Jan 14, 2019  •  For Sale  •  10 Comments

Well Maintained: 1978 Buick Lesabre Custom

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The downsized Buick Lesabre only had minor updates from 1977 to 1978, basically, the only thing that changed was the grille. This is a 1978 Buick Lesabre Custom 2 door coupe for sale here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. Thanks go out to Barn Finds Pat L. for finding this car and letting us know.

This car has a few distinguishing features that I did not see on many 1978 Lesabres. First of all, the paint is described as custom. While there was a light blue offered in 1978, this color looks more like the one year only Glacier Blue that was offered in 1975. The Buick road wheels have also been painted with accents in the same color. In addition, most 1978 Lesabre 2 door coupes I remember had a landau top that wasn’t padded and still had the standard glass. This top looks padded and is more like the one offered on Pontiac Bonneville of this period with smaller rear side glass.

This car has been in no accidents, has few minor dents on the body, no filler anywhere, and no rust. It appears some of the rear bumper filler is missing. The seller says this car is right for someone who can appreciate the classics. It has new white wall tires with less than 3,000 miles on them. It will need a front end alignment because it is pulling slightly right.

Everything on this Buick works including the cruise control, air conditioning and heater, tilt wheel, delay wipers, power windows, power driver seat, power locks, all gauges, trunk release, clock, even the 8 track radio with power antenna. The interior is original and in decent shape. There is a crack on the right side of the dash, it has a few minor stains on the seats, but not in too bad condition. The carpeting is original carpet with floor mats. There is an aftermarket steering wheel cover. It would have been unusual to see a tan interior in a blue car back in 1978, so that’s another reason this car has probably been repainted.

The engine is a 350 cubic inch V-8 with 4 barrel mated with an automatic transmission. This car is currently the seller’s everyday driver, who uses only Chevron Supreme gas and 20w50 high mileage oil in it, and it does use a little oil. The seller doesn’t tell us what the mileage is, but due to the previous sentence, I’m assuming it has high mileage. The Lesabre Custom has a new water pump, fuel pump, air pump, alternator, aluminum radiator, upper and lower control arm bushings, and ball joints. While the mileage is unknown the car appears and sounds to be in good condition. The seller is asking $2,800. Are you looking for a downsized full-size GM car at a reasonable price?

Comments

  1. TJDasen2
    Jan 13, 2019 at 4:21pm

    Wow! Did that sell quickly.

    I’m not sure I really appreciate the color, but it isn’t too offensive.

    Good buy.

    Like 2
  2. Will Fox
    Jan 14, 2019 at 7:38am

    The paint is described as ‘custom’? Uh, no. It’s basically Grabber Blue and nothing custom about it.Probably a $500. Earl Scheib job. As for the padded landau top, during those years aftermarket spiff shops were a dime a dozen, which is where this top came from. It’s not what Buick offered at all. Still this will make a nice winter beater for someone.

    Like 2
  3. Vance
    Jan 14, 2019 at 9:17am

    This car is the exact same color as my tuxedo for my Junior Prom in 1979, my friend who double dated with me had a burgundy one. This car would have been perfect for us to drive in. These cars drive down the road like a 30 foot boat, you just floated down the road. The steering was so vague, you had the feel of pulling a skier behind you on nice smooth lake. Decent car, lots of new parts, good buy.

    Like 2
  4. David Rhoces
    Jan 14, 2019 at 10:17am

    I’d throw up every time I saw it …..

    Like 0
  5. Beaver
    Jan 14, 2019 at 2:03pm

    This would be a great buy and ride, I would rebuild the 350 and bring it up to about 300 Hp and add a little touque add clean int! Then drive it for my driver and have a blast doing it!!

    Like 0
  6. Bob C.
    Jan 14, 2019 at 6:30pm

    20w50? I didn’t know they still made it. I used to use it in some of my tired old clunkers way back when.

    Like 0
  7. Bubba5
    Jan 14, 2019 at 7:33pm

    I think there was a Play Dough color like this …

    Like 0
  8. joebazots
    Jan 15, 2019 at 11:02am

    Had one of these I picked up for $300 back in the early 90s. Man, that car was built like a tank – as one little Toyota Corolla hatch found out when pulling out in front of me. Dinged my bumper – but knocked him a good 50 yards and beat the snot out of the back end of his car. Took the $800 bucks from the insurance co. and drove the car as-is for another year, then sold it for another $800. Mine was white with the maroon crushed velvet interior.

    Like 0
  9. Jiggles the cat
    Dec 2, 2019 at 8:53pm

    The car is on Facebook market place in New Jersey for $4000. Claims to be a factory custom with low miles

    Like 1
  10. Ralph J Hayden
    Mar 5, 2020 at 7:11pm

    Love Barn Finds, but this car was not worthy…that cheap non-factory color is sickening…car looks tired from top to bottom…too bad you didn’t profile a better example..

    Like 0

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