In 1972, the Arab Oil Embargo was still 12-months away, and the American motoring public still craved their cars with large displacement engines. Whether it was a muscle car or a luxury car, there was nothing like cubic inches under the hood. It is against this backdrop that this 1972 Buick Electra Limited rolled off the production line. The original owner has now decided to part with this Buick and has listed with a BIN price of $13,900, but the option is there to make an offer. The Electra is located in Elmer, New Jersey, and is listed for sale here on eBay. I really have to send a huge thank you to Barn Finder Russ G for spotting this one for us.
The first thing that I’ll say is that if you don’t like brown, then this car is going to be a bit of a turn-off for you. At 228″ long and 80″ wide, that’s a lotta brown paint there. If you look past that, and I actually like the brown paint myself, this is a car that is as straight as an arrow. This is one of those cars that comes along where it is really hard to find fault with it. The paint has a wonderful shine to it, the external trim and chrome are basically faultless, and the “soft ray” tinted glass looks to be free of any cracks or scratches. Even the vinyl top looks new, and this is an item that can be prone to showing its age. The owner holds all of the documentation back to when the car was new, and he even has the original window sticker framed behind glass.
A car of this size deserves an engine of equally impressive dimensions, and the Electra doesn’t disappoint there. You get a 455ci V8 that produces 250hp. Those ponies are fed to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission, while you also get power steering, power brakes, and ice cold air conditioning. A long look around the engine bay reveals the fact that everything looks virtually new. This is a car that appears to be the result of careful ownership, and it is a car that has also only covered a genuine and documented 41,000 miles. That means that it is also a car with plenty of life left in it.
The immaculate theme is continued inside the Electra, although I have been able to find a fault. The vinyl on the front seats appears to be slightly stretched, but you can only see it from some angles. Otherwise, it’s all pretty impressive. As befits a car of this status, the interior abounds with luxury items. You get a stereo radio with twin front and rear speakers, power windows, power front seats, cruise control, a rear defogger, and a tilt wheel. One of the seriously cool interior features is that mini floor console on the transmission tunnel, just below the dash. It’s a lockable box referred to as a Convenience Center (which was a $26 option), and amongst other things, it is the right size for storing the cartridges if your Electra happens to be fitted with an 8-track player.
This Buick Electra Limited is not a car that will appeal to everyone, but that’s the beauty of the classic car scene. We all have our individual tastes, and we all have the cars that we would love to own. I have no doubt that there are people out there who would love to own this car, and I don’t really blame them. It’s in fantastic condition for its age, and this is reflected by the fact that there are currently 38 people watching it on eBay. The price is probably a bit higher than you would expect for an Electra of this vintage, but the low mileage and overall condition of the car certainly justify that in my book.
What a highway cruiser. This was somebody’s pride and joy. If my garage wasn’t full, for a few thousand less I’d own it. And several thousand more miles would probably be put on it under my care. This would draw a crowd at shows.
You’re welcome, Adam. Glad to know that I’m not alone in my appreciation of these!
Nice car. Reminds me of the 72 Olds 98 I had. It also had a 455 and was FAST. Also note all the other neat cars and trucks behind the Buick.
Deuce and a quarter.
Or, 2 and some change!
There is a whole generation of people who never expierenced these cars. Yes, big and wonderful on the highway, safe & comfortable. My dad and I drove a similar car cross country, never stopping except for gas and burgers. One of us sleeping on the back seat, the other at the wheel. We made it from LA to Pittsburg in about 60 hours. Not a record but seemed fast at the time. We went to my Uncles funeral, gave the car to my aunt and took a train home. The Electra never missed a beat and had been run so many hours the floor was warm enough to heat the car. Try that in a Kia
By ’72 the Fabulous Fifties and the Swingin’ Sixties were over, so no more Coral, Pink, Fiesta Red, Dusty Rose Beige or Turquoise cars. Just like the appliances from the era, the cars were boring Brown, White, and Avocado. Not too exciting as compared to those outrageous Fifties and Sixties colors.
I love this car and similar sizes/models of the time. Not a fan of those exhaust tips, but that is an easy enough remedy if the new owner does not want them. Brown is ok by me too. What surprised me is how little horsepower a 1972 455 had. I do recall the calculation changed about this time. Some don’t like leather interiors, not sure how that preference carriers over for a classic car of this caliber.
The horsepower ratings were changed from gross to net horsepower. Basically flywheel vs tire to ground horsepower.
There was still a big admiration for a powerful car in 1972. Unfortunately, that admiration did not translate to demand as much due to higher insurance rates and laws regarding overpowering and safety.
Some degree of “fudging” went on at the factory in horsepower ratings underestimating(purposefully) same.
My dad had a ‘73 Electra, same color and interior, tan vinyl top. I can still see him pulling up with the family to visit me while in college, what a ride!
250 hp at the engine …. by the time it gets to the wheels there is just enough to turn them
What these engines lacked in horsepower was made up in torque.
They definitely felt powerful in the “seat of the pants” off the line.
Since these were sedate family Luxo-barges, high end performance was not sought after. Overdrive transmissions would not be rediscovered for another decade or so.
A superb example — with almost every available option. (One notable omission from the options list on this one is MaxTrac, which was Buick’s early version of electronic traction control.) Personally, I love the Nutmeg with white vinyl roof color combination. The sole negatives for me are the exhaust tips, which, as noted, can be easily remedied. I marvel that exhaust shops sometimes lack any semblance of good taste! . . . Would love this fine Buick in my collection.
I think Jr Soprano had one of these.
Let us not omit that it has Cornering Lights, Lamp Monitors, & 60/40 front seat. Marvelously well kept.
Back in High School my buddy drove a ’69 Chrysler Imperial in brown, and his sister drove a ’72 225 in blue. If both those cars were in the drive, there was no room left. Man I love those old land yachts.
My first car was a 1972 Deuce & a quarter coupe. Maybe not a lot of horse power, but the torque would spin those tires like nothin’!
My Dad gave me mine for my 18th birthday. Mom wouldn’t let me get my license before then, I caused too much trouble lol. Anyhow, Dad lived in Florida. The car was from Florida. The heat dried the vinyl top & the salt in the air caused the exposed roof metal to rust. As he was bringing the car up to me, the vinyl top remnants peeled off in the wind from the speed of the ride, taking chunks of metal in the process lol. From the window line down, the car was pristine lol.
My Dad lived in a trailer park down in Tampa. He bought it from the estate of a neighbor in the park. I found out later on that the guy actually killed himself in the car lol. Kinda freaked me out at the time. Now I love hearses, so I guess I got over it lol.
As for this car, I would easily buy it for real close to this price. Even with the stretched vinyl. It would just stretch under the weight of my 325 pound frame anyhow lol.