Buick Electra

Buick Electra / Electra 225
Production period:	1958-1990
Class :	Upper middle class (1958–1976) Middle class (1976–1990)
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Buick Roadmaster , Buick Limited
Successor:	Buick Park Avenue

The Buick Electra was a series of passenger cars manufactured in the USA from autumn 1958 to spring 1990 by the American automobile brand Buick as the successor to the Roadmaster and Limited types . On the Buick Electra 225 , the manufacturer's flagship model, the number referred to the length of the first model so named, which was approximately 225 inches (5.71 m).

Model history

Electra (1959-1960)

1st generation
Buick Electra 225 Sedan (1959)
Production period:	1959-1960
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Otto engine : 6.6 liters (239 kW)
Length:	5618-5738 mm
Width:	2050 mm
Height:	1455 mm
Wheelbase :	3208 mm
Empty weight :	2017–2200 kg

Until 1959, the big Buick models were called Roadmaster and Limited . These were renamed with the introduction of the 1959 model year in autumn 1958; the Electra replaced the Roadmaster, the Electra 225 the Limited. The top model was the Electra 225 Riviera, a four-door, six-window hardtop sedan without a B-pillar with a length of 225.4 in (5.725 mm), the roofline of which corresponded to the Cadillac Fleetwood that was built at the same time . In the Electra models - as in the smaller sister models Invicta and Le Saber - the huge delta wings (45 ° wing-shaped tail fins pointing outwards ) were used.

The Electra 225 from 1959 was assigned to the upper luxury segment. The extra long version with a wheelbase of 126.3 in (3.208 mm) was in the body shape (Model 4839 Four Door Hardtop Sedan [Flattop]) 10,491 times, in the version (Model 4829 Four Door Riviera Sedan [see picture]) 6,324 and 5,493 convertibles.

Were motorized and Electra Electra 225 with a 401-cui-nailhead-V8 engine with 6,572 cm³ and Carter quadruple carburetor which a power output of 325 hp SAE (239 kW) at 4400 min ^-1 had. The rear wheels were driven via a Dynaflow automatic.

In 1960 the Electra offered a two-door hardtop coupé instead of the convertible. The convertible was only available as the Electra 225.

By the fall of 1960, 121,807 Electra and Electra 225 were made.

Electra / Electra 225 (1961-1964)

2nd generation
Buick Electra 225 Sedan (1962)
Production period:	1961-1964
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Otto engine : 6.6 liters (239 kW)
Length:	5568-5659 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	3200 mm
Empty weight :	1879-2012 kg

The bodies were completely redrawn for the 1961 model year. The sweeping delta wings had disappeared and gave way to a more matter-of-fact form. While there was a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop sedan and a two-door hardtop coupé of the Electra, the Electra 225 was only available as a four-door hardtop sedan or a two-door convertible. The output of the 6.6 liter V8 engine remained at 325 hp (239 kW).

In 1962 Buick discontinued the regular Electra. The Electra 225 was further built, namely as a convertible and coupé with two doors each and as a hardtop sedan and sedan with four doors each. A year later, the name Riviera disappeared for the hardtop versions and from then on referred to the Buick Riviera , with which the company entered the personal luxury car market .

For the 1964 model year there was again a facelift that gave the car more massive bumpers and vertical taillights.

From the beginning of 1961 to the end of 1964, 238,208 examples of the Electra and Electra 225 models were built.

Electra 225 / Electra 225 Custom (1965-1970)

3rd generation
Buick Electra 225 Sedan (1965)
Production period:	1965-1970
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 6.6–7.5 liters (239–272 kW)
Length:	5667-5735 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	3200-3226 mm
Empty weight :	1667-1845 kg

For the 1965 model year, all GM cars were given new bodies with flowing lines and, in the case of the coupés, a sloping C-pillar (hatchback design). The six-window sedans were discontinued. Buick changed its marketing strategy and offered the Electra 225 in two versions: as a base model and as a better-equipped custom . For the Electra 225 Custom there was a limited package with comfort-oriented equipment.

From model year 1968 the windshield wipers disappeared behind a raised lip on the rear edge of the bonnet. In 1969 the vent windows in the front doors were no longer available.

Buick Electra 225 Coupe (1969)

The Electra 225 was still powered by the well-known 6.6-liter V8 engine. From model year 1967, a new V8 with 7,046 cc displacement and an output of 360 hp (265 kW) came at 5000 min ^-1 used. It was equipped with a Rochester quadruple carburetor. In 1970 a version with a displacement of 7,456 cm³ replaced this machine. It developed 370 hp (272 kW). Automatic transmissions were standard throughout. As early as 1964, the automatic type THM 400 used everywhere at GM was in use.

In just under six years, 699,472 units of this Electra series were produced.

Electra 225 / Electra 225 Custom (Limited) / Electra Limited (1970–1976)

4th generation
Buick Electra 225 hardtop coupe (1973)
Production period:	1970-1976
Body versions :	Limousine , coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 7.5 liters (151–232 kW)
Length:	5745-5928 mm
Width:	2024-2029 mm
Height:	1394-1384 mm
Wheelbase :	3226 mm
Empty weight :	1968-2157 kg

From late 1970 to autumn 1973, all Electra 225 were two- or four-door hardtop models; the convertibles and four-door sedans (with B-pillar) that had previously been available no longer existed.

At the end of 1973, Buick, like other GM brands, adopted a new body with a B-pillar for the coupe; Electra Limited Coupe were also held with Landau - vinyl roof , which spanned only the rear roof section. From model year 1974, driver and passenger airbags as well as Max Trac , an early form of traction control, were also available at an additional cost.

Buick Electra Limited (1975)

From autumn 1974, all Electra 225 coupés had fixed rear side windows and B-pillars. In the same year, the models received refreshed front sections with rectangular twin headlights and revised interior fittings. The four-door models remained postless until the series ran out in the summer of 1976.

Also in 1974 a Park Avenue package was added to the range, which was initially only available for the four-door Electra 225 Limited. The package included special seat covers, thicker carpets, additional noise insulation and a headliner made of velor. There was also the Park Avenue Deluxe, which was only offered in 1975 and which included every extra that could be ordered for the Electra as standard.

In the autumn of 1975 the Electra received slight changes to the grille and bumper. The front turn signals went off the bumper just below the headlights; the modified grill was no longer made of metal, but made of plastic. The Park Avenue package was still offered, the Park Avenue Deluxe no longer - it had only sold 37 times in the previous year.

All fourth-generation Electra 225s were powered by the 7.5-liter V8, which in 1971 still had 315 gross SAE horsepower, and 205 horsepower in 1976 according to the net standard. The loss of power was due to the changed measurement standards, but also to the increasingly stricter US emissions laws; but even the engine of 1976 had a torque of 470 Nm.

After the 1976 model year, the 7.5-liter disappeared from the range in favor of lower-displacement, more economical engines.

With a length of 5.93 m, the models from 1975/1976 were the longest year in the Buick family - “The Last Dinosaur”.

A total of 794,833 Electra were built in about six years.

Electra 225 / Electra Limited / Electra Park Avenue / Estate Wagon (1976–1984)

5th generation
Buick Electra 225 Coupe (1976-1979)
Production period:	1976-1984
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Otto engines : 4.1–6.6 liters (92–136 kW) Diesel engines : 5.7 liters (77 kW)
Length:	5611-5641 mm
Width:	1935-1959 mm
Height:	1392-1501 mm
Wheelbase :	3020 mm
Empty weight :	1618-1891 kg

For the 1977 model year, all full-size models from GM were downsized in the summer of 1976. They were based on the new B platform from General Motors with wheelbases of 295 to 302 centimeters.

As before, the Electra 225 (on the long wheelbase) was the luxury version of the big Buick, the basic version was called Le Saber and had the shorter wheelbase. The associated station wagon models were marketed as a separate model series under the name Buick Estate Wagon until the summer of 1980 , after which they were integrated into the two series mentioned.

The Electra 225 was available as a basic model and as a more extensively equipped Electra 225 Limited, each as a four-door sedan and a two-door coupé. The drive was taken over by V8 engines with a displacement of 5.7 or 6.6 liters.

In 1978 the grille and rear lights were retouched. In addition to the Basis and Limited, the Electra Park Avenue was added to the model range as a new top version.

Buick Electra Limited Sedan (1979-1984)

Buick Electra Estate Wagon (1980-1984)

For the 1980 model year, the Electra (the addition 225 was dropped from this point in time), like all other B-platform models, received a facelift with a flatter, aerodynamically more favorable front in late summer 1979 . Several measures have reduced the weight by around 80 kilograms. The 6.6 liter engine was no longer available. The new base engine was a 4.1-liter V6 and on request there was a 5.7-liter V8 or the 5.7-liter diesel engine from Oldsmobile . The basic version was now the Electra Limited, while the Electra Park Avenue now served as the top model. The luxury version of the former station wagon Buick Estate Wagon was continued as Electra Estate Wagon. A 5.7-liter V8 with 155 or 160 hp did its job in the station wagon.

In 1981 the station wagon featured a 5.05-liter V8 with 140 hp as standard, which was also available in the other Electra models, while the 5.7-liter gasoline engine was omitted.

In this form, the Electra remained in production until April 1984, with minor annual changes. Only the station wagon was built in this form until 1990 (see Buick Estate Wagon ).

About 802,000 copies of the last rear-wheel drive Electra were built in almost eight years.

Electra / Limited / Park Avenue / Park Avenue Ultra / T-Type (1984–1990)

6th generation
Buick Electra (1984-1987)
Production period:	1984-1990
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.0-5.05 liters (81-121 kW) Diesel engines : 4.3-5.7 liters (62.5-77 kW)
Length:	5004-5621 mm
Width:	1981 mm
Height:	1379 mm
Wheelbase :	2814-2944 mm
Empty weight :	1411-1936 kg

The sedan and coupé received a smaller, front-wheel drive successor in the spring of 1984, while the rear-wheel drive Le Saber was built for another year and the Electra station wagon was built until 1990.

The 1985 Electra was based on the Group's new C platform, making it the parallel model to Oldsmobile 98 , Pontiac Bonneville and Cadillac DeVille . The new Electra, shrunk to five meters, was offered as a basic model, a more luxurious Electra Park Avenue and a sporty T-Type, each as a sedan and coupé. The drive was taken over by V6 engines of 3.0 (only in the basic model) or 3.8 liters or a 4.3-liter diesel V6.

Buick Electra Park Avenue (1987-1990)

In 1986 the three-liter was dropped, the 3.8-liter gained 15 hp and now developed 104 kW (142 hp). The T-Type was only available as a sedan.

In 1987 the rectangular twin headlights were replaced by broadband headlights that were recently permitted in the USA. The base model was now called Electra Limited.

For the 1989 model year, an additional variant that supplemented the Electra range at the top was the Electra Park Avenue Ultra with leather interior, two-tone paintwork, B-pillars with chrome inlay, special 15-inch alloy wheels and ABS.

By spring 1990, a total of 565,000 front-wheel drive Electra had been produced. The successor was the Buick Park Avenue , which was introduced at the same time . The rear-wheel drive station wagon, which was further developed in parallel, produced another 44,200 units in the same period before it was replaced by the Buick Roadmaster .

Web links

Commons : Buick Electra - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

swell

John Gunnell (Ed.): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999 . Krause Publications, Iola 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .