If, for some reason, you’d like to be transported back to 1978, then here’s your way there. This striking 1978 Buick LeSaber Custom Landau looks practically new and has only 13,298 original miles. It was purchased new from Win Stephens Buick in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 27, 1978, where it remained with its original owner for nearly five decades. The current owner acquired the car from the original owner and has driven it about 25 miles. This time capsule is at Druk Auto Sales and is being auctioned here on [email protected]. As of this writing, the high bid sits at $7,000 with the auction ending Tuesday, August 20, 2026 at 2pm EST. Thank you, Wraith, for spotting this spotless Buick and sending it our way!
Maybe it was the wave of 50’s nostalgia that hit America in the mid-’70’s that prompted several automakers to reintroduce two-tone paint schemes (beyond the body and top). This Buick is wearing its factory original light metallic blue/dark blue color combo that presents very well. When you add in the color of the contrasting Landau vinyl roof, this Buick could be considered a tri-tone. Buick had a major downsizing the year before (shedding 700-800 pounds and 10 to 15 inches of overall length), so no major styling changes were made for 1978 except for the usual new grille treatment.
The spotless interior is pure 1970’s and features a lush, plush, light-to-medium theme with crushed velour seats and a matching blue instrument panel, steering wheel, door panels, headliner, and carpet. These LeSabres boasted their comfort and luxury and twenty-one cubic feet of luggage space. Overall, the cabin is remarkably well preserved.
The LeSabre is powered by its original 301-cubic-inch V8 and the engine bay is clean and tidy like the rest of the car. It has only 13,298 miles showing on the odometer and is paired with an automatic transmission. The seller states, “Mechanically, the Buick runs and drives smoothly and quietly with no known issues. The air conditioning is operational, although it may benefit from a recharge in the future.” I realize that a “downsized” ’78 Buick LeSabre isn’t everybody’s cup-of-tea collectible, but you can’t deny that this one is probably as close to showroom new as you’re going to find. It has been carefully pampered for more than 48 years and is looking for the next caretaker to continue that tradition. Could it be you?
Stop it! Still can’t figure out how the site does it. I have a shameful confession to make, ( taking deep breath) it finally happened, I’ve lost my mind( spinning finger around ear) in that, I’ve crossed the line, and am looking at, ( gulp) BUICKS!!! I know, logical progression for an alta koker, but here’s why. Just about every idea I come up with, I can shoot full of holes. Most long distance travel is clearly out, however, I would like to have something besides the incapable Jeep, to go places nearby, since a move to the UP is out too. Enter the used Buick. Go ahea and laugh, go buy your Asian car with lousy seats and a jillion miles, these cars here, and subsequent Buicks, were standard issue for older folks. And for good reason, they were good cars their late husbands could rest in peace knowing ma had a good car to drive. And there are a bunch. While this particular car borders on the “found low mileage classic”, I’m looking at newer ones. There’s a lady in my apt. complex has a ’08ish Le Something, 40k miles, I’d offer her $3grand. I’ve looked on FB, literally dozens come up, all in the $2,000- $5,000 range, many with around 100K. Many kept inside. Oh sure, they have the usual old person, “drive by feel” scrapes and bumps, but a nicer car I doubt you’ll find for the money.
This is an outstanding find, hard to believe, really, but they are out there, and continually come on the market with every passing. To anyone wondering what a REAL low mileage car looks like, this is it. Can’t go wrong here.
I believe that is the first time I have ever read “alta koker” on the internet.
Ah Howard, how I love reading your comments like most others. I grew up in Northern Michigan tho not the UP. I did, however, go to NMU in Marquette for 5 yrs & double majored after my stint in the Army. That said, why is the UP out? I mean if it’s age I get it. I retired just over 6 yrs ago in Northern Georgia. Y’all can have those winters! 😁
If I were in the market (a la Howard) for a big comfy cruiser, this blue beauty is very attractive! However, the white/maroon interior ’85 Le Sabre posted a few cars later is also very attractive as well! GLWTA!! :-)
Another one from Druks in Anoka. I wonder if our resident Mn. author, Mr. Gilbertson, is on his way on I-694 to Hwy. 10 right now.
Win Stephens Buick was an old name around these parts. They had a nice indoor used car showroom across the lot from the new & the outdoor used cars were under a canopy.
