A Buick LeSabre Palm Beach edition, really? With all of the discussion of Palm Beach, Florida real estate values that are circulating through the news these days, I don’t think a Buick LeSabre is going to cut it as an appropriate representative. But, back in ’79, maybe it was a more fitting ambassador for that wealthy and exclusive barrier island – things have really changed. I must admit that I’m not familiar with this model, it was a one-year-only offering producing just 4,001 units according to William Stopford at Curbside Classic. Residing in Queensbury, New York, and a long way from South Florida, this powderpuff of a GM B-body is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,900. Thanks to Dennis H. for this tip!
So, the idea here is all about looks, as in pastel shades, sprayed over a full-size passenger car that would make a splash with the retirement set. The two-tone finish is a combination of Code 11 – Antique White (top, hood, trunk, and rocker panels) and Yellow Beige adorning the sides. Other features include Yellow Beige bumper strips, gold body side stripes, Yellow Beige tinted grille, Yellow Beige custom wheel covers and side belt molding, white sport mirrors, and “Palm Beach” badges. Our 94K mile subject is still puttin’ on the Ritz and shows like new. One variation is the wheels, this country club cruiser is wearing optional Buick road wheels – a good choice.
The seller doesn’t advise what’s powering this luxo-cruiser and no VIN is offered, so detection is tricky. I’m going to suggest, based on visuals, that the engine is a 140 net HP, Pontiac 301 CI V8. Other choices were a Buick 231 CI V6 or a Buick 350 CI V8. The seller adds, “Mechanically all good. Looks and drives like new“. Oh, and no manual transmissions allowed on the island – automatics only.
Get a load of that interior! As the sales brochure states, LeSabre Limited “Palm Beach” cloth upholstery in, what else but, a Yellow Beige hue, spread across a 55/45 split bench seat, special woodgrain applique for the dash and steering wheel, longer pile carpet (easier to hide your lost dentures), custom seat belts and of course, a “Palm Beach” badge for the dash. I have to admit, it’s an attention-getter!
Get a white belt and shoes, throw in some plaid pants, and you’re good to go Palm Beach style. I suppose that I’m not surprised that this rig was only offered for a year – it is a bit gauche. But, it’s also an example of what makes the domestic automotive business from bygone years so interesting – these one-off, unusual models are very interesting conversation pieces. A Buick LeSabre of this generation was a solid car and sold in strong numbers (total ’79 LeSabre coupe count exceeded 60K units) but I think that I would prefer one in more pedestrian trim, this one’s wearing a bit too much, “Hey, look at me”. But that’s just me, how about you?
Personally I never liked the coupe version of the LeSabre, I’m more of a 4 door type of person. Yes the colors and the trim are a bit much but to each his own.
“Paging Mr. Furley! Paging Mr. Ralph Furley! Your car is ready!”
Ha ha. Well done sir i love it. Problem is the younger crowd won’t know what were laughing about. At least Jack and Lana would have had room in the back seat 😉
Didnt Larry Dallas whisk her unrequited affections away from Jack? Hahaha great reference
For anyone needing a visual of Mr. Furley.
The white bumper strips kill the looks! Otherwise nice looking!
The impact strips on the bumpers are not white. They are yellow. Now I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they are a little sun bleached after this long.
The week I bought this same car in Michigan ALL new Buicks at Stall Buick in GR were 50 percent off sticker price.
Mine was $3,300 OTD.
I like it, even the white bumper strips! As Darren said to each is own.
Thw LeSabre coupè is one of the finest looking motorcars the General produced.
This I one I regret. ions ago I bought one, a 78 in green simular to the Chevy on here right now. The was a 403 with a power seat and cruise control. For a malaise Era car this thing would move. The car also had a posi rear. Storage and space are always an issue and at a time when vehicles like this were by no means considered anything but junk. I sold the engine to a guy with a Trans Am and the rest is history. That one haunts me.
My dad was a Buick dealer in Fl. I remember these cars coming off the truck and being sold before we could even detail them. Guess it was a Fl thing
You are correct. These things sold like crazy. There was almost an additional batch made but one of the suppliers of some of the specific pieces couldn’t make any more in time. Small special edition cars like this were a hallmark of Buick. California GS, Sun Coupe, initially the Grand National in 1982, just to name a few. These were really nice comfortable cars. The only weakness was the seat trim. This one looks OK for the little seen, but the seat material would deteriorate rapidly in the Florida sun or actually in hot weather climates.
C PINCKNEY – what town was your Dad’s dealership in?
13k is way to much for an anemic car nobody wanted but I bet it’s comfortable
They are, and you are correct to me.
The market will determine the price. Plenty of people wanted the car in 1979. These Buicks seemed to be everywhere then.
Love these cars. Had my own 79 once, wish I had the money ,well worth it.
Agree. Just a special edition Lasabre.
Too bad it couldnt be optioned with a 455 or 400 cubic inch engine. For 13g a bit much but someone will buy it.
Last year for the 455 was 1976. There was a 403 that was optional this year.
I had a 79 Park Ave it had the 403 olds. Was a real nice ride drove like a dream. Was tripple blue with the chrome road wheels. I was sorry to see it go… but the 403 lived on in a 73 lemans so I guess it was a fair tradeoff lol.
