What’s missing off the 1961 Buicks? (Hint: it wasn’t the ventiports.) GM’s redesign of its premium brand subtracted two features: one was a Buick hallmark, and the other was a contemporary fad employed by many makers. The first loss was the side sweep spear, in favor of an unbroken, clean line from front to back. The new approach was an acknowledgement that the styling of the ’50s had strayed far from utility. The second loss was the dogleg A-pillar. The dogleg was necessary when wraparound windshields gained traction – the farther along the door the windshield curved, the more extreme the reverse angle of the A-pillar. This stylistic solution collided with the “long low” trend: the lower the car sat, the more difficult it became to bend around the vent window to enter or exit the car. GM compensated for these subtractions by exaggerating the front fender line as well as the reverse cut to the tail light panel, and furnishing a graceful “bubble” greenhouse. Just two years later, Buick’s styling would grow even more conservative. If you’re embarking on a restoration of an early ’60s Buick, you might find a few useful parts off this ’61 Invicta, for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $850. There’s no title, and you’ll have to cross the border to Chilliwack, BC, Canada to retrieve it. Thanks to Scott for spotting this graceful old girl.

Who knows how long this car has been neglected, but by the looks of the engine bay – many moons. Residing underhood is a 401 cu. in. nailhead V8 – known for its prodigious torque. The engine is a bit lonely – someone has already scavenged this car for parts. If you hunt around underneath, you’ll find an automatic transmission and a positraction rear end.

Here’s GM’s kitschy 120 mph “Mirromagic” speedometer, still in decent condition. An adjustable mirror beneath the gauges was supposed to allow the driver to read the car’s instruments more readily. Hopefully no one drove into a tree trying to figure out how to decipher the weird perspective. Judging by the asking price on this similar item, the value of the speedo could pay for about a third of the car. The rear glass is still intact, as is the bumper, but the tail lamps, badges, side glass, and windshield are all gone – and that’s just what we can see. No photos of the interior are supplied – bet there’s not much remaining in the cabin. What do you think – is it worth a trip north to save this parts car?