Searching our archives, I’ve come across quite a few full-size 1962 Buicks, such as today’s discovery by T.J., a LeSabre four-door sedan. None, however, can claim only 29K miles of experience. The seller proclaims, “29,349 documented original miles,” so let’s review and consider the proof. This exceptionally clean, deep maroon (Cardinal Red?) sedan is located in Columbus, Nebraska, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $20,000, OBO.
Full-size Buicks (That’s all there was in ’62 other than the Special/Skylark) started with the Electra 225 at the top and ended with the LeSabre at the bottom; in between was the upscale Invicta. The LeSabre offered two and four-door hardtops as well as two and four-door sedan bodystyles. Our subject sedan is one of 56K to leave the Flint assembly line back in ’62. The seller mentions a 1983 repaint, and if that’s the case, this car has been well stored, as there is no sign of paint fade, oxidation, crazing, or general deterioration – the finish looks like new, and the seller states that the original hue was retained. The hubcap/trim ring arrangement is a deviation from stock, but beyond that, it’s 1962 all over again.
The striped, cloth, and vinyl upholstery is just perfect! Imagine finding this pattern in a modern car. The environment appears to have been gently used as there’s no indication of wear, dirt, staining, etc. The seller states, “100 % original upholstery, door panels, carpet, headliner, dash, gauges, steering wheel.” As a matter of fact, the seller tells us that this LeSabre only recorded six miles of use between 2002 and 2013 – essentially an eleven-year nap. The instrument panel in this car is representative of the era, lots of shiny bits; one missing item, however, is a radio – I guess the original owner didn’t want to spring for it.
LeSabre power meant a 280 gross HP, 401 CI V8 engine tethered to a “Turbine-Drive” automatic transmission. The engine is referred to as a “410 Wildcat,” though that’s not the torque rating, which measured 424 lb. ft, so I’m not sure what the “410” designation means. The seller adds, “2013: cylinder heads rebuilt, carb rebuilt, gas tank cleaned & sealed, tires, alternator (styled as generator), 2025: new gear-reduction starter, new fuel pump, fresh oil change; original non-working starter & generator included.”
Back to that documented mileage matter, there is none provided in the listing, and I don’t think an image of the odometer qualifies. The seller claims, “Three owners—same family—since new,” so perhaps the seller has some actual documentation he can provide, i.e., title/mileage certification, repair receipts with mileage and dates – items of that nature. I suppose the included Owner Protection Plan folder could be of some help. I have no reason to doubt the mileage claim, but “trust and verify” is a solid way to proceed, wouldn’t you agree?
I hope the “documentation” of mileage consists of more than a picture of the speedometer. There is no better place to show such documentation, if it exists, than in the ad.
It looks nice, not sure about the price.
Steve R
interesting, the hub caps are very likely original. Buick used a “dog dish” hubcap as well as full wheel covers in 1962. Interesting that the basic style of the caps used were very similar as ones used dating back to the 40s with just the center of the cap being changed. The earlier version just had “BUICK” written across the center and not a replica of the later Buick symbol. This looks like an exceptionally well maintained, low mileage Buick, nice if it is.
not a fan of the leaky Turbine drive tranny (or for those who have disdain for Buicks marketing lingo (Dynaflow) I doubt you could find anyone that would want to rebuild it let alone fix it if it ever needed it – the reason it probably hasn’t been an issue is that it’s only gone 30K mileage wise
I can’t imagine that anyone who rebuilds transmissions would have much of a problem with that transmission. It’s about as simple as you get. I doubt that it would deter anyone.
If I had the car and the trans started giving me issues I would just drop in a TH700R4 ~ end of problem.
First dealership I worked in was a Buick Pontiac and Cadillac store. Small town. We had a mechanic who was the transmission man. When he worked on a Dynaflow he’d come in the parts dept and tell me to get out my pad. Then he would quote every part number he needed then he’d go back to the beginning and tell me the group numbers so I could go back and pull the parts.
Never had another trans man who could do that.
Did have an AC man later who could do it for ac compressor parts.
Same color as my ragtop. Had an Invicta ragtop I bought in late ’72 (I think) My car had the bucket seat option with a center console. It had a white interior with that dark red carpeting and
dashboard too. The only thing Dad and I did to the car was ditch
the Dynaflush tranny and swap it out for a newer better T-400 automatic instead. Right after I
played behind Linda Cassady on
Cornbelt Country style, I got to play on The Marvin Lee Show Saturday’s on WCIA Channel 3 out of Champaign, Illinois. And that’s where my Buick came in.