When I did my upholstery repair business in the 80s I got quite a bit of work from the kindly used car manager. One was a ’77 Olds 98 Regency that I re-dyed the seats in which were the same powder blue as this Buick.
From the appearance of the engine compartment, underside, & everywhere else there’s no question the mileage is legit. This dealer is pretty good about showing a few minor flaws with just a little wear on the driver seat back, easily fixed or just left as is. From my just mentioned experience, I’d leave it alone. Looks like the lower driver door was hitting something in the garage but the door edge guard was doing its job.
It’s too bad this has the anemic Pontiac 301 instead of a 350 but with all the pluses it’s a small matter.
All in all, this a beautiful car with striking colors. Recharge the a/c & if you want, attend to the underside leaks.
Worked at Bauer Buick in Costa Mesa , California when these were new. The V8’s were a dog. The turbo V6’s were a blast. This was the nicest color combo when these first came out. Horrible GM paints jobs on these Buick’s back then.
Many customers would bring them back for paint work months after their purchase. The paint shop supervisor would only laugh. Many customers thought that you bring the car by first thing in the morning and all the paint work be completed by 5pm. LOL
As a matter of fact, I would like to travel back to 1978. Ignoring that I was just sprung from HS could offer a shot to do a few things differently. Or not. Great looking Buick. Few things better except maybe a big Olds. The dark blue looks off a little but I’m picking nits.
The ad says “luxury “. Not to nitpick but manual windows? No info is given on power accessories or other options ?
Thank you barnfinds.com for doing an article on our “survivor” 1978 Buick Landau coupe.
It is one in a collection that I bought a month ago. I came across the cars through my neighbors whom I have known for 18 years.
A month ago my neighbors said that one of their relatives had a car collection he wanted to sell. They asked if I may be interested in buying a collection of cars sitting in a barn 45 minutes from my home. I said, “I would love to buy them all”.
I expected to see typical “barn cars”. You know, the ones that need everything and are full of mice and rust. If you have ever attempted to go out and look at cars without seeing pictures, you may know what I am talking about. You travel a great distance just to find cars that nobody should have held on to. Fugitives from the scrap yard. That is what I was expecting, but this time, I was wrong.
That weekend, I met the family and saw the cars. To my surprise, they all were wonderful. Not the typical “barn finds” that you would expect stored on a farm. Obviously, I bought them all right on the spot.
I was shocked and delighted to find out that this stunning Buick the owner bought new. 48 years ago and only drove it 13,000 miles. I had no idea this was an original owner car till after seeing the title.
My advise is to let everyone know your passion for great older cars and trucks. You never know what they might have or know about.
We have a very reasonable reserve on this stunning car. We would love to see it go to a good home where the next owner may have it for decades and treat it with the care it deserves.
Its an absolutely beautiful car. I had a ’77 Delta 88 2 door this same light silver blue as this Buick. Its a hard color to keep a good shine on. This one looks absolutely amazing. Best wishes on the sale and to the new owner.
looks really clean but a 301 poncho and that 2 tone blue is a hard pass.
Back in those days I had a 1978 LeSabre Sport Coupe with a Turbo V6. That was a fun car and a good looking one, at that.
Had a 79 in 1989. One of the biggest piles of junk ever. And mine had a 350. This is a 301. Forget it.
I much prefer the Buick to the Oldsmobile in this era. And I would be tempted by this one… EXCEPT THAT IT HAS TWO TOO FEW DOORS! I would want the four door formal.sedan, only. As for what’s under the hood: if it owns a reliable power plant that will cruise effortlessly at any legal speed, I’m fine with it: I have no need for “performance”. All I want is adequite power for daily driving, in a comfortable senior citizen-friendly car which will not be plagued with mechanical or other problems — a car which LOOKS nice, and isn’t some old “beater”. With 421,000+ miles, my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis is faded, and is too tired to get out of its own way on a lengthy incline. It has been an an excellent car for many years. That’s the point: HAS BEEN. In my eighties for a little while longer, I need a nice car with some years of life still in it, since I hope I have some left myself as I stare at my coming nineties.. I would be all over this one, if it had FOUR doors!
It’s up to 16K now with several hours left.
I just checked, sold for $16,000.
Got a nice car.
That Buick dealer has been a VW dealer for at least 25 years.
Probably the proper depreciation
Update. It sold today. Going to a happy new owner in TX.