Dealer special editions: where do we stand on them? I suspect most of us think they’re a bunch of hogwash and offer little in the way of additional value when listing a vehicle for sale. However, on a regional level, I suspect sentiment may shift a bit. If you’ve been in a geographic area for some time, you may recognize that a local dealer made a unique trim offering tied into some event of national significance, and I can see that moving someone’s “Buy” meter a nudge. This 1989 Buick LeSabre is a so-called “Presidential” edition, but I doubt it was anything the factory sanctioned. Find it here on craigslist for $15,000.
Right off the bat, that’s a chunk of change. There’s no two ways about it. But it does appear to be a nicely kept example, with lots of survivor-grade details. The original wire-style hubcaps, color-matched mudflaps, the landau roof, the Presidential decals (that indicate to me it’s never been repainted) – it’s hard to deny this Buick’s credentials as a sedan that has defied the odds in terms of surviving in condition like this. The seller reports that it has been garaged since new, and as a New England vehicle, that’s easy to believe. The original dealer sticker on the trunk lid offers a clue as to which franchise created this so-called Presidential edition.
The LeSabre was a well-liked mid-size, mid-market car offering plenty of comfort and almost-luxury features. In fact, you might even consider it the peak vehicle of middle managers at the time. The pillowed-seat cushions were supremely comfortable. The fake wood-look dash trim was handsome. The thick carpets and assortment of comfort and convenience features certainly made it feel like you’ve arrived. And if you pulled into the office parking lot with a Presidential edition – well, you clearly had made it and earned your holiday bonus.
Under the hood was an unkillable 3.8L V6 of the 3800 series engine family. It pushed 165 b.h.p. and 210 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels. Across the board, the LeSabre was simply a respectful car. It didn’t knock your socks off but it did everything with a degree of competence that was undeniable. The seller is certainly sitting on a handsome example but I would wager it’s a limited buyer’s pool that wants to pony up the cash to bring this one home. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for spotting this survivor.
I was the fleet manager at Fanning Cadillac-Buick in Chicago at that time.
There was no factory “Presidential Edition”.
The above was all aftermarket or dealer installed.
I did Chicago Edition Cadillacs in silver and black two tone with embroidered skyline roofs, and Palm Beach Edition Century’s in Rosewood with gray interiors and embroidered palm trees on the sail panels.
The only special edition H body LeSabres from the factory were the Olympic models in ’88.
Special badging and embroidered Olympic rings on the head rests.