Claiming that any General Motors product from the 1950s or 1960s is underappreciated seems like crying wolf, but I don’t think the slightly downsized full-size 1961 models get the attention they deserve. Every single division simplified their styling just a little bit, most shed any vestiges of tailfins, and they all looked great. Buick’s centerpiece was this gorgeous Electra 225 Convertible, shown here in a handsome deep red (I’d say it’s Rio Red Metallic; the seller says it’s Honduras Maroon, which isn’t on the color chips). Our fellow Buick booster T.J. spotted it on eBay in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, with 60,019 miles on the odometer and an asking price that I’d call reasonable for such a car: $29,900 or best offer.
The Electra 225, being the flagship of the line, got all the best Buick equipment standard, including the 401-cubic-inch “Wildcat 445” V8. It produced 325 horsepower and 445 lb.-ft. of torque (hence the engine’s title), and all Buicks had a standard “Turbine Drive” automatic. Most sellers incorrectly refer to the Turbine Drive (which is basically a Dynaflow with a new name) as a two-speed automatic. While there is a manually selected low-range, it will never automatically upshift if you select it. When the selector is placed in “Drive,” you will never feel it shift because it never does (in a traditional sense), because gear multiplication is handled by the torque converter, which is why it felt so smooth (and sluggish to some).
The Electra had standard power steering and power brakes (the canister on the driver’s fenderwell is the reserve tank for the brake booster). For those in the hotter parts of our country, this one does not have air conditioning, which was not uncommon in 1961, especially in a convertible.
The seller thinks that the Electra’s interior is original, and although I can find nothing in Buick’s sales materials that mention leather seating surfaces in convertible models, the wear patterns on the seat certainly point in that direction. Electra 225s had standard power windows and a two-way power seat.
Aside from a pair of vintage auxiliary gauges beneath the heater controls, everything looks stock, including the stylish midcentury clock mounted to the center of the dashboard. It’s almost worth buying the car for the clock, but why not have both?
All Buicks had X-frames in 1961, and it was the first year where Buick eliminated its accelerator pedal starting feature. Buicks did have comparatively low transmission tunnels as a result of a two-piece driveshaft; the center u-joint is “hidden” in the center of the frame (later cars would adopt CV-joints). The exhaust system has obviously been replaced with what appears to be a very high quality system (just outside of the picture frame is the factory-style transverse muffler); I’d say that this setup was ordered from Waldron’s Antique Exhaust or a similar trusted vendor. Dual exhausts were standard on the Electra 225 Convertible and the Electra Hardtop.
This particular car drives very well, according to the seller. It has a newer convertible top, recent transmission service including a front seal and converter cover O-ring (common leak points on Dynaflows), and $2,000 in brake work (the seller says it has new rotors, but all Buicks had four-wheel drums in 1961, so I’m sure they mean drums). Electras did have excellent aluminum front drums, however, and it appears that they are still in place based on the undercarriage photo. Since they are not available new, it’s possible they’ve been turned or relined; it might be worth a message to the seller to ask.
This Electra was the showstopper of the Buick line in 1961, and the fact that they are just a bit underappreciated today means that you could get a very nice car at what seems to be a fair price. Let us know in the comments if you pick this one up.
Nice write-up, Aaron. To me, this Buick has that “wow factor,” missing from today’s automotive design for the most part. Back in the day, a simple trip to the grocery store could be an adventure, never knowing what cool cars you might see along the way.
Thing is back then they were just transportation,,now 5 decades plus they’re cool
Thanks Todd!
You have to give GM credit. In 1961 they batted nearly a thousand in the styling department. Every make was beautiful, especially the full sized cars. Dynaflow (and Turbine Drive) Buicks were not neck snappers from a dead stop, but get them going on the freeway and nail the go pedal, and you’ll think a mule kicked you in the back. Buick nail heads were tuned to work with that transmission.
I like these early 60s cars. They were extremely well styled without being boring. They had some flash to them. This Buick is a beautiful example.
When I was 18 I almost bought one of these (used of course) for $600. It was white with a black top and red interior. An older co-worker talked me out of it because he said it had an aluminum block engine and warped. So I spent half the money and bought a used ’63 Corvair Monza 900. Never regretted it. I didn’t need a V8 even though gas was like 20 cents a gallon.
Only the Special had the aluminum 215; the big cars with Nailheads all had cast iron block and heads, Bear.
Owning both a Corvair and a Nailhead-powered Buick, I will say that I’d rather drive the Buick if I had to make a choice. :)
This is one beautiful Buick. I particularly like the double Dagmars (bumper and fender) and the smooth rear deck (after half a decade of fins). Good price too for this top of the line convertible at $30K. Compare that to the previous Olds 4-4-2 hardtop at $40 large. This one’s a deal.
really cool Buick and looks like it could be a survivor from the paint and interior. these early gm cars were really styled well not like todays crap boxes
And no mention of the coolest feature – the adjustable speedometer!!! It’s a mirror that you can change the tilt of (note circular knobs on each end of the speedo) for short or tall drivers – it reflects the actual speedometer that is down inside the dash (google it). I always wanted one of these Buicks just for the speedo!
Between this and the Ford Galaxie it’s hard to pick. Come on lottery ticket do your stuff! It might be harder to get parts for the Buick down the road.
Buick transmissions on models manufactured between 1948 and 1963 were not two-speed units.
Thanks, Aaron, for explaining. I’m an old-Buick enthusiast who becomes frustrated by such drivel, especially when it comes from seemingly authoritative sources.
You’re welcome! It’s a sore spot for me too when people call it a two-speed.
Growing up, we had neighbors who were loyal Buick folks, typically with low-end models. One was a 1961 LeSabre, in an anonymous silvery light brown. This would have been the other end of the spectrum. Very attractive car, in great shape. The kind of car which one would be glad to own when the forecast was for a clear, sunny day. That clock is super cool.
Good job Aaron.
Thanks Bob!
My Grandfather’s Buick had the same Turbine Drive Automatic transmission. On the rare occasions I got to drive his car it felt weird that it didn’t seem to shift. It was much different from my 64 Impala which had the Powerglide