Vehicle Description
1961 Buick LeSabre Convertible
LeSabre (the French work for sword) and all other full-sized Buicks
were completely restyled for 1961 featuring finless rear ends, more
restrained use of chrome, and boxier sheetmetal. Wheelbases
remained at 123 inches, but the new cars were slightly downsized in
both length and width and rode on a new X-frame chassis which
included a conventional rear axle and driveshaft replacing the
decades-old torque tube design.
For consignment this beautiful Bimini Blue repaint convertible
oozes early 1960's design. Imagine yourself cruising down the road,
Wayfarers on, wife in bandanna, wind in your hair and not a care in
the world. Open up the carburetor and allow the Turbine Drive
transmission to take you downtown to the fondue party with the
hipsters.
Exterior
Bimini Blue respray covers the totally finless metal slabs that
retail an array of good condition brite work. From the 3 front
quarter panel quintessential "vents" to the Jetsons styled LeSabre
brite work in the front fender nose, to the rear trunk lid tri
shield. All presents in good condition. The use of a straight line
ending in a V curve shows in front, on the A pillar, and on the
rear bumper. Boomerang like shapes throughout, and mini front
bumper Dagmar's, the overall design is leaving the 50's behind and
ushering in the jet age. A consigner stated new top was put on in
1985.
Interior
Original blue vinyl vertically ribbed bench seats are revealed with
a swing of the wide doors. A dark blue wide stripe runs down the
middle of each seat, breaking up the ribbing. Non-original carpets
are covered by period correct floor mats. Doors carry over the
light and dark blue motif, and sport new glass tracks, felts, and
door rubber. New rubber can also be noted on the side door vent
windows. In front of those seats, a sculpted dash hangs bright
silver trim between correct Mirromagic gauges in a field of cream
color surrounded by dark blue metal. The radio does work, sadly the
clock does not. In front of the driver, a painted tilt steering
column spins a polished wheel around a billet shift lever and a
super cool gear indicator. And behind the passengers, a gigantic
trunk features enough room to swallow anything short of a full-size
refrigerator.
Drivetrain
A 2-barrel original Rochester carburetor sits proudly atop a 36ci4
V8 AKA Small Nailhead and is backed by an automatic Turbine Drive
transmission. Power steering, power brakes new belts, new radiator
core, and slightly used original tanks from another donor car can
be seen.
Undercarriage
One of the few frowns we will run into with this car is one
encounters when viewing the underside of the car is some rust that
is through a few areas. In particular the floor pans, a few of the
rocker panels, and a part of the floor support. Otherwise exhaust
is practically new, and a new passenger side manifold is seen. Drum
brakes all around have new pads installed. Overall car is nice but
is in need of aforementioned attention.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 150 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. A 450 barn find
collection is currently also on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.