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Not At All Difficult? 1970 Buick Electra 225

Buick Electra 225

I have to say, this listing made me laugh! This Buick Electra 225 Convertible could be an impressive machine, but only after a lot of work. The massive 455 was rated at an incredible 370 horsepower, but was seized and had to be removed from the car to be freed. Also, the seats and most of the interior were removed. But according to the seller, “It is not at all difficult to restore or bring to running status”. Which leaves me wondering why they haven’t just finished it themselves if it is that easy. Oh wait I know why! As they put it, “Will need new top, floor work, trunk work, lower fender work and slight lower fender work”. I wouldn’t call this a small amount of work by any means, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want it. With so much power on tap, clean styling, and no roof with make this an enjoyable car to cruise around it. Be sure to read the complete listing here on eBay in Sharon, Wisconsin with bidding at $200 and no reserve. So would you put the 455 back in this Electra or would you find a different home for it?

Comments

  1. Avatar SoCal Car Guy

    “Not at all difficult…” Nope, no problem whatsoever. Just jack up the radiator cap and drive a new car under it.

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  2. Avatar Al

    At the end of the day it will take 10-15k in bodywork paint ,another $3-$6k for eng & tranny ,it’s better just to go out and buy one already restored

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    • Avatar SoCal Car Guy

      I think you’re being way conservative, Al, unless it’s a labor of love being performed for oneself by a highly skilled metal and paint person. My retirement part time job is working in a restoration and custom shop. I see anywhere from 500 to 800 man-hours in body repairs and preparation (depends on how bad the unseen rot is, and the availability and cost of replacement panels) $1,500-2,000 minimum for paint and materials, plus your estimated engine and tranny costs and $3,000 to $7,500 for new interior and top. At California labor rates at a quality shop that does custom and restoration work ($50/hr at the low end to 100/hr at the high side) I see $25,000 to $80,000 just in body and paint.

      About four years ago I took time off to rebuild/refurbish and update an old El Camino that had been in the family since new. This was a Southern California vehicle that had never been in a collision and no rust except for a couple spots in the floor (about 8-10 sq. in. total) that had perforated from water leakage around window seals. We (myself, my friend who owns the shop, and a very talented final paint prep tech) invested over 780 hours into it, plus over $12,000 in parts and outside services — and the only upholstery work needed was the installation of new carpeting and a new exact duplicate of the original vinyl top. The costs in both time and treasure add up VERY quickly, and usually end up at double to triple what is originally budgetted.

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  3. Avatar Ed P

    Some assembly required!! A car would need less work at the beginning of the assembly line.

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  4. Avatar JW

    Completely rebuilding a entire car is always easier when someone else does the work. He will be lucky to get his $500 immediate down payment IMO.

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    • Avatar Ed P

      That is about all this car is worth.

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  5. Avatar Chebby

    Shoulda left it all in one piece. Unstick the engine, patch the floors with sheet metal, cheap white paint job and drive as a summer beater.

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  6. Avatar Woodie Man

    I got tired….so would you mind starting this for me? After you pay me to tow it out of here. Sheesh!

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  7. Avatar Charles

    http://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/902-dfw/1970-Buick-Electra

    Here is one for 23K, that is solid and ready to drive.

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  8. Avatar don

    oh great! someone’s unfinished project, oh ya I’ll jump on that…oh wait.. I can buy that that runs/drives and not rusted out for less than what it would cost to fix this one!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar guggie

    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ pit !!!

    Like 0

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