This! When I refer to an outsized car as a “Whammer-jammer”, an Electra 225, such as this 1968 example, is what I have in mind! At 224.9″ in length and tipping the scales at 4,400 lbs., this Buick is the BIG deal – and the top goes up and down too! Located in Dallas, Texas, this beautiful Olive Gold Iridiscent cruiser is available here on craigslist for $19,600. Thanks are due to Barney for this tip!
The Electra 225 was Buick’s top-of-the-heap model in ’68, with trims available in Custom and Standard. This convertible, one of about 8K assembled in Flint, MI, was part of the Custom line that also included four-door hardtops and sedans, as well as a two-door hardtop. There was also a special upscale “Limited” trim, but it was only available as an option on four-door hardtops. Buick had a good year in ’68, posting a fifth-place finish in the great domestic automobile production race with an output of 628K units. This car’s listing is limited in detail, but I imagine that it has undergone at least a respray, if not more – it’s just too clean and bright to still be wearing 1968. The endless quarter panels are razor straight, and that alone gives you an idea of this Buick’s likely crash and rust-free existence. It’s nice to find the original high-quality Electra wheel covers on this rig – a component that often goes missing. I would like to see an image of this cruiser in top-up form; unfortunately, none were included in the listing, though the seller, via his video, states that it’s in good condition. Speaking of that video, you can find it here.
A big car means big power, and in this case, it’s a 360 gross HP 430 CI V8 engine tethered to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. With 91K miles on its life clock, the seller claims, “Runs and handles Excellent!”
The black vinyl upholstery has certainly survived the test of time – no mean feat in a convertible (though black is not the shade I would have selected considering its thigh-searing ability on a hot day). Looking around the interior, I don’t see a thing out of place, including the door panels and dash pad, and as near as I can tell, the carpet. The top boot is a nice inclusion; they’re often lost to the ages, though they’re available today for most classic-era convertibles from a variety of suppliers. Convertibles from the sixties were often built without optional A/C, and that’s the case here, though my initial thought was that this car, being an exalted Buick model, would come so equipped.
This 1968 Buick Electra 225 Custom convertible is proof that there are still great examples of this lost design, i.e, big V8, rear-wheel drive, two-door, and a retractable top models out there. But if you’re interested in one, time is running out; we’ll never see cars like this offered again from any manufacturer. And I think that’s most unfortunate; how about you?
A thousand times yes!!
Great write up Jim. Beautiful car. My aunt next door to us when I was a “tween” had a new 1968 Deuce and a Quarter medium blue with black vinyl top in the hardtop version. Love the color on this one. I do agree with you that as a luxury, Top-O-The-Line model it would have A/C as standard equipment. Of course regions dictate options. I live in Louisiana and had A/C installed in my 1956 Thunderbird. The company I went with integrated the functions into the Magic Aire system from the factory as well as the blower/fan switch. You just never know when you’ll get caught in a Summer downpour here (of course that manual top can be a game changer!). Again, BEAUTIFUL car.
The ad and video have been deleted.
So damn soon after posting?! One day since posting?! That’s crazy! If the seller had already sold the car, awesome! Congratulations! I hope whoever bought the car enjoys it and carefully drives it and maintains it.
Back when a car was a CAR!
listing gone. sweet duce convert. you just don’t see them. this looked good except for the dirty engine bay. the ask seemed reasonable
I am not surprised that it sold so fast. Not knowing a lot about this particular model, I figure that nowadays anything classic and in decent shape is a bargain at below 20K. That’s the reality of today’s market.
Seller should’ve BAT’d it. I’d wager 50% more than his ask. Absolutely gorgeous!
Someone totally STOLE this!
I have the same car, same color, only with tan interior instead of black (top boot is tan), and my car does have factory air. When I bought it in 1975, someone had substituted 1964 Wildcat road wheels for the originals, so I left them on. The original wheels and wheel covers were included, and I have them in storage. Great car and a blast to drive. One thing I always liked in the really hot weather was running the AC with the top down! Didn’t make sense, but I liked it.
The group of hooligans that I hung around with sometimes (when not working nights at the NAPA store.) would all pile into Cliff’s Dad’s 225 4 dr hard top. (A ’68 and same color as this) It hauled 12 of us around pretty well all night. (With the girls sitting on laps) And yes, it could burn the tires from a stop easily. Good times remembered whenever I see one of these.
Don’t forget the 3 guys in the trunk (total of 15)!
What a sweetheart!
These were beautiful cars!