Adam, I salute the 120,000 people who had the good taste and judgment to buy an Electra in 1976! 🤩 In regard to the plush interior, the word that immediately comes to mind is Velouriffic!!!
My family had one and it remains one of my favorite cars of all time. You had to experience it to understand because by todays standards it looks obese with bicycle pants but it was plush, quiet and very stylish. I remember coming back from the beach all sunburnt and tired and relaxing in the huge back seat which is more roomy than some limos. We had clip in drink holders that we wedged in the windows. And the rear seat cigarette lighters are a must for every kid to play with on a long trip.
@@guidedmeditation2396 The Electra was also an understated alternative to a Cadillac of the day. I would have had a tough decision choosing between a Buick Electra 225 and Oldsmobile 98 in 1976 😁
Heheh.. Yes.. Velouriffic really says it all. Yards and yards of soft velvetly Velour goodness. Kind of like a brothel on wheels. I am glad ours had the dark blue just like the thumbnail.
@@guidedmeditation2396 oh me too my friend.......... But unfortunately, I was living in the Philippines, and these cars are very rare and expensive, I wish I want to own a one of these!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Great Uncle Joe from Ocala Florida (owned a Dutch boy paint store and painting company) used to come home to the Syracuse New York area to thier summer house on Oneida lake and every two years he’d go to Detroit (where aunt Betty with one arm was raised) and he would drive his new Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham. In the summer 1975 he showed up with his new baby blue with white vinyl top and crushed velvet pillow top type interior and I CANT REMEMBER A CAR THAT I EVER LOVED MORE. NOTHING has ever come close to the luxury I was able to experience that summer. Beautiful memories and NOW YOUVE BROUGHT ME RIGHT BACK TO MY YOUNG DAYS IN SUMMER 1975. Thank you
My 1st brand new car was the '76 Buick Electra Landau coupe 225. I carefully equipped it, no cruise control, but, a Speed buzzer, no auto A/C but a manual. Astroroof, auto power door lock, trunk,windows antenna, variable 3spd wipers,60/40 power driver seat, tilt steering wheel, cornering lamps, lamp monitors,brushed aluminum molding, chrome wheels, LR70-15 VOGUE tyres, passenger lit mirror Trailer pack,2.93:1 limited slip. Silver exterior, maroon 3stripe matching vinyl interior. I loved traveling up/down east coast. Gr8 long distance traveler. I miss it ,had to get rid of it for major repairs were due from all the miles I piled up. Got me a 78 Mark V, non designer. Moonroof, etc... days of the AWESOME MASTERPIECES.🇺🇸
as a 6 year old kid my best friend lived about a block away. his dad was an up and coming banker and I still remember when he came home with his new 75 Electra. theirs wasn't a park avenue but even still the luxury was amazing, especially compared to the 72 Ford galaxie 500 my family had. I just remember how quiet and incredibly isolated the buick was. you could look out the window and see the scenery go by but almost in total silence. you could make out the low rumble of the 455 but that's it. when I look back and think of peak luxury, the 75 Buick is what I think of. good video!
Cool story. It must have been interesting to experience these cars when they were new. I only experienced them when they were on their way out. We built stockcar frames out of the front of these cars . And when we'd get a car , we'd drive them around to run them out of gas. And we were not nice to them. Just beat the wheels off of them. The funniest one i remember was a 4 door 70's Malibu with a straight 6 in it. It took some effort but you could still break the tires loose and get it sideways
@@Toro_Da_Corsa My father had a Malibu like that one, with a 3-on-the-tree. It was kind of on the slow side and you couldn't really sling it around with 7-turn manual steering, but it was easy to get a good shriek out of the rear tires in 1st and maybe even 2nd gear.
@@Toro_Da_Corsa My dad had a 76 Limited. Black on black on black. All leather. Even the top was leathers. He bought it in 1984 and we lived in sw Oklahoma. The ac wasn't strong enough to keep the car cool during Oklahoma summers. My dad would have to take a garden hose to cool it off if he wanted to drive it in the afternoon. The cool thing about the car is the fact that the trunk was huge. My mom could shop several stores and everything would fit into the trunk. I drove that car around Oklahoma City loaded with my brother and our friends, cruising and having fun. Unfortunately the car was totaled on my brother's 16th birthday when he was struck by a freight train. He survived due to the size of the car. Those cars were phenomenal.
I loved these interiors. I owned a 1979 Lincoln Town Car with a crushed velour pillow-top interior, and also a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham with a pillow-top, button-tufted, leather interior. The advantage of the Lincoln and Chrysler cars was no center console, front or back. Each front seat had its own center folding armrest, when they were folded up you had a full-width bench seat which was very roomy and comfy, and also allowed the front passengers to ... fool around.
