While Buick was already putting the finishing touches on a new-generation Electra in the late 1970s (with the fourth series debuting in 1971), the final model years of the third generation were not overlooked. In 1969, for example, a substantial restyling was introduced, which was somewhat surprising given that a thorough revamp was soon around the way.
The Electra had a more refined outward appearance, and General Motors also met the new safety standards a year before they were obligatory. As a result, the 1969 model included a revised steering column as well as standard headrests. The 1969 Electra that someone has recently listed for auction is an all-original testament to those times, as the vehicle is still unrestored and unmolested after all these years.
The owner explains that their uncle purchased the vehicle from a friend but was transferred to them when he passed away. The car has been sitting for quite some time, and you can tell this is correct, as the condition is challenging, to say the least.
The convertible top is shattered and must be totally replaced, and the paint (supposedly the factory paint that came on the car when it rolled off the production lines) is plainly showing its age. The body has typical rust damage, and a view of the trunk does not appear to indicate any holes at first inspection.
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to inspect the flooring up close, but I doubt they’ll be clean. The car has almost probably been sitting outside, which might have resulted in considerable damage, particularly to the undersides.
The good news is that everything, including the engine, has survived. This Electra was built with a 430 (7.0-liter) V8 engine, which was introduced in 1967 to replace the 401 (6.6-liter) and 425 (7.0-liter) choices. It stayed unchanged for the 1969 Electra, thus its four-barrel carburetor continued to produce 360 horsepower. Few people remember this, but the 430 was a short-lived option in the Electra lineup. Buick eventually dropped it in 1970 when it launched the 455 (7.5-liter) unit with 370 horsepower.
Seller says the engine still runs on their Electra, so in theory, bringing it back on the road shouldn’t require too many mechanical fixes. It’s currently parked in Wurtsboro, New York.