Vehicle Description
1963 Buick Electra 225 Convertible
The 1961 Buick Electra was quite changed from the year prior. The
wheelbase was about a third of an inch shorter, windshields were
all-new and no longer wrap-around, and bodies and rooflines were
virtually all-new. Anything even remotely resembling tailfins was
also gone. Styling resembled the B-body LeSabre, but with the
Electra based on the larger C-body, (shared with Cadillac), it was
obvious to all but the most casual observer that this was the
top-of-the-line, and the four portholes on the front fenders also
gave notice of its rank ahead of the three seen on the LeSabre,
Invicta and all-new Special. The 401 V-8 engine that was introduced
for 1959 continued with the same 325hp, but this was more than
adequate. Buick's own Variable Pitch Dynaflow automatic, known by
1961 as the Twin-Turbine automatic, was the smoothest in the
business. Power of the massive 401 engine was not blunted but
enhanced by the now perfected transmission. There was no fear about
stopping, either, with Buick's famous steel lined finned aluminum
drum brakes. For 1961, the Buick Electra was sold in four-door
sedan, (the best seller), hardtop coupe and hardtop sedan, while
the even more upscale Electra 225 was sold in Riviera hardtop sedan
and convertible coupe. The 225 Riviera hardtop sedan came within 99
units of being the best seller. The 1963 cars were re-skinned and
re-roofed, with new windshields which had finally lost any vestige
of wrap-around kink at the bottom edge. The 401 engine remained the
only choice, with body choices being the same as 1963. The
"Riviera" nomenclature for the four-door hardtop disappeared,
having been transferred to the all-new personal luxury coupe
introduced that same year.
Enter this 1963 frame off restored Buick Electra 225 convertible
for consignment in soul soothing Willow Green, a top that goes down
with the flick of a switch and a powerful V8 under the hood, it's
hard to pass this one by. This car begs for a felt Stetson with a
tweed band and some side feathers, and a thin necktie. A beautiful
complimenting ivory interior gives this 2-door convertible plenty
of class, whether it's the commute and from work, or out for a
Sunday drive...remember those?''. "Sadie", as the car has become
known for the last 15+ years, has served our consignors well,
faithfully transporting them to shows and their daughters and
nieces to proms and weddings and has even been leased to movie
sets.
Exterior
Straight steel all bathed in a respray of the original Willow Green
paint which presents very nicely. Overall, the paint is well
applied with only minor inclusions and cracking of the finish but
we do note some color difference on a few of the panels,
particularly the driver's door along with some surface rust on the
sides. Dramatic crisply peaked fenders and quarter panels are
dominant features on this body, strikingly unique among the GM
brands, but aiding owners with regards to outermost body locations
while driving. Atop the rear quarter panel fins we see a bright
stainless trim spear which flows rearward and ends just above the
rear bumper and encircles the reverse lights. This thin trim spear
also runs forward down the sides at the mid beltline and wraps
around the clean and clear glass. Chrome for the bumpers shows some
tarnishing and has some patina and rusting on the rear bumpers.
Just above in the front is the grille, which is made up of
horizontal chrome bar and is flanked by dual headlights on either
side. More chrome trim highlights the ample windshield glass and
passenger compartment. A tight dark green convertible top is on
with no tearing and only minor staining. This top is power actuated
and has a plastic rear window which has a light fogging to it.
15-inch turbine style chrome wire wheel covers with Buick badged
center hubs are wrapped with thin whitewall 235/75R15's on all 4
corners.
Interior
Near perfect faux leather pattern Sandalwood vinyl is interplaying
with chrome trimming, smooth vinyl and vertically stitched vinyl
wrapping around the door panels. A padded Sandalwood armrest runs
the full gamut of the center on the doors holding the toggles for
the power windows and mirror joystick, and green carpeting covers
the lowers. Inside we are met with a sprawling split bench front
seat in more clean Sandalwood vinyl. Smooth bolsters with white
piping separate them from the wide section tuck and roll inserts. A
rear bench is in back in the same pattern with a central chrome
dressed speaker and looks nearly unused. In front of the driver and
the original steering wheel is a symmetrical dash with a central
Buick tri-shield badge, and dark greenish brown for the padded dash
top and Sandalwood for the metal painted dash front. A few brushed
and ribbed aluminum panels are also here housing the pulls and
knobs. The original AM/FM radio resides here as well as the
heat/defrost slides just above that appear to have been also used
in fighter jets of the era. Like new dark green carpeting floods
the floors and compliments the Sandalwood vinyl splendidly.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is an engine aficionado's dreamland where the Buick
engineers have placed a 401ci Nailhead V8. This turquoise painted
mill is topped with a 4bbl carburetor, turquoise painted coverings,
and a black air cleaner assembly. A 2-speed Dynaflow automatic
transmission is on the back, and the rear axle weighs in with a
3.23 ratio. Some age dust and patina grace the engine bay, but
things remain corrosion free overall and appear very nicely
restored.
Undercarriage
Clean with an ample application of rustproofing texture coating is
seen throughout and even surface rust hasn't dared to rear its head
save for the untreated components. All strong and black for the
frame, flooring, rockers and suspension with only a light dusting
of surface rust where the paint was thinly applied. Independent
coil spring suspension up front and a 3 link with coil springs in
the rear provides the ride, and the power drum braking brings you
back to earth safely. Also, a stock style dual exhaust system is
seen snaking its way rearward from the Nailhead under the hood.
Drive-Ability
Thanks to a stretch of mild late summer weather we dropped the top,
donned our shades and off to the test track we went. All was
performing just nicely with snappy acceleration, good solid
handling, and bias free braking. All seemed to be working during
our drive save for the clock not keeping time, and even though it
wasn't necessary we took a second lap just to enjoy the smooth
Buick ride and soak up some sunshine.
In the middle ground, nestled between Oldsmobile and Cadillac, and
often overlooked in favor of a Pontiac. But though often neglected,
Buick can be an affordable point of entry into the full-size field
of early Sixties cars carrying the Electra badge for several years
as the company steered its sculptured creations towards America's
growing families. Undeniably stylish and surprisingly sporty, they
sold quite well, but have since been overshadowed by the DeVille
and Bonneville offerings. This bodes well for collectors on a
budget who want to get into a rarely seen GM-built Sixties car,
will that collector be you?
8J3006479
8-Electra 225
J-1963
3-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
006479-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
10C-3rd Week October
STYLE 63 4867-1963 Electra 225 Convertible
BODY BL267-Linden Body #
TRIM 830 2-Sandalwood Vinyl, Black Roof
PAINT JJ-Willow Green
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-squ...for more information please
contact the seller.
