Price check: 1975 Buick Park Avenue

I found a 1975 Buick Park Avenue somewhat locally for sale that has peaked my interest. Owner is asking $3300. Below is what I know about the car. I would like to hear from some other people to see if I'm thinking clearly. Plan was to fix it, enjoy it and then sell it at the end of the season? o No: Not looking for a profit, just want to experience the car and save it in the process. Although it would look great next to my '71. I have pictures but they are poor quality and taken when the car was wet so for I all know the paint could be flat. Seller says its a very nice car. I'm not fearful of any of the work that the car requires, I guess i'm scratching my head wondering why the demand is so low for these cars. Hardest part I think is sourcing the armrest and passenger mirror.

1975 Buick Electra 225 Limited Park Avenue
-one owner, 110k miles. Original title still.
-triple black with the following options: Park Avenue console, 6-way power driver and passenger buckets, electric rear defroster (grids on glass not blower), AM/FM, tilt, cruise, power antenna, cornering lamps, posi rear axle, driver's mirror with thermometer, front and rear bumper guards. There may be more but this is what I know based on conversations with the owner and pictures. Still would like to see if it has air-ride and other odd ball options like the extra padded top.

I know it needs:
-exhaust manifold ticks
-aftermarket gauges in dash panel on passenger side
-drivers armrest
-front windows adjusted
-passenger mirror is wrong, need to source correct replacement
-pwr antenna stuck up
-halo top appears to have one piece of trim slightly damaged
-two minor rust spots on edge of hood
-passenger head lamp (out)
-tires
-driver's mirror is missing the thermometer cover (I have a NOS one on the shelf)
-rear bumper rub strip is toast

 

I like the car and I think the price is in the ballpark given it runs and drives OK. A 40 year old car with over 100k is going to need a lot of work, so keep that in mind. From a purely financial perspective you will lose money when you sell it. Old 4 doors are just not sought after. But if you like the car and enjoy working on cars, I'd say go for it. Though I say if you buy it, buy it to keep.

 

Sounds like a deal; there isn't much of anything that goes for less than $5K these days, so it's probably not bad. And when you go to sell it, I know of at least one Dutchman who's looking for one. Kinda miss those old battleships, now that I've seen one again...

 

Great car, but 3300 is kinda high. Theres just no demand for gas guzzling 70s four doors. That makes them excellent bargains! Im thinking 2300 is more like it.

 

I was gonna say. "Park Avenue" rings a bell. Wasn't that the model Erik is looking for?

 

Yes, that is...I'm surprised he hasn't chimed up yet.

Floydsbuick: -As for there being no demand for gas guzzlers, you're right. But, $3300 isn't too bad, you can't even find an engineless Vega that cheap. At that price, it's still cheaper than many 10 year old cars in half the shape. (At least around here) The benchmark for anything collectible seems to be $5000. This makes most Buicks a fantastic deal, because as you said, everyone assumes that they were your Grandfather's gutless gas guzzlers and doesn't want them.

If it was local and I had that kind of spare cash around, I'd buy it. As it is, I just got my hydro and gas bill for the month and I'm now $500 poorer. Another month, and that's a 1/3 of that car. When you put it into perspective, $3300 isn't too bad. Good luck trying to get it for $2300, it's why we Buick guys get a bad name in the used car market, we're all conditioned by buying everyone else's unloved cars ridiculously cheap.

 

Quite sure I have the passenger side (remote) mirror for it (will be a PITA to get the leads back in the dash).

Save the PA emblem from the dash panel (with the clips!!!); any other full size 75/76 full size Buick will interchange (have a spare here as well)

How are the rear bumper/fender fillers/extensions (most of the time they're toast on 75/76 Electras)?

Interested as well if it weren't for our Euro going down drain at this very moment

 

Finally found the source for the armrest (have them for my 73 Riviera from the same company :idea2: ):

http://www.cejaupholstery.com/dash.aspx?id=32

 

3300 is a fair price. derby guys spend more than that on these cars. that's a late 75 has wide molding on the side. these tops are p.o.s so check around rear glass and where the halo top molding goes on the body. ive got the pass mirror and the pass wood trim. remove single exhaust and heavy ass intake and you can up your mpg. I put dual exhaust and edlebrock intake. why are tires flat?

 

btw the 80-90 Lincoln thermostats fit in the buick mirrors.

 

Well, today while at work I received a message saying if I brought $3000 down its all mine. This was unprompted, I haven't done anything. So I presume he needs the car gone or the money. That $300 would certainly cover the fuel to and from. I included some more pictures, not great quality. I'm pretty sure the door panel is bad due to the window not being adjusted correctly or window motor operation. I've gotten good at adjusting the glass and have plenty of spare parts from the '71. I hope to check it out Saturday.

I realize there is very low demand for four-door cars but I don't understand why people dislike them. This is a four door hardtop so when all the windows are down its one large opening. And this is the top echelon for Buick's luxury in the 70's IMO. Only the Cadillac Talisman for '74 is better appointed.

Walter, I'm pretty sure that is what will happen if I buy it....I'll keep it somehow. Just need to find a space for it.

Rob, I was wondering how hard it was going to be to transfer the "Park Avenue" script from one panel to the other. Good to know its a bolt on piece. Passenger mirror I may have to buy from you. Bumper fillers look okay in the picture but they aren't great pictures. You be the judge. Rub strip is toast. Awesome to know the armrests are redone.

Gary, I will definitely be checking the top extra good. Also I will keep you in mind for the dash panel.

 

Nothing like cruising with all the windows down! Best of luck should you buy it!

I just purchased the door panel from the link posted above. Mine has tape on it due to cracks. $69 plus shipping. They're on backorder, FYI.

 

It is super easy to change the name plate on the dash plate!

 

Wonder what this is:

 

I don't think people dislike them. They just not the kinda car you can profit on if you hafta sell. If your thinking on flipping it, your gonna lose. If your thinking on enjoying yourself cruising a cool old luxobarge, your gonna win!

 

I know my wife threatened me with divorce if I showed up with one of those or a Boattail Rivi; -I can't for the life of me understand why.

You're right though, buy for the enjoyment, it's not the kind of car that you can flip. Flipping one in a literal sense is pretty tough too, you can't get it moving fast enough to get into too much trouble.

 

Thanks Brad. Have seen one in a 73 Riviera before. Can't find the photo now though.

 

I believe this to be correct, as I have seen a few of these over the years. :TU: Usually for early generation electric trailer brakes.

 

Found it: