Country Classic Cars - Vehicle Details

The street rod named Electra carried a production run spanning 30 years, (1959-90) it’s fair to say the ‘Classic American’ doesn’t get any bolder than this. Even when other manufacturers were looking at compacts for future designs GM boss Harlow Curtice pressed the case for full size luxury and the ‘Electra’ name would continue over six generations. This example is an early third generation from 1965 is the full ‘deuce and a quarter’ that is 225 inches in length, or 18ft 8 inches long in a convertible featuring the highest spec and sleekest lines. Obviously, Country Classic Cars are delighted to offer this superb Electra 225 for a regular client and as always, we look to carry out an inspection, identifying any mechanical issues found prior to sale. We pride ourselves on offering an honest ‘warts and all’ appraisal of every vehicle we offer for sale, this avoids buyer disappointment often resulting from a lack of detail within sales adverts.

The present custodian researched this Buick’s past finding it was first registered in the American mid-west state of Wisconsin before travelling nearly 2000 miles to the dry heat of Arizona and parked up for a few years. The 3rd owner transported the car back to the mid-west and Minnesota where several years were spent returning it to a running / driving example also fitting factory air con plus upgrading the front 4-way power seats to 6-way. The car then spent 45 years in dry storage before being offered for sale, the current owner took his chance to view in 2017. Purchased and shipped to California where a fresh top and interior were installed with small improvements added over the next year and a service was carried out. In April 2019 it arrived in the UK, taxes and duties paid and with Covid restricting enjoyment the owner decided upon a bare metal repaint which was undertaken by Brooklands Cars Ltd in June 2020. As the owner explained ‘The reason for this was to repair the passenger rear fender, it had been damaged 40 or 50 years ago, luckily the chrome trim was all in good order. There were a few small dents and scratches on the car, it still had its original paint, but the factory primer was bleeding through in some areas; I had the car detailed in the US, but the stains came back 6 months later. When the car was stripped, the only rust was in the trunk seam on top of the car…and that was just surface. The car had never been hit or damaged, it was super clean.’ This reflects in the paintwork today; the Fisher body is blemish free with only small marks noted to the bumpers. Underneath features a thin, even coat of black protection with no evidence of replacement, damage or patch repairs.

The repaint was completed in late August 2020 and put into storage; with the owner now living in Denmark travel restrictions and lack of storage at home has forced the issue and thus the Electra is reluctantly for sale. Country Classic Cars have agreed to carry out the final touches required including improving the engine bay appearance with freshly painted (to original spec) rocker covers and air filter housing prior to buyer collection.

They say ‘power is everything’ and this 225 features power hood, steering, windows, quarter lights, six way seat, antenna, cornering lights and trunk release plus air con, cruise control. Under the hood Buick’s 401 ‘Nailhead’ Wildcat V8 (that’s 6.57 litres) with four-barrel carburetion and hydraulic lifters offering 325bhp transferred to the tarmac via GM’s Super Turbine 400 three-speed automatic transmission. Period advertising proclaimed, ‘wouldn’t you rather have a Buick’ and the numbers prove buyers voted with their cheque books selling 8,505 examples of the convertible, at a range topping $4,440. The 225 made a statement in 1965 and today is anything but subtle, as the Buick brochure stated ‘”When you’ve arrived, there’s no harm in letting other people know it’.

Interior space is exceptional, with freshly covered leather seating it doesn’t get any more relaxing whilst new carpets complete the ‘all black’ appearance, contrasting nicely with the light exterior finish. Chrome finished control switches are in abundance, filling both door panels and placed regularly across the huge dash panel, with everyone tested operating correctly, from windows to hood. The Wildcat V8 starts first time, every time and with column change plus the most assisted steering available manoeuvring this land yacht is not an issue. On the road performance is impressive, accelerating 2.25 tons with ease but most surprising is the power offered by the braking system which is more than up to the task. Enthusiasts with a passion for Americana will fully appreciate the virtues of this high spec Electra, an incredible piece of engineering for the era and one that still today ensures every journey is an experience.

The Buick Electra was built without compromise, and this is an exceptional example and therefore is expected to attract a lot of attention; early contact is recommended. For additional information please message with your email address for multiple detailed images and walk-round video; we will forward the file via ‘We Transfer’ a free to use and safe service or Whats Ap. Country Classic Cars operate by appointment only and within current Government guidelines and whilst inspections are encouraged, please bear in mind the changing situation especially with regards to test drives.

This drop box address (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vuwxmroklciy8qb/AAD2BUBpOmoBorsBgpE_b-jFa?dl=0 ) contains images beginning in Minnesota April 2017, taken by the current owner also when it was shipped to California before coming to the UK 2019 and detailed restoration pictures taken last year. Six boxes of rare spares will come with the car and include speedo and rev counter binnacles, heater fan, relays, switch gear, trim parts, rear quarter and door glass, rocker covers, manifolds, wiring loom, seat belts, badges, lenses, ¼ lights plus chrome trim. Period owner’s manuals, invoices with original US plates and Californian registration paperwork.