New car buyers today are probably more demanding than at any time in automotive history. The concept of driving off the lot in a vehicle without power assistance for virtually everything is unthinkable, and yet, that was the norm only a few years ago. This 1969 Buick Electra 225 Convertible breaks that mold because the new owner will want for nothing. It presents exceptionally well and will be ready to hit the road for some top-down touring following a service and basic maintenance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting a gentle giant that perfectly combines luxury and good looks. It is listed here on Craigslist in Northbrook, Illinois. You could take it away by handing the seller $16,800.
Buick produced 158,618 examples of the Electra 225 in 1969, but only 8,294 were the Convertible derivative. That makes our feature car relatively rare in the grand scheme of things, meaning it is unlikely the new owner will park beside an identical vehicle should they rock up at a local Cars & Coffee. There’s no denying it has a genuine physical presence. This classic packs a visual punch from its sparkling Signal Red paint to its White power top, shining chrome, Magnum 500-style wheels, and iconic Ventiports. Finding fault with its presentation is difficult, although it is almost guaranteed that an in-person inspection would reveal minor panel or paint flaws. The gaps are tight and consistent, while there is no visible evidence, and the seller doesn’t mention a history of rust issues. The overall impression is that this classic has led a pampered life, and I would like to think that trend will continue with the new owner.
The Buick’s interior is one of contradictions. It, in many ways, is one of its strongest attributes, but at the same time, it leaves me slightly disappointed. I am not criticizing its condition because it presents well for a classic of this vintage. The upholstered surfaces are above average, with only one small visible tear in the base of the back seat. It might respond to a blind patch, and it would be worth consulting a professional. The dash and pad are excellent, with no hint of UV damage or cracking plastic. The carpet under the driver’s feet might be dirty or stained, but it is hard to be sure. It would be worth cleaning it before considering replacement, although the existing floormats may disguise any shortcomings. There are no signs of abuse or mistreatment, and every indication the car has been treated respectfully throughout its life. By now, you are probably wondering what I find so wrong, and it is pretty simple. Someone has cut into the door, and rear seat trims to install aftermarket speakers, and they look out of place in a car of this caliber. Reversing the change would entail replacing the pieces, which would not be cheap. I’m unsure whether there is another satisfactory solution. However, talking to a paint shop to ascertain whether they could color-match a plastic paint to the interior trim shade might be viable. With the speaker covers painted, the impact might be less dramatic and more in keeping with this classic’s interior character. Otherwise, the new owner will sink back into the lap of luxury courtesy of power windows, power locks, a power front seat, a power top, and a tilt wheel. The car also features air conditioning, but the lack of a compressor drive belt suggests it requires attention.
It doesn’t matter whether you use a tape measure or a set of scales, this Electra is a big car. It is nearly 19′ long and tips the scales at 4,541 lbs, meaning it requires something special under the hood if performance is considered acceptable. Buick delivered the 430ci V8 producing 360hp and 475 ft/lbs of torque. It might be big and heavy, but this gentle giant should still cover the ¼-mile in 15.9 seconds. That isn’t muscle car territory, but it is nonetheless impressive. The seller claims the car has a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. It runs and drives, but it has had little recent use. The seller recommends a thorough inspection, a service, and a tune-up before hitting the road, and that sounds like wise counsel. The process shouldn’t cost a fortune and might be cheap insurance.
There is a lot to like about this 1969 Buick Electra 225 Convertible, and its flaws seem relatively minor. None require urgent attention, meaning it won’t take a lot of time, effort, or money for the new owner to hit the road for a spot of the relaxed touring that the upcoming warm weather seems to promise. If considered on a dollar-per-pound basis, the buyer receives a lot for their money. The same is true if considered an eye-catching classic capable of commanding attention. Are those thoughts and the luxury features enough to tempt you to pursue it further?
My second favorite car in history. Second only to a 70 4 speed road runner. A friend had a 2 door hardtop when I was 14. So comfortable. Real bummer about the extra speakers
There is something going on with that trunk lid. I think an up close and personal inspection is warranted. If the trunk lid is shot, what else is?
If the car is actually decent, then the asking price is reasonable. It has been for sale since last summer, so buyer beware.
Yes….it appears to be contact paper with the woodgrain print. Not sure if it is on a panel, then fastened to the edge of the trunk lid. The fender skirts seem to be ill fitting – and a slightly different shade. Maybe from previous bodywork?
New owner should get personalized license plate: ‘LOTARED’.
To cover the rust in the trunk lid lip.
I just tried to call and the number doesn’t seem to be working???
Yeah, it’s gotta be covering up a rusted trunk lid edge. I’ve had a lot of 60’s GM convertibles, and I love them, but the trunks are notorious for leaking water. I would bet that the trunk’s pan is shot, and rust all around the seal as well. A lot of work to fix that. Otherwise, I totally love this model, and looks good going by pictures alone. But the price is speaking volumes about hidden issues.
Is that a GLASS window integrated with the top?? If so, that makes this ‘vert all the more demanding! Sure, glass windows are common on today’s ‘verts; but 5 decades ago that was a novelty, clear plastic film having been the norm!
Buick Electras have been my favorite GM cars for a long time, and my favorite car apart from the clap-door Lincolns, which saw their last hurrah in this car’s year (well, aside from a limited number of models built in Lincoln’s last run with the “Continental” name a few years ago). I think I feel this way because Buick came the closest to copying the look Lincoln made famous, even more so than GM’s main competitor to Lincoln. Although the ’67/8 models have a higher level of preference on my list, the ’69 was also a nicely-styled year. Probably my favorite detail of this year, and the two years before it, is the nameplate, which was cast with an elegant, cursive script font that just demands this car be seen as Buick’s closest venture into the luxury category.
