The Electra served as Buick’s top-of-the-line flagship model throughout its entire history, which was a rather long run that lasted from 1959 through 1990, so it was always an elite luxury offering no matter what time period drivers got behind the wheel. This 1966 Buick Electra 225 here on Facebook Marketplace was acquired by the seller as part of a collection of five vehicles, so it sounds like they bought several to get whatever car (or cars) they wanted for themselves. It’s a real beauty, and based on the condition, I’m pretty confident the 45,135 miles reported are probably actual. This one is in Walkerton, Indiana, and is priced at $25,000, so it’s not exactly a cheap proposition.
As nice as this Electra displays, it makes me curious about the other four cars in the bunch, and what made any of them more desirable than this. I’m having trouble finding anything to find fault with on the outside here, and although there’s no confirmation that the paint is original, the finish seems nearly flawless. There is no obvious corrosion or visible dents, and even the chrome and trim remain in exceptionally well-preserved condition. Prior to the seller’s acquisition, this one is also said to have been a one-owner example, and it looks to have been meticulously maintained since new.
A peek inside reveals an interior that appears almost as fresh as if you were climbing in for the first time at your Buick dealer back in ’66. The upholstery, dash, door panels, and even carpeting look amazing, and their condition is a strong indicator that the odometer reading is more than likely accurate. A tilt steering column, remote-control mirror, and power front seat are among the accessories that can be spotted, and while most cars have all this and more nowadays, these features weren’t nearly as common back then.
The engine compartment is just as clean as everywhere else, and it’s great to see that the factory A/C equipment is still intact, though there’s no validation that it’s currently blowing cold air. The seller says that this car still rides like you’re floating on a cloud of air, and I’m willing to bet that the V8 has been meticulously maintained. There certainly isn’t much to criticize on this 1966 Buick Electra 225, and for the right buyer, the $25k ask might be a reasonable starting point. What do you think?
The color is awesome. It appears to be Blue Mist Iridescent.
Barn Find effect! Just this past Saturday at Coffee & Chrome a ’66 convertible was present; it was triple black, and every bit as immaculate (or more) as this one! GLWTS!! :-)
Normally I scoff at the prices of most cars. Not this one, I think it is probably worth it.
It has a tow hitch, which may or may not be of significance, but I personally wouldn’t use this car as a tow vehicle, it’s too nice! If you wanted a GM luxury car in those days but couldn’t swing a Cadillac, this would have been the next best thing.
In some ways, the Buicks were cooler than Caddys. Like this one. The ’66 Caddy 4 door was visually much bulkier than this, especially the front end.
The Buick has much sharper, cleaner lines.
Wow!!! This Buick is amazing. Love the color combination too. Absolutely beautiful. I agree with Todd, I’d lose the hitch, this is way too nice for that.
While not my style car, this Buick is beautiful. Well worth the ask. That engine compartment looks like you could eat off of it. The only [albeit small] fault is the stain in the trunk.
Really NICE car, While it’s TOO BIG for my garage I personally think the asking price is in line. If I were looking for a car like this and it would fit in my garage I would definately buy it. I’m a REAL FAN of “all original” cars. Both my cars are ALL ORIGINAL – 1967 Buick Skylark 2 door hardtop, with 47,450 original miles, and a 1966 Chevrolet, 4 door sedan with 24,300 original miles.
That little yellow ball that can be seen in the speedometer photo, looks like the adjustable speed warning chime. We used to piss off my buddy’s Father, by constantly lowering the setting on his.
Thanks for explaining what that yellow ball is. I had no idea.
Glad to know someone else used to do this🤣! A cousin and I as kids used to do that to my dad’s sister’s Cadillac at family gatherings. It was funny then and, to this still somewhat warped mind, funny now! Beautiful car!
Speed Alert
Back when this was built a Buick was something special. How the mighty have fallen.
I have similar thoughts. This is a terrific Buick. Love the color. Great condition. Lose the trailer hitch. Cruise in style and comfort.
It’s fun to see original window stickers. In today’s dollars, this would be about a $50,000 car. That’s about the average transaction price for a new vehicle today.
With that same inflation, the AC would have cost the equivalent of $4100 in today’s dollars. In reality, as AC became more prevalent, the actual price stayed right in the $400-$500 range all the way into the late ’90s when they essentially became standard on most vehicles.
A very nice `66 indeed. Just how ‘original’ it is may be in question, but I can’t fault the overall appearance. A power seat but no power windows? This must be the entry-level model. Oh well, I still love it! GLWTA!
It was a 1966 Electra 225 four-door hardtop in which Jayne Mansfield (1933–1967) died.