@horselips I'm always amazed when people put down these incredibly soft and comfortable velour interiors. I owned an '84 Lincoln Town Car and '82 Lincoln Mark VI Coupe..and to this day I miss those incredible velour interiors they had. And thank you for mentioning the wonderfully missing center console..which not only allowed you to spread your legs comfortably while driving..but also while "fooling around" with a special person. 😉 I'd love to get another of these cars..but they are either over-priced due to these classic car vulture websites who have artificially jacked up their prices so regular people can't afford them anymore..or they have been trashed and abused. Thanks or sharing your story! 🙂
Our Electra has a huge center folding armrest and my cat loved to go for rides. I had to sneak in the car so she could not see I was going for a ride because she would run and jump in the car and hop on the armrest with her paws flipped over the front. I think she loved the huge AC vent blowing in her face. I never knew how strange it was for a cat to do this. Even If I was going to just go to fill up the car at the gas station she would meow and come running. And if I managed to go somewhere without her... as I came home she would run out to hop on the hood as I pulled up the drive way and stand on the hood looking at me in the face through the windshield as I pulled to a stop. The quality of the blue velour was such high quality and pleasing. I know it wasn't but it felt almost like cotton rather than a polyester type of velour feel.
I️ drove my 73 Olds 98 from Chicago to Florida in the mid 90’s, back when the speed limit had just allowed for 65. Most folks were still a little leery to go much faster. I️ got 20mpg at ~65mph.
Tinhat, I bought a '73 98 LS, red in & out w/ a white vinyl roof in '83. I had it two weeks before I saw the clock for the rear seat passengers! Lol! Living in salty Mn. I don't think this car saw winter. What a floater going down the road! I had seen this car in a local shopper a year before I bought it and only found it because I saved that shopper to put over a clothes hanger so my pants wouldn't crease! Needed a car & thought about this one & walla! I still had that shopper so & the party still had the car so I bought it for $1400.00!😁
I'm 47 now until December. In fall 1990 just before I turned 16 in December, I got my first car, a 1976 Buick Electra 4 door hardtop with red carpet, interior, headliner, paint and a white vinyl top. My dad had a 1961 and a 1969 Buick Electra 4 door hardtops, both were blue with all blue interiors from floor to ceiling and no vinyl top on the 1969. 401 nail head and 430 respectively. He also had a 1976 Buick LeSabre 4 door sedan with blue paint and interior everywhere and a white vinyl top with the Buick 350 4 bbl. Later on I got a black 1972 Buick Electra 4 door hard top, no vinyl roof, but cream or beige-ish front bench seat with a green carpet, headliner and green dash. I still have the 1972! I bought from a junkyard a 1974 Buick Electra 225 4 door hardtop that somebody complete cut the roof off of at just above the windshield and at the top of the doors and below the rear window as a parts car. It was a done at home paint job or blue with red racing stripes and the factory dash color was green, identical to my 1974 Buick Riviera. I don't remember the exact colors of the interior of the 1974 Buick Electra 225 other than the dash. My 1974 Buick Riviera was a light green with a dark green dash (identical color to the 1974 Electra 225 4 door hardtop's), green carpet, interior and headliner, but white vinyl seats and a full white vinyl top. All 3 of the 1974, 1976 Electra's and the 1974 Riviera had 60/40 split bench (bucket?) seats with the center armrest. All of the cars (1961, 1969, 1972, 1974 Riviera, 1974 Electra, 1976 LeSabre 4 door sedan, and lastly the 1976 Electra 225's literally had the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. The 1974 Riviera was a fast car after I had a modified TH200-4R installed and made 20 mpg going from Albuquerque to Phoenix a couple of times, normally 13 mpg in the city limits of Albuquerque from 2006-2008. I kept right up with a 300ZX from the 1990's and was a lot faster than a brand new Chevy Z71 Silverado 4X4 from 2006! They're all gone now except for the 1972 black Electra 225 4 door hardtop which I should get going again along with my 1984 Toyota regular cab short box 4X4 pick up truck.
Electras were very popular in the mid 1970's. The company that built my subdivision issued them as company cars to their executives, and I saw them daily in 1974 and 1975 and was amazed at how large and luxurious they were.
Adam, Thank you for showing the 1975 Electra. I think that this is one of the best looking and driving land yachts ever made. I had taken my road test in my Dads 75 Electra. He had a 4 door in Glacier Blue with a dark blue vinyl top and blue cloth interior, It was like sitting in your living room. The car had plenty of power and with the $20.00 firm ride and handling package option along with the radial tires, it was a blast to drive! The Glacier blue car in your video brings back allot of great memories.
