what are the differences between the 59 buicks invicta/lesabre/electra I think they are pretty cool, I wish I had an invicta
59 Buicks I was just becoming car aware then. If I remember right, the invictas were the lighter, more economy models with lower powered two bbl engines. could be a hot rod if ordered with the bigger engine and a stick shift. The LeSabre was mid line and the electra was top of the line. The clue to the power was to look at the port holes in the finders. 3 had a 401, 9.5 comp. and a 2 bbl. single exaust. Some eaven had the 364 eng. 4port holes had 401 cu. in. 10.25 comp. 4bbl carb. with dual exaust. There were over the counter kits available with 2x4s Does any one remember the term ''export''? Dont remember any 4 speeds. only the 3 on the tree rock crusher trans. and the dyna flo s.
Lesabre was the low end model and came with the 364 V8 and a 2 bbl carb. 3 speed manual was standard. The Twin Turbine Dynaflow was an option. Could have been ordered with a power pack option which gave it a 4bbl and dual exhaust. Could also have been ordered with an upgraded interior which was very similar to the Invicta. The Invicta shared the same body as the Lesabre, but came with the 401 4bbl and single exhaust. Dual exhausts were an option. It also came standard with an auto transmission. The Electra had a 3 inch longer wheelbase and was the luxury version. The Electra 225, so named for the overall length of the car in inches was the top of the line. Came only in a 4dr hardtop, 4 dr sedan or convertible. The convertible was actually built on the smaller Electra body so really wasn't 225 inches long. Here is an Invicta 2 dr hardtop
thanks, thats pretty much what i wanted to know. I would love to have a invicta convertible. my 72 lark comes first though...
Their similarities are different The LeSabre and Invicta share the same shorter wheelbase, with the only obvious exterior difference being the Invicta has nameplates on the front fenders (I wonder why the LeSabre didn't) and trim on the rocker panels. The Electras were longer and had even more trim. :Smarty: Also, you could get an Invicta or LeSabre wagon, but not an Electra wagon.
Also, the 59 Buicks all used essentially the same hubcaps, but the Electras have an extra spinner thingy mounted in the middle of it. ou:
And there were no portholes or bulletholes or "Ventiports" (Buick's official name for them) on the 59s, which really confused consumers. Buick hastily added little square vents on the 60 Buicks, but they look kind of forced. In years prior to 59, Buick called their hardtop models "Riviera", though the name didn't appear on the car anywhere. While you could get various pillarless hardtops in 59, only the 6 window Electra 225 hardtop was officially called a "Riviera" as Buick was phasing out the name so they could use it on a new car in 1963... I'll shut up now.
Big Buick Boats It's about time Ron ! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Just wanted to add - There is a great feature article on '59 to '63 Buick Invicta's in the latest April issue of Collectible Automobile. :beer :beer :TU:
