This dusty 1969 Buick Electra 225 graphically proves that there are still some good cars to be found hidden away in barns across our country. It has occupied its current spot for thirty-five years but deserves to be brought out into the light of day and returned to active duty. The overall impression is that it is a structurally sound classic that would make a rewarding restoration project. If you feel up to this challenge, you will find the Buick located in Paint Rock, Texas, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price for this classic is $12,900, although it appears that the owner may be willing to negotiate.
The seller indicates that this Electra belonged to his great aunt and that she drove it sparingly. It isn’t clear why she parked the vehicle more than three decades ago, but it has sat accumulating dust ever since. Hidden below that dust is Champagne Mist paint, while it appears that the car may have a matching vinyl top. Assessing the Buick’s overall condition is challenging in its current state, but the panels look very straight. There are no signs of bruises or blemishes and no evidence of rust. If the car has spent its life in Texas, it may remain rust-free. The trim is intact, and most chrome components look like they might respond well to some work with a high-quality polish. It is possible to see that the car features tinted glass, but it isn’t clear whether there may be any flaws or defects. Job One would be to wash this classic once it emerges from its current hiding place, and then the buyer would be able to ascertain its panel and paint needs. Encouragingly, the seller does raise the possibility of in-person inspections and is willing to negotiate an appropriate time.
Lifting this Buick’s hood reveals the 430ci V8 engine that would have produced 360hp in its prime. The original owner also ordered this classic with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The Electra is a large and heavy car, but all of that power allows it to cover the ¼ mile in a respectable 15.8 seconds. That number is even more impressive when considering that this classic would tip the scales at 4,519lbs. The seller indicates that this Buick has 84,000 genuine miles on the clock, and when you reflect upon its decades of inactivity, that figure looks conceivable. It seems that it hasn’t fired a shot in anger since it was parked, and it isn’t clear whether that V8 turns freely. The buyer will undoubtedly need to replace many of the perishable items, but if the engine turns freely, kicking it into life may not be a significant undertaking. I don’t believe that they will return the car to a roadworthy state in a single weekend, but they may be able to perform most of the required tasks in a home workshop.
I’m not surprised that the interior of this Buick looks as good as it does. It seems that the original owner cherished her beloved classic, and apart from some slight wear on the outer edge of the driver’s seat and a single seam separation, the trim is in excellent condition. There is no appreciable wear on the remaining upholstered surfaces, while the carpet shows no signs of stains. The dash and pad should respond positively to a wipe with an appropriate cleaning product, and there is no wear on the wheel. Surprisingly, there is also no evidence of rodent infestation. If that’s the case, this interior could present impressively with a deep clean. The original owner ordered the car with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, and cruise control. It remains original and unmolested and should prove a comfortable place to spend some time as the odometer racks up some additional miles.
While it is unlikely ever to be a mega-dollar classic, this 1969 Buick Electra 225 could represent a straightforward restoration project. Once clean, it may not take a lot of work to return it to a roadworthy state. If the dust conceals panels and paint that are in respectable condition, it is conceivable that this classic could be driven as an original survivor. It would certainly turn heads and makes it worth considering for anyone seeking a DIY project car.
Electra 225 = 225″ long.
“When bigger cars are built,Buick will build them”
1977, working at a Gulf station in Pomona, California, these were exceedingly common to the then-residents of the city, which they fondly referred to them as “deuce and a quah-tah.”
This is one of my dream cars, four doors and all. I wince at the price though. Someday.
Dad bought his first Electra back in 1972 – it was a ’69 like this one but in that light sea mist green. Rode like you were sitting in your living room on the sofa. Beautiful car, and I, too, cringe at the asking price, otherwise I’d be adding it to my driveway.
That green with the green interior and the darker green vinyl top is The one I want. Maybe when I get out of motorcycles I bite on one.
Heck of a driver. Had one for a time in the 90’s.
Most of the heavy vehicles in the late 60’s and early 70’s were good driving and comfortable riding. Lincoln, Cads, Imperials and the Mercury on the Lincoln chassis.
$12,900 wash the dam thing, Hell my dealer washes my car for a $80 dollar oil change
o0OP, nother mac worm (McKeef or however spelled) can’t stay, sorry
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Is there any way you can stop the “texting” lingo?
It’s really hard to decipher.
I can usually figure out what he is trying to say…but not this time lol.
There are a lot of people here I hope to one day meet in person. Chrlsful is definitely one of them. I bet he is a whole Lotta fun to kick it with!
A yhow, I love my boats, notta big secret. Buick and Cadillacs from about 1965 up to about 1980 are a weakness for me. This one, although not cheap, would absolutely be a keeper if I were to buy it. Not in the cards for me at the moment, but I sure can dream!
– texting lingo – is an affront, it is only acceptable within the paradigm of that type of communication. Otherwise, it is insulting to make others jump through hoops. I don´t bother to try to decipher any of this garbage.
Excellent car and will clean up nice…all 430’s and early 455’s had poor oiling passage design and, if it’s been sitting that long, dropping the pan is a MUST before even turning it over.
Scrub the pan clean, pour some clean, cheap oil through it, dump the pan again then fill it with some fresh 10W40, some new points, plugs, and wires, and fire it up!!! Then do the same with the trans and the rear end, flush the coolant/boil out the radiator, and put a new thermostat, belts, and hoses.
Tires, brakes, new dual exhaust, and any other little things it needs. You’ll spend about $4000 doing all this stuff, plus or minus.
Need to be in the car for about $4000-5000. At his asking price, all of this should be done already.
13k and you won’t wash it? See ya in ElPasso.
bUt It’S a bArN FINd!
It requires extraordinary chutzpah to try to sell a car, any car, for that coin and not to bother making it presentable. The arrogance of the seller alone is enough to turn me off, completely.
The 69 Electra is my all time fave of those cars but not this car at this price.
I’m impressed with the slats holding the headliner up. Lazy seller, way overpriced, otherwise would be a decent one to fix up and drive.
The interior is what is amazing on this car!
Is there a house built in the last 30 years with a garage long enough to house such a beast?
uMMMMMMMMMMMM SO exciting reading on this wonderful beast just so you know I own a Buick Electra 225 off the line in 1961, bought it last year only 21,500 miles on the Odometer and it was not rigged had it checked out this garage find is not a barn find that is why it was so clean, previous owner bought it 28 years ago and never drove it been sitting all that time , he claims that he started the Buick once a week for 28 years when i set my eyes on this magnificent car I was shaking believe me motor is the 401 Pin head 445 Wildcat 4 barrels turned the key bang it started so excited at that time all original never been changed paid $ 10,500 let me tell you when i ride it heads turn and horns beeps on the road he told me come to the other garage you might be interested in this car my god there sitting in the other garage a 1972 Cutlass Supreme in immaculate condition could not believe it it has a 350 Rocket 4 barrels get this only 18,250 miles yes you read it right all original numbers match he drove it only on Sundays during summer never seen rain or salt paid $ 10,500.00 also bought both cars the same day so therefore there are good deals to be had to me the car you mentioned is only worth 5, to 6,000 dollars no rust to be found on both cars yippee
My father drove a dark green 4-door with a black top and a fancy green satin-like upholstery. We covered a lot of miles in vacations, his work, and my driving it to take my driving test (100% on parallel parking!), then my after-dinner cruiser (with permission). I thought is was really cool because it had a Motorola Private Line two way installed- looked like an unmarked car to the unititiated.
The 454-4 was a source of chronic suffering-during ownership Dad had to have the starter replaced 5 times!—and he kept a brand new Delco in the trunk-just in case.
The general consensus on this car is that the seller has done their selves no favors for the lazy presentation and the ridiculous asking price. I totally agree. I believe there is a growing disconnect between Barrett Jackson addled sellers and people who still think of old cars as a hobby. This car is a pig in a poke. No telling what you will have to do to get it safely and reliably back on the road. This is a nice old GM barge that probably deserves to be rejuvenated. But the seller has priced it so ridiculously expensive that it could sit for another few decades. Too bad. And at least WASH it! You showed what it looked like in storage. Potential buyers might care to se what they have to work with. Rant over.
At least blow it off with air or leaf blower…
Way To Many Exits for $12,900!
my dad had one back in the late 70s. silver with black top and interior. before i had my license i would flip the lid and make the quad moan up and down the road in front of my house when my parents were at work,loved that car.but dad was driving home from working out of state one time and the old nylon timing gear came apart and clogged up the oil pickup and killed it.