I'm so glad you mentioned the rear design of the '76 '77 Regal. I always thought that was a beautiful car. Not just the Eldo look for the horizontal reflectors, but the actual working lights which had the original 63 to 65 look. This was a wonderful video. I destroyed a sports car in 1977, and Dad only approved a 78 Regal, which had that same blue velour interior. Memories. You touch some amazing memories. Thank you!
My mother drove a 1976 Park Avenue with this interior in a medium shade of tan with the brown metallic exterior. It was over the top, over the top! I got to drive it to my high school prom. It was, in todays terms, Dope!
Neighbors of ours in the mid-seventies had a beige '75 Electra Limited Park Avenue sedan with that exact same plush velour interior. The Park Avenue upholstery looked even lusher than the Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman upholstery, I thought, because its densely tufted lower seat cushioning didn't stop at the front edge of the seat the way the Talisman's did but extended all the way down to meet that deep-pile carpet. And interiors like this were not considered "funky" or tasteless in the seventies but were actually considered luxurious and tasteful, even quite refined. I had always wondered about those mid-seventies Buick Century Regal taillights. Good to know.
The 1974 Buick Limited was available with the Stage1 455 option over the standard 455. A Stage1 had the larger exhaust valves, higher lift cam, main jets, etc. There was an oiling issue to the earlier 455, but finally by 1974 that issue to the main bearings was corrected.
An Electra Stage I ? That is pretty funny and - sorry to contradict you but Stage I was available in the 74 Century Gran Sport, and Riviera GS only. I own a 74 Century GS 455 Non- Stage 1.
@@gt-37guy6 I believe it was available. We had one at was special order but available option. Burgundy exterior and velour seats. Pretty fast and would outrun plymouth police package fury's.
Wow... That blue velour Electra interior brings back memories. My family had one of these and it remains to be one of my favorite cars of all time for many reasons. It was super reliable which alone makes it special in that era but it was hugely roomy and very comfortable especially in the back seats with a high seatback. On trips to the beach or long road trips this car had basically as much room or more as modern day mini vans only it wasn't tall. It had a feeling of being a safe secure cocoon. The engine was so perfect for this car as well with lots of low end torque. It never felt like the engine had to work hard. It didn't need to rev to get power, you just touch your toe on the pedal and you would go. And it would happily lay a scratch even with all that massive weight. Of course it rode smoothly and was very quiet. One thing that I especially remember was the fuel gauge which would stay at the full mark for a long time and then slowly make its way to the halfway mark and after that it would drop like a rock. Basically when it was half full on the gauge you might as well stop by a gas station.
My parents had a Buick Electra when I was in college. I remember riding home in at, and occasionally driving it around town. It was a land yacht! It excelled at freeway speed on straightaways. Around town and parking lots it was a beast. All that seat cushioning still didn’t make for comfort as it just wasn’t supportive. Plenty of interior room, though! 😁
Adam, I can very clearly recall seeing a ‘75 or ‘76 4 door HT white Park Avenue with a red velour cushion Interior parked near my school bus stop when I was 15 years old. It was always parked there and I’d always peer into the windows and drool over the lush, luxurious, over the top interior. I absolutely loved it and thought it was the best interior ever. Better than a Cadillac (I wasn’t aware of the Talisman Edition at that time). It was the first Park Avenue I had ever seen and I recall thinking this must be a new model as I wasn’t aware of it previously. It obviously made quite an impact on me as that was 45 years ago and I remember like it was yesterday. Thanks for sharing this and bringing back such a fond memory! Take care.
FUN FACT: The name "Park Avenue" was used by Buick's brother (Cadillac) in the early 1960's for a short trunk version of the DeVille. (For parking in tight urban areas OR to fit old house garages) So... it WAS possible that someone could have had a CADILLAC Park Avenue AND a BUICK Park Avenue at different times during their (highly successful!) career! To be fair the 1971 "C" body GMs are not only the last of the 1970s era, But Really, they were the last of the 1950s era. A 1976 Buick Electra or Oldsmobile 98 are closer to their 1956 models than the 1977s are. It was an end of the '50's 60's,and 70's. The downsized GM "B/C" and the Ford "Panthers" would be the "future" until the 21st Century.
True for the biggest Buicks and Cadillacs. But the Chevy, with its 116 inch wheelbase, was still bigger in every dimension (other than being 1" lower) than a "full sized" '57 Bel Air.
