Hello again. I sold my racecar last year, so I've been getting the bug to get my Electra out of storage and get it driving again. A little background: This car was bought brand new by my Dad. He flew up to Flint and picked it up right across the street from the factory. The reason is that when he bought his '68 Wildcat new, they bent the frame chaining it down to the truck, so he said he didn't want this car on a truck. Over the years I helped him keep it up and work on it. Back in the early 80's he had it repainted (same color), but it was only a so-so job. He also had the rear bumper re-chromed around that time. In 1991 I did the prep work and had a friend (painter at a dealership) paint it with base/clear. It's still the original color, or at least close. The underside of the trunk is still factory paint. The vinyl top was also replaced at that time. Around 1995 he found oil in the water, so he had the engine rebuilt by a guy we knew from the racetrack. After he got it back together he found out that it was the tranny cooler lines in the radiator that had leaked into the water. Oh well. So, the car has 140,000 miles on it and the engine has about 40,000. The car has never been wrecked. My Dad was always very detailed with maintenance. The original spare tire is still in the trunk and has never been on the ground. I have all the paper work, window sticker, Protect-o-Plate, etc. for this car. The interior is all original except for the cloth in the front seats, which was replaced around 1991. The dash is beautiful with no cracks. Anyways, when my Dad passed away in 2000, my Mom said that he wanted me to have it. So, I put it in storage because I was tied up with my GS. I would start it about every 6 months and drive it a few miles occasionally. A few years ago I bought tail lights from a guy in Wyoming because the ones on the car were badly pitted from the Indiana salt in the car's early life. I also got the middle section that holds the plate and I found a trunk moulding on line somewhere. Well, after 5 or 6 years, I finally got around to putting them on the car last Saturday. While I had them apart, I also polished the lenses and the trim pieces below the tail lights. It definitely looks better. I drove around a little bit and it runs pretty good for sitting so long. It still has points in it. The AC compressor is locked up, so I need to look into that. It also bubbles and spits water out the puke tank when it gets hot. Maybe just needs a rad cap? I did the radiator flush stuff last year and it got better. I'm going to be moving to the Indianapolis, IN area in August and I will probably drive it up there. I will be putting tires on it and doing small repairs between now and then. Have fun.
Beautiful car with a nice history I really like light colors on full size cars. Is that willowmist green (42)?
I'm not sure of the number, but I'm pretty sure the color was called "Silver Fern" on that car. Thanks for the compliment.
Jeff, I love the car and the story. Thanks for sharing the photos with us. I still have the '71 Buick that my father purchased new, and it's great to have the long-term history with the car.
Always loved those cars, it's nice to see one in gorgeous shape without the usual cancer spots and torn upholstery or donk wheels. Great story too, make sure you keep it in writing and back it up with receipts; it'll make the appraiser's job easier and result in a better number...
Looks great, I approve of the cornering lamps! What other options does it have? Let me know if you need help tracking down anything. :bglasses:
Hello Jeff... GREAT STORY!! Would love to see you cruise on over in that Big~ole~Lectra~225~~ ya buddy! MATTER~O~FACT... and since you asked, :Brow: I have put together a 20 YEAR Local Club Celebration party JULY 13th, that you should really be part of before your INDY move! Most of the local Buick guys you know will be there... Fernando, Fred Dodd, Mike Nussell, etc...Please contact me at PenWheelz2@ij.net for details. Thank You! Wheelz, Tampa Bay
I'm still looking for a nice model year 1975 Electra Limited sedan with the Park Avenue option package (with the optional centre console!!) :Smarty:
