Buick revamped its entire line-up in 1959, not only changing the design but also the names. The LeSabre was introduced as the entry-level full-size Buick, but there was nothing basic about it. Most noticeable about the cars from a styling perspective were the slanted headlights and swooping tailfins. This ’59 LeSabre is a one-owner convertible that was undergoing restoration when the seller’s father-in-law passed away. So, it’s now left to someone else to finish. The body and paint are done, but the interior is not. Located in Roanoke, Texas, this Buick is available here on eBay where dozens of bids have raised the ante to $24,300.
The LeSabre, which stands for “the saber” in French, was a Buick staple until 2005. In 1959, the car road on GM’s new B-body platform which was shared across corporate lines. As the “baby” in the lineup, the LeSabre used a smaller V8 than the Invicta and Electra, one displacing 364 cubic inches. That motor produced 250 hp with a 2-barrel carburetor or 300 with a 4-barrel. The powerplant here has been rebuilt and has the 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission, both of which may not take much to get running.
As the story goes, the seller’s wife’s father bought this drop-top new in San Antonio. The original title is still intact. An experienced body and paint man, he had already attended to the exterior which we’re told was clean and rust-free. Upon his passing, the auto migrated to the daughter and – apparently – there is no interest in the family in seeing the project taken to conclusion. We’re not sure that red is the original color as part of the interior is red and the other silver and the dash has been redone.
At a minimum, the interior is going to need completion and some of the materials needed are there, like replacement bucket seats for the front. Some mechanical bits are MIA and will need sourcing, like the carburetor breather, master cylinder, and power brake booster. On the other hand, the trunk is full of parts some of which are OEM and still in the box. One of the surviving options is an under-the-dash tissue dispenser!
Prior to where you see the car photographed, it lived in a barn until the restoration was started. We’re told the Buick may have been last registered for the highway in 1967. It has new tires, so the machine should roll easily onto a trailer, as long as you don’t have to sit behind the wheel. There were three Buick convertibles offered in 1959, the LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra, all totaling about 21,500 copies. Of those, about half carried LeSabre badging. Who’s ready to take this car to the next level, a spin around the block?
Plate on the firewall confirms this is a manual brake car- PB jobs had the MC under the floor. Steering wheel center also indicates manual steering. Does have power windows & 2-spd wipers.
The steel-back buckets are hyper rare- were only available on the Electra convert in ’59. Worth 5-6 grand by themselves.
I can’t agree with your statement. I owned a number of 1958 Buicks, some with power brakes, and they all had conventional, firewall-mounted, single-pot master cylinders attached to a vacuum booster. I doubt sincerely that the ‘59 master cylinder was under the floor.
Now that friends is a sinister lookin front end. Beats out a 1970 Dodge Coronet. Kool backend also.
Dynaglow? Someone needs to invent automotive spellcheck.
I mean, in general, a transmission should never glow.
Looking at the original title, adjusted for inflation, the $2,537.64 sticker price in 1960 is equal to $25,617.82 in 2023.
When you look at today’s value of the vehicle purchasers property ($139,000) adjusted for inflation, that was equal to $13,769 in 1960.
That makes for one expensive car at the time for the original owner. No wonder they held onto it for so long.
Looking at median house prices across the USA today, in terms of appreciation, they should be glad they hung onto the car and not the house.
Whoa, Whoa. You better watch what you say about my car…she’s real sensitive”
“Arnie Cunningham”
One of them took a s*!t on the dashboard of my car, Ma… How’s that for rational?”
I bought a 59 Buick LeSabre convertible project out of Arizona in 1993. Rust free but parts are so hard to find for these it took nearly thirty years to find all the missing pieces to finish it. It’s finished now and it won a first place trophy last summer at a 700 car show.
Got any pictures to share?
Here I’ll try. I think there’s a chance that BF will block it because I am on the free version. https://share.icloud.com/photos/03cap3jMPQpD_qtgzNth-XbqA Here it is it’s white the blue 59 Chevy is mine too. This bunch of cars are the Pacific Northwest Cars of the Jet Age club.
Looks like the car from the Our Lips Are Sealed video by the Go-Gos