I was just going to point the fact that the "Park Avenue" actually started out life as a, of all things, Cadillac nameplate, but you beat me to it! Albeit, prior to 2016 or 2017, I didn't know this fact. And I think that 1963 might have been the debut year of this nameplate. Even if it somehow wasn't, the reason I learned of the existence of the Cadillac Park Avenue, a somewhat obscure and short-lived nameplate/trim-level/model, was because there was a 1963 Cadillac Park Avenue Sedan for sale in my town, and I contacted the owner to inquire about it, and it was he who gave me a short crash course in that name and its history and its origin being with Cadillac.
Thanks, Adam! These 1975 Buick Park Avenues were very rare if memory serves, as they were a mid-year addition and didn't reach large scale production. They were also a very costly option. I remember showing a German friend of mine my new 1978 Buick Regal turbo couple which also had the Limited interior with yards of red crushed velour trim. "It looks like a casket!" he laughed. He was right!
In 1982 my Dad bought at 77 Buick 2 door with just 42000 miles at the local Buick car lot. I don't recall it saying it was an Electra but it said Limited on the rear quarter. It had the 403 Olds? engine and ran strong and smooth. It had black velour interior, auto temp control and all power accessories. My Mom was the main driver and they owned it for close to twenty years. The old man would change the oil and grease it every six months. 90% of the mileage was short in town trips to work grocery store, etc. I changed the starter motor once for him but I don't recall anything else going bad on the car. They finally got a newer car and sold the 77 to a neighbor for $2000. That's a loss of 3500 dollars spread out over 20 years. It was a well built tough old Buick.
My second car was a '73 225 Limited 4-dr hardtop. It was mossy green with white vinyl top and white interior. No velour, but I liked that better. What a fun car. I really like 4-dr hardtops.
I always liked the comfort of the 70’s luxury car interiors. The velour, (although a bit tacky) was extremely comfortable. Like floating down the road on your living room couch. Even the downsized versions were very comfortable.
My very first brand new car when I was 19 y.o was a 1975 Electra 225 coupe. I bought it myself too, no inheritance, no money from the folks. I paid for it, well took out a car loan actually, and worked two jobs, because I saw it at the dealership up on a ramp facing the road and thought it was beautiful. It was the dark blue with the white landau top, white vinyl interior, blue dash and carpeting. I loved that car and currently looking for a replacement 75/76 now that I'm retired..
I applaud you for your choices and hard work. I have had a lot of different cars from Nissan 370Z to Trans-Am but my favorite car and I still own one now is the 61-63 Lincoln. I bought my first 63 Lincoln in 1975 at 21 years old. Age does not necessarily mean you must drive a certain car. Good luck on your search for another one.
As far as I know, I was the first 18 year old to have a new Monte Carlo in town but you surely got me beat. I financed and paid for mine too..lived like a pauper and had it paid off in a year and a half. Now I'm retired with 3 cars, the newest a 97 Cadillac. Glad I had my new cars when they were worth having and I was young enough to enjoy them but NOT a wise move financially. Advice to the young.. buy old Buicks from old people and drive them till they die. If you ve got to spend a fortune to make yourself automotively happy, but a classic oldie that you love and let it appreciate instead of depreciate.
I love that story! I was the same way as a kid. My dad bought a brand new Ford LTD Landau w/460 in 1977, which I thought was so sweet. I loved that car. He traded it in on a new Trans Am in 1979 during the Smokey Bandit craze. I was soooo bummed. I’m sure I was the only teen that wanted the LTD over a Trans Am but I loved big cars….and still do at 60.
I owned a 76 Talisman. I found the Park Avenue seats to be more comfortable and supportive. Fun fact: Steelcase designed and built the Park Avenue seats.
Not a '75, but my Park Avenue story. I was a mechanic at Tip Top Chevrolet / Buick in Fairbanks, Alaska. A customer had just purchased a brand-new Park Ave and, because it was like 20 degrees below zero out, they delivered it in the Service Lane of the shop. After the salesman showed the new owner all the bells & whistles, the overhead door went up and the proud owner drove off. About 5 minutes later, the customer returned, on foot, stating that the car died about 8 blocks down the street. The sales rep looked the guy square in the face and said, "You can't expect them to last forever!" We all just fell out laughing and the guy, after a few moments, joined in. I got the lucky task of figuring out the problem - a defective ignition module - and we had the guy motoring off within an hour.
My step father had a 74 Buick Limited, colored in that blue paint with blue velour interior. It was the largest car I have ever seen. I got to drive it once when I was 17. It felt like captaining an ocean liner.
