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1961
Buick LeSabre Convertible
by Hemmings
 For
1961 Buicks lost their tailfins and gained a sharp new profile with a
spear-shaped front fender line and long, horizontal side accents. Mechanically,
the cars remained essentially unchanged from previous years with the workhorse
250 bhp V-8 powering the LeSabre series. Standard equipment on the LeSabre
series included automatic transmission, deluxe steering wheel, electric
wipers and full-flow oil filter. In a nearly unprecedented change, 1961
marked the first time since 1907 that Buick did not use torque tube drive.
Surprisingly, the convertible was not the most expensive
LeSabre in 1961. That honor went to the nine-passenger station wagon with
a base price of $3,730-nearly $350 more than the ragtop. This was also
reflected in the year's sales figures with the convertible selling a quite
respectable 11,971 examples while the wagon found just 2,483 customers
willing to fork over nearly four grand for this model.
Buick in general did well in the 1961 sales race thanks in
good part to the newly-introduced compact Special series, which proved
an immediate hit with the car buying public thanks to attractive styling
and peppy performance from its new, lightweight 215 cube, 155 bhp V-8.
When the numbers were tallied at the end of the model year Buick had captured
eighth spot in sales, replacing Dodge in that slot.
Drive trains of Buicks from this era are rugged and well
designed. The V-8 engine is just about bulletproof and easy to overhaul
should it come to that. The transmissions are also strong and the only
two things to really worry about are body rot and rust and poor interiors.
Both these deficiencies are costly to restore unless you're handy with
sheet metal and body tools and/or are good at laying down leather and
vinyl properly and professionally. Convertible tops, of course, will deteriorate
and have to be considered a replacement item unless the car you choose
is in excellent condition.
If you choose a 1961 Buick LeSabre convertible for your next
collector car you'll have a number of things going for you. The Buick
Club of America is a very active organization with activities for vintage
Buick owners nationwide, technical and restoration advice and an excellent
club magazine. You'll own a car that is good looking and whose styling
has aged well, unlike some of its 1961 rivals. You'll have a car of very
good performance, comfortable ride and cross-country touring ability.
The cost of acquiring a good one isn't prohibitive; indeed, they're cheaper
than many convertibles of that era. And you'll have a car that will let
the sunshine in whenever you choose-and that's part of the great fun of
owning cars like this.
1961 Buick LeSabre Convertible
Base price: $ 3,382
Base weight: 4,186 lbs.
Body: All-steel, five-passenger convertible coupe
Frame: Heavy steel X-shape
Wheelbase: 123 inches
Length: 213.2 inches
Suspension: Independent coil front; coil sprung, solid axle rear
Brakes: Four wheel hydraulic internal expanding
Engine: Overhead valve V-8, 364-cu.in., 4.25 x 3.4
Transmission: Turbine Drive automatic with selector on column
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