The End of an Era:
1976 Buick Le Sabre Custom Convertible :
By the mid-1970s, the kingpins of America’s automotive industry had become all too aware that the days of selling huge cars in equally huge numbers were rapidly drawing to a close. Indeed, when the US federal government introduced fuel economy standards, the time had come to think small in a big way. General Motors was the first of Detroit’s major players to bite the bullet and reach for the diet pills with the company producing the last of its true gas-guzzling jumbos in 1975. GM’s Buick division also decided to shut down the production of soft-tops around the same time so our feature car, a '76 Buick Le Sabre Custom convertible, was part of a dying breed when it rolled off the assembly line.
Up to 1948, General Motors Australia produced local versions of every make that was offered by the company’s Detroit headquarters with Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and even Cadillacs being built in this country. However, at that point a decision was made "Down Under" to concentrate on the cheaper Chevrolets and Pontiacs together with Vauxhalls and the newly introduced Holdens - "Australia's Own Car". But not everyone was prepared to accept the forced move into the bargain basement. Some customers still demanded blue chip rides and a few authorized dealers offered fully imported examples of GM’s top three marques (Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile) which they also converted from left to right hand drive (see my post about Preston Motors The Time Tunnel.... (backinthedayblogspot.blogspot.com)
For decades, Buick attracted a dedicated following in Australia and remained a firm favorite with comparatively well-heeled new car buyers. Having a more conservative image and a lower price tag than Cadillacs, they offered reliable and straightforward, yet high quality motoring. Old time industry insiders still recall that, while other makes occasionally languished on the showroom floor, “You could always sell a Buick”.
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Newspaper advertisement in Melbourne, Australia for
the 1963 Buick Electra 225
the 1963 Buick Electra 225
As Australian car manufacturers did not offer any luxury vehicles throughout the 1950s, ‘60s and most of the ‘70s, fully loaded imports from the States continued to find a respectable niche market over here. Our feature car, however, is a more recent arrival . Sold new in Los Angeles, it was brought to Australia two years ago and it is now owned by a Melbourne collector. Powered by a 5.7 litre 350 V8 with a four barrel Quadrajet carburettor, the Buick is well and truly bolted down to a massive steel reinforced chassis. Yet, it has plenty of power when you need it. Although typically plush and ultra smooth, the ride and handling is remarkably firm and direct for such a monolithic cruiser.
Attractively presented in pale blue duco with white vinyl trim, this monarch of motordom is completely original and equipped with every conceivable extra from disc brakes to adjustable tilt steering, six-way power seats , windows and top, climatically controlled air conditioning, central locking doors, an AM/FM radio and a clock (that actually works !). The big Buick is spacious, dependable and currently up for sale at $9,000. With summer just around the corner, it could be converted, registered and on the road for much less than the price of an Australian Ford Capri. If your tastes run to the exotic, here’s your chance to break away from the pack.
Seems that there wasn't a lot of difference between the ' 75 and ' 76 models.......
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A magazine advertorial. Originally published in 1990
A magazine advertorial. Originally published in 1990
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