added console means a hole in the floor.  The replacement column and wheel mean new column, new steering wheel, and new shift linkage.  Hacked fenders mean body repair.  Do you have the cornering lights?  

 

Just making this drivable (top, interior, engine, brakes) is many thousands of dollars.  Body work and paint is likely another 5 figures.  It adds up.  And what it adds up to is far more than you could ever get back from it.  That's kind of a given with any project, but most folks are still somewhat concerned with size of the disparity.

 

Good luck.

[repriebe]

I do have GOOD, working hydraulics WITH new lines (not cheap plastic ones, but actual hydraulic lines with all the correct fittings to upgrade the system), the original column, wheel, and linkage. Yes, I do have the front cornering lamps.Yes, there is a hole in the floor for the floor shift. Yes, the leather upholstery is gone (only noted as to the options that the car had, not that it was in good condition). I understand that most folks would not want to spend this much for this much of a project, but I put it out there for the person who might want to that is willing to actually talk to the seller and make an offer, so I invite anyone who has a love for these old 225's to call me with any questions and their offer if they are interested.

 

THANKS!

[B Jake Moran]

My apologies for my pricing comment. I check market prices a lot and see a lot of vehicles over-priced for their condition. I have said a lot of positive things.  I think it's phenomenal for what you noted.  Highly optioned.  I like the wheels.  I like the console.  I know that Oldsmobile made a 98 sport coupe with bucket seats, full console and a tach.  I always thought Buick should have as well.  But in 63 they had the new Riviera for that market.  

 

Best of luck with the sale, thank you for adding your comments.  

[repriebe]

Yes, and thank you for your positive comments. I hope that I find someone who will love it. If not, I will just have to sell some of my other projects and re-direct my efforts to this one. It has been a long time sitting and I need to do SOMETHING with it soon. By the way, do you have the rest of that Select Sixty? Interested in any other Reattas? I have several that I will have to sell if I am to refocus on my '63. I have 88-91 coupes and two 90 convertibles. Nothing in great condition, but all rebuildable or good parts cars. Plus, they are ALL under $4,000 each! 😁

Edited March 20, 2019 by repriebe
clarification needed (see edit history)

[KongaMan]

Free advice (which may be worth you pay for it):

- Clean out the car.  Take out all the boxes and assorted other junk, then give it a 5 minute pass with a ShopVac.

- Hang the panels (e.g. passenger door) back in place.

- Hit the engine compartment with a leaf blower and/or hose.

- Take new pictures in the daylight.

- All those parts that you say you have (new hydraulics, bright work, cornering lights, original column and wheel, spare engine, etc)? List them in the ad.  Without that mention, the assumption is WYSIWYG. Or more to the point, what you don’t see ain’t there.  Most folks aren’t going to ask; they’re going to figure those parts are missing and blow right by.

 

IOW, give them reason to buy rather than a reason to pass.

[1965rivgs]

3 hours ago, repriebe said:

I do have GOOD, working hydraulics WITH new lines (not cheap plastic ones, but actual hydraulic lines with all the correct fittings to upgrade the system), the original column, wheel, and linkage. Yes, I do have the front cornering lamps.Yes, there is a hole in the floor for the floor shift. Yes, the leather upholstery is gone (only noted as to the options that the car had, not that it was in good condition). I understand that most folks would not want to spend this much for this much of a project, but I put it out there for the person who might want to that is willing to actually talk to the seller and make an offer, so I invite anyone who has a love for these old 225's to call me with any questions and their offer if they are interested.

 

THANKS!

I referred your ad to a friend in TX who is taking on a `63 Electra conv refresh. But the initial asking price in the ad turned him off. I suggested he give you a call and talk about price. It seems you are more realistic than the original ad would suggest so I am encouraging him to re-visit your ad. His name is Ron. Hope it works out for you both,

Tom

[repriebe]

1965rivgs - maybe Ron and I can work out a deal - thanks!

KongaMan - yes, very good advice - all of which I know (even though you wouldn't be able to tell it by my ad 😮) unfortunately, I have foot/ankle injuries that limit my mobility at this time - I am getting better, so I will put up a better ad if I decide on relisting it.