My older sister or my Mom, would drive me down to Champaign every Saturday to tape that week’s show and many more that same day. An 8-hour
work day would give us that week’s show and 15 others. By the time I signed on to tour with
Marty Robbins as a warm up man, I helped them tape maybe 5
seasons before I left and they cancelled the show in ’79 or ’80.
So yeah, my Buick got a lot of use
back then. Between travel to Champaign, Saturday night dates
(When I was home) and my Mom
driving it to work sometimes, I’ll
bet it had at least 140K miles when I sold it to a friend of Mom’s
who later had it restored in 1985.
Sorry folks, I like this car, but it needs a radio and a brake upgrade. Other than that, it’s as nice as the ’64 Bel Air I saw yesterday. And yes, I’d really rather have a Buick!
Ohhhh, Devil woman… wow interesting stretch there hanging with Marty! Thanks for sharing. Running Bear, loved little White Dove… :)
Seems high on price for a 4 door?
Greg did you add any Camaros or other rides to your stable in 2025 ?
Hi Stan,
I added a one owner 1995 Corvette, white on red, with just 6,500 actual miles, and a 2006 Mustang GT that has a sky blue exterior, is a convertible, and has a tan interior with a manual 6 speed. Also a one owner that had 6,400 actual miles. Both are like new.
We moved to Surprise, AZ and just retired so I downsized on the “collection”. Still have the 1979 Camaro Z28 that is getting an LS3 from a late model Camaro Z/28 and has a manual 6 speed. Also I have my Boise, Idaho painter repainting our 1967 Mustang Convertible that I added AC, and a EFI system to.
Hey im right next door,66′ restored Mustang, stop by the next free car show at Lowe’s. Happy Valley/Lake Pleasant Parkway Sunday 11th 7:30 – 10 am
I added it to my calendar and it’s only 10 miles from us! Hope to see you there Bigred. What color is your ‘66 Mustang?
Hagerty says a concours example of this model would be valued at 16.5K. An “excellent” example is listed at $10,500. If the miles check out, split the difference and the price should be around 13K I would think.
Nice car. I bet the rat who moved into the top of the air cleaner thought so too.
My parents bought a new 62 LeSabre 2 door hardtop with the 401 and dealer-added dual quads. It left quite an impression on this 10 year old at the time. The ad says “radio delete”, the radio was optional, not deleted.
Thank you for pointing that out to all the option-neophytes who persist in using that annoying, inept description!
This is a 364, not a 401. 401s had 445 on the air cleaner. These were the torque ratings of the engines.
The decal on the air cleaner says 410, not 401, so it is actually a 401 CI, assuming the air cleaner is original to the car.
Buick put the engine “TORQUE” on those air cleaners. You’re not the first to make this mistake.
I missed that part, yes the 410 is the torque of the 401 engine, so it would be the optional 401.
Note the attached, 401 was the only engine available in the LeSabre.
JO
Thank you for the info. I stand corrected.
You are welcome Terry!
JO
nice color interior and extremely clean as well. need a paper trail for the mileage claim. moon caps look out of place IMO. need to find the right buyer for this style car
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the 1962-64 Buick LeSabre. If only more pics were posted. IMHO, there’s no such thing as too many pics. There is such thing as too few pics. Even on Facebook.
harryolds68:
Like you, I took thought those hubcaps were “baby moons” but after looking closer at some of the pics, I believe that TerryM. is correct… the caps are much flatter than baby moons and have a Buick trishield emblem stamped in the center. Looks pretty Buick original ro me. The trishield emblem was relatively new in 1962 so they are not some old Buick poverty caps here. Certainly unique from my prespective.
My grandparents drove Buicks. I don’t know what the earliest Buick models they drove.
Yeah Joe, I actually grew a set and did an impersonation of Marty Robbins TO Marty Robbins
while warming up the crowd at one of the shows we did together.
And yes, Merle.Haggard showed me how to do it too. He also taught me how to do Buck Owens
and Hank Snow too. Got my ass
chewed out by my band leader for doing Buck Owens while he was taking in one of our shows in
Las Vegas in 1971. I was 16 going on 17 back then. I did it for
laughs not even thinking about what kind of trouble I could get
myself into. But Marty was a good sport about it and let me keep impersonating him from time to time. I also learned to do
Willie Nelson and Julio Iglacius
too. I did them when I sang “To
All The Girls I Loved Before”. I recall the time I sang the song
“Pretty Words” and Marty snuck in behind me and sang the second verse. I thought the roof
was coming off the theater when
the crowd started clapping and cheering. But that’s what you did.
You gave the crowd their money’s worth and a whole lot more.
The earliest Buick I remember seeing my grandparents drive first hand was a 1971 LeSabre. I was way too young at the time to drive a car.