So, is this the impossible-to-find 1962 Buick Le Sabre two-door hard top as suggested by the seller? Well, maybe in this condition, which is fabulous, but with a production volume of 25,000, these certainly weren’t rare or uncommon cars. It’s also referred to as a time capsule, so let’s investigate and see if this Buick hardtop lives up to its listing hype. NW Iowa Kevin discovered the listing for this Wayne, Nebraska resident, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $26,995.
The Lesabre was Buick’s go-to model in ’62 as it was the standard model available in two-door hardtop and sedan body styles, as well as a four-door hardtop or sedan. Moving up the hierarchy ladder was the Invicta, and then, presiding at the crest, was the range-topping Electra 225 – three distinct trim levels as was so often the case in the sixties. The seller tells us, “This Car Has Been Cared For Its Entire Life & Received Normal Maintenance. Always Stored In a Controlled Environment.” Well, it certainly looks like it, as he further states that the Arctic White finish is “near flawless.” The mileage is listed as 96K miles, but this 63-year-old hardtop seems almost too good to be completely original – the body panels are razor straight and there’s nary an indication of rust. There are no included images of the underside, but the seller assures interested buyers that the structure is sound. Torque-thrust type wheels aren’t exactly the first modification that comes to mind for a car like a ’62 Buick, but they seem to work well.
Powering this steed is a 280 gross HP, 401 CI V8 known as a “Wildcat 410”. I’m not sure what the “410” number references, as the torque rating of this motor is 424 lb-ft, not 410. The seller states that the engine compartment has been detailed, but there’s no indication of rebuilds, repairs, or running attributes, just a statement regarding the performance of normal maintenance over the years. A Dynaflow automatic transmission, known as “Turbine Drive,” backs up the “nailhead” engine.
The inside is as nice as the outside! The turquoise vinyl/fabric upholstery shows as new and is claimed to be original, though the carpet and headliner have been replaced. The entire environment is surprisingly clean, and the instrument panel is a representative of the quality that Buick baked into all of their models in this era. Needs? Nothing, other than maybe seatbelts.
This is one of those “cake and eat it too” kinds of cars. It’s just beautiful, and many will desire to own it, but if you drive it, will its pristine condition last? My thought is that you can’t worry about that, buy it, drive it, and enjoy it! But first, let’s talk price. At $26,995, what’s your thought, priced right or not quite?
Love the LeSabres. Thanks J.O
Nice car
When I was in high school in the 70s a local guy towed his 64 El Camino to the drag strip with one of these and in turn would run it as well.
Now, if it had a dual quad 425 and a 400 turbo………….
Beautiful!
My neighbor across the street had one, circa 1965. It was already showing the tin worm. Maybe that’s why they’re rare today?
We had a 62 similar to this except in the baby blue (Glacier Blue) with a substantial difference, dual quads, dealer installed. For a 10 year old, that car was like a rocket to me.
Waytoo-$$$$$$$$$$$$
Loving it!
My 61 Electra 2 dr. was one of 4440, much harder to find
Beautiful car. The price is not so beautiful, but these days, all prices are ridiculous to me.
Moms had one of these in an Invicta turquoise convertible. Same exact interior. At the same time I had a ’62 Electra 225 convertible in what 19sixty5 describes as Glacier blue (baby blue). I wish I still had the pictures of the two of them parked side by side in the driveway. This was 1969 or there abouts.
Deviating from Buick’s usual practice of labeling specific engine torque ratings via a decal on the air cleaner, in this instance a ‘410’ decal designated a high-compression/premium fuel 2bl./401. In comparison, a lower-compression/regular fuel 2bl./401 utilized a ‘375’ air cleaner decal, both decals irrespective of any torque rating. However the high-compression 4bl./401 reverted back to the usual torque announcement (‘445’) on its particular decal.
I got that part of it, but what does “410” and “375” represent? Random numbers? Model numbers? etc…
JO
Would love this car as it sits, but it is over priced! I have a 63 Riv restored and would love to park both side by side.
This is much harder to find 63 Lesabre, factory bench seat, radio delete, factory 4 speed–T10 – , 401 with factory dual quads, factory tack on dash, four row rad. Very rare and hard to find. Oh yes and factory dual exhaust. I found in Oklahoma 25 years ago. Runs good, rides like a Buick and is fast. Lots of patina . I am too old to be shifting gears
I would like to buy this but I would need to sell my ’65 skylark pictured in my member picture.