Electra Deuce and a quarter. The "Deuce and a Half" was a WWII Military half-track Power Wagon truck. My Dad had a '70 Desert Gold "Deuce and a Quarter". It was 225 inches long and had a 455 in it. Then he got a '77 Coupe De Ville which was a significant down grade. The Electras up until the later seventies were the best cars ever made.
Deuce and a half we're around for a long time. They also came with a two axle configuration more prevalent than the half tracks. But even now I think those half tracks are so very interesting. When I was a motor sergeant I never had half track in my inventory. But I sure wish I had. Those deuce and a halfs were run on anything combustible. Primary sources gasoline but it run on kerosene diesel fuel. You can hook them together with what amounts to be dry shafts and you can have a convoy of trucks connected for as long as you want it to be. Interesting points you made on the 225. Never mind you have one of them when I was a kid growing up
With all due respect, fellas, the M3 Half Track wasn't referred to as a Deuce and a Half. They were called "tracks" and sometimes "Purple Heart Boxes" by the armored infantrymen who rode in them due to their open tops that gave no protection from artillery, mortars, snipers, etc. The WWII GMC 6x6 2.5 ton truck was called (usually) a "Jimmy" but it's believed the origin of the term "Deuce and a Half" also began with it (and the Studebaker 6x6). The Deuce and Half nickname really came into its own with the M35 Series trucks which were introduced in the 50s, updated and modernized well into the 2000s, and only recently taken entirely out of the inventory, replaced by the LMTVs. Agree, Old Car Discoverer - the Hercules Multifuel Engine was pretty amazing and could burn just about anything combustible.
@@wes11bravo that's very interesting. it really is. Given part of my background you think I know more about these vehicles then when I do. Only written in a half track twice. The deuce and a half is always a cargo / troop Carrier truck and 5 ton the same thing and often made into it overgrown tow truck. Found anything they want to put on the back of that chassis. Command units modules just about Anthony wanted to. I think the half track has been out of inventory for some time, but I don't know for sure. I don't think I referred to the half-track has a deuce and a half if I did I misspoken. I did not intend to.
Biggest mistake Motor trend ever made was not putting Steve on daily. What a wealth of knowledge. Hoping Steve is doing well with his recovery. Get well soon Steve.
No, the Electra 225 was called "The Deuce and a Quarter" in the 'hood. The 225 was basically the car's length measurement in inches, so the name stuck. White-Bagley was sold to Dryden oil in 1987-1988 and the Worchester, MA facility was promptly razed. I thought I spotted some remnants of aftermarket AC under the hood. No VIN, can't win: but easy to figure out: 8 for Electra 225, K for 1964 model year, possible 1 for Flint, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag: 64 for 1964 model year, 4839 for four door Electra hardtop, FB for Flint, MI assembly, 661 for Blue interior trim, possible F-F for Marlin Blue upper and lower exterior paint, among other codes. The Flint, MI plant operated from 1904 to 1999 and was known as "Buick City". Yes, the Guide division was part of GM and most owner's manuals had the statement in the bulb chart, "When re-lamping is necessary, specify Guide lamps".
I cringed when he said "deuce and a half". Sometimes I wonder if he's messing with us. I'll bet Steve was a problem child, a real handful growing up. 😲🤫🤣
Just wanna say thank you Steve, thank you for the consistent content and all the awesome information! I love all your videos and watch you in replace of TV every chance I get!
As a lover of old Buicks, I’ve really appreciated the fact that they’ve been subjects of recent Junkyard Crawl videos. Thanks, Steve, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Another great video Steve, I watch you every morning with my breakfast. I’m 61 and well remember all the big cars that were in the parking lot at school and how they were abused after school. My father in law loved Olds 98s and I wound up with one, it was fast and comfy. That car saved a friend of mine’s wife in bad crash she was in. Thanks again.
225 = Deuce and a quarter. Deuce and a half is a 2 1/2 ton army truck. Back in high school in the early 1970's before the first arab oil embargo one of my buddies had a 1963 225 convertible, black with faune leather interior and was quite the party car because you could get four teenagers in the back seat it was so big. I remember seven of us going to the drive in to see the movie "Woodstock" in it. There was so much smoke in the car from cigarettes and other non tobacco the owner put the top down so we could see the movie.
You are so right Steve when you say "In the 70's and 80's these things were gas hogs and when gas hit $1.00 a gallon they got traded in and/or used in demo derby's" I'm 59 and I have to say we grew up in the best time! I graduated High School in 1981 and got to work on almost every single one of these cars you feature... Hell! At that time they were all us broke kids could afford! Our parents and neighbors were buying economy cars and literally were giving all of these cars away... My High School friend Shawn (God rest his soul) bought a granny gold 65 Chrysler 300 (Non letter series) 4dr with a high perf 383 in 1980 for $300! This car would pass everything in its way but a gas station. We put 3 torque flights in that car in a year and half ($50.00 a piece at the local JY at that time) before number 7 cyl lost compression. (I'm sure due to the poor cheap fuel we ran in it) Man... If that car could talk... We would have all been in trouble! Sadly, It was sold and I'm sure it was turned into water faucets for a developing 3rd world country long ago. Shawn and that car are both gone now but they both live on in my memory joined together! These cars shaped our generation and one of the big reasons why fine example of Muscle Cars are still around today! Show any old car guy a car and he will tell ya a story! Thanks for all your hard work Steve! It was a great time when these old dinosaurs roamed the streets!
I know what you mean I'm 57 and my first car was a 71 Cadillac sedan DeVille with the 472 I used to run premium leaded at unicall 76 they still sold the leaded premium but the car wood still ping on it. I didn't realize that the octane reading was much higher when this car was brand new? I took it in and had it tuned up and it's still pinged. That car was quite fast for a young man of 17 driving it. It was very clean and only had 85,000 miles when I got it I had to put a new vinyl top and I had it reposted because the old lady wasn't a super clean so the interior suffered and was ripped? It was the valor it was not the leather I wish it was all leather! But it sure look good when I was done I sold it 3 days later after picking it up I always regret selling that car. It would have been a definite show car today.
