For those who love the fins on the cars of the 1960s, here’s a car with fins on both ends. Like other cars of its time, there was a new design every year or two. This was a two year only design, 1959 and 1960 shared by the Buick Invicta. The 1959 Electra had a flatter grille and the headlights were angled (with the outer headlight higher than the inner), but otherwise, there were only minor changes made for 1960. This example is listed on eBay near El Paso, Texas in Santa Teresa, New Mexico for $15,500. In the time it took to write this post, the seller found a buyer so the price or an amount close to it must have been reasonable. It runs and drives but sounds like it needs a u-joint.
Stealing hubcaps was a common enterprise in the days of hubcaps and it appears this car has fallen victim to the theft of its hubcaps. The AC does not work, there’s cracked glass, the brake booster does not work and the lock cylinder is missing from the trunk. There’s not likely to be any rust if it’s always been an El Paso car. If this had been a four-door car, it would likely have been slammed and had the steering wheel swapped for a little chain wheel long ago.
This is a pretty well-equipped car but the interior is pretty basic. A good cleaning would be all it needs to be usable. It has AC and power everything except windows. That’s a really cool dash, but repairing it could be a big undertaking.
Here are a few decades of dust and oil but it looks like it’s pretty original under it all. Here’s the 401 CID “nailhead” V8 with its distinctive vertical valve covers. It was rated at 265 HP. With an air cleaner and a new brake booster, this old Buick might be ready to cruise.
Unlike some GM models, the Electra styling was not shared with any other GM car. Many would say that was a good thing. We aren’t told the history of this big Buick. The license plates are odd. In Texas, in the 1950s and the 1960s, they issued a new license plate every year and they alternated between black and white. Everyone’s plate expired on the same day so driving with the wrong color plates was obvious and would earn you a ticket the first time a cop saw you. Perhaps the seller found the plates in the car. The asking price of this car is obviously high but the seller found a buyer. It would be interesting to know what plans the new owner has for his big blue Buick.
Very cool, prefer the ’59 styling better, especially the Invicta.
Saw an original survivor in Flint, Mi, the home of Buick, a few years back and fell in love with it at first sight. Done up with a black and grey two tone paint job it looked like a combination of the batmobile and a battleship going down the road. Given the resources I’d have a ’60 Invicta in my stable for sure!
Reminiscent of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’, styling wise. :D (Yeah, I know that was a 4 dr LeSabre)
The eBay link goes to a 1967 Electra, not this one, however also a cool car.
By 1960, tail fins had begun to disappear. Matter of fact, I believe this was the last Buick to have them like this. These were road tanks. Driving a car like this today would be a hassle, but get it out on the open road, nothing like it.
Reminiscent of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’, styling wise. :D (Yeah, I know that was a 4 dr LeSabre)
The eBay link goes to a 1967 Electra, not this one, however also a cool car.
I was hoping someone would reference the Cruising Vessel👍🏾
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-Buick-Electra-Hard-Top-/273278327457?nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=FcFayl9osspBgtmyXJtYXzG6e9o%253D&orig_cvip=true I hope this link works FX.
Nope, try this one. The ‘listing’ you’re looking for is no longer available. Check out this similar item we found for you. If you click the purple highlighted word listing, in the blue header near the top of the page it will take you to the original ad.
Thanks! Looks like it sold for $15.5:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-Buick-Electra-Hard-Top-/273278327457?nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Cx0WH7G8VPvunxybk50pXuMIBs8%253D&orig_cvip=true
Thanks, leiniedude! After you click on “listing” click on “see original listing”, it works sometimes. You can view the posting here
(I tried it several times and it worked, but you have to go to the “listing” link first)
Yes, as noted, it sold while I was writing this. eBay no longer lets you view sold items but redirects you to a “similar” item, a 1967 Buick which is not comparable at all, of course.
You can still view sold items. Just click on the “listing” link in the “The listing you’re looking for is no longer available” and you can go to it from there.
Compare these to a 1958 Buick. I was around at that time, and many Buick buyers were upset with the new styling. My Uncle was not, and bought a new 1959 in white. He worked at Republic Steel and some industrial fallout put purple spots in his new paint. The car was repainted when almost new. The new paint did not spot.
Another Uncle got the first new Cadillac in his town each Fall. He alternated green and brown interiors with white exterior and no AC. He was very upset with the 1959 styling.
linky is stinky
I love having to look into a mirror to see the speedometer. That was ingenious.
Brad Hamilton’s car in Fast Times at Ridgemont High!
The Cruising Vessel!
I had a ’62 Electra 225, which in my opinion has a much nicer-looking body. Best car I ever had. She never let me down.
Sweet looking Buick. This looks like a restoration in progress. Either the owner couldn’t find the right parts to complete the resto, or he couldn’t find the time to do the work.
I can very easily compare the 59 and 60 styling of these to Chevys of the same years. The 59s were more radical and pointy and the 60s were more toned down. I prefer the 60s on both models.
Texas is great for collectors wanting old plates. They allow the owner to locate an old plate of a desired year ( generally the year the car was manufactured ) , and have it approved by the local DMV and you get a small tiny plate to attach and you can liscense your vehicle Instead of using dmv supplied “collectors “ plates. It’s a small hassle in the beginning but looks great to have vintage plates and cheaper innlong run
It sold fast because its a bubble top!
You better believe that you are getting very old when you remember looking at these cars on the show room floor with your dad! Great memories!
A few observations:
1. My family had one of those, a 4 dr hardtop, in 1967 or so. My mom HATED it. Her prior car had been a 1960 Continental Mk 5 she loved, and by comparison the Buick was a complete slug and made her feel she was sitting in a hole.
2. For some reason these cars held up pretty well – especially the ones with dark blue or black paint. I’ve seen many of them and they don’t seem to rust badly. Ours was very dark blue and no rust.
3. The clock in (on) the dash just slides into place. I found a similar Buick dumped on a country road and yanked the clock for ours at home and replace it. Don’t remember if it worked but I think it did. One second to remove, one second to install.
4. That tilting mirror that reflected the speedometer up at the angle you preferred was kinda neat.