Cheap Bubbletop: 1960 Buick LeSabre
The LeSabre was Buick’s volume full-size car in the 1960s. It targeted audiences that might otherwise be looking at the Pontiac Catalina, Oldsmobile 88, or similar cars from Ford and Chrysler. The autos had been redesigned in 1959, so the 1960 models would be an annual refresh. This LeSabre 2-door hardtop, with its “bubbletop” roof and expansive glass, has been sitting outdoors for years waiting for a restoration that has yet to come. So, for a reasonable price (by today’s standards), you can save the car from its resting spot in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, and try to bring it back to life or use it for parts for another project. The Buick is available here on craigslist for just $1,000. Thanks, Chuck Foster, for another vintage find!
In 1959, the LeSabre replaced the Special which had been in Buick’s line-up from 1936-58. That name returned as the company’s new compact in 1961. The first generation ran from 1959-60 when the second-year car swapped slanted headlights for horizontal units and the tailfins were less pronounced. “LeSabre” is French for “the sabre” and out of 254,000 Buicks built in 1960, more than 152,000 carried LeSabre badging (26,000 were 2-door hardtops like this one).
The seller inherited this car from his father and has no time or interest in restoring the automobile. From what we can see, rust has begun to consume the hood, and its likely in lots of other places, especially the chassis, as the Buick is sitting on flat tires in the dirt and underbrush. We’re told the interior is solid and there is a set of bucket seats to go with the deal. The engine, which is likely a Buick “Nailhead,” ran some years ago but who knows what it will take now to get it to crank. This is an ambitious project, but you wouldn’t be out a fortune if it turns out to be too ambitious.
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Comments
This bubble done burst long ago. Seller should PAY buyer to remove this hefty hunk of steaming junk.
While recreating the Cruising Vessel from Fast Times at Ridgemont High has its appeal, this looks too far gone to be worth putting effort into.
I think Brad’s was a 4 door, but it was the first thought that came to my mind.
Well we really don’t get to see enough pics to determine just how bad it is so it may very well have more to it than what the ratty impression promises. You could probably get it for half his asking and I think if one is going to build some LS restomod/custom/whatever it’s better for all of us that something like this is utilized for that purpose instead of taking an already nice car.
I can only remember seeing a ’60 Buick in the metal at one single occasion (an extremely nicely restored Gull Grey vert with black interior) and even though I think the ’59 is a prettier design I must confess that the ’60 made a massive impression on me with its UFO design. The seller mentions he has a set of bucket seats so it’d be interesting to learn what kind of seats he’s talking about as I may recall the Electra could be had with buckets this year
From these 3 photos we cant see if its junk. Alone the extra hood and the bucket seats he have extra for it, is worth more than his asking. If its solid as he say, it could be a fun project. Buick are macanic freindly cars to work on.
Most negative comments come from people who cant work on cars, and must pay a shop to doo the work.
Or, they’re not crazy. One of the two.
If you like it , sure, go see it and decide. Chances of it being rotten ‘where the sun don’t shine’ are very high since it’s sitting on dirt for who knows how long…Poor critter…
And there’s a reason there is a small tarp on it , because there’s water coming onside of it when it rains . I’ve seen so many cars just like this in junkyards , I dont think anyone would restore this one as they just aren’t popular and this has been sitting for many years outside, but it would be a good parts car for soemone
Those X-frame cars once they hit the dirt are usually done in short order. Parts car at best. There are nice ones still out there that will cost much less than the restoration on this unit.
Hurdle it back into creek.
it was near me, I’d snag it.
He says it’s solid and he has a hood so maybe it can be saved.
One of my grandparents neighbors had a light green 60 convertible with a dk green? interior and top I believe. I remember seeing it when I was a wee lad so I’m not sure on the top/interior. This was outside Charleston WVa , vehicles usually stay pretty nice with some care and this one was always garaged and rarely driven. Gramps called me in 1989 and said they wanted to sell it and they wanted $3000.00 for it. It was immaculate with under 30k miles at the time, he had first dibs and really wanted me to buy it. He said he would front me the money but I had gotten married a year before and I had a new daughter so I couldn’t buy it and hope to pay it off in a realistic manner.
Gary, Your Gramps sounds like a very good guy…You chose the responsible decision. 30 + years later , what a story…It sounds like a real cream puff !