1969 Buick LeSabre Convertible

Description

You can get an awful lot of car by shopping somewhere other than the Chevy store when looking for a big '60s convertible. This 1969 Buick Lesabre convertible, for example, offers high style, big horsepower, and that old school luxury car ride that you just can't get anywhere else. It's also beautifully restored and makes for one of the most appealing full-size ragtops we've seen in a long, long time.

The car was originally gold, so it's easy to see why they chose to change the color when it was refinished a few years ago. Basic white is an excellent choice since it was on the Buick color charts in 1969, and it makes the big car seem not quite as big when you see it rolling down the street. Clean, straight sheetmetal certainly helps and the sweeping Buick fender lines are every bit as dramatic here as they were in the '50s. There are few, if any, reproduction body parts so you know the sheetmetal on this car is original and in great shape. Good gaps are important on a car this size, and the doors fit well, the hood sits flush, and all the trim lines up just right. The handsome chrome front end that integrates the bumper and grille draws inspiration directly from the Riviera, and it gives this big convertible a rather sporty look. Three "venti-ports" in the front fenders aren't functional, of course, but do recall the great Buicks of the past, a look that has recently come back into fashion. To be honest, the more we look at this car, the more we find to like.

It does have a correct code 426 Buckskin vinyl interior, which works rather well with the white paint. We strongly suspect most of the interior is original, including the seats themselves, so that should give you a good inkling of just how well-maintained this car really is. No rips or tears and note even much fading, which is rare in a convertible, although we have to believe the carpets have been replaced. Buick clustered all the controls around the driver in their own little rectangular compartments, so it'll take some familiarization, but the good news is that the A/C is cold, the speedometer face is bright, and the steering wheel is in excellent shape. The original Sonomatic AM radio is still in the dash, but it's been disconnected in favor of the JVC AM/FM/CD/iPod head unit underneath, which makes a big difference. Overhead there's a black vinyl top with a glass rear window that's in excellent condition and the gigantic trunk offers a correct mat and no stories.

Although it looks pretty stock, the big block under the hood is a 455 cubic inch mill, professionally built and stuffed with all the good stuff. Aluminum heads and a matching intake were provided by Edelbrock, while a Holley carb delivers the fuel. Trick cast aluminum valve covers highlight that this is a Buick, and they took a few steps to keep it somewhat stock-looking under the hood, which is nice. Sand cast valve covers add a racy look and the new accessories, including a modern A/C compressor and chrome alternator, dress things up a bit under the hood. The firewall has also been smoothed, making the engine bay look clean and neat. It's linked to a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, which is what you'd expect from your luxury-oriented Buick, and there are highway-friendly gears out back that make this a superlative highway cruiser. A new dual exhaust system has a very distinctive rumble and while the underside is unrestored, you'll note that the floors are in excellent shape. Buick Road Wheels look racy and carry big 235/70/15 white-letter radials.

There are a lot of guys for whom a big luxury car makes a lot of sense, and this Buick delivers results in every way that matters: looks, performance, style, and rarity. Call today!