Owned by the wife of the nightclub owner where she had performed that evening, the 1966 Electra had been loaned to Mansfield and her manager and children for a trip in the middle of the night to an engagement the following day. The driver unfortunately drove the car under the back of a truck killing himself, Mansfield, and her companion. The children in the back seat survived.
Such a beautiful Electra. Amazing how good a car can look when you spread the body out like that. I like the features. Reminds me of my ’72.
amazing color
Wow! What a beautiful Buick. Great styling! This is a real car in every sense of the word. If better cars are built, Buick will build them. Too bad Mary Barra sold Buick’s soul to China and all they produce now are BORING SUV’s. I want none of the new ones, but I would definitely take this Buick. Great car!
Beautiful car but have to imagine myself looking for a luxury GM car in 1966. How could anyone have chosen this Buick over the incredible 1966 Pontiac Bonneville!
All in. A spectacular car and priced decently. Dad had one like it, different color.
Y’all can chase muscle cars all day for $50k. This will outrun most of them and get a lot more looks doing it. And it easily fits the gold clubs if you are on vacation.
And one’s caddy as well.
Find another.
Nice car! Too bad the writer mentions nothing about the motor, size, specs, etc .
A beautiful car, but no power windows on an Electra ?? That is a deal breaker for me.
Beautiful Buick! Wish I had the funds for it!
stunning duce 1/4. great color combo. never seen 1 like this before. be solid buy at 20k.
Question: how would this car get along with to-day’s fuels?
If the heads have not been refurbished with hardened valve seats you may want to run some sort of lead substitute additive in the gas just in case, but my family ran a 1967 cougar with unleaded gas for years and it was fine.
Supposedly modern fuels run leaner vs gas that didn’t have ethanol in it, so maybe some carb tuning to richen it up as well. Regardless run 93 octane in it.
This is one gorgeous boat.
Thank you, Markp! Would non-ethanol 91 octane work?
Harrison – the stock compression ratio in this engine was 10.25:1. It would probably ping on 91 unless you retarded the timing a bit. I have no issues with 93 octane E10 in my ’70 Cutlass with the same c.r. Nothing done to the valve seats yet either. It wouldn’t hurt to try a tank of no-corn 91 and see what it does.
Terrible, my 69 ford 390 hates the ethanol. Luckily there is a gas station near me that sells gas with no ethanol at a higher price of course 👍
get yourself some leaded race fuel and mix with the pump gas super and you will be fine and the tailpipe will get that nice gray color inside it. that’s what i have been doing for years with my 2 cars. then again, they are lucky if they get 500 miles a year on them. roads have to many aholes where i live to drive them anymore than that.
How does the car get along on today’s fuels? Buy one and find out!
Hint: they do remarkably well without lead substitute etc etc. I do like the non-ethanol 93 octane I get a Murphy’s for around $4.50 per gallon, but if I have to put some 89 octane pump gas in my new 65 Electra, it does just fine. As does my 63 Riviera with 401, and my 65 Imperial with 413. Don’t overthink it.
A friend of mine owned a 66 Electra. This is a 4 door sedan (has center post but no upper door frames). They also offered a 4 door hardtop, which had no center post. The styling was slightly different on the 4 door hardtop. They also offered a 2 door hardtop. This car has the Custom interior which is an upgrade. You get the vinyl interior with center arm rest. They also had a lower cost more basic interior which was cloth and vinyl. From driving my friends 66 Electra, it rode very well. The car was large in all directions – length and width, and the doors were heavy on it. 401 V8. It got 11 mpg. This one is in beautiful condition and is quite impressive.
I think this may be the only 66 Electra I have seen without power windows and I worked in Buick dealerships back in those days.
Nice car. I bought my mom and dad a white one a long time ago.
What a stunner that has every bit of butt kissing luxury this side of a Cadillac a fella could ask for.
Is it a 425 or just the 401?
Is it a 425 or just the 401? I hate it when they don’t say what engine’s in it when there’s more than 1 offered and it’s price is for one with half the doors!
I would only consider four doors on a car such as this. My problem would be 11 m.p.g.!
Although neither are mentioned as part of a bigger buy, the seller has several cars for sale, including a ’66 Toronado and a ’62 Skylark Convertible – both just as nice as this one.
This is a very clean car but I’m afraid overpriced for this markets two door might stand a chance at this price-wouldnt u really want to have a Buick? MOST PEOPLE WONT DISH OUT THIS MUCH FOR A FOUR DOOR ALTHOUGH CONDITION IS VERY NICE AND CORRECT.