Always was a fan of the G.M. b and c bodies of the era. As much as they were built on the same platform all had their unique identities
Nice car,girlified, price to high for unpopular car. 6 or 7 k would more realistic
Take me off this, to much mail
My folks bought a new LeSabre in 1979. There was a Palm Beach on the lot, and I tried to convince them that it was”the one.” They disagreed, and went with a 4-door Limited in tan, with a brown velour interior. Still a solid choice, and one that aged better IMHO.
I lived in a town of about 7000 people then and there was 1 of these… owned by an older man who owned an appliance store. He was kinda grumpy… his car surprised me…
Only one I ever saw in captivity was at the Detroit Auto show. As much as I’m attracted to this sort thing it’s just too much. At least the interior makes up for the exterior. The inside is what you have to look at anyway. For the record, the bumper rub strips are yellow, not white.
Had a ‘77 coupe, Sawz-alled the top off, spay painted on a checker board pattern and drove it to the Indy 500 and Pacers playoff games for several years. The 301 seemed pretty strong… wouldn’t die. Bought it for $1, and sold it fir $1. Good times.
I recently saw one near me at an auto shop completely roached out. Real junky. You could barely recognize it, but it still had the emblems and paint scheme, albeit faded.
I couldn’t help but morbidly think how long the original owner had been gone for. The average buyer of this think must have been around 69.3 or something like that.
Interesting way of looking at it. I hadn’t considered it in that light.
Forgot the shag carpet era in cars until I saw this.
Dad abandoned Ford back in 1978 after liking my ‘71 Buick Electra 225 coupe. His first GM vehicle since he was a kid with a 1933 Chevrolet. He had the coupe also with a light blue paint and matching velour interior. He loved the car and so did I! Unfortunately, my mom talked him into buying a used Dodge Omni for better mileage and smaller car. What a boat anchor! Dad should have said NO!
I had one of these and it was given to me by my father. Timing chain went on it and I let it set until it was towed away(I had brought 2 Cadillacs then and was in no rush to fix it). I wish I had kept that car.
I bought a new ’79 LeSabre Sport Coupe. As I remember, the sticker was around $10K. It was a beautiful, solid car with a turbo charged engine, but the trim turned out to be horribly cheap. The blacked-out window trim was the standard chrome only painted black. The pin striping was not painted on but taped on. After a year or two of ownership the pinstripe tape and black painted window trim.began pealing off during car washes. The interior chrome strips on the doors were nothing more than gray plastic strips covered with aluminum foil which eventually pealed off. I truly liked the overall design of the car but was very disappointed with the cheap and undurable trim. That was inexcusable cost cutting.
I have a black 79 Lesabre Limited Coupe loaded with the Buick 350 4bbl and road wheels with 45,000 miles. Beautiful car. Wins at every show. Superior build quality, not to p off the owners of 71 thru 76 GM large cars but no comparison. Owned for 8 years now and never a problem. My mom bought one new in 77 and I found one almost identical to hers.
I have a LeSabre Palm Beach mini brochure. I believe that’s pretty rare today
I owned 1979 and 1982 LeSabre coupes. Both were very solid cars which rode well and had decent performance.
I remember falling in love with one of these at the Buick dealership. At the time, I was driving a ’76 Estate Wagon, and had stopped there for some parts. I took one look under the hood and remember how complex everything seemed and so packed in there. I couldn’t afford it, anyway, but I’ve never forgotten seeing that car for sale in the Midwest.
I realize this was the style back then, but that car has some of the worst styling ever. It’s just a box, the front is so flat that the bumper is practically straight across. The only “shape” to it at all is the angled headlight bezels. Overall it would appear to be a copy of pinewood derby car designed by a 7 year old. Definitely pass, in fact I would pass on practically all the full size cars from that era.
At least they were far better looking than the sea of mouse gray SUV’s roaming the streets today. What we have now is the saddest period in automotive history. I can’t even remember the last time I drove through a new car lot.
Way better than the gray jelly beans running around today. This is the worst time for the auto industry.
Couldn’t have said it better, Rose.
A lot of today’s cars do look alike, but there are cars out now with a lot of style. The Challenger, Camaro, Mustang, all have great styling, even some of the Mazdas and Toyotas have great styling for what they are. Everyone has their own taste, if you like cars shaped like a box that’s fine, I just don’t.
Morrison Motors on N. C. had one of these with 35m miles on it.
Wanted about $20k for it. Nice looking car with p/l, p/w but no p/s. Aftermarket stereo. Needed the almost always needed bumper covers.
I just checked the website before posting and looks like it’s gone.
Agree with you and Corky about the look of today’s cars and what’s with this ugly black waffle looking cladding on the bumpers? Ewww!
Took a closer look at Morristown Motors and the Palm Beach is still there. Price DROP to $18,000!
Had an ‘81 LeSabre Sport Coupe with an Olds 307 and a 2004R. Great car, wish I could find a nice one now, but not too likely
Because they were built like tanks, unfortunately a lot of them were used in demo derbies.
I had a 77 LeSabre Deluxe Coupe with a 350 Buick engine. Over time it blew two head gaskets. No other major problems. Problems arose when I had the head gaskets replaced and both times, a few days later, the oil pressure light came on on the Interstate. Neither mechanic changed the oil which had antifreeze and coolant in it. I’m not a fan of the Buick oil pumps in the engine front cover. The last “great” one I owned was a loaded 1971 Centurion convertible with the high performance 455. $4400 sticker base price + $2200 in options = $6600 MSRP. This Park Avenue appears to be a 3.8 IMHO. I hope I’m mistaken.