- Seller: John and Jill W (Contact)
- Location: Peoria, Illinois
- Mileage: 84,311 Shown
- Chassis #: 4846764134741
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 401 Wildcat 445 V8
- Transmission: Automatic
UPDATE – The seller has reduced their asking price and provided an inspection report, which you can view here. During the inspection, the engine was turned over by hand and moves as it should.
Almost a year ago, we listed this 1966 Buick Electra Convertible. The seller decided to hold off selling it until they could do the car justice and get it extracted from their warehouse and cleaned up. They were finally able to get it moved out and transported to a location where it could be cleaned up and inspected, so that bidders could see exactly what condition the car is in. It still needs to be gone through to be a runner, but it appears to be in solid shape and is being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction!
As a quick refresher, this Buick was purchased new by the seller’s in-laws, who drove the car for about 11 years. It was then used by the seller’s family as a warm-weather driver, and each winter, it was stored on blocks in their warehouse. One year, it went into the warehouse for the winter, but ended up not coming out in the spring. It stayed on blocks for the following 30 years. When it was pulled from the building recently, it was covered in a layer of dust that made it hard to tell what condition the body and paint were in, but now that it’s cleaned up, we get a good look at it!
The interior cleaned up beautifully and shows minimal wear. The carpet and some of the plastics show some discoloration from age, but are in surprisingly good condition considering it’s a convertible. The dash and seats are free of tears, cracks, or damage. There are few small flaws on the trim and the trunk would benefit from a new mat, but overall, it looks ready to go! The seller states that the convertible top was replaced in the mid-1980s and features the correct glass back window.
Since the seller isn’t a mechanic, they decided it was best to leave the drivetrain alone and not attempt to get it running. The next owner has the option to either try and get this engine running as is, fully refresh it, or replace it with a modern drivetrain. Since the car ran when it was parked, it seems likely that getting it running won’t be a huge task, but it will definitely require some work since it has been sitting. The 401 cui Wildcat 445 V8 is paired to a 3-speed automatic and should offer plenty of power to get this Buick moving along nicely.
This Electra sure looks great cleaned up, and we think it was well worth the work to get it out of the warehouse. It still needs the work done to revive it mechanically and make it a safe driver, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. The seller has provided a quick inspection from the person who cleaned the car. So, if you’ve love to be the one to get this warehouse find back on the road, cast your bids below!
- Paint: The blue paint appears original or an older respray. It shows moderate scratches and oxidation, especially on horizontal panels and hood. A multi-step paint correction could revive gloss, but due to age, I recommend a paint thickness check.
- Chrome/trim: The chrome bumpers and body moldings have only faintly dulled to light and minor oxidation. A dedicated metal polish and sealing would improve its clarity
- Convertible top: The white vinyl top is in great condition and shows little to no stains, any minor stains can be corrected with a heavy vinyl cleaner
- Engine bay: the engine bay contains the original motor, along with the original warning labels as seen in the pictures
- Wheels/tires: The wheels seem to have surface oxidation, but very minor, and the wheels are in good condition with no cracks or folds on the walls.
- Interior: the interior is very impressive, a very bright and vibrant blue, only with very minor discoloration on the floor and floor mats.
Bid On This Auction
Steve bid $6,500.00 2025-10-11 19:36:58
Ronn James bid $5,850.00 2025-10-10 11:47:03
54william bid $2,000.00 2025-10-06 06:23:50
Jake73 bid $1,500.00 2025-10-04 17:59:38
JJM bid $500.00 2025-10-04 10:22:25
Wow what a time capsule! I had an aunt and uncle in Louisville who purchased one of these every couple of years. Pretty sure riding in them inspired my dad to purchase a 68 Cadillac Sedan deville. The ride these land yachts provided is unmatched even today.
Lovely looking car. As long as it runs and drives safely, I’d be willing to pay around the asking price for the car. You’d still have enough money to do some check up and maintenance.