Probably the one detail I have not liked about Electras of this era was the outside hood release. That makes for too easy a job for thieves and vandals to have their way with the car’s power train. But, being the mad scientist I am, I possibly could find a way to retrofit a later inside latch release to this car, and make it look like it came that way from Detroit 54 years ago…unlike the guy what tacked on those speakers. That was a good idea, but bad working of the idea.
If I had 16.8g’s and the real estate to spare, I would probably look to adding this car to a collection.
Glass convert top windows began at GM w/the full-size (B & C bodies) in 1965.
I thought AMC was first with the glass window in 1967 on the Rebel and Ambassador convertibles.
I thought that too. I had a ‘69 DeVille Convertible and it did have a glass rear window.
I had a 67 Imperial crown convertible with a glass rear window….
I love the 69-70 Electra converts (as well as the earlier Electra convertibles)
The interior seats leave me pretty cold tho- they look really plain…like out of Dodge Polara convertible (or not quite as nice frankly)
HH, the base of the seats have a sort of taxi cab appeal, but the seat backs (which do match the horizontal seat areas) are a bit more elegant. Not the fanciest interior by any means, but neither was the interior to my ’69 DeVille convertible I had, or the ’72 Eldorado convertible I had.
I think these, if you include the pattern on the seat backs, look every bit as elegant as similar vintage Cadillac interior.
My 1970 Polara I had was just flat. Plain and simple flat!
I will wager that this car has a huge number of problems the seller isn’t revealing or doesn’t know about. Convertibles are notorious for having problems that the sellers don’t like to reveal to the potential buyers. IF you’ve got a nice $500,000USD sitting around for a partial restoration then go buy this thing.
The late 60s, early 70s Buick Electra 225, quietly made their way onto my top 10 “favorite cars of all time list” I first looked closely at a girlfriend’s father’s 1970 Buick Electra 225, he owned. It was maroon with a black vinyl top over black interior. I don’t remember if it was leather or vinyl, but I know it wasn’t cloth. I used to detail it once a month, it would take all weekend to complete. I was very impressed with it when I first got to know it. The Electra is my favorite full-size GM car. That said, I’m a Ford man, he had that covered too. His wife drove a dark green metallic with matching green vinyl top over green leather interior 69 Mark lll. I really loved that one too. Funny how I loved the man’s cars more than his daughter, but thats a much different discussion. Back to the Electra, it was bigger than most cars around it where ever it went. We would fill it up with our friends, put the ski racks on it and drive it to Mammoth and Big Bear on weekend skiing trips. The Buick was a great road car. It had plenty of power to pass anything in it’s path, flatened the mountain grades with power to spare. It also did well in the snow, rarely having to use chains. It was loaded with every option. It was comfortable and quiet and had good road handling. It was the first large GM car I ever liked. It had great styling and the dark red and black fit it very well. His daughter wreaked it a couple of times but he always had it repaired and kept it on the road. He liked how it seemed to keep his daughter safe even though she was a terrible driver. I love all the big American luxury cars from the 60s. There’s nothing quite like them and never will be again. If I had the means, and the space to house them, under cover of course, I would have the full collection of them I once has. Now, I just collect 1:18 diecast models of all my favorites. I’m surrounded by them on shelves that line my room. I love looking at them, and I look at them all everyday. Who ever buys this 69 “Duce and a quarter” I know will love it. Whether it’s your only 60s beauty or you’re adding it to your collection, you will be lucky to have it.
The radio speakers and possible non factory radio would be the first to go. There was a totally mint ’62 Invicta convertible locally, which the owner had a pile of unsightly garbage piled up on the transmission hump, that turned out to be radios. I don’t need music in any old beauty bad enough to desecrate them. That trunk lid is probably a goner, hopefully even for that price, the rest of the car is near perfect.
Yeah. Those speakers in the door panels would be the deal breaker. Please..
First car was a ‘71 Buick Electra with a .455.
It both floated and flew. Great memories.
My ‘48 Buick Super convertible has a glass rear window.
We had a 1970 convertible with a 455. Stunningly fast. I remember my dad saying “Be careful, you’ll be doin 90 and not realize it.” And he was right!
It’s a little too pricy, but who cares. It’s a cruiser. Put in a new radio, with blue tooth, and drive it and not give a damn.
I live about 20 minutes from Northbrook.I’d look at it if I was in the market and had a place to park it.Price seems too cheap.Something in my gut says something is wrong like it’s a bondo bucket but I could be wrong and it’s a good deal.Wouldn’t know till I inspected it.The plate on the back looks like a old IL license plate but it’s hard to tell. These are nice cars My aunt had a red 65 Wildcat co vt. her son my cousin ran a fire hydrant over with and totaled it.Boy was she pissed.
Magnum 500 style wheels? What? Those are the iconic Buick Road Wheels.
Nobody is mentioning the Tune Up Issue. Those 430s had very well known oil flow issues, ultimately ceasing the engine. Car was sitting, dollars to donuts she needs head, lifter work or complete engine????? Just sayin
The brake pedal is worn through. If this indeed has only 29,000 miles it was stopped 290,000 times. Buyer beware!