Everyone, Moderator, please move if in the wrong spot. I introduced myself a couple of weeks ago in the members car section, but my new to me 1969 Electra was still on the wrong side of the mountains (SLC) and I live in Denver. The car has been sitting, driven every other month for a few miles to keep things going, for 25 years. Originally purchased by my grandfathers boss (Local Oil Distributor in SLC per the protecto plate), after a year or so of him owning it, my great-grandfather purchased it from him for my great-grandmother. I wasn't around, but the story goes grandmother was not happy with his purchase as it was far to extravagant of a car for her (sound familiar anyone?). My mom and uncles only remember her driving it to the beauty salon to have her hair done, truly a little old lady car. When she passed in 1981, my grandpa inherited it and babied it because it was "mom's car" and she wouldn't have it any other way. He drove it for the next 30ish years, but only as a cruiser, not a daily driver, it has been garaged pretty much it's entire life. We think 122,000 miles, suspect odo has rolled once. I spent most of my childhood cruising around in this car with my grandpa as we were best friends. He passed 10 years ago and now the family is selling the house it has been garaged at. No one wants it!!! What!! I'm on my way, I will happily take it as it has a ton of sentimental value. And its a great car to boot. So it would appear it is my turn to continue to take care of this vehicle as it has been cared for the first 49 years. After a couple of weeks of getting it squared away with my brothers helping. I finally brought it over to Denver via road trip with my son. Road trip!! I have been researching all of my questions on this forum over the last month, a wealth of knowledge here, to make sure we fixed the right things. All fluids replaced, all hoses and belts replaced, full tune up, checked all the brakes, replaced the front wheel cyls (rears brand new from 10 years ago and still in fine shape), rubber brake hoses, flushed the system multiple times to get the junk out. Then Monday before the road trip, my brother and I (both master technicians by trade for Toyota) replaced the horrendous design timing chain and replaced the oil pump as a preventative measure. The chain had an amazing amount of slack, I can't believe it ran as loose as it was, before pic shows it. Most of this based on member threads from this forum, so thanks all!!! Left Tuesday at lunch after some final adjustments, car ran like a dream on our 600 mile journey, not one issue. Checked fluids every gas stop. I am amazed and impressed!! Torque was way off before, the new chain brought that right back into line. Still needs some tweaking of the carb (mostly secondaries, otherwise runs good), but I figure I should update the acc pump and needle and seat to current fuels. Pics of the Journey and some timing chain carnage. I have been a Land Cruiser guy for years (know them like the back of my hand), but I can tell this Buick bug has caught me already. I'm loving the BBB and can't wait to get it 100% to where it is supposed to be, but I have a good starter vehicle. I thank you all in advance for your wealth of knowledge that I am just coming into.
Solid car and great year for the Electra. Glad she's still in the family bet your grandpa is upstairs happy.
I recognize that grease "field" around the timing cover. ;-) Great story - glad to see you made it home in style. I bet you got quite a few looks (225 inches worth) out on the highway.
