This 1979 Buick LeSabre Landau Custom is almost comically priced here on eBay: $3881. What are we doing, going up by $1 at a time? (Actually, by increments of fifty bucks). And that’s the result of 15 bids, more by the time you’re reading this. The car is waiting for you in Hudson, NY, where you can claim it if you win the auction, which runs until Wednesday.
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This era of full-sized Buicks, which ran from 1977-85, actually look fairly meaty and muscular to my eye, despite the half-vinyl roof and chrome accent band running from the top of the doors up over the car. Going down the road, they have a sense of menace and purpose, though they were “downsized” and lost hundreds of pounds of weight compared to their prior-generation cousins. Maybe it’s the squared-off edges seen all over the body. This particular LeSabre is said to have been a Tennessee car which comes with a slew of paperwork going back to when the car was new. All of that sounds good. What’s the holdup on bidding?
Question one: Is this original paint? Not all of it: the top surfaces have been painted, though the sides and doors are original. The benefit of that, more than anything else, is to validate that the color is original. It’s really nice. Not true for the mouse-turd-brown interior, which is actually looking kind of sad, though maybe that’s just the color. That brings up Question two: What are the mechanicals like? The engine is said to be a 301-CID mill, with 67,186 miles on it and recent service. According to one source, that makes this a Pontiac engine. Probably insignificant. Too bad the AC compressor is gone. Hmmm—what does that show about how the car has been taken care of? An underhood look shows the kind of neglect that would be worthy of remedy.
Question three: Why do I want this so bad? It’s the color. No, it’s the way the bumper and the grille say, “Don’t try anything stupid, now, Mr. Tiny SUV driver.” Actually, it could be those square portholes on the front fenders. Maybe it’s that I always thought the tri-colored “Euro” taillights on this generation of GM cars were stupidly cheeky. Or it could be that my dad was driving station wagons that impressed nobody in the era when this car would have floated through our neighborhood, making us instantly cool. And for, what, five thousand bucks(?) plus shipping coast to coast, this thing would be no less bad-a$$ forty years later.
Interesting write up on a car that is seldom seen today. The VIN codes out to the engine being a 301 with a 2bbl. With the plug wires and Edelbrock rocker arm covers, someone did some mild tweaking. It looks like the intake and carb are stock. Cruise control components are still there under hood, although you’ll need a new turn signal switch.
This reminds me of someone’s first car; the big wheels and white letter tires. The speed shop purchases under the hood. Surprised the radio is the factory issue. At least the dash isn’t hacked up!
A day spent on the wheels and tires – dismount the wheels, polish with Mothers ‘PowerCone360’, wax, and mount tires blackwall side out. That would make a huge difference!
Then, go cruising…
5.3 swap ? Turbo 3.8 ?
Looks like it’s parked in the lot of the Broadway Garage, they occasionally have something interesting for sale. The maroon on tan is hot, but the engine is a real slug.
The 301 had no aftermarket support for intake manifolds.
But a Pontiac 350/400/455 bolts right in with little fuss!
I like these cars, but I see a few drawbacks. The condition of the interior suggests it was left outside for an extended period and that it got wet inside. The driver’s door panel / armrest staining appears to be from water. The VIN number plate is rusted (!! – how damp did it get in there??), the speedometer lens is permanently fogged/yellowed, and the chrome bezel surround is worn off. Was the source of the water leak corrected? Dash has a crack. The trunk lid as damage left of center. The left rear tail light lens is cracked. It’s good someone saved this – not many of them were saved, considering how common they once were. The original owner could have ordered the Buick 350 or an Olds 403 – sure wish it had one of those instead of the 301. The repaint of the top surfaces was a good idea. I just don’t think this car will command a very high price due the condition seen in the photos. It was neglected for a period of time and brought back. And an in person inspection will likely reveal more.
Ok, find a turbo TA, with a bad body, swap motors, a set of 15×7 Chevy Ralleys with the 67 caps, raised white tires, refresh of interior, carpet cover for dash, and turbo your way around.
When I lived in East Tennessee, from 1976-1981, Alcoa (Tn) Police Dept got the police version of the LeSabre, twice despite getting lower bids the second time. They ran good, little trouble and were comfortable for the officers. Blount County Sheriff Dept also had some. A rather unique car for police work.
The 301 leaves me cold, good looking wrapper around an empty package