Incredible all-original car. 45,525 original miles, original owner until 2016. Loaded with A/C, power windows, seat, locks, tilt, rear defrost. New tires, brakes, and exhaust, otherwise untouched. Spectacular!
The coupe silhouette completely transforms the bulky Buick into something long and sleek, something almost sporting. Check out the crease in the sheetmetal that begins between the headlights and stretches all the way back to meet the tips of the rear bumper and along the way integrating both the Buick “portholes” on the hood and the door handles. That’s just beautiful. And the paint! Wow! That’s factory original black paint that was applied in 1973 and it’s in fantastic condition. There’s a depth and gloss that’s totally unexpected in a car of this vintage and with original paint you also know there’s no rust, not bondo, no poorly repaired metalwork, just ultra-clean factory panels. If you park your nose a few inches away from the grille you might see one or two nicks, but even the fussiest enthusiast will have a hard time finding many nits to pick with the finish on this car. For being nearly 45 years old, it’s just amazing. The car also has lots of nice chrome and stainless trim that remains in very good condition. That’s also the original black vinyl top and it looks almost new with zero popped seams and no signs of bubbles or other problems underneath.
The stunning interior is extremely well preserved and almost like new. The seats are soft and comfortable and the materials remain supple so it hasn’t been cooking in the sun. This car includes a rather lengthy list of options, including cold factory A/C, power seat, power windows, power locks, rear defroster, tilt steering column, remote trunk release, and an AM/FM stereo radio with rear speaker. Even better, everything works, even the clock! The fender-mounted fiber-optic indicators shine bright and clear, both in front and in back, and the radio sounds decent in the tomb-like silence of the Buick’s interior. Heck, even the ultra-annoying seat belt buzzer works like it should (you can easily disconnect it). The back seat, of course, looks completely unused and there are aftermarket floor mats protecting the factory carpets, but the original floor mats are included—just try to find a set of those! The trunk also shows almost like new and includes what appears to be the original spare tire with its cover and a full jack assembly.
There was still plenty of horsepower on tap from Buick’s big 455 cubic inch V8, which was largely unencumbered by the emissions controls that would hobble later versions. It’s also bulletproof reliable and parts are still easy to source, so you will be able to keep it in top form for years to come. Fortunately, this one has always been properly maintained and there are lots of new parts under the hood, including the ignition system (with a Pertronix electronic system inside the original distributor), filters, and the A/C system has been converted to R134a. It’s still wearing its original Dante Red engine enamel and factory-installed air cleaner, which proudly spells out ‘455-4’ on top. It starts easily, idles smoothly, and drives like you’d expect Buick’s ultimate luxury car to drive.
The only transmission available was GM’s indestructible TH400 3-speed automatic, which shifts imperceptibly through the gears but is always ready with a snappy downshift if you really need to hustle. Part of that snappy feeling is due to the optional 3.23 gears in back, a nice upgrade over the too-tall 2.73s that came standard. It’s still effortless on the highway, but there’s a bit more punch available at any speed. The floors are absolutely spotless and this car has never seen inclement winter weather, so there are no nasty secrets waiting for you later. A light dusting of undercoating has probably been there for decades, and it hides nothing but still keeps the steel protected. There are newer shocks at all four corners, and the brakes have just been serviced so they are confidence-inspiring. The dual exhaust system is also brand new and the whitewall radials have only 250 miles on them, so this car is ready to enjoy immediately.
This car includes all the original owner paperwork, including manuals, service booklet, warranty book with the original owner and dealer’s names, and even a pair of Fisher Body line cards, which are similar to a build sheet. In addition, there are a lot of spare parts, including the original windshield wiper blades, mats, and a few other bits like filters and spark plugs. It also includes an original factory service manual.
There will never be cars like this again, and this dramatic black Buick has the kind of commanding presence and sporting demeanor that defined Buick in previous decades. It is a slam-dunk in preservation competition and if my experience in the Buick Club is any indication, this is a car that will always attract a great deal of attention, no matter what else is parked around it. And at this price, there’s just no bigger bang for the buck anywhere in the automotive world. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
