A Deuce and a Quarter, this 1983 Buick Electra Limited ain’t! That said, it’s an excellent 1980s interpretation of Buick’s range-topping model. Times had changed, and GM rose to the challenge, starting in ’77 with downsized B- and C-body cars like this Electra. Coupes were still in vogue then, and that’s what I have for your review today. We can thank Zen for discovering this Hauppauge, New York, resident, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000.
There’s no denying that Electras from the late fifties and early sixties were very “visible” cars. As the sixties progressed, the styling was mitigated, but they were still obvious due to their size, with the “225” designation referencing the Electra’s length of 225″. The Electra name came from a sculptor who was the sister-in-law of GM’s then-president. Still, I thought for years it was named after the Lockheed Electra airplane, which seemed like a poor choice, considering a few early Electra turboprops tended to lose their wings in mid-flight. Regardless, the Buick Electra was a well-regarded luxury model and sold in substantial volumes. By 1983, the Electra was available in Limited and Park Avenue trims, in both two and four-door body styles, as well as an Estate station wagon. Our subject car is one of 8,900 Limited coupes assembled in ’83, so not rare, but not that common either. This 92K-mile example still presents well, though its obvious flaw is missing bumper fillers at the front and rear corners. It’s a common problem with GM cars of this era; the fillers are a polymer of some sort, designed to fill the gap between the five MPH bumpers and the car’s bodywork. They get brittle over time and disintegrate. Beyond that foible, the rest of the exterior is fine, with nice paint depth, a sound Landau vinyl top, and shiny Buick road wheels.
GM was full-on engine-sharing by ’83, and this Electra was gifted with a 140 net HP, 307 CI (5.0 liter) Oldsmobile V8 engine, paired with a four-speed automatic O/D transmission. The seller describes this Electra’s road manners as: “runs excellent and is very reliable, transmission shifts smooth…” This is a 4,000 lb. car, so I doubt the 140 net HP makes for lively acceleration, but it’s probably quite adequate for cruising, which is what a car like this was designed to do. The engine compartment is surprisingly clean considering this car’s age and mileage.
Hmmm, an eighties GM car with red velour upholstery- how many of those have we seen before? I dunno, but I would have liked to have the red velour fabric franchise back in those days. Anyway, the seats, carpet, and dashpad look great, with the only wear being on the driver’s-side armrest. The seller states, “A/C blows cold.”
I can really appreciate this “big” car’s downsized bearing from its mid-seventies years. It’s still large and comfortable but not titanic and ostentatious in a “Hey, look at me!” way. For those who still dig a full-size, body-on-frame, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive coupe, here’s another great example that won’t break the bank – seems reasonable to me; how about you?
I didn’t realize that the armrest had a cupholder! IIRC, I had a 1992 Olds 88 that had the same sort of holder in the armrest…
What a great car!
I don’t believe that armrest is original to the vehicle. That type of storage armrest with a flip-put cupholder came along after this car was built. The stock armrest would have been a simple, padded affair with upholstery and piping that match the seats. The red on the armrest in this car is a bit more pink than the rest of the upholstery.
That’s what I recall from my 1980 Olds Custom Cruiser, that’s why I was so surprised…
Armrest cup holders didn’t come until the late 80s GM front wheel drive.
This owner had the same idea I had for my ’84 Cutlass Brougham except I took mine from a ’97 Buick LeSabre with fold out dual holders. I had seat fabric so the upholstery shop stitched it like my original armrest. With some modification of the bracket, it worked. No one ever noticed at car shows and I got rid of the generic center hump holder.
There won’t be the 80s paint issues on this car due to its bright color.
Replace the bumper covers and drive!
This is what car makers quit making…. cars with class. I know Cadillac bumper fillers are readily available. I wonder if the same is true of Buick?
I just found them on Ebay.
These are nice. A sedan makes for a better one.
Beautiful Coupe’, one of the last real Electra’s! GM C- Bodies were beautiful!
The plastic protectors inside the bumpers are almost all gone. 7 grand is a bit steep for this car . 307 olds engine yuck. 92000 miles that’s high for that particular engine.
My 1st car was a ’79 Electra with a very similar interior. Burgundy paint on the outside. LOVED that car. Got me through college. Nicer than my apartment.
I had an 88′ Electra wagon and it was one of the best cars ever had!
these are coming out of the woodwork now. i have seen 5 just this month come up for sale.
I would be happy to tool around in this.
Are these bump fillers really that hard to get or even make with 3D printers?
Or sheetmetal
How much for the maroon soft top in the background? :)
Grandparents had an 84, silver with blue interior. They both passed in 1989, one week apart.
That happens a lot when 2 people have been together a long time. Bless them.
I would be tempted to ditch the 307 and find a LS for more engaging driving and smile as the tires make smoke.
Had an ‘81 LeSabre Sport Coupe. Loved that car!