Owned a mint 1983 Buick Electra Park Ave and a decent 1984 Buick Electra Park Ave. 1984 was the last year of the big rear wheel drive Electra Park Ave. So comfortable you'd fall asleep in them. Loved my big Park Aves.
Purchased my first Buick in 1985; a 1978 Electra 225 sedan. Royal(ish) blue with a powder blue vinyl top and matching velour interior. The car was fully optioned with a full power bench seat, and a speedometer alarm (which was stuck at 52mph) and a factory anti theft alarm which the used car dealer neglected to mention at purchase but I learned about quickly one tipsy morning at 3am... Over assisted power steering, decent brakes, ice cold AC and enough power to get out of its own way. I thought the Buick's fit and finish and brightwork was much better than my friends 1984 Fleetwood. My Buick was a true boulevard cruiser.
I'm surprised the car didn't have the early ACRS airbag system. Seems like the well optioned Buick, Olds, and Cadillacs were equipped with that option. Having lived through the 70s and the styles in interior décor, fashion and everything else....those interiors are rather tasteful.
@@stangslayerws6 There was one example on, I think, Curbside Classics, or something similar. It was a 4 door pillared Impala, or maybe even a Bel Aire. The author thought it might have been a government fleet car.
@Rafael Fiallo They were optional on Buick Electra 225, Cadillacs and Oldsmobile Ninety Eight only.. Optional then, with a very low take rate.. I'm thinking four figures.
In Canada I remember the first drive I had in one and after seeing many others through the years I have never seen a Park with the center console. I prefer the Park Avenue to the Electra Limited because I cannot stand the diamond tuck style of the interior. These cars & many others through to the late 70's (Parisienne Brougham) in particular had this design & they were superb. Yes, the Quality of the overall vehicle was not as good as the mid 60's to 1970 cars for all GM's, (my favorites are still the 65 Chevrolet, Pontiac full size) they were a joy to drive & Had many more options than the predecessor's had to offer. Many Fords & Chryslers would have most options but lacked the important ones for me. They typically came with air conditioning & cruise control but would miss out on tilt steering & power seats. Still love all these cars & the ones you have acquired. Don't know how you find them, but they are awesome & I enjoy the opportunity to enjoy them again.
My friends parents ordered a 75 park Ave. They trade in was in demand so they gave them a 1970 olds delta to drive while waiting. Being a loaner my friends parents didn't object to us using the olds. I loved it. The park Ave was ok to drive. His parents traded in a 1970 Buick wildcat. With buckets and a console. All they said was they ordered the car and really wished they had driven one before doing so. My friends mom vocally hated the new Buick and she fought to get her old wildcat back with no luck
My mother had a 74 Buick Electra limited it was burgundy red with the black top with black interior and I kind of prefer the look of the 74 with the round headlights a little better than the 75 is my grandfather had a 75 it was silver with the white top with the gray interior but the 74 just looked better ours was a two-door non landau top so the back windows roll down the ones with the landau had to fix back window but that was a very comfortable car I always loved it I always liked the back how the backup lights would change colors from red to White when you put it in reverse I always thought that was cool.
I remember seeing plenty of these. The Park Avenue and the Electra in general, were a good alternative to the Cadillac and the Lincoln Town Car. Thanks for another honest and rational review.
I am proud to say I have owned 2 1974 Buick Electra's. They were by far the best, most comfortable most beautiful cars I have ever owned. The '74 had a much better look and layout then the revamped '75.
Adam, that was a great beginning in talks about the Electra Park Avenue! I really enjoyed it!!! My 1990 Electra Park Avenue will be delivered tomorrow I’m so excited even though she’s going to need some work here and there… hope you can follow up more of the Park Avenue line and show us your 85-90 C-Body Electra Park Avenue!!! I think you mentioned you had one still? I’m such a big fan of them!! And a big fan of yours, Adam! Thanks again for an informative segment!!! And for reigniting my love of these great old cars!!! Jeff 😊
Years ago my next-door neighbor had a 76 electric 225 it was white with a maroonish red interior who is a beautiful car I used to clean it up and watch it for a couple two or three times a year having a lot of car wax believe me I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre and I love that car I bought it for 2400 bucks with 94,000 miles on it a couple of years ago and I’m not afraid to go nowhere in the car I went home to West Virginia last weekend it and you talking about a nice ride
I love the look of these 70s cars how I miss them today especially the Buick Electra the Buick lesabre of the 70s they were great cars back then in my opinion
My first car was a 1974 Olds 98 Regency Brougham. I was 6 foot 2. Could lay down in the back seat head and feet did not touch the doors. That was Luxury. Miss that car so much. I’m now 70 years old
I owned a 1976 Buick Electra 225 Limited (not Park Avenue) from new for several years. I have really fond memories of that car, although by the end, it was a maintenance nightmare ($$$). It was the 4 door hardtop. I don’t especially recall the “jiggles” as being that much of a problem. I think the 455-4V made for a decent driving experience, but you wouldn’t win any races with it. Thanks for your great reviews of all these old beauties.
