The 1974 model year was a tough one for U.S. auto manufacturers. Unless you already had small, fuel-efficient cars in your inventory (remember the gasoline shortages?). Buick was largely focused on bigger cars, although they did have the Nova-inspired Apollo compact. Convertibles were an exception as General Motors had made plans to get out of that business at the end of 1976. The seller has a nice 1974 LeSabre drop-top, which was one of 3,627 produced that year. Located in West Jefferson, North Carolina, this open-air land yacht is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,500.
Buick’s full-size cars were redesigned in 1971, so the 1974’s got a refresh to accommodate cowcatcher bumpers fore and aft to meet new Federal safety regulations. The only big convertible that year was in the LeSabre series, and it was designated Luxus as a premium model. The ragtop would bow out the next year with the Custom and 5,300 deliveries. Only the Cadillac Eldorado had that body style in 1976. In 1977, if you wanted a new GM convertible, you were out of luck.
The seller bought this burgundy ride in 2000, and it’s spent a lot of its time in a garage. It has the earmarks of a weekend cruiser with 63,000 miles on the odometer. It comes with the basic 350 cubic inch V8 to propel the 4,000-lb. machine. An automatic transmission is also onboard, probably a TH-350. We assume the mechanical health of the vehicle is good. No mention is made of work done or needed.
There is no discussion of rust or other body damage, and the paint and matching interior look tidy. The Luxus model was a top trim level, so it’s not surprising this ride has features like power seats and windows. We’ve seen several of these large mid-1970s GM convertibles pop up lately, perhaps because Summer is coming and that’s when you’d use them most. Thanks for the tip, PRA4SNW.
Summer Parade ☀️ 🎺 special Dixon.
Funny you mention that Stan. I like the parade boot on this one. Thats nice to have. ( At least I think its a parade boot)
You are correct, the car is sporting the optional fiberglass parade boot that would/should protect the top mechanism below while Miss America sits comfortably atop waving to her admirers. Purchased at about $800 (new) and painted, it’s around an $1,100 option. Also looks way better (painted body color as the factory would have done as in this vehicle) than the lumpy vinyl one that came standard. Those things had flimsy plastic “lips” that were designed to slide under the chrome molding at the base of the top with snaps for the front section found on the rear seat side bolsters. Never did work well as high temperatures made the plastic lips curl and pop out (had the vinyl one on my 1975 Grand Ville Brougham and bought the fiberglass hard cover – problem solved!).
First car in my name was a 75 LeSabre convertible in the same color. It was a lovely car to drive on the highway. The first owner had taken good care of it. My mother bought it from me when I bought an Olds convertible and then it got passed to my brother in law when he didn’t have a car. It didn’t look like the same car when I saw it later. Felt really bad it was in poor condition. Family traded it in an 85 Dodge 600 Convertible.
nice but not a lot of info or important pics. price seems fair for a drop top. nice if had a 455. seeing this makes me want to finish my 70 lesabre convert.