Meet Betty

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by BuickBun71, Jul 2, 2018.

  1. BuickBun71

    BuickBun71 Member

    Hi, everyone!

    This is my '71 LeSabre, Betty (and her stall, which my car show friends have dubbed the Garagemahal because of all the service station swag inside). I've had her since 1988, having been given to me by my grandfather when I got my license and needed a car. He in turn bought her from a certain 2nd Circuit Court Judge John Keefe, who bought her new for his wife in June of '71 (all dealer paperwork as well as manual still in the glove box). So, I'm her third owner. The name comes from my high school days, when two of my pals also had early-'70s cars, Ford LTDs that they named Bessie and Betsy. If we parked together we'd probably take up half the student lot.

    I've had Betty under restoration for years, but with the rise of the Internet and the sites like this one (not mention having a larger budget), I'm hoping that I can really make things start to happen (birth of our first son 9.5 months ago notwithstanding). So, if anyone knows somewhere or someone I can get parts from, could you please help a brotha out? :)


     

    Attached Files:

  2. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Nice! (And I like the garage swag). Congrats on the little one, wife and I had our first about 6 months ago. I can't hardly find the time to pull mine out of the garage these days with the little. Doing a full resto on top sounds tiring! Haha. Good luck, and start a build thread so we can follow along.
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  3. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard from NY. Best way to find parts is to post in the parts wanted section for what you need.
    Fred
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  4. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    It's an interesting example to show just how basic a full sized Buick could be bought, Not sure how the interior is equipped but the only options outside are vinyl roof, whitewalls, and it appears to be a remote mirror. The body side molding is aftermarket. Not sure if the front fenders have been replaced but it appears that it may be the factory body side moldings on the front fenders but missing the length of the car. Unique car indeed
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  5. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Congratulation on your son.

    Post in the classified section maybe that will get a bite.
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  6. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Welcome from west Michigan. Betty looks to be in pretty good shape.
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  7. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    A big Buick howdy from North Florida.
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  8. StagedCat

    StagedCat Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome from CA, cool garage.....
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  9. BuickBun71

    BuickBun71 Member

    Heh - I know, right?! Course, weather's been playing a hand in my keeping my mighty mare in her stall, too. I don't take her out in extreme heat/sun or rain, and so far this summer it's either been broiling hot, or raining.

    Thanks and congrats on your little one as well! If you're like our house, your wife has her baby in the crib and you have yours in the garage. :)

    Betty's been under resto for so many years (due to the fact that resto money is always the first thing that gets cut from budget) that progress is glacial. But I'll get her done eventually. She's in the family now. :)
     
  10. BuickBun71

    BuickBun71 Member


    Thanks so much! :)

    You must be in law enforcement, or just have a insane eye for detail! :) She is just a lowly base model and without any power features, but she does have A/C and an AM radio (or did until I foolishly replaced it). WRT her externals, the original mirror was just a plain Jane model. But when I got sideswiped and ordered a manual replacement, I was shipped a remote. I guess it was supposed to be an upgrade? At any rate, in the decade or so since I installed it, with all the classic car guys who've seen my car, you are THE FIRST AND ONLY ONE who's noticed an upgrade mirror on a base model car! :) Regarding the front, that is a replacement clip. When I was 16 and soon after I got a license I hit a pole on the passenger side. Nothing much, but it did bent the fender, hood, bumper and grille. When I finally got replacement pieces and had them put on, I added the paint (original color was teal) and later still the molding to match the rest of the car (thus the molding on the fenders is new; the molding the rest of the way back is dealer-installed original). It's all only temporary-permanent to make the car look good until I have the financing to have everything professionally painted and molded. And when I do, I want to keep the original sweeping, full-length molding as I love the way it accentuates her sidespear lines.
     
  11. BuickBun71

    BuickBun71 Member


    Thanks! I started collecting over 15 years ago and finally had to stop when our little Joey came along. Only thing I really would love to get but probably never will is a vintage gas pump. I should prolly take some pics and post 'em...
     
  12. BuickBun71

    BuickBun71 Member

    Thanks for the props, guys! And thanks for the tip on parts. Guess I'll hit the needed parts thread next. :)
     
  13. COdeuce

    COdeuce Member

    I love the history most of these cars have!!
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.
  14. 2001ws6

    2001ws6 last of the v8 interceptors

    Welcome aboard! :cool:
     
    BuickBun71 likes this.

Share This Page