For the very reason that this car is so similar to the talisman, it is almost interchangeable with the talisman on my dream car list. Those seats look SO comfortable. I certainly joke I have to opportunity to snag one of these in good shape some day. That center console is pretty neat too, looks like a nice place to rest my right knee while cruise control is engaged.
I had a 1975 Electra 225 not a Park Avenue. It was baby blue with black leather interior and black vinyl top. Great car, the only problem I had was a blown fusible link at the starter. It was my daily driver for a few years.
My Dad wanted “the last of the big ones” Cadillac in fall of 1976. There were 4 new ones left in all of Toronto. He chose a brown Sedan de Ville D’Elegance. The D’Elegance package was the loose pillow, corduroy like velour. The greenhouse and probably 90% of the mechanicals were identical to the Electra with the main exception being the Caddy 500 cubic inch motor vs the Buick 455. It was awesomely over the top! Build quality was garbage, but everything always worked for over 200K miles. Rust was a big factor on salty Canadian roads. I learned to drive and parallel park in that car and never really considered it a big car relative to what was on the road at the time. As a dutiful 16 year old I researched exactly how fast it was or wasn’t, how underwhelming the brakes were, how many friends fit in it, how big the back seat was and how well it could do brake-stands and burn-outs (not bad actually, as long as you let the torque really build some wheel speed). Loved that car and would love to find a good one now.
Have ALWAYS loved these Beautiful Big Buicks, consider having one off and on but torn between the 75 Park Avenue and the 75 98 Regency sedans! Currently have a 76 Bonneville sedan triple black and cant stress enough how impressed I am with it. The General did a great job with the 71-76 B-Body cars! Thanks for posting👍👍
Adam , My Dad had a 74 Buick Electra 225 Custom that I took such care of that he surprised me and let me pick out his 76. I choose the Electra Limited in Independence Red with the cloth interior. The dealer didn’t have a park avenue model in stock with the bucket seat so I was out of luck. I think if he did my Dad would have made me take it back because it was over the top.
Hey Adam, We have chatted before. Funny all your engine photos show the cowl to fender support bars that were no longer used on Electra in 75 or 76. Anyways, was wondering if you ever thought about showcasing the clamshell wagon version of these cars. I recently purchased a like new 1976 Buick Estate Wagon. It is a all original freak of nature good condition car. Keep up the good work!
I knew someone who had an Oldsmobile with the velour interior treatment (though not as, um, over-the-top as your examples) ... and I remember thinking "oooohhhhh, this is so sooooffffftttt." I was young, what can I say.
My parents had a 1972 Electra 225, mossy green vinyl on a buttery cream paint with cream pleather interior. That car was a dream, floated like a cloud BUT the drawback....its ran hot quite often. Mom always kept cans of water, tools and the water hoses to make the repair....as I type this, I can think of 3 times when I was a passenger that we had to stop and make repairs...it was the top hose, an easy fix BUT still very inconvenient. Still a very sweet car that I would LOVE to be able to drive again. She traded it in on a 1977 Limited Landau, silver on silver with an ice blue interior. Never liked that car, both the exterior and the way it handled.
I liked how you went into the details Adam. This was interesting to see with these images. I liked the information you shared. Now we know the history of the Park Avenue. It is kind like what Lincoln did with the Continental Town Car naming scheme. I remember the Fleetwood you spoke about and I this model which started out as a trim level then became its own model. The last big Buick sedan was the Roadmaster. It was not as long as this Buick, but it was big as well. Thank you for sharing as always Adam.
Buick also borrowed/shared unqiue interior trim with Cadillac with the 1989 Park Avenue Ultra with an interior trim similar to and designed by the same Italian designer. The Buick had a touch screen that popped up from between the front seats and controlled the 20-way power seats. The Cadillac version was the Sixty Special.
My Sunday school teacher had a '75 or '76 Electra in an unusual blue color, although the interior looks the same. I too love the luxury cars. 1976 being my favorite year of all. It seems all the auto makers hit the mark in design in 1976 (except the Lincoln Town Car I prefer '77). My boss had a '76 Olds 98 and I inherited grandma's '76 Caprice Classic in 1986. I bought a '76 Mark IV in 2001 on a gold on gold/cream.