Get it operational, a new set of white walls mounted upon Buick Road Wheels, detail it and the engine, put the top down and CRUISE this beauty!!! GLWTA!! :-)
These were magnificent automobiles! A real car that sat six passengers and this one’s a convertible. OMG! GM makes nothing like this today. No one would turn around to look at some GM product roll down the street today. Why on earth has happened? I want to see real automobiles again, like this one!
I hear you. But the fact is if people would stop buying crossovers, they wouldn’t make them. Part of it too is the bean counters have taken over from the engineers and designers. Buick could build a flagship car but who would buy it? Their last year of selling cars they made the Regal Touring, a Euro style wagon, the Cascada a chick car but a stylish convertible just the same, and no one bought them. Cadillac made th CT6 and that faded away. That’s why I’m skeptical about Cadillac’s plans to make a new halo car that’s priced like a Rolls Royce. Even electrified where is the market? I keep saying I don’t know why Ford doesn’t share the Mustang platform with Lincoln to make a roadster or a 2+2 halo car. Hell they could import the China version of the Taurus. The MKZ was a great seller for Lincoln.
so, this is no further along now than it was a year ago except for a cleaning. really need a status on the motor to be able to make a fair legit offer IMO. this is a good piece but there is a bit of the unknown. i know as i bought a 70 lesabre convert here a year and half ago almost in the same status.
Hairy- Yeah, I looked up the previous auction from last year, it looks like the top is new and car has less dust. Wondering why they are using the skates under the rear wheels…those things don’t roll worth a darn as compared to the car’s tires. I would think a motivated seller would give the engine a bath, install a fresh battery and cables, and squirt some Marvel Mystery oil in the spark plug holes. Confirm the engine either is… or isn’t… locked up. It’s hard to make a purchase decision from a-far, without some basic info.
“[T]hose things [wheel skates] don’t roll worth a darn as compared to the car’s tires.”
Got that right. I bought for of them, for about $400.00, and wound up giving the damned things away.
That secret Reserve says “Hold On” and wait a minute or two.
A bunch of us teenagers from church went joy riding in one or our groups dad’s new 225. We weren’t doing anything malicious, just goofy kids having fun. With (warning, politically incorrect language) Chinese fire drills at stop lights and driving by teacher’s houses singing loudly. But after every crazy stop the owner’s kid lit the tires! And after 57 years of automotive working, playing and competitive events in all kinds of vehicles including many R&D factory cars. This is my only connection to a “duece and a quarter”.I appreciate the torque of Buick engines!
I bought one of these about 40 years ago, and was absolutely identical to this one – paint, interior and top and even condition close to same as this one. Guy got my number knowing I was into old Buicks, and said he wanted to get rid of it, as the rear frame (just behind the rear wheel arch) had rotted away and was hanging, and he wasn’t interested in fixing. Paid $400, drove it to all our Buick meetings, tours and shows that summer, and sold it to a guy up north for $800. I think he was going to part it out, but who cared? I had a whole summer of cruising it. Great car.
It’s ELECTRA fying without even trying! This is a real Buick in all It’s splendor. I WANT it, but have to just salivate. Yes, this is a Buick *I really would rather have * Some lucky buyer will have a blast driving it . BTW, yes I’m still here.
How many will get the Ram Dass reference? I’m still here as well!
Never understood why the 425 wasn’t the standard engine in Buick’s Flagship in 65/66 like in the Riviera, that engine was offered with Dual Quads in the Riviera GS but not in the biggest/heaviest Buick that set the standard on commanding respect on the road as standard equipment! The 67-69 Electra’s got a 430, the 70-76 got a 455, the biggest and most powerful V8 they made. I don’t understand why the 65/66 DIDN’T!
the 401 is the last of the Nailheads but a real torque monster, which is what you need in a boat like this.
425 was the last Nailhead.
Why didn’t they pressure lean the engine? Why is the rear end on wheels but not the front?Engine locked up? Tranny locked up? Differential lockedup? better go see it before you buy.
After 30 years it is a good guess that IF the parking brake was set, the shoes are stuck to the drums. Could be a “why wont this thing move”….. :) No need to ask how I learned this lesson.
