For the most part, Buicks fly under the radar when it comes to collectible cars. With the exception of the legendary Buick Regal Grand National of the 1980s, Buicks of the past had a reputation for being comfortable, reliable, and a bit conservative. All of those qualities add up to a collectible car that you can live very comfortably with. If you are looking for a subtle yet beautiful ride for cruising to the beach, this 1969 Buick Le Sabre Custom convertible for sale on craigslist in Oceanside, California may be the ride for you. Needing relatively little to be a reliable sunny day escape vehicle, this Buick is currently being offered for a reasonable $15,900. Thanks to T. J. for tipping us off on this beautiful Buick.
The Le Sabre was one of Buick’s upper midrange models, with only the Wildcat, Electra 225, and Riviera positioned above it. Buick produced almost 200,000 cars in the Le Sabre series alone, with convertible body style production coming in at 3,620. The 1965 was basically built off of the frame and structure of a 1965 model. However, the car was restyled in 1969, squaring off the lines and moving a few pieces around the dash. Headrests were also mandatory due to new Federal regulations.
The Buick we see here looks to be an original car. It is advertised to be in very good condition and the seller claims that it has always been garaged. We are told that it has power steering, a power convertible top, and a look into the engine compartment confirms that it was equipped with power brakes. The only issue with the car is the door rubbers. GM door rubbers of the time were made with a very soft material that didn’t age well over time. Steele Rubber products sells a weatherstripping kit for the car, but it currently runs $1,344.39.
A look at the dash shows that there is some honest use and a good size crack in the steering wheel. The ad states that the odometer reads 65,000 miles. It also says that it has likely rolled over. I wouldn’t be so sure about that. The condition of the car, if it is in fact original, points to the 65,000 being closer to correct. A close look at the wear on the seats, steering wheel, pedals, and the door hinges may be better indicators of just how much this car was used. An odometer reading decades after it rolled off the showroom floor is not something I put great trust in. Assume it is high mileage is a good rule to follow, but not an absolute rule.
In the picture above we see the temporary fix for the door rubber problem. We can also see that the seats appear to be in very good condition, with no visible rips in the vinyl and the foam still seems to be doing its job rather well considering the age of the car. The paint and chrome we can see also looks to be in great shape. As an added note, this was the first year that Buick and the rest of General Motors installed steering columns with the ignition on the column. This allowed the steering to be locked with the key.
Under the hood is a cleaned-up Buick V-8. While we are not told what displacement the engine we see in the picture is, chances are it is the standard 350 cubic inch, 230 horsepower mill. This engine was fitted with a two-speed automatic transmission, which was standard with the 230 hp engine. Also, pictures of the dash in the ad show gear positions for two forward speeds. The seller tells us that the car has been treated to new tires, new shocks, a new battery, and a brake job. The engine and carburetor have just been serviced and the car is “ready to roll”. With a little work to bring this car back to its full glory, it would be a fun car to “roll” in. These Buicks are well built, comfortable, and can be wrenched on by the owner with little hassle. $15,900 is not unreasonable for a good-looking sixties convertible. Hopefully one of our readers will pounce on this car. Is this the kind of car you could live with? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
.A person can buy individual rubber items if needed. Here’s a link to pick in choose. Steele doesn’t manufacture all they sell, either.
https://metrommp.com/catalogue/
Price drop to $14,900 as I write this.
Love the car ! Is it still available ?
When you talk about “ With the exception of the legendary Buick Regal Grand National of the 1980s, Buicks of the past had a reputation for being comfortable, reliable, and a bit conservative” some of us remember getting an unexpected surprise when the Buick we challenged was a Stage 1 GS 455….
What a beauty, and what a price! But to sell this to buy a boat?!? What a shame. Someone will smile when they drive this home…
My first thought also: the Stage1…
Great write up Jeff. Love this sled.
Looks great in grey, reminds me of the Star Trek Enterprise and almost as big.
These were boats. I grew up in a row home neighborhood where most families had one car. The houses were 20 feet wide, so that was the size of the parking space on the street. Neighbors on each side of us had 4 door LeSabres. One car never moved. The other neighbor got home before my DAd, so there was no room for my Dad’s Desoto or Later Impala….the space in front of our house was empty until I got my first car, a bugeye that fit easily between the boats.
Best looking factory wheels ever. Timeless.
If I’m not mistaken 1969 was the 1st year the new 455 big block was available and I’m surprised with such a big car it doesn’t have that engine in it. The 455 was based on what they learned from watching chevy & the Buick 455 was like 100 pounds lighter than a rat motor and 50 pounds heavy than sbc. Until 19969 Buick had the 425 Cid & 430 in their cars
I don’t believe you could order a 455 in a LeSabre in 69. If you wanted a 455, you stepped up to the Wildcat which had it as standard. That was actually the main difference between the two.
With the small motor and 2 sp, this is ideal for parade/flotilla duty.
Old Buicks were so cool!
The locking steering column also locks the automatic transmission cars in park, the manual trans cars in reverse. Nice 69, looks like a nice cruiser, AC would have made it nicer!
I had a 1969 Buick Electra Convertible. came with the 430 4BBL And it was a tank. After Dad rebuilt the Engine ( Not Motor ) all stock it Ran like a raped ape. Total sleeper.