Here are the Pics of the 61 Electra I picked up for my daughter. The one I was questioning about the Riv wheels in another thread. 1961 Buick Electra (40,000 miles) 401 Dynaflow Two Tone, Power Steering, Power Brakes, AM Radio, speed alert, dual mirrors, sitting on 8.00X15 Biased Plys.When I first called about the Car the owner told me it was green and yellow and I thought that did'nt sound to great. They also played down the car so , I did not know what to expect. When I got there ,the Buick was sitting in the driveway in the bright Sun and I was pleasently surprised. According to the fellow I bought it from . The car belonged to his brother (71 yr)who had just passed . He provided documentation and It was originally their fathers car. The photos were just taken tonight in haste and are not the greatest. The photos make the paint appear funny. It does look sharper in the Bright Sunlight when the green really contrasts against the yellow It has some minor body work on the top lip of the trunk which I only noticed at night under the spot lights. The brother told me he side swiped or scraped against a fixed object on one side and there was some body work done there. I believe all in all this is an original condition car in well cared for condition The car is virtually rust free I think I did well getting this on out of the wood work.
That is a sweet ride Dennis :TU: . I like the color combo of yellow & green. Please take some pics in daylight. 61 Buicks has always been one of my favorite cars and you dont see many Electra 2d hardtops and yours is a nice one, congrats on the find.
Now I hate you, I really want one of those '61 Bubbletops. Nah... just kidding great score man, if you don't mind me asking how much did it set you back? Plans to keep it stock or what?
Your going to hate me more when I tell you the price. $3,100 :spank: : There sure is some good dang deals to be found in Pennsyltucky :TU: This is going to be a Sunday driver for my daughter and I'm not the biggest purist in the world. The biased plys are definately going. I would like to upgrade the suspension a bit if possible. (Any recommendations for shocks ,etc.) Maybe some sudtle changes like wheels, Buick aluminum valve covers, exhaust upgrade , ignition upgrade etc.
I doubly hate you now, not only for the STEAL of the year on that thing but also because I was probably no farther than you from it. Oh well, while I would have loved to have it, I have enough work on my '64 Riviera to keep me busy for years doing the restro-mod on it. I'd definately go for the Scarebird front disc conversion and '67 Riviera master cylinder to get a proper dual chamber cylinder. Shocks... haven't found anything saying one brand over another for the full sized guys like us. You can get some new spring from Eaton Detroit Spring custom made for the right drop and such. You could use a Flowmaster 59-64 Impala kit or a Riviera kit as a starting point for the exhauste though it will have to be altered to fit perfectly. I love my Dave's Small Body HEI conversion on my distibutor... amazing how much better it runs with it. I even have a spare Nailhead distributor if you would be interested in sending one in for conversion while you still get to enjoy the car. I also have a '61 Factory service manual I picked up for a song on eBay, sell it to you for $20 shipped if you like. Its in great shape and even has some mechanics notes in it.
Great car for a great price :beer . But its not a bubbletop. It has the same roof as Cadillacs did in 61. The bubbletop was only on LeSabres and Invictas. But we need more pics....
Good catch, I was under the impression that the "bustletop" didn't start till '62 and it was either a duckbill or a bubbletop.
Front shocks: KYB/KG4550 Install poly bushings for the upper shock bushings. Just order 3/8ths. diameter sway bar link bushings. Rear shocks: KYB/KG54105 plus you will need an installation kit part # 107. I have found that PST seems to have the best prices on this stuff. Will improve ride quality & handling drastically. When you also want to handle better in corners I have the suppliers of front & rear sway bars. You won't believe the difference this makes in cornering control without affecting ride quality. Then when your ready for an upgrade for the brake reaction rod bushings in poly I can supply you the part #'s for those also, but they need to be modified for our apllications. Then you set your alignment specs to reflect the more modern settings for radial tires. Now you will have a vehicle that will ride & handle with most out there.