After seeing Wayne Carrini taking a hammer to the back of the backing plates to release parking brakes I tried it myself a few times and it works like a charm.
Yes, cleaning the engine compartment would help, but the key phrase for this car is “ran when parked”, LOL! After thirty (30) years of sitting, even in a climate-controlled warehouse, new fuel, cooling and brake systems are a minimum to get this bad boy roadworthy again! Don’t forget to replace the heater core as part of the cooling system service! Oh, and as part of the brake service, I’d highly recommend replacing that single-circuit master cylinder with a dual-circuit version. Screw original, I want to be able to stop that two-ton land yacht, even if I lose a brake line! Oh, and front disk brakes to go with that new master cylinder wouldn’t hurt either (there are kits for this).
it’s non-power brakes too! Power brakes could be retrofitted easily though.
It does have power brakes. Just doesn’t have a dual master cylinder – those came later.
Dan is correct, the vacuum booster is clearly visible in the pictures behind the master cylinder. You might have to replace the vacuum booster as part of the dual circuit or front disk brake upgrade, but it’s probably not a bad idea in any case, as the rubber vacuum diaphragm is probably rotted and full of holes after sitting for thirty (30) years!
I think your right Robert and if I were younger I’d take a crack at this car.Take a look at other Buicks in good running shape and they are wayyyyy more expensive that this one will be initially. You’ll spend thousands on this sled before it’s right but then you’ll have a most magnificent land yacht that 30k wouldn’t touch. This is a great project car for someone and the car is incomparable for driving. My father had one brand new and I loved that big ol’ pile of iron. Buy it now and you’ll never regret it.Pete
To the seller: please confirm the engine isn’t seized, and that the car will roll when the transmission is in neutral.
To Barn Finds: Clicking on the CONTACT seller icon doesn’t work for me. I’m signed in, but it tells me to “sign in” and then loops me back to the home page. I’ve tried logging out and then logging in again, but the same thing happens.
Thanks for your questions.
The Buick will roll when in neutral.
When put in storage the engine was in good condition. After all these years we made no effort to restart.
You won’t attach a battery to see if the engine is locked up?
I’m out.
ok. so, it’s now round 3 with the duce. what does the owner think this thing is worth the way its sitting? i think the last bid was close to 5k but may be wrong. if it was that is a fair bid for what’s here. if you’re not going to make it any better than in the pics accept what’s offered and move along and let somebody do it justice
Nice car 3-4 bodies will fit in the trunk to sneak into the drive-in theater this will make someone a nice cruiser to get back on the road
I had a ’66 Electra 225 Custom Convertible ~ biggest lemon I’ve ever owned. That thing always knew when it was payday and broke down the day before.
Are we still talking about this car??
Sweet mother of god, why is this car not sold? 7500 isn’t out of line, and the car looks nice. I just can’t understand why this car won’t sell.
I can understand it. The seller STILL won’t install a battery to see if the engine is frozen or if any of the electrics work right. If you assume nothing on the car works and must be rebuilt, that will cost more than the $7,500 price of the car! And then there’s the transmission, rear end, brakes, etc.
The inspection report is worthless.
before I’d install a battery, I’d at least try to turn the engine over by hand, with a breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley first. Trying to crank a frozen engine is asking for lots of very expensive trouble!
round #4 and still fighting. should have took the 6500 offered last auction and call it done. some sellers need to understand that sometimes the first offer is the best offer. in this case it was the last offer
Maybe I’m missing something but the video clearly showed the engine being hand-cranked through 360-degrees. It’s not locked up.
Had I indoor storage for it, I’d buy it. I’m betting that there’s not a damned thing wrong with the engine or drivetrain.
She will need all fluids including brake, and all four corners re-shoed, maybe even wheel cylinders. And hoses. A/C converted if not blowing cold.
I don’t mind drum brakes or a single reservoir, but it has to be checked annually & fluids flushed every three years.
Absolutely nothing rides like a Buick