Let’s see a show of hands for those of you who were around in the late 1970s. That many? I was a teenager and may or may not have owned a suit that looked like one of these, and if I had the means to buy a car, I would have loved to have a 1978 Buick Electra Limited Coupe like this example for sale on eBay. This gem is located in one of the most peaceful-sounding places I can think of, Olive Branch, Mississippi. The current bid is $6,500, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
This car looks like it was just driven off the dealership lot or showroom floor – I don’t see a flaw anywhere inside or out. The late 1970s design aesthetic isn’t for everyone; some of us like a more streamlined style, smaller bumpers, or whatever features were in earlier cars. I like this crisp, angular design myself, and a luxury car always looks good in black, even a two-door model.
The fifth-generation Electra was made for the 1977 through 1984 model years, and they came in this beautiful two-door Coupe (with Landau vinyl top) body style, and also a four-door sedan. You could also get an Electra Estate wagon, too, for the ultimate in GM luxury station wagons. Here’s what the trunk compartment looks like, in case you were wondering.
The Electra Limited was the mid-trim level in this era, with the 225 below and Park Avenue above it in the lineup. The seats are what Buick referred to as “button-and-tufted crushed velour,” and they look perfect in this car. The back seat also looks perfect. The redesigned ’77 Electras would be around a foot shorter than the previous generation, but had copious interior space. The seller says this beautiful car has no rust!
The clean engine compartment houses a 350-cu.in. OHV V8 with 155 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by an automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and the seller says it has new tires, new Wilwood disc brakes in front, and new shoes in back, and it runs and drives well. Are any of you fans or owners of this era Buick Electra?
Talk about a looker. Thanks Scotty. That front end so sweet. 2.41std, 2.73, 3.08 gears available from the factory to move this 350 powered beauty down the road. Love it.
I’ll tell you what….. I second what Stan said. Electras, Ninety Eights , and Cadillacs from these years were all great cars. Even though they were downsized, they still had differences in their styling and drivelines. But unfortunately, not for long. Can you just imagine today, Chevy, Olds, Pontiac, and Buick all had their own 350 V8? Cadillac had their own unique smooth as silk torque monsters too. All engines were somewhat unique to each division. This is one gorgeous Buick, you’d be hard pressed to find another one as nice as this, they are out there, but you don’t come across them in this original condition often.
👍
I owned same car in Oldsmobile version. 98 Regency 2 door hardtop. Mine was Oldsmobile 403. All of those long 2 door hardtop cars look great. This is the last of an era.
There was a ’79 Ltd. at a place called Horsepower Motors or something like that in Illinois about 4 years ago. 10,000 miles & a national show winner. Unfortunately it would be a tight fit in the garage but that one had road wheels.
This is a beauty too. I prefer the ’78-’79 over the ’77 because the back end is much better looking with the taillights.
Nice looking car.
When I was 18, a kid at work, my age, showed up in a 1977 Buick Park Ave coupe. Light green metallic with the green velour interior and white vinyl top. I don’t know how he swung the financing, but that car was sweet! The owner’s son in law at the company we worked at, had a 1978 Buick, same model. He was an egotistical guy, who married into his job. When he saw my buddies car, we could tell he was pissed. He soon traded his Buick in on a ’78 Cadillac.
Big C,
I can see your buddies’s car in my mind’s eye & that was a sharp combination.
As to the egotistical silver spoon, I wonder if he had the Mac Davis 8-track with the song It’s Hard to be Humble on it.
Buick Electras were always rare and special growing up! My cousins grandparents bought a new one in the 70’s and drove it out from IL to CA for a surprise Easter visit! Light green 4 door hardtop with the most beautiful brocade interior I’ve ever seen! That was their last new car and they loved it so….
If you ever find yourself homeless and need to sleep in your car, this is the car to have. That back seat is more comfortable than any bed!
I still have mine. Bought it new. Four door version. Black with red interior. Looks really good for her age. Original paint. I don’t drive her much anymore. Just try to keep in nice shape. Has close to 200k on the clock. I wouldn’t give her up for anything. This kind of car can’t be replaced.
I tried out a big Buick electra 225. You had to have a 40 acre fild to turn it around and it had the 425 motor in it. When I got it turned around. I floored it. Felt like I was in a big air plane and you could literally see the gas gauge go down. i LIKED THE CAR,BUT i NEVER OWNED A GAS STATION AND NEVER BOUGHT IT–BECAUSE OF IT. This is a nice looking car–and it is a CAR—NOT THESE CHEAP BUILT OVER PRICED JUNK THEY MAKE NOW DAYS. THIS IS A CAR.. Hope someone takes care of it
When I was born, I was driven to and from the hospital in a light green Electra with a white interior. My dad loved that car. My mom overheated it badly once and blew a headgasket, so my dad took the heads off and had them machined, got a pretty significant compression bump. Many years and miles later, it was driven into the junkyard with about 260,000 miles on it.
I’m a Buick and Jeep Grand Wagoneer guy , My wife likes convertibles this beauty has all the looks for both of us, wonder what the asking price is?
I bought a new 1978 Park Avenue in a Cinnamon Brown with the light camel interior with a 403 and a 2 dr. I loved that car and babied it. Put a set of 30 wire wheels and a set of Michelin tires on it. Run and drove fantastic. Only saw rain one time in the six years I owned it. Sold it in 1984 to my cousin with 14k miles. Been looking for its twin since. Don’t see many 2dr Park’s. This caught my eye but just not my color.
I drove a bunch of these back in the day. They are great rides and are OH so smooth out on the road.
I drove one from NC back to Florida like this that had less than 1000 miles on it. I actually, don’t call me a liar, got 28mpg from Dillion SC to Jacksonville Fl.
I drove most of that trip with my foot flat on the floor and estimated it probably ran about 105 mph.
It was a slow day on I95 and I never saw a police officer of any kind.
Good for me.
105, love it Archie. .I’m doing my best to drive this one home. BUT I recently found a sweet 87 Grand Wagoneer in Boulder Co. 40 miles from our home, OH boy now what???
Quality on the hoof here! My personal-order 1980 BT1 Lawman package LeSabre was the most nimble B-body I’ve ever owned. I should never have sold it! It was the ultimate police vehicle that you could ever imagine. My sole lament was that the Olds 403 wasn’t an available motivator!
Two minor details hold me back from going after this car, $$$ or a lack thereof. Second problem location. I am in ORYGON
Strange trans gear indicator that looks like a gauge!
Not sure why 2 door cars like this, the 1980 thunderbird & mid 80s LTDs lost their frameless door glass that were on previous models.
If you have a narrow garage, if there’s no door frame, you can roll down the window & get in & out of the car a lot easier – as opposed to having a door frame in the way.
Did these come with whitewalls that wide in ’78?
Yes! They are too wide. Mine wasn’t that wide.
Auction update: this one ended at $6,900 and no sale.
SCOTTY, did this one actually end up at that amount. I have been in contact with the owner and no comment about that.