The history of this 1968 Buick LeSabre Custom 400 Hardtop is unclear, but it is a classic that carries the hallmarks of an existence treated with respect. It has no glaring faults or flaws and could be an affordable classic that a new owner could enjoy immediately. It features the most potent V8 offered in that model year, giving it the performance to match its good looks. It needs a new home, so the owner has listed it here on eBay in York, Pennsylvania. The bidding has crawled to $2,025 but remains short of the reserve. I must thank Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this stunning survivor.
The seller doesn’t supply much information on this LeSabre, and they describe its exterior paint shade as white. The only version the company offered in that model year was Arctic White, but the paint on this car doesn’t look vibrant enough. It could be that the subdued lighting for the photos shoot may account for the difference because the seller doesn’t indicate a color change or Special Order paint. It shines nicely, and any defects are too small to show. The Black vinyl top looks excellent, as does the chrome. The seller doesn’t mention rust issues, and nothing is visible in the supplied photos. The tinted glass looks flawless, while the beautiful exterior presentation is rounded out by steel wheels wearing their original hubcaps and wrapped in a set of narrow whitewall tires.
The ’68 LeSabre Custom 400 rolled off the line with the 280hp version of the company’s 350ci V8 as standard fare. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, with this car also featuring power assistance for the steering and brakes. At 4,140lbs, it is evident Buick’s focus was more on luxury and comfort than outright performance. That makes its ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds pretty impressive. The seller says the vehicle runs and drives but doesn’t elaborate on how it performs either task. However, the engine bay presentation and vehicle condition suggest it should be in sound mechanical health.
The impressive presentation continues when we open the doors and inspect this Buick’s interior. The seats wear Black vinyl upholstery with no evidence of significant wear or abuse. The dash and pad are excellent, as is the headliner. One of the few faults worth noting is faded carpet. There is no wear that would justify replacement, but spending $250 on a new carpet set would lift the presentation to a higher level. It doesn’t feature many luxury appointments by modern standards, but the power seat and AM radio are welcome.
If anything surprises me about this 1968 Buick LeSabre, it is the subdued bidding. The car has received a mere eight bids, although plenty of time remains on this auction for that figure to climb. The harsh reality is that it doesn’t represent the most desirable vehicle in the Buick range, and it will probably struggle to rise beyond $15,000. Values have remained pretty static, so it is unlikely to represent a rock-solid long-term investment. On the flip side, they aren’t dropping, which could be positive news for potential buyers. That means they could park it in their garage without fearing they will drop a bundle of cash if they ever decide to sell. It will be considered affordable if the hammer falls for under $15,000. Given its condition and the factors listed, watching this auction could be worth the effort.
More “Uncle Marv” stories. Sorry, Marvs cars were very influential to a young gearhead. I think just about everyone had an “Uncle Marv” in the family. After his stint with Pontiacs( a ’61 Bubbletop and a ’65 Catalina) he went with a car exactly like this, same color even. Not sure why he switched to Buicks, but this car catered to people like Uncle Marv. Single all his life, lived at home all his life, had ONE job for 47 years, Briggs and Stratton,,,all his life, THIS was the car they bought. It sent a clear message, you were single and had a good job and perhaps a “mamas boy”. Naturally, I’m simply flabbergasted on the no interest, it’s a cherry ’68 LeSabre 2 door, for CRYING OUT LOUD,,,the best of the best, sigh, again,,go buy your $50,000 Bronco,,
The cornfield photography works well.
Nice car.
That there is a pretty ugly steering wheel. I’d love to have it.
Better picture would be smoking RR tire length of cornfield as I did many a time , after taking a little old lady home that left for service at garage I worked at as Lad.
The Buick 350 was a pretty rugged engine. Very durable and it was used in the Jeep Wagoneer from 1968 to 1971, before AMC began using their own engines after they took over.
How refreshing to see a reasonably priced car, that isn’t a roving POS. Back when Buick’s were real cars. Not these idiotic looking soccer mom mobiles, that they’re pushing now.
I really don’t get it, if this was an Impala you’d have to beat off the bidders with a stick. Of the full size GM cars in ’68 (minus Cadillac), I’d argue that this is the best looking of them. The Olds looked even heavier than it was, the Pontiac stylists phoned the job in while tripping on Endura bumper off-gases in the GTO stall, and the Chevy was both elevated and diminished by its ubiquity as one of a long series of top selling, low priced big cars. Yet finding a clean stock Chevy like this car simply doesn’t happen any more. That’s because Impalas are the bedrock of the low rider movement, so they’re comparatively common: I actually met a ratty teen driven ’67 Impala coupe on my drive home yesterday. When’s the last time you saw a LeSabre like this?
Buick is the red headed stepchild in the GM lineup. I will never understand the preference of a Chevy over a Buick.
The rattle can overspray on the exhaust manifold would have me asking the seller for more photos or having an inspection done before purchase. This one looks fantastic and clean (and stylish!) but as soon as I see something sloppy like that alarm bells go off.
I,m like you Bo and if everything turned out good and I bought it. I,d drive it to a paint shop and have to RUST MAGNET VINLYN TOP —removed very quick. Nice looking car. Check it out good.
The reason that the overspray us so obvious – the heater hoses are gone! If the heater core is leaking, they are available. Same with the hoses.
I see the car has Cruise Control – wonder if it works?
As I write this, the bidding is at $9000.00. I see there are two bidders with zero feedback….who just happen to love ’68 LeSabres.
I’m high bidder so far
Beautiful looking car. My grandparents had a 1968 Buick Wildcat. This was before I was born, so I don’t remember the car itself. I only remember the cars through old pics of my grandparents with the car in the background. It’s too bad they didn’t keep it, for I would’ve liked to have driven the car when I grew up.
What is the difference between the LeSabre and the Wildcat? One of my dad’s buddies had a ’67 Wildcat when I was young. I really liked that car. I remember riding through the country in it to this day. It made quite an impression on me.
Primarily trim. It was a “sportier” version of the LeSabre and not quite the high end trim found in the Electra 225. It’s difficult to compare to the Chevrolet lineup, but I would say the LeSabre was sort of an Impala, the Wildcat might compare to an Impala SS, and the 225 to a Caprice. That’s an opinion of course, Chevy had so many models, Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Impala SS and Caprice. The GM hierarchy went like this, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet, so even a low end Buick was a “nicer” than a comparable Olds, Pontiac or Chevy.
Like the embossed vinyl, but hate the steering wheel. Good looking car but as much as I respect the 350 I question whether it is a good idea in a car as big as the LeSabre.
We had a 67 LeSabre 400 with the 340 engine, it is the car I passed my drivers test in back in 1968. I can assure you that the 340 had plenty of power for a full size car, it was more than capable of burning the crap out of the right rear. It was surprising how long of a “patch” you could achieve! The “400” in the model name referred to the transmission, the Super Turbine 400, which is in reality the Turbo Hydramatic 400.
This is basically the same size as an Impala which could be had with 283 or 327. The Buick 350 is a torque machine.
The color is Desert Beige, not white.
I know this car. It’s In nice condition here are couple flaws. No heat or ac. Some parts of the vehicle you can tell where its been sprayed mainly quarter panel. For me the interior has a stench I couldn’t get past. And I usually like old car odors but this one is weird.
I have the same car 68 LeSabre 400 2 dr. No vinyl top but mine has the buckets and mini console in black. My interior is pretty nice still! I love the embossed seat print. Found my factory build sheet when I dropped the gas tank. Mine’s not as nice as this but minimal rust with a tired engine. I have a 455 but really think I should rebuild the 280hp 350.