Telling a 1969 LeSabre apart from its predecessors is relatively easy, as the new model looked a bit boxier thanks to a more squared styling.
While many people believed the LeSabre lost its elegant look, the new styling fit the car like a glove, mainly thanks to the new roofline that gave the coupe a sportier stance.
General Motors surprised everyone by complying with the new safety regulations earlier than anticipated, so the 1969 Buicks already boasted a new steering column.
Nothing changed in the engine department, so the LeSabre was still available with a 350 (5.7-liter) as standard. The base V8 developed 230 horsepower and came with a two-barrel carburetor. It shipped with a three-speed manual transmission or a two-speed automatic unit called Super Turbine 300.
Customers who wanted more power ordered the LeSabre 400 – despite its name, it also included a 350 V8, though its power rating was 280 hp thanks to a four-barrel carburetor. The upgraded engine was only available with a three-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission.
The LeSabre posted on eBay by seller hemigtxconvertible1969 rolled off the assembly lines with a 350 and an automatic transmission. Its main selling point is the low mileage – the odometer indicates just shy of 69,000 miles (around 110,000 km), and looking at the car, you can tell this is true. The LeSabre is not a spotless Buick, and the paint shows its age, but you won’t find any critical rust or other metal problems.
The owner says they parked the car in a garage in 2003, but the two decades in storage didn’t alter the LeSabre too much. The 350 engine runs and drives smoothly, and the transmission shifts correctly. The vehicle has tinted windows, air conditioning (still blowing cold), and an AM/FM radio. Everything is in working condition.
We’re not getting a closer look at the undersides, but it’s safe to assume they’re not wrecked by rust – you should still inspect the floors and the trunk thoroughly, as cars sitting for years typically exhibit rust problems in these areas.
Buick LeSabre isn’t a highly desirable car in the restoration world, but it still makes for a very eye-catching occasional driver. It’s probably why the eBay auction has already received nine bids in just a few hours online, with the top offer getting close to $1,300.
There’s something you need to know, though. The seller has also enabled a reserve, and unless someone sends a higher bid that can unlock it, the 1969 LeSabre stays where it is. The owner parked the car in Farmingville, New York, and this is also the place where it’ll continue to sleep for at least five more days until the auction ends.
The car sells with original documentation, including the owner’s manual and other Buick documents.