It’s a big roomy 2 door droptop and for convertible lovers, it’s a beauty. The fins, swoopy lines and most of the chrome of the first generation LeSabres are gone from the second generation and the boxy look was in. The 400 CID V8 was also gone for 1964, replaced by the 210 horsepower 300 CID small block V8. On the plus side, the second generation LeSabres have an X-frame chassis so there’s less cowl shake on second-generation convertibles. Someone enjoyed this convertible for about twenty years but only drove it about 88,000 miles. There are no obvious signs of rust so perhaps the owner stored it in the winters and after the winter of 1988 it didn’t come out of storage. It’s now listed here on craigslist after its long slumber for $16,500. Worcester, Massachusetts is not a prime convertible country but it is summer so perhaps there’s a buyer who either has deep pockets or great bargaining skills. It runs and drives but the carburetor and fuel gauge will need some help.
The dash really looks nice as does the rest of the interior. Could that chrome box that is hanging under the dash be a record player? The appears to be a Buick symbol on the right face of the box.
Here’s the 300 CID engine. Unless there’s a 4 barrel carb hiding under there, it’s rated at 210 HP. The 4 barrel version is rated at 250 HP. It doesn’t look like it’s had any detailing done under the hood, but that air cleaner looks shiny and new. There’s been some tuneup work done judging by the shiny new blue distributor cap and that tangle of plug wires. Hopefully, it just needs the carb rebuilt to bring this engine back to life.
From what’s shown in the pictures, this droptop looks complete, original and pretty nice. It looks like it was well maintained. Hopefully, it would still look nice up close. As with any old convertible, rusty floors are always a possibility. The asking price is pretty high, but when you consider what it would cost to restore a cheaper car to this level the price doesn’t look so bad. There’s always mechanical restoration to be done on a car that has sat for 30 years, but this Buick sure looks ready to drive and enjoy.
That shiny air cleaner could be the result of an “express detailing”, which I’ve performed myself many times. You open the hood, grab a rag and some all-purpose cleaner, and wipe down the air cleaner. Presto! – close the hood, you’re done!
Lol
Pretty sure that’s a tissue dispenser under the dash.
Yes, it’s the factory/dealer accessory, CC…
Or a record player, they were still available on GM cars in that era I believe.
You guys are correct that is a factory/dealer tissue dispenser I have the same one to my 67GS340
Sure hope the 55 on the hoist doesnt leak :) Great color combo for me. Amazed at the asking price…..fellow around here has been driving one in black with a red interior for years and years.. I hope he doesnt see this ask. Gives people crazy ideas.
Two new automatics came out this year replacing the old Dynaflow. The two speed Super Turbine 300 and the Turbo Hydramatic 400 3 speed. This could have the former being a 300 engine.
1964 Buick 400 transmissions were known as the Super-Turbine 400.
David, This is a nice find and that’s not a 300 Cu In motor.. the car clearly has a Buick Nail head v8 with those distinctive valve covers, so this is a 364 or 401 v8 most likely with a turbo hydramatic trans The 300 was the first in the series that later became the 340 then 350 Buick V8 series…I would be all over this if I had the money….
That’s a Buick nail head V8 in that car, you can tell by the distinctive valve covers that makes the engine a 364 or 401 V8, most likely with the first year Turbo Hydramatic
My buddy has his Dad’s 67 Wildcat convert. His Dad bought it new. The engine is the big one and was totally rebuilt. He won’t part with it for less than 22 grand.
I don’t think the asking price is out of line if he gets it running properly
The 400 was by far the better motor …. the 300 is too small for these beast
GM NEVER offered a record player. It was a Chrysler ONLY option. Weird option. You could only purchase records from Chrysler. 25 RPM.
Tissue dispensers were a popular option with GM vehicles.
Actually that is incorrect. A friend of mine has a fully restored 1957 Chevrolet Belair convertible with continental kit and a 45rpm under dash record player .The car has been certified numerous times over the last two decades. So I think you need to recheck your sources.
I had a 66 droptop, I always regretted selling it
I stand corrected, it was not a factory record player. It was a 1961 RCA Victrola. You are correct, Chrysler was the only one to offer it as an option.
The Wildcat 310 was also a Nailhead. The same engine is in my 66 Skylark. 300 cubes 310 pounds of torque, hence the name. The 4 Barrel was the Wildcat 340 in the Skylark and I’ve seen Wildcat 355’s and 375’s which I think were all based on the 300CI V-8. Backed by the Super Turbine 300, basically Buicks version of the Powerglide. It’s a nice combo in the Skylark but I’d prefer the larger engine or at least the 4 barrel version in the larger LeSabre
Thanks I learned something today… I did a little more research and it looks like all the big cube nail heads had the distributor at the back of the block… the 300 had heads / valve covers similar to the big cube nail head engines but the distributor in front like the later Buick engines
I just finished a 63 lesabre and yes that’s a tissue paper holder under dash…it has a 401 nailhead…
Anyone know if you could get a 4 speed manual in these cars?
You could get both 3 on the tree and 4 on the floor transmissions. I’ve seen a couple full size Wildcats with the 425 Cube and a 4 speed. There was a 65 Lesabre Coupe for sale a year or so ago with a 3 on the tree
I have a 63 wildcat, 401 – with a 4 speed , just sold a 64-425/4 speed ,16 made in 63 , I believe 12 sold in 64 , with the 425 c.i.d., 445 on the air cleaner cover. nice cars , comparable to the SS impala 396,and the 427 ,in 401 and 425 c.i.d.’s.