I remember a trip thru California returning to Sacramento from San Diego thru the central valley and it seemed every farm kid was driving the early 70s Eldo , Toro and Riv because they were cheaper than dirt and could haul a trailer of live stock or hay with ease . Gas was high from 79 to 85 and nobody wanted these 8 mpg hogs especially after the 77s came out
Even now a beautiful car. I did not see many of these. I love how automakers used to take pride on their engines. It was like jewelry when opening up the hood. I did get a 310 air cleaner insert from a car before it went to the crusher. Good stuff!
My Grandfather had a 2 dr. model of this 225. Bought it so he could pull an Airstream. After he retired from Perfect Circle he got this one. He previously owned two, a '51 and a '57 Buick. I was ten years old at the time, remember them pulling up in front of the house in '65 in that rig. My neighbors could not believe a car could be that massive and long, it's like today's 4 door pickups.
Great subject car. Back in the early 70's I worked on a farm, and we had one as a farm vehicle. I remember driving through a field as my partner grabbed escaped piglets and put them in the trunk.
Buick has always built very good cars .my parents bought a 75 regal in 77 from a guy my dad worked with they were selling because they wanted a new car for towing their trailer the Regal was used for the first two years for towing. It's a two has the 350 Buick motor not to be confused with 350 Chevy. This motor was built for and used for Buick only. In 1994 my dad wanted to have the motor rebuilt. Well at this time I was working at an automotive machine shop this shop was a one owner shop and he had been a machinist for over 40 years by then he was your old school machinist and I was fortunate to work in this shop because he was well known for specializing in the old cars and it was neat to get a chance to see these older engines. Well to get back to my parents Buick by this time the Regal had over a hundred thousand. But my dad grew up doing his own work on his cars in the 50"s like most guys did. Well dad was always one for doing his own mantience on his cars well when the shop I worked for got my folks Buick for rebuild since it was just my boss and I worked as his teardown and prep man well when I started to teardown the Buick it showed hardly any cylinder wear . All that was required we had crank polished did valvejob. Cam was just a polished and declared block and re rung pistons. My mom is 80 now and although her daily driver is a 2007 Chrysler 300. She still has her 75 Regal and she drives occasionally she would never even think of selling her Buick. I want to thank you Steve for your channel I think your watchers are like me we either as kids went to Junkyards with our friends or if fortunate enough to have a dad that like going to yards himself because he grew up doing his own work on cars. Well that was me I got to share Going with my dad. And enjoyed seeing all the different models. Although my dad is gone now I think of him when your showing the cars in that yard back there. Although I would like to visit that yard and have the fun of just walking through. Being out in San Diego ca this is as close as I can be for now and want to thank you for your videos. Have a great day. David gleason lemon grove ca.
A friend's parents owned a Wildcat. They moved to a new house and the car was to long for the garage door to close. Another friend bought the car years later. I think he still owns the car. Great review Steve. Get well
Eh? 'Deuce and a half?' Nope. 'Deuce and a quarter'. My mom owned three of these aircraft carriers. The 1973 (with the 455) was the Mother Of All Mammoths
Cruise Line Ventiports...a favorite trivia answer. Now we can add the GM individual wheel factoid. Thanks Steve for another delightful visit with an oxide survivor.
My Dad owned a 1968. He loved it. It was very comfortable with plenty of room for the whole family. He bought It in the fall of 1972, when gasoline was still .37 / gallon. By the end of the of the decade, it had jumped to more than 1.00 / gallon. The original tires were 9.00 x 15. Tires changed during the 1970's to where it was very difficult to remove a rear tire. Even with the fender skirt removed, there was little clearance. Thanks for the memories, Steve.
Nice “Yank Tank” ! I remember a few of these massive cars, usually driven by the very successful owners of local businesses. You couldn’t ever park one of these in a typical parking lot nowadays, just bigger than the spaces
Notice the extra holes in the wheel. That's a holdover from when the cars used lug bolts. Those cars had a pin on the drum to locate the wheel so you could put the bolts in. Even though by 1960 Buick went away from that, the wheels didn't change for some time after.
For no other reason other than conversation. Like a young dumb kid I drove a 1972 Electra with a 455 on rt 93 out of Boston at, I would estimate 130 to 140 mph the speedometer needle was down to the "D" on the shift indicator. Wicked fast car.
Those 5 spoke styled wheels with the black inserts were in continuous production, unchanged, and optional on most mid-level and high end Buicks all the way until the last 1987 rear wheel drive G-body Regal rolled off the line. Those were some beautiful wheels. Perfect combination of sporty and elegant. I always love looking at those massive aluminum finned drum brakes from that era. Who needs vented rotor, 6 piston caliper discs when you have those behemoths?
@@joe6096 That's a bit of a dubious statement as lower end Buicks had those as well prior to 1987. Also in 1987, there was both the LeSabre and Electra rear wheel drive wagon. The Electra would have been the top line wagon, and the wheels to my knowledge were available on both models in 1987. The literature doesn't really specify.
@@joe6096 No, I agree, but I didn't say that. A Buick Century (the RWD version up through the 1981 model year) could have had it. Be careful about the "Somerset" name as that was also used on RWD Regals prior to it also being called a "Somerset Regal" in 1985 as a front wheel drive "N" body car.
My mom had a 68 Electra 225 when we were kids, she used to slide the seat all the way up into the steering wheel and that made the back seat big enough to chase my sister in circles. I can still hear her screaming at us to sit down as she scraped the back door against the post of the porta cache where she parked... Good times!
when I was a teenager back in the 80's, a buddy of mine blew the engine in his 76 cutlass and had the bright idea of pulling the engine from a Buick 225 to swap into it. What a nightmare lol, nothing would line up or interchange. We ended up with a welded mess that had no heater, ac, and the trans kickdown never would work. Ended up selling both cars for $200 and calling it quits. Lots of lessons were learned that summer.