I remember these cars well. They seemed quite popular down here in the south. I remember looking at that plush interior and it always looked like it would get really hot inside that car if the a/c ever failed on a hot humid day. Nice design though as always with the big Buicks.
My dad had an '81, and the interior looked very similar to this. Velour everywhere and the seats were pillows on top of pillows. His was a darker blue than this.
With the advent of super efficient battery electric drives… Don’t be surprised to see giant boats to once again arise in the future. Next time around…it’ll be called the Buick “Electric-Tra”
My dad bought a white 76 with red interior in the late 80's. That car was crazy big, I used to joke that it took 10 miles to get to highway speed. It drifted like a boat over road imperfections. My sister was banned from driving it cuz she kept hitting the side and back of the garage pulling it in.
Adam, I salute the 120,000 people who had the good taste and judgment to buy an Electra in 1976! 🤩 In regard to the plush interior, the word that immediately comes to mind is Velouriffic!!!
My family had one and it remains one of my favorite cars of all time. You had to experience it to understand because by todays standards it looks obese with bicycle pants but it was plush, quiet and very stylish. I remember coming back from the beach all sunburnt and tired and relaxing in the huge back seat which is more roomy than some limos. We had clip in drink holders that we wedged in the windows. And the rear seat cigarette lighters are a must for every kid to play with on a long trip.
@@guidedmeditation2396 The Electra was also an understated alternative to a Cadillac of the day. I would have had a tough decision choosing between a Buick Electra 225 and Oldsmobile 98 in 1976 😁
Heheh.. Yes.. Velouriffic really says it all. Yards and yards of soft velvetly Velour goodness. Kind of like a brothel on wheels. I am glad ours had the dark blue just like the thumbnail.
@@guidedmeditation2396 oh me too my friend..........
But unfortunately, I was living in the Philippines, and these cars are very rare and expensive, I wish I want to own a one of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
...........
Great Uncle Joe from Ocala Florida (owned a Dutch boy paint store and painting company) used to come home to the Syracuse New York area to thier summer house on Oneida lake and every two years he’d go to Detroit (where aunt Betty with one arm was raised) and he would drive his new Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham. In the summer 1975 he showed up with his new baby blue with white vinyl top and crushed velvet pillow top type interior and I CANT REMEMBER A CAR THAT I EVER LOVED MORE. NOTHING has ever come close to the luxury I was able to experience that summer. Beautiful memories and NOW YOUVE BROUGHT ME RIGHT BACK TO MY YOUNG DAYS IN SUMMER 1975. Thank you
My 1st brand new car was the '76 Buick Electra Landau coupe 225. I carefully equipped it, no cruise control, but, a Speed buzzer, no auto A/C but a manual. Astroroof, auto power door lock, trunk,windows antenna, variable 3spd wipers,60/40 power driver seat, tilt steering wheel, cornering lamps, lamp monitors,brushed aluminum molding, chrome wheels, LR70-15 VOGUE tyres, passenger lit mirror
Trailer pack,2.93:1 limited slip.
Silver exterior, maroon 3stripe matching vinyl interior. I loved traveling up/down east coast. Gr8 long distance traveler. I miss it ,had to get rid of it for major repairs were due from all the miles I piled up. Got me a 78 Mark V, non designer. Moonroof, etc... days of the AWESOME MASTERPIECES.🇺🇸
My first new car was a 1975 Buick Electra Park Avenue in white, white top and red velour interior. Car was majestic.
as a 6 year old kid my best friend lived about a block away. his dad was an up and coming banker and I still remember when he came home with his new 75 Electra. theirs wasn't a park avenue but even still the luxury was amazing, especially compared to the 72 Ford galaxie 500 my family had.
I just remember how quiet and incredibly isolated the buick was. you could look out the window and see the scenery go by but almost in total silence. you could make out the low rumble of the 455 but that's it.
when I look back and think of peak luxury, the 75 Buick is what I think of. good video!
Cool story. It must have been interesting to experience these cars when they were new. I only experienced them when they were on their way out. We built stockcar frames out of the front of these cars
. And when we'd get a car , we'd drive them around to run them out of gas. And we were not nice to them. Just beat the wheels off of them. The funniest one i remember was a 4 door 70's Malibu with a straight 6 in it. It took some effort but you could still break the tires loose and get it sideways
@@Toro_Da_Corsa My father had a Malibu like that one, with a 3-on-the-tree. It was kind of on the slow side and you couldn't really sling it around with 7-turn manual steering, but it was easy to get a good shriek out of the rear tires in 1st and maybe even 2nd gear.
