Some admirers will likely glance at this 1969 Buick LeSabre and immediately write it off simply because of the number of doors, which is understandable, as many enthusiasts prefer only a pair of doors instead of four on vintage cars. However, for multi-occupant use, sedans offer the convenience of easier rear-entry, so if you’re looking for a more family-oriented classic, this 1969 Buick LeSabre might be worth checking out. It’s also the more upscale 400 model, and the body appears to be well-preserved and solid. This one’s in Carmichael, California, and can be viewed here on Craigslist, where the seller has posted an asking price of $9,500. Jack M., thanks a lot for the tip here!
The LeSabre got some redesigned sheet metal for the ’69 model, which featured a more squared-off shape, although it still rode on the same basic chassis that was used when the third-generation cars were introduced in 1965. The seller doesn’t provide very much background here, but the exterior appears structurally sound and mostly straight all the way around, although some of the lower trim pieces are missing in a few areas. This one’s also fairly basic outside, including hubcaps and whitewall tires, which were a staple among sedans from the period.
Stepping up to the 400 level for the LeSabre got buyers a 4-barrel carburetor for their 350 engine, which upped the horsepower to 280, an increase of 50 over the standard 2-barrel configuration. It also included a beefier transmission, a Super Turbine 400 automatic with three forward gears, instead of the base automatic component that only had two. The mileage is listed as 56,903, and while this isn’t confirmed as actual, the owner states that his Buick is mechanically sound and running great.
Nothing is specifically mentioned about the interior, but it still looks pretty good overall with the expected wear and tear that comes from this sort of age. The front bench is showing a few tears, and the steering wheel is getting brittle. However, the dash pad doesn’t have any obvious cracks, plus the instrument cluster seems very nicely preserved. This one’s said to need only cosmetic work, and fortunately, it appears as though this Buick can be driven as-is until the next owner is good and ready to move forward. What are your thoughts on this 1969 LeSabre 400, and its asking price of $9,500?
We inherited a low mileage 1970 LeSabre 4DHT from my dad’s father when he passed in 76. I was able to take it to college that spring – MUCH better than 250 miles in the snow on a tiny Honda twin the ‘rents had bought me. It was a great car! Metallic brown, vinyl roof, and exceptionally easy to load up with friends etc. The ONLY car I ever put a blanket on the engine!
Sadly, it got traded away during an OPEC crisis in the late ’70’s, to be replaced by a 76 Monza 2+2. Woulda shoulda…
Nice recap of those college days. We gave our ‘70 Olds to our Son when he attended St. Bonaventure up in snow country along with 2 HUGE snow tires on rims which replaced the street tires. He Cruised to Cleveland several times without incident. Good days!
This car checks a lot of good boxes, though I will wager the mileage is 100k more than claimed. These are some of the nicest Buicks made. They are large, powerful and definite road queens. Real Buicks.
I had two `69 Buick Electras.
Being roughly over 800 lbs more than the LeSabres, the weak point was the A frame bushings over time.
Oddly the Wildcat convertibles weighed more than LeSabre convertibles, even though they were essentially the same car, but for the optional 430 engine.
Not bad, if it were about half the asking price. It could use some work, but it’s priced closer to perfection. There is a lot of competition in this segment of the market, which means it’s a value purchase except for someone who considers it their dream car.
Steve R
This is the car that was featured in the video for Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “My Hooptie”. This one is a lot nicer.
In the one rare excursion my family strayed from FoMoCo,My mother bought a 1969 LeSabre after she totaled the Meteor Rideau 500 driving like a lunatic :P BUT..it wasnt normal,it was from a neighbour.He’d wrecked his 1969 GTO with a Ram-Air III 400 under the hood and swapped it into his LeSabre.And that is what was sold to my mother.Suffice to say..once it overcame the weight it was pure hot rod..in a straight line LOL.She had that car for about 2 years before another Mercury(in lieu of Meteor) was purchased.
I like it. I’ve always liked 4 door sedans and station wagons.
I’ve always liked 4 doors, too, especially the hardtops. Buick must’ve had a lot of complaints about that stupid thumbwheel climate control system they had in ’68; 1 year and done.
This is a decent car, especially with drivetrain upgrade, but too pricey.
nice looking sabe. good color combo. i would lose that upper hose though and clean the engine up. price is a bit high. i would want an in-person evaluation. good looking body style. i have a 70 sabe convert and i love the lines
Definite inspection needed. Left rear quarter was apparently hit and is missing LeSabre badging and side marker light trim. From the rear you can see the trunk lid is out of alignment with the bumper and the gaps are off plus the right side of the trunk seems high at the rear.
Price is optimistic as the entire car needs a repaint, a re-do of the left side and trunk plus interior seat repairs.
These Buicks were, and still are, really good looking compared to many late 60’s early 70’s models. This car looks great from 10 feet away.
Right! And replace the bench with buckets and center console and you made a sleeper keeper
My grandparents had a 1968 Buick Wildcat. I wish I had seen the car first hand. Buicks were their favourite cars, with Chevy trucks a close 2nd.
needs the road wheels and it would look a bit more sporty
I agree. Otherwise, I think it looks perfect.
My father had the same car with a darker brown color, tan vinyl roof, and first “official” car I could borrow for dates.
Remember you could set the cruise control and drive it with two fingers on the steering wheel. Same time period speed limit was being reduced from 65 to 55, Dad drove it 70 mph everywhere…
If I bought a Buick like this, the biggest change I’d have made would be to the gauge cluster. I’ve never liked idiot lights. Where the idiot lights are, I’d have someone install proper needle gauges.
Good idea, but I wonder if a full gauge pkg. was offered for the dash cluster openings.
I saw a ’65 Skylark at a show where the guy had started with a computer image on paper of the rpm gauge to look like the speedometer. He brought it to life next to the speedometer and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
Maybe, maybe not. But most Chrysler cars of the same vintage used needle gauges on their cars.