Thanks, Steve! Buicks had a lot of different features from their GM brethren, but by the late 1970's those differences were quickly disappearing. By the 1980's it was mostly just different grilles and tail lights. Americans still drive huge 'Yank Tanks' , now they're 4 door pickup trucks! 😁 And I guess 'deuce and a quarter, sounds better than 'double deuce, nickel' .
@@googleusergp There are a lot of Canada only Pontiacs that are rebadged Chevrolets due to Canadian content laws and it not being worth the expense to make Pontiac specific things in Canada. For instance you could buy a Corsica as a Tempest there and the only difference was the badges. The Parisienne came to be from Pontiac dropping all full size sedans for 1982, but customers still wanting them, so dealers imported these from Canada. They sold enough Pontiac made it an official model for 83-86. I had a 1987 Safari wagon and they have the same dash as a Caprice, right down to a Pontiac bolt-on badge over the molded in Chevrolet one on the right side.
@@CR7659 The reverse was done as well. My parents' 1979 Pontiac Phoenix was a "Bui-iet" of sorts. It was a Buick V6 equipped Chevrolet Nova based Pontiac. Many parts were shared with the Nova of the same vintage.
Great video Steve....I had a old '68 225 when I was in college in the late 70's....by far it was one of my favorite cars.....perfect for those college road trips...
An old family friend of my mom's had a Buick Electra 225 triple green 4door when you rode in it it was the quietest best riding car around. And so HUGE.
Mr. Steve. My friends in 1967 had a Buick Wild Cat, 455 C.I.N. we welded the ass end to be Posi! yup... been there done that. But WOW!!!! Kick ass car. Cheers from CANADA.
sweet car. one of my fav movies, cause its basically my life back in the day, plus because the cars, is Dazed and Confused, and features one of these 225's prominently. its even a 6 window!
I've told you before sir I love the cars from late Fifties to the mid seventies. Beautiful cars and differently not cheap on gas . My mom bought a 67 or 68 from one of my girlfriends for 300 dollars. It ran like a top when you had it turned right if not it drank gas. I miss those old days
I see Corvairs! I own a 1962 Monza daily driver. Please do a review of them. I am always impressed with your knowledge and passion. I'm looking forward to you hitting 100,000 subscribers in 2023.
In college I lived with my aunt and uncle in Michigan. In 1968 my cousin bought a new 68 Electra 225 two door hardtop, every option available. So my aunt bought his 1965 LeSabre 2 door hardtop, and I bought the 1963 Wildcat from my aunt for $200 bucks!! Not a quick off the line car with that dynaflow transmission, but it would cruise all day long on I-75 at 80mph and never get tired or warm. I got maybe 12miles per gallon, but with a 23 gallon tank and gas under 50 cents a gallon, who cared about mileage!! Great car, I had it for three years. I'm glad that huge back seat cannot tell any stories!!
The OILZUM engine oil got my interest . I remember using it as a kid in my woods bombers when DAD would visit P. town where he was born and bring back six or eight cases . I still have two oil spouts that you would shove in the top of the can hanging on my shop wall . To me the sixties we're a magical time for a kid to grow up in .
Never used those. My dad had some old can openers and as a kid it was my job to open the oil cans when I was helping him. I would do two holes on one side and a smaller "vent" hole on the other side. I still have the can openers.
Great video Steve!I own a 63 electra sports coupe 225 .I saved from the junk yard.motor was stuck and just beat.I managed to find a 4 door 64 wildcat with only 29,000 original miles and to my surprise it had that turbo 400 and 401 nailhead.the car is very rare only like 1,300 made originally believe .it is almost impossible to find certain parts for it.the only thing I’m looking for now is that rear bottom panel piece of pot metal.two up on eBay and both are the side I already have
Indeed very special cars for a very special country excellent wording in conclusion. Great way to contextualize these beautiful icons of American history. We had a dodge Aries wagon after an AMC matador wagon then back to an olds custom cruiser. With regular long trips during holidays and summer time the large wagons fit all our stuff accelerated confidently made u feel safe rested even refreshed while the tin can Aries was totally opposite on long trips. Full-size forever!
Just to clarify the 425 ci engine was available in 1963. I’m sure others must have noted Steve referring to the Electra as a Duece and a half when we know it as a Duece and a quarter👍 And 225 references the overall length. We know he’s a Mopar man😃
Buick motors really were perfectly balanced for light to light happiness. Torque is FUN and tangible. In 1984 I bought a 71' GS455 while on Long Island. The first time I stomped the pedal, I understood what all the fuss was about. I think I spent an afternoon behind a shopping mall just doing burnouts with glee.
a tidbit about Guide during the period known as WWII the lamps became a very small part of their production . During the mid 80s I worked with an ancient guy in a machine shop who worked at Guide until he was drafted mid war . He started in stamping and spotwelding head light buckets - that department later stamped and spot welded the pieces of what became known as the Greasegun , the cheap throw away replacement for the big dollar Thompson. When GM got the defense contracts he was moved up to actual machinist making the basic block of the Browning M2A just like GM gang milled engine blocks
Not going to pile on the “duece and a quarter” comments, but it makes it obvious someone was an English Major, and not a Math Major! Love the content you put out, and appreciate the effort in being such a prolific publisher. Always enjoy my daily fix of your junkyard endeavors and agree that MT took a nosedive by not re-upping your programs. Dumped MT after two years and happy to see you’re still at it. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
In my area the trend was to run the Buick steel mag wheels on the GM trucks. I've never seen the dished steel wheel you talked about. Maybe I did but never gave it much thought. Another fun video Steve, thanks.
im 57 too and i of course one of my friends parents had one and of course they took us to little league and scouts. may be they didnt drive as tight as today but they certanly were more comfortable and better looking
Since you noted the limited number of Buick 225 4dr sedans with 6 windows, our family had a '65 Chrysler New Yorker 6 window sedan (with the "white" tail lights and the heavy headlight glass covers. No need for lane changing warnings with that since there were no blind spots like most new cars/etc. today. Another entertaining and informative post. Thank you and keep them coming.
Steve, Thank you so much for what you do! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, and keeping my fingers crossed you could find a Ford Ranger on The Crawl. I inherited my grandfather's '94, and I love how you help us connect to the cars that have connected us to special people.
My dad owned a 73 Electra Limited 2 door coupe blue with white vinyl top, 455 Engine with custom dual exhaust. That car was stolen so he purchased a 73 Electra 4 door. My dad was a speed fanatic so he took the car to Motion Performance in Baldwin Long Island and had the engine bored to 500 cc. Crane cam, Holly Carb and manifold, nitrous oxide, headers and dual exhaust. I just got rid of the car and can be seen on Tony Angelo ‘s you tube channel. I would have kept it but am retired and couldn’t afford the garage.
Hi Steve, WOW, what a great video today. I'm hoping you'll do a video of everything in this yard, even if it's a repeating model. I'll have to be honest. I cringe every time I see that you have written in these historical publications you share with us daily. No Dieselhead or Lockjaw in today's video 😔? I never knew about the available dual quad engine options. I wonder how many I passed by in the yards thinking it's nothing special under the hood. Stay safe out there, Steve Namaste 🙏🏼
In '79 (19 years old) I drove a '69 Big-Block El Camino. Used to fill it up on my designated odd/even day and siphon the gas into my '71 Honda CB-750 everyday.🙂🏁
I remember going to the parts store in the late sixties and waiting behind a guy lamenting to the counterman about the regulations of having to use 10 year old Buick brake parts (12 inch I believe) on his car at the local stock car track. Junkyard parts were drying up.
Duce and a quarter as I remember. They were 225 inches' long hence the name! Try making a car of that size today, not happening. Great video Steve and also great camera work by super Shane!!
The Buck a gallon gas about killed us! That's when gasohol reared it's ugly head too. I had a 67 F-250 with a 390 and C-6 with an overhead camper for my hunting and fishing trips, it never saw a gas station it didn't fall in love with. We usually had a small Toyota or Honda for daily use.
Interesting fact, when they bought back the V6 tooling and machines, GM put it back in the same factory, the floor still had the holes and fittings and they bolted and mounted it in the exact same place, like it never left.
I recall that AC was unusual in cars and houses in New England in the 1960s. Just not considered necessary with the cool summer nights of the region. That door still closes like a Mercedes after all these years.
OK, first they were called duce and a quarter. In our youth, we purchase these cars four years old, rust was big then, and these cars had better interiors than most people's living rooms. They could burn off a tire when ever. Great used cars .
They say, “you learn something every day”. True enough, as I thought the 6 window Electra was a sedan, not a hardtop body style. And I am a genuine Buick devotee. Live and learn! Small correction Steve, they were called deuce and a quarter ( ie/ 225), not deuce and a half.
Electra Deuce and a quarter. The "Deuce and a Half" was a WWII Military half-track Power Wagon truck. My Dad had a '70 Desert Gold "Deuce and a Quarter". It was 225 inches long and had a 455 in it. Then he got a '77 Coupe De Ville which was a significant down grade. The Electras up until the later seventies were the best cars ever made.
Deuce and a half we're around for a long time. They also came with a two axle configuration more prevalent than the half tracks. But even now I think those half tracks are so very interesting. When I was a motor sergeant I never had half track in my inventory. But I sure wish I had. Those deuce and a halfs were run on anything combustible. Primary sources gasoline but it run on kerosene diesel fuel. You can hook them together with what amounts to be dry shafts and you can have a convoy of trucks connected for as long as you want it to be. Interesting points you made on the 225. Never mind you have one of them when I was a kid growing up
With all due respect, fellas, the M3 Half Track wasn't referred to as a Deuce and a Half. They were called "tracks" and sometimes "Purple Heart Boxes" by the armored infantrymen who rode in them due to their open tops that gave no protection from artillery, mortars, snipers, etc. The WWII GMC 6x6 2.5 ton truck was called (usually) a "Jimmy" but it's believed the origin of the term "Deuce and a Half" also began with it (and the Studebaker 6x6). The Deuce and Half nickname really came into its own with the M35 Series trucks which were introduced in the 50s, updated and modernized well into the 2000s, and only recently taken entirely out of the inventory, replaced by the LMTVs. Agree, Old Car Discoverer - the Hercules Multifuel Engine was pretty amazing and could burn just about anything combustible.
@@wes11bravo that's very interesting. it really is. Given part of my background you think I know more about these vehicles then when I do. Only written in a half track twice. The deuce and a half is always a cargo / troop Carrier truck and 5 ton the same thing and often made into it overgrown tow truck. Found anything they want to put on the back of that chassis. Command units modules just about Anthony wanted to. I think the half track has been out of inventory for some time, but I don't know for sure. I don't think I referred to the half-track has a deuce and a half if I did I misspoken. I did not intend to.
The Duece - and - a quarter. Poor man's Cadillac. Thanks again Steve for the great video
Glad you enjoyed it
11:06. "..very special cars for a very special country." Best saying ever. Thanks, Steve.
Biggest mistake Motor trend ever made was not putting Steve on daily. What a wealth of knowledge. Hoping Steve is doing well with his recovery. Get well soon Steve.
No, the Electra 225 was called "The Deuce and a Quarter" in the 'hood. The 225 was basically the car's length measurement in inches, so the name stuck. White-Bagley was sold to Dryden oil in 1987-1988 and the Worchester, MA facility was promptly razed. I thought I spotted some remnants of aftermarket AC under the hood.