@@Toro_Da_Corsa My dad had a 76 Limited. Black on black on black. All leather. Even the top was leathers. He bought it in 1984 and we lived in sw Oklahoma. The ac wasn't strong enough to keep the car cool during Oklahoma summers. My dad would have to take a garden hose to cool it off if he wanted to drive it in the afternoon.
The cool thing about the car is the fact that the trunk was huge. My mom could shop several stores and everything would fit into the trunk.
I drove that car around Oklahoma City loaded with my brother and our friends, cruising and having fun.
Unfortunately the car was totaled on my brother's 16th birthday when he was struck by a freight train. He survived due to the size of the car.
Those cars were phenomenal.
I would take the Galaxie 500 over the Buick any day.
@@David-ik8wj It's a personal opinion and I respect it , but how you can compare a Ford Galaxy to a Buick Park Avenue?
Love that car! Who couldn't love a floating plush couch? Thanks again Adam.
Beautiful Buick design and luxury
I had an '81 Regal with velour. Most comfortable seats I ever owned.
I loved these interiors. I owned a 1979 Lincoln Town Car with a crushed velour pillow-top interior, and also a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham with a pillow-top, button-tufted, leather interior. The advantage of the Lincoln and Chrysler cars was no center console, front or back. Each front seat had its own center folding armrest, when they were folded up you had a full-width bench seat which was very roomy and comfy, and also allowed the front passengers to ... fool around.
@horselips
I'm always amazed when people put down these incredibly soft and comfortable velour interiors. I owned an '84 Lincoln Town Car and '82 Lincoln Mark VI Coupe..and to this day I miss those incredible velour interiors they had. And thank you for mentioning the wonderfully missing center console..which not only allowed you to spread your legs comfortably while driving..but also while "fooling around" with a special person. 😉 I'd love to get another of these cars..but they are either over-priced due to these classic car vulture websites who have artificially jacked up their prices so regular people can't afford them anymore..or they have been trashed and abused. Thanks or sharing your story! 🙂
I had a smaller Buick Skylark with a comparable velours interior and I loved all of it. If only these interiors would still be offered in modern cars!
Our Electra has a huge center folding armrest and my cat loved to go for rides. I had to sneak in the car so she could not see I was going for a ride because she would run and jump in the car and hop on the armrest with her paws flipped over the front. I think she loved the huge AC vent blowing in her face. I never knew how strange it was for a cat to do this. Even If I was going to just go to fill up the car at the gas station she would meow and come running. And if I managed to go somewhere without her... as I came home she would run out to hop on the hood as I pulled up the drive way and stand on the hood looking at me in the face through the windshield as I pulled to a stop.
The quality of the blue velour was such high quality and pleasing. I know it wasn't but it felt almost like cotton rather than a polyester type of velour feel.
My dad and I would drool over these Electra's ('75 & '76 model years) every time we saw one. It was his dream car that he never got around to buying.
I️ drove my 73 Olds 98 from Chicago to Florida in the mid 90’s, back when the speed limit had just allowed for 65. Most folks were still a little leery to go much faster. I️ got 20mpg at ~65mph.
Tinhat, I bought a '73 98 LS, red in & out w/ a white vinyl roof in '83. I had it two weeks before I saw the clock for the rear seat passengers! Lol! Living in salty Mn. I don't think this car saw winter. What a floater going down the road! I had seen this car in a local shopper a year before I bought it and only found it because I saved that shopper to put over a clothes hanger so my pants wouldn't crease! Needed a car & thought about this one & walla! I still had that shopper so & the party still had the car so I bought it for $1400.00!😁
I had two friends who had '76 Electra 225s. I drove both of them and it was fun wheeling them around a downtown laid out for horses and carriages.
I'm 47 now until December. In fall 1990 just before I turned 16 in December, I got my first car, a 1976 Buick Electra 4 door hardtop with red carpet, interior, headliner, paint and a white vinyl top. My dad had a 1961 and a 1969 Buick Electra 4 door hardtops, both were blue with all blue interiors from floor to ceiling and no vinyl top on the 1969. 401 nail head and 430 respectively. He also had a 1976 Buick LeSabre 4 door sedan with blue paint and interior everywhere and a white vinyl top with the Buick 350 4 bbl. Later on I got a black 1972 Buick Electra 4 door hard top, no vinyl roof, but cream or beige-ish front bench seat with a green carpet, headliner and green dash. I still have the 1972! I bought from a junkyard a 1974 Buick Electra 225 4 door hardