I’ll let you in on a little secret; I turned sixty this year. My one wish? That I was as well-preserved as this 1965 Buick Electra 225 Hardtop. Mother Nature has done her worst to me, but this Buick has been spared that type of grief. It doesn’t merely look good, because the seller states that it drives as nicely as it did the day it rolled off the showroom floor. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Electra listed here on Craigslist in Milford, Massachusetts. You could drive it home after handing the seller $16,900.
Buick introduced the Electra badge in 1959 as its replacement for the Roadmaster. It remained one of the constant mainstays of the company’s model range until 1990. This Electra 225 Hardtop emerged during 1965, which marked the first year of Third Generation production. The seller believes that almost all of its Seafoam Green paint is original, with the same true of the Black vinyl top. If this claim is verifiable, that makes the car’s overall condition noteworthy. The paint shines warmly, the panels are straight, and the vinyl appears to be perfect. There is no evidence of bubbles or other imperfections that might signal the onset of rust, and the underside is said to be rock-solid. The chrome is excellent, and I can’t spot any glaring glass issues.
This Buick’s interior might not score such creature comforts as air conditioning or power windows, but that doesn’t mean that journeys wouldn’t feel special. The Dark Green vinyl is spotlessly clean, with no signs of wear or other problems. The carpet is also exceptionally good, as are the dash, pad, and faux woodgrain. Manufacturers had largely abandoned chrome interior trim by the mid-1960s, but the subtle pieces found inside this Buick help to accentuate the luxurious feel. It might not feature a load of factory options, but the pushbutton radio means that the occupants won’t need to resort to a round of the dreaded “carpool karaoke” on long journeys.
You can typically tell you’re dealing with a classic from the 1960s when you lift the hood to expose a large V8. Buick’s 401ci “Wildcat 445” V8, as found in this Electra, represented the entry-level powerplant. It generates an impressive 325hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque, according to that year’s Sales Brochure. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed TH-400 automatic transmission, while power assistance for the steering and brakes was standard equipment. Manufacturers during this era didn’t typically focus on weight reduction strategies, a fact perfectly demonstrated by the fact that this Electra’s curb weight will be close to 4,400 lbs. However, the low-end torque delivery makes it surprisingly energetic off the mark, while also providing that quick burst of acceleration that might be required for overtaking on the open road. The seller recently rebuilt this Buick’s carburetor and has treated it to a tune-up. They say that it runs and drives like new, ready to provide the new owner with immediate classic motoring joy.
The automobile industry is an ever-evolving beast, with manufacturers constantly developing and changing models to cater to differing tastes and demand. Today, the focus is on electrification, but the 1960s were more about overall vehicle size and cubic inches under the hood. This 1965 Buick Electra 225 Hardtop perfectly encapsulates that era, a time when hardware meant hammers and nails, and nobody would have known what you were talking about if you mentioned software. They were simpler times, and the technology vehicle manufacturers utilized reflected that. Fuel injection was confined almost exclusively to exotics, and “traction control” referred to a driver’s ability to be gentle with their right foot in certain circumstances. Whether you long for bygone days or simply wish to slip behind the wheel of a classic that is guaranteed to turn heads, this Buick Electra could be the ideal choice.
cue Buick ad intro,,,”Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick, a Buick, a ’65 Buick”, this was the car Ms. November sang about. With Dinah Shore getting on, GM needed a new gimmick, and that catchy tune, composed by a Mark Lawrence and sung by Linda November,( of Meow Mix fame) helped sell a LOT of Buicks. TV advertising was just gaining steam, and catchy ads, properly placed, was a shoe in for car sales. Football games, Buick leaned heavily on TV sitcoms and shmaltzy family shows. Great cars, wonderful cars, and priced so the neighbor, uncle or even your parents could afford. You know what came next, yep, the Caddy, but the Buick “deuce and a quarter” was the best there was,,,before the Caddy. What a find.
This is such a beautiful Deuce and a Quarter. Its in absolutely mint condition ( if the pictures are accurate which I think they are). I remember those large one piece floor mats that cover over the transmission tunnel as well as the footwells. Very nice car. The 401 “Nailhead” and the THM 400 will get you down the road effortlessly.
Said it the other day, say it again.. the Electra, like the Riviera is one of the great models.
Great looking car! I see a lot of Chrysler Newport/New Yorker in the front/rear of the Buick. Seems like a fair price.
When cars had beautiful, full-width tail lights.
Beautiful color combo of Sea Foam Green & a black vinyl roof. Doesn’t get better than that. Clean underside, too.
Like someone else mentioned, I also like the full length front floor mat; wonder if the rear was the same.
I like the front and rear treatment on the ’65 better than a ’66. Seems to blend better with the flow of the rest of the car. Just too bad it doesn’t have more options like a/c and p/w but not a complaint, just a wish list for this beauty.
This hue in various increments served GM very well for decades! Always looked good on any model as long as it was kept clean & polished. Variants of this color are still offered today!
Beautiful car but none of the equipment you would expect to find on a Buick.
What a beautiful Deuce. I love everything about this car including its simplicity. My ’72 was a 225 without any power conveniences. Still a wonderful car to drive. I thought dual circuit brakes came out in ’67 but don’t fret. These will stop on a dime and give you change.
Oops. I see now this is a ’65. 🙄
sweet deuce. not a fan of the vinyl interior. would prefer the cloth option. this nicer and better than the junk Buick is putting out today
@Adam Clarke,
I’m a little perplexed by your write up. You state “I turned 60 this year.” If my math is correct that makes you 120 years old. I wouldn’t complain about a little gray hair or lack thereof or a few wrinkles =).
Wow, this one caught me by surprise! I was never a fan of the big 225. My cigar smoking uncle had a 65, very similar to this one. He was very much overweight. The car smelled of cigar smoke and old man sweat. He was very proud of the A/C (no one else in our family had A/C in their cars back then – winter, summer, hot, cold, wet, dry. It never left the “on” position). His car had am/fm radio. I don’t believe I ever heard any music coming out of his speakers, only WINS 1010 NY, a 24hr news station. My preferred ride was my cousin’s new Mustang or even my dad’s Tempest wagon. I always associated the big Buicks with his car and thus never gave it a second look.
I think I see now what my uncle saw then. Nice car!
An Electra without power windows or air conditioning? Why not just order a LeSabre? Had to have been customer custom order as I know of no dealer who would have ordered it without these options. But then again, there were Cadillac Calais so built. Appears to be a wonderfully well-preserved car, but for me it misses the mark.
Re the comments about no power windows or AC. When this car was built it was common to walk into a dealer and sit down with a salesman to order a car. Yes, dealers certainly had new cars on their lots and in their showrooms but a particular buyer may have not wanted certain options and could order their car speciified as such. So an Electra equipped like this one is not very surprising at all.
I remember those days. Too bad we can’t do that today.