Give it to Ned Jordan; with his famous “Somewhere West of Laramie” ad for the sporty Jordan Playboy, he put the mythical romance of the American West on wheels and we car fanatics were the better for it. Another benefit of the great state of Wyoming is that it’s comparatively easy on sheet metal, which is why this ’59 Electra that Barn Finds reader Mike F. found on craigslist in Cheyenne might be a perfect restoration project for those who find those big luxury cars from Flint irresistible. The advertisement is a little sparse on details, but there are enough pictures to show prospective buyers what they’re getting into, and the $4,000 price tag isn’t too bad for one of Buick’s wildest creations.
For the 1959 model year, the Electra replaced the long-running Roadmaster in Buick’s updated model lineup. An extra-luxurious Electra 225 (so named for its prodigious length) was also available, but not in the two-door hardtop form of our featured car. All Electras got the all-new 401-cubic-inch derivative of the torquey Nailhead V8, producing 325 horsepower and 445 lb.-ft of torque. The Twin Turbine Dynaflow was standard equipment in all models but the base LeSabre, while the Triple Turbine Dynaflow (with its extra complexity and anecdotally dubious reputation) was a $75 option. The seller doesn’t mention which transmission this car has, but either way, the engine is not running, but two extra 401s (with some finished machine work) come with the car. (There’s no word on the radiator.)
Nailheads have a propensity to freeze crack on the outside of the block above the starter; it might be worth a look before trying to get this Electra started.
The interior will need a complete restoration, but it looks fairly original. The seat upholstery seems to follow the same pattern as other Electra hardtops found online, but it will certainly need replacing. Not to harp on the transmission choice again, but the Triple Turbine Dynaflow had a unique “grade retarder” range on the gear selector, and was missing the Twin Turbine’s low-range option. I don’t think this picture is clear enough to make it out.
The Electra hardtop was fairly well-received in 1959, with 11,216 being sold at a base price of $3,460, which was a few hundred dollars more than an Invicta and almost a thousand more than a LeSabre hardtop. The seller’s asking price of $4,000 is not much more than the Electra cost when new, but as we all know in the old car game, the purchase price is just the start of one’s adventures. If you find yourself Buick shopping near Cheyenne, maybe you can picture yourself behind the wheel of this Electra, driving into “the red horizon of a Wyoming twilight.”
Motor almost appears to be tilted down at the back. Maybe transmission is missing.
My wife grew up in Jersey City in the 60’s and her father had one of these. It got stolen, twice. First time he had a friend drive him around and they found it and brought it home. A couple of days later it was gone again. They found it in the same place and waited for culprit. The guy said he loved that car and had to have it, so my FIL sold it to him. He then bought a Falcon S/W, cause he figured nobody would steal that. FIL said after a couple of months driving the Falcon he didn’t want either.
That story made me laugh out loud!
With some work,this could be a “Cruising Vessel”.
I think the cruising vessel had 4 doors, so it is going to take a LOT of work.
Without a doubt. My favorite đ Buick of all time. Menacing front end. And aeronautical rear wings. If I didn’t have my hands full with 3 already. I would be headin to Wyoming!
Man, what a mischievous and downright menacing looking front end. It looks like itâs telling a dirty joke and stealing your lunch money all at the same time. It reminds me of the angry eyes grill treatment the newer Jeeps are gettingâŚexcept this is actually cool.
And seeing it come at you at night, with its brights on, is one of the most spooky and bizarre sights I recall.
Always felt this would have made a much better Christine..love these MOST evil of all cars ..Buick at peek design.
Hmmm..wonder whats under wraps next to it…
My parents had a 59 in Victor station wagon, and in it in the glove compartment was a transistor radio that you pulled down a lever and you could pull it out and take it with you. I wonder if this one has it
Man, given the right modifications this could be one seriously cool hot rod. I truly hope that someone buys it and turns it into an outrageous cruiser.
I had a 58 Buick my uncle had a 56 Buick , when the 59s came out he jumped on it what a cool car at the time , made the other 50 Buicks look like rocks!
Oldrodder
Each to his own, BUT BUT, I would leave this beauty alone!!!! If it needs a tranny maybe update the drive train and definitely the brakes?? Then enjoy cruising to cars and coffee with Mama right next to you where she belongs…
Beautiful Buick Hardtop, but with seller offering additional engines means it’s not running with the existing drivetrain. Buyer will have to spend some coin to get her on the road again. GLWT.
I am so glad they changed the dashboard for 1960. That’s all I’m going to say.
Did you honestly believe from looking at this ad that this was a runner?
Dave Kindig and his crew did a very nice job on one of these several years ago, christened it Blue Suede ShoesâŚ
1959-60 was a good year for many model cars, especially this Buick. Love the menacing front grill and face as well as the rear fins. Very fair price for a rolling chassis. Wonder what it will cost to rebuild the engine, trans and brakes in today’s economy. Nailheads are good engines.
I’d restomod this one. Late model gm drivetrain, 4wdb w/ps & pb. I wouldn’t touch the body. It’s perfect imo. gangster black w/heavy window tint. However, I’m old and only dreaming here.
I can relate. I feel exactly the same way.
I love the body style, better than the Chevy of the same year. I don’t dislike the 401, but transmission makes me nervous. I’d be really tempted to plop in a 455 Buick with a late model overdrive transmission like a 4L80E. Upgrade the brakes and suspension. Clean up the interior (possibly reupholster) and keep it stock looking.