No VIN, can't win: but easy to figure out: 8 for Electra 225, K for 1964 model year, possible 1 for Flint, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag: 64 for 1964 model year, 4839 for four door Electra hardtop, FB for Flint, MI assembly, 661 for Blue interior trim, possible F-F for Marlin Blue upper and lower exterior paint, among other codes. The Flint, MI plant operated from 1904 to 1999 and was known as "Buick City".
Yes, the Guide division was part of GM and most owner's manuals had the statement in the bulb chart, "When re-lamping is necessary, specify Guide lamps".
I cringed when he said "deuce and a half". Sometimes I wonder if he's messing with us. I'll bet Steve was a problem child, a real handful growing up. 😲🤫🤣
@@kenttalsma7906 LOL, a rebel in school. "Mr. Magnante! Pay attention. Stop drawing car photos on your test paper. Save that for shop class!!"
"LECTRO DUCE & QUARTER"
@@johnsader8811 Most older guys just called them "Deuce and a Quarter".
Just wanna say thank you Steve, thank you for the consistent content and all the awesome information! I love all your videos and watch you in replace of TV every chance I get!
I appreciate that!
Same here, I watch Steve daily. Absolutely prefer j.c. over regular TV any day
I never miss an episode! Steve is so articulate & knowledgeable.
As a lover of old Buicks, I’ve really appreciated the fact that they’ve been subjects of recent Junkyard Crawl videos. Thanks, Steve, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Another great video Steve, I watch you every morning with my breakfast. I’m 61 and well remember all the big cars that were in the parking lot at school and how they were abused after school. My father in law loved Olds 98s and I wound up with one, it was fast and comfy. That car saved a friend of mine’s wife in bad crash she was in. Thanks again.
225 = Deuce and a quarter. Deuce and a half is a 2 1/2 ton army truck. Back in high school in the early 1970's before the first arab oil embargo one of my buddies had a 1963 225 convertible, black with faune leather interior and was quite the party car because you could get four teenagers in the back seat it was so big. I remember seven of us going to the drive in to see the movie "Woodstock" in it. There was so much smoke in the car from cigarettes and other non tobacco the owner put the top down so we could see the movie.
You are so right Steve when you say "In the 70's and 80's these things were gas hogs and when gas hit $1.00 a gallon they got traded in and/or used in demo derby's" I'm 59 and I have to say we grew up in the best time! I graduated High School in 1981 and got to work on almost every single one of these cars you feature... Hell! At that time they were all us broke kids could afford! Our parents and neighbors were buying economy cars and literally were giving all of these cars away... My High School friend Shawn (God rest his soul) bought a granny gold 65 Chrysler 300 (Non letter series) 4dr with a high perf 383 in 1980 for $300! This car would pass everything in its way but a gas station. We put 3 torque flights in that car in a year and half ($50.00 a piece at the local JY at that time) before number 7 cyl lost compression. (I'm sure due to the poor cheap fuel we ran in it) Man... If that car could talk... We would have all been in trouble! Sadly, It was sold and I'm sure it was turned into water faucets for a developing 3rd world country long ago. Shawn and that car are both gone now but they both live on in my memory joined together! These cars shaped our generation and one of the big reasons why fine example of Muscle Cars are still around today! Show any old car guy a car and he will tell ya a story! Thanks for all your hard work Steve! It was a great time when these old dinosaurs roamed the streets!
About telling stories, I can relate. I've got a story for nearly every junkyard crawl on here. Well, for better than half the crawls. 🙄
I know what you mean I'm 57 and my first car was a 71 Cadillac sedan DeVille with the 472 I used to run premium leaded at unicall 76 they still sold the leaded premium but the car wood still ping on it. I didn't realize that the octane reading was much higher when this car was brand new? I took it in and had it tuned up and it's still pinged. That car was quite fast for a young man of 17 driving it. It was very clean and only had 85,000 miles when I got it I had to put a new vinyl top and I had it reposted because the old lady wasn't a super clean so the interior suffered and was ripped? It was the valor it was not the leather I wish it was all leather! But it sure look good when I was done I sold it 3 days later after picking it up I always regret selling that car. It would have been a definite show car today.
I remember a trip thru California returning to Sacramento from San Diego thru the central valley and it seemed every farm kid was driving the early 70s Eldo , Toro and Riv because they were cheaper than dirt and could haul a trailer of live stock or hay with ease . Gas was high from 79 to 85 and nobody wanted these 8 mpg hogs especially after the 77s came out
It look's like an A/C receiver dryer on the right wheel wheel well. I wonder if it at one time had an aftermarket under dash A/C installed.
Yup, I said the same thing and I agree.
Even now a beautiful car. I did not see many of these. I love how automakers used to take pride on their engines. It was like jewelry when opening up the hood. I did get a 310 air cleaner insert from a car before it went to the crusher. Good stuff!
Now when you open a hood all you see are plastic covers over the engines.
One of these 6-window sedans was featured in the 1964 movie 'HUSH, HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE', starring Bette Davis and Olivia deHavilland.
My Grandfather had a 2 dr. model of this 225. Bought it so he could pull an Airstream. After he retired from Perfect Circle he got this one. He previously owned two, a '51 and a '57 Buick. I was ten years old at the time, remember them pulling up in front of the house in '65 in that rig. My neighbors could not believe a car could be that massive and long, it's like today's 4 door pickups.
Great subject car. Back in the early 70's I worked on a farm, and we had one as a farm vehicle. I remember driving through a field as my partner grabbed escaped piglets and put them in the trunk.
Buick has always built very good cars .my parents bought a 75 regal in 77 from a guy my dad worked with they were selling because they wanted a new car for towing their trailer the Regal was used for the first two years for towing. It's a two has the 350 Buick motor not to be confused with 350 Chevy. This motor was built for and used for Buick only. In 1994 my dad wanted to have the motor rebuilt. Well at this time I was working at an automotive machine shop this shop was a one owner shop and he had been a machinist for over 40 years by then he was your old school machinist and I was fortunate to work in this shop because he was well known for specializing in the old cars and it was neat to get a chance to see these older engines. Well to get back to my parents Buick by this time the Regal had over a hundred thousand. But my dad grew up doing his own work on his cars in the 50"s like most guys did. Well dad was always one for doing his own mantience on his cars well when the shop I worked for got my folks Buick for rebuild since it was just my boss and I worked as his teardown and prep man well when I started to teardown the Buick it showed hardly any cylinder wear . All that was required we had crank polished did valvejob. Cam was just a polished and declared block and re rung pistons. My mom is 80 now and although her daily driver is a 2007 Chrysler 300. She still has her 75 Regal and she drives occasionally she would never even think of selling her Buick. I want to thank you Steve for your channel I think your watchers are like me we either as kids went to Junkyards with our friends or if fortunate enough to have a dad that like going to yards himself because he grew up doing his own work on cars. Well that was me I got to share Going with my dad. And enjoyed seeing all the different models. Although my dad is gone now I think of him when your showing the cars in that yard back there. Although I would like to visit that yard and have the fun of just walking through. Being out in San Diego ca this is as close as I can be for now and want to thank you for your videos. Have a great day. David gleason lemon grove ca.
Man those land yachts where so comfortable you’ll fall a sleep 💤👌😂👍specially if you’re a passenger! Great stuff Steve!
Mr. B. Here ! Morning Steve and fans ! The American land Yachts , driving your living room around town . Great video.
Was able to drive a 1966 four door Cadillac the ride you never forget . Miss the style and how different they looked . Good day to all !
A friend's parents owned a Wildcat. They moved to a new house and the car was to long for the garage door to close. Another friend bought the car years later. I think he still owns the car. Great review Steve. Get well
Eh? 'Deuce and a half?' Nope. 'Deuce and a quarter'. My mom owned three of these aircraft carriers. The 1973 (with the 455) was the Mother Of All Mammoths
Cruise Line Ventiports...a favorite trivia answer. Now we can add the GM individual wheel factoid. Thanks Steve for another delightful visit with an oxide survivor.
My Dad owned a 1968. He loved it. It was very comfortable with plenty of room for the whole family. He bought It in the fall of 1972, when gasoline was still .37 / gallon. By the end of the of the decade, it had jumped to more than 1.00 / gallon.
The original tires were 9.00 x 15. Tires changed during the 1970's to where it was very difficult to remove a rear tire. Even with the fender skirt removed, there was little clearance.
Thanks for the memories, Steve.
Steve that was my first car in 1983 the 401,heatercore leaking removed it a shop repaired it for 15 dollars what a car, keep up the good work 👏.
Nice “Yank Tank” ! I remember a few of these massive cars, usually driven by the very successful owners of local businesses. You couldn’t ever park one of these in a typical parking lot nowadays, just bigger than the spaces
“Very specials cars for a very special country!” Well said, fellow American!
Notice the extra holes in the wheel. That's a holdover from when the cars used lug bolts. Those cars had a pin on the drum to locate the wheel so you could put the bolts in. Even though by 1960 Buick went away from that, the wheels didn't change for some time after.
For no other reason other than conversation. Like a young dumb kid I drove a 1972 Electra with a 455 on rt 93 out of Boston at, I would estimate 130 to 140 mph the speedometer needle was down to the "D" on the shift indicator. Wicked fast car.
You really love cars, thank you for your thoroughness! I also grew up building models.
The 1964 Electra 225 was one of the most elegant cars ever made.
Those 5 spoke styled wheels with the black inserts were in continuous production, unchanged, and optional on most mid-level and high end Buicks all the way until the last 1987 rear wheel drive G-body Regal rolled off the line. Those were some beautiful wheels. Perfect combination of sporty and elegant.
I always love looking at those massive aluminum finned drum brakes from that era. Who needs vented rotor, 6 piston caliper discs when you have those behemoths?
They were available on other models besides the Regal in the 1980s as well.
@@googleusergp I know that’s why I said most mid-level and high end Buicks UNTIL the last rear drive Regal was built in ‘87.
@@joe6096 That's a bit of a dubious statement as lower end Buicks had those as well prior to 1987. Also in 1987, there was both the LeSabre and Electra rear wheel drive wagon. The Electra would have been the top line wagon, and the wheels to my knowledge were available on both models in 1987. The literature doesn't really specify.
@@googleusergp You could not get them on econoboxes like the 80s Skylark or Somerset.
@@joe6096 No, I agree, but I didn't say that. A Buick Century (the RWD version up through the 1981 model year) could have had it. Be careful about the "Somerset" name as that was also used on RWD Regals prior to it also being called a "Somerset Regal" in 1985 as a front wheel drive "N" body car.
My mom had a 68 Electra 225 when we were kids, she used to slide the seat all the way up into the steering wheel and that made the back seat big enough to chase my sister in circles. I can still hear her screaming at us to sit down as she scraped the back door against the post of the porta cache where she parked... Good times!
Deuce and a quarter. 👍
Sold
Yep deuce and a quarter 225. Deuce and a half was military vehicle.
That 6 window body was shared with Oldsmobile and Cadillac
Impressed by the solid sound when you shut that front-passenger door.
I had a gold 1965 4 Door Electra 225 with the 445 Wildcat 401cc engine. Had cruise control. 6 way electric bench seat. What a sweet ride.
Once again thank you Steve for sharing your knowledge. What a good looking Buick! I look forward to seeing the next video tomorrow!
when I was a teenager back in the 80's, a buddy of mine blew the engine in his 76 cutlass and had the bright idea of pulling the engine from a Buick 225 to swap into it. What a nightmare lol, nothing would line up or interchange. We ended up with a welded mess that had no heater, ac, and the trans kickdown never would work. Ended up selling both cars for $200 and calling it quits. Lots of lessons were learned that summer.
These videos always brings joy to me! Good information and entertaining content !
Thanks, Steve! Buicks had a lot of different features from their GM brethren, but by the late 1970's those differences were quickly disappearing. By the 1980's it was mostly just different grilles and tail lights.
Americans still drive huge 'Yank Tanks' , now they're 4 door pickup trucks! 😁 And I guess 'deuce and a quarter, sounds better than 'double deuce, nickel' .
I always wanted to take a 77-85 midsize GM and say run a Pontiac body with a Buick nose, Olds doors and Chevy taillights.
Mr. B ! Right on !
@@CR7659 GM did that with the full size Pontiac Parisienne, it was really a "Chevyiac". LOL.
@@googleusergp There are a lot of Canada only Pontiacs that are rebadged Chevrolets due to Canadian content laws and it not being worth the expense to make Pontiac specific things in Canada.
For instance you could buy a Corsica as a Tempest there and the only difference was the badges.
The Parisienne came to be from Pontiac dropping all full size sedans for 1982, but customers still wanting them, so dealers imported these from Canada. They sold enough Pontiac made it an official model for 83-86.
I had a 1987 Safari wagon and they have the same dash as a Caprice, right down to a Pontiac bolt-on badge over the molded in Chevrolet one on the right side.
@@CR7659 The reverse was done as well. My parents' 1979 Pontiac Phoenix was a "Bui-iet" of sorts. It was a Buick V6 equipped Chevrolet Nova based Pontiac. Many parts were shared with the Nova of the same vintage.
I miss Junkyard Gold. At least I have this to watch!
That dash is still nice looking. Can only imagine how great it was new.
Another great video Steve. Love those old Buick's. (Door still closed with a thud 8:00) 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Definitely one of the things I love about my old Chrysler. Just the sound of door when it closes. Very reassuring and positive sound
A friend of mine owned a 1968 Electra 225 from1977 til 1981. It was a 4 door hard top in blue with a white vinyl top.
Great video Steve....I had a old '68 225 when I was in college in the late 70's....by far it was one of my favorite cars.....perfect for those college road trips...
An old family friend of my mom's had a Buick Electra 225 triple green 4door when you rode in it it was the quietest best riding car around. And so HUGE.
Mr. Steve. My friends in 1967 had a Buick Wild Cat, 455 C.I.N. we welded the ass end to be Posi! yup... been there done that. But WOW!!!! Kick ass car. Cheers from CANADA.
sweet car. one of my fav movies, cause its basically my life back in the day, plus because the cars, is Dazed and Confused, and features one of these 225's prominently. its even a 6 window!
I've told you before sir I love the cars from late Fifties to the mid seventies. Beautiful cars and differently not cheap on gas . My mom bought a 67 or 68 from one of my girlfriends for 300 dollars. It ran like a top when you had it turned right if not it drank gas. I miss those old days
,,,,,,land o' lakes,wi.......here !............covering the golden age of automobiles ....tnx,,,,always informative...pat
One of these was in the Bette Davis move 'Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte'. The profile with all that glass was impressive.
We had a '68 Electra 225 convertible...sweet rides!
Lots of those rolling around Detroit back in the day, Buick Duce and a quarter
I see Corvairs! I own a 1962 Monza daily driver. Please do a review of them. I am always impressed with your knowledge and passion. I'm looking forward to you hitting 100,000 subscribers in 2023.
Isn't that a fliter-drier on the passenger side inner fender?
Might have been an add on AC. The stock dryers were mounted behind the passenger headlight and beside the radiator I believe.
In college I lived with my aunt and uncle in Michigan. In 1968 my cousin bought a new 68 Electra 225 two door hardtop, every option available. So my aunt bought his 1965 LeSabre 2 door hardtop, and I bought the 1963 Wildcat from my aunt for $200 bucks!! Not a quick off the line car with that dynaflow transmission, but it would cruise all day long on I-75 at 80mph and never get tired or warm. I got maybe 12miles per gallon, but with a 23 gallon tank and gas under 50 cents a gallon, who cared about mileage!! Great car, I had it for three years. I'm glad that huge back seat cannot tell any stories!!
Canceling Junkyard Gold was a mistake by Motor Trend... I'm so glad you started a TH-cam channel.
I had a 1968 Electra 225 convertable. Dark brown with a white interior a nd top. It had a 430 in it.
6 window deuce and a quarter! now we are talking . luxury meets the beast. great videos keep em coming
The OILZUM engine oil got my interest . I remember using it as a kid in my woods bombers when DAD would visit P. town where he was born and bring back six or eight cases . I still have two oil spouts that you would shove in the top of the can hanging on my shop wall . To me the sixties we're a magical time for a kid to grow up in .
Never used those. My dad had some old can openers and as a kid it was my job to open the oil cans when I was helping him. I would do two holes on one side and a smaller "vent" hole on the other side. I still have the can openers.
My dad always had Buicks. My brother and I followed his lead.
It wouldn’t be a junkyard reveal without the transmission in the front seat 😂
Great video Steve!I own a 63 electra sports coupe 225 .I saved from the junk yard.motor was stuck and just beat.I managed to find a 4 door 64 wildcat with only 29,000 original miles and to my surprise it had that turbo 400 and 401 nailhead.the car is very rare only like 1,300 made originally believe .it is almost impossible to find certain parts for it.the only thing I’m looking for now is that rear bottom panel piece of pot metal.two up on eBay and both are the side I already have
Very cool!
Indeed very special cars for a very special country excellent wording in conclusion. Great way to contextualize these beautiful icons of American history. We had a dodge Aries wagon after an AMC matador wagon then back to an olds custom cruiser. With regular long trips during holidays and summer time the large wagons fit all our stuff accelerated confidently made u feel safe rested even refreshed while the tin can Aries was totally opposite on long trips.
Full-size forever!
Love the big cars from the fifties thru the seventies
Just to clarify the 425 ci engine was available in 1963.
I’m sure others must have noted Steve referring to the Electra as a Duece and a half when we know it as a Duece and a quarter👍
And 225 references the overall length.
We know he’s a Mopar man😃
Buick motors really were perfectly balanced for light to light happiness. Torque is FUN and tangible. In 1984 I bought a 71' GS455 while on Long Island. The first time I stomped the pedal, I understood what all the fuss was about. I think I spent an afternoon behind a shopping mall just doing burnouts with glee.
a tidbit about Guide during the period known as WWII the lamps became a very small part of their production . During the mid 80s I worked with an ancient guy in a machine shop who worked at Guide until he was drafted mid war . He started in stamping and spotwelding head light buckets - that department later stamped and spot welded the pieces of what became known as the Greasegun , the cheap throw away replacement for the big dollar Thompson. When GM got the defense contracts he was moved up to actual machinist making the basic block of the Browning M2A just like GM gang milled engine blocks
Not going to pile on the “duece and a quarter” comments, but it makes it obvious someone was an English Major, and not a Math Major! Love the content you put out, and appreciate the effort in being such a prolific publisher. Always enjoy my daily fix of your junkyard endeavors and agree that MT took a nosedive by not re-upping your programs. Dumped MT after two years and happy to see you’re still at it. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
In my area the trend was to run the Buick steel mag wheels on the GM trucks. I've never seen the dished steel wheel you talked about. Maybe I did but never gave it much thought. Another fun video Steve, thanks.
I see the tail light of a corvair Lakewood wagon behind you Steve . can you give it a run down 👍
Wow the door closes like it's brand new!
Getting Motor Trend television to revive Junkyard Gold and putting on less drag racing is something we should all agree to.
im 57 too and i of course one of my friends parents had one and of course they took us to little league and scouts. may be they didnt drive as tight as today but they certanly were more comfortable and better looking
Since you noted the limited number of Buick 225 4dr sedans with 6 windows, our family had a '65 Chrysler New Yorker 6 window sedan (with the "white" tail lights and the heavy headlight glass covers. No need for lane changing warnings with that since there were no blind spots like most new cars/etc. today.
Another entertaining and informative post. Thank you and keep them coming.
finally!...someone younger than me
Those Duece and a qtr's were a good looking car with the skirts Good Video.
Steve, Thank you so much for what you do! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, and keeping my fingers crossed you could find a Ford Ranger on The Crawl. I inherited my grandfather's '94, and I love how you help us connect to the cars that have connected us to special people.
Thank you Steve Get well soon
I can’t believe they cancel junkyard gold I really mean that that’s crazy! Keep up the good work, sir
My dad owned a 73 Electra Limited 2 door coupe blue with white vinyl top, 455 Engine with custom dual exhaust. That car was stolen so he purchased a 73 Electra 4 door. My dad was a speed fanatic so he took the car to Motion Performance in Baldwin Long Island and had the engine bored to 500 cc. Crane cam, Holly Carb and manifold, nitrous oxide, headers and dual exhaust. I just got rid of the car and can be seen on Tony Angelo ‘s you tube channel. I would have kept it but am retired and couldn’t afford the garage.
Hi Steve, WOW, what a great video today. I'm hoping you'll do a video of everything in this yard, even if it's a repeating model. I'll have to be honest. I cringe every time I see that you have written in these historical publications you share with us daily. No Dieselhead or Lockjaw in today's video 😔? I never knew about the available dual quad engine options. I wonder how many I passed by in the yards thinking it's nothing special under the hood. Stay safe out there, Steve Namaste 🙏🏼
Get well soon Steve!
In '79 (19 years old) I drove a '69 Big-Block El Camino. Used to fill it up on my designated odd/even day and siphon the gas into my '71 Honda CB-750 everyday.🙂🏁
Private collection are very cool. I think every car guy knows where there’s one.
Enjoy The Educational Content Steve, Thank You So Much, Happy Holidays Good Sir..
I remember going to the parts store in the late sixties and waiting behind a guy lamenting to the counterman about the regulations of having to use 10 year old Buick brake parts (12 inch I believe) on his car at the local stock car track. Junkyard parts were drying up.
The Electra "225" came from the '59 model being 225 inches in length. The 225 stuck, and was used through the '70s
Duce and a quarter as I remember. They were 225 inches' long hence the name! Try making a car of that size today, not happening. Great video Steve and also great camera work by super Shane!!
Well done, Steve!!!
The Buck a gallon gas about killed us! That's when gasohol reared it's ugly head too. I had a 67 F-250 with a 390 and C-6 with an overhead camper for my hunting and fishing trips, it never saw a gas station it didn't fall in love with. We usually had a small Toyota or Honda for daily use.
Thanks Steve! Love Buick's.
Your knowledge is unbelievable. Merry Christmas Steve
Interesting fact, when they bought back the V6 tooling and machines, GM put it back in the same factory, the floor still had the holes and fittings and they bolted and mounted it in the exact same place, like it never left.
I remember the Duce and a quarter. Big and smooth
Awesome crawl Steve, I love me some Buicks!!
I recall that AC was unusual in cars and houses in New England in the 1960s. Just not considered necessary with the cool summer nights of the region.
That door still closes like a Mercedes after all these years.
OK, first they were called duce and a quarter. In our youth, we purchase these cars four years old, rust was big then, and these cars had better interiors than most people's living rooms. They could burn off a tire when ever. Great used cars .
"Motor Trend never makes mistakes - well, maybe with the exception of one" 🤣
Another great video thank you . What a wealth of knowledge do you have.
They say, “you learn something every day”. True enough, as I thought the 6 window Electra was a sedan, not a hardtop body style. And I am a genuine Buick devotee. Live and learn! Small correction Steve, they were called deuce and a quarter ( ie/ 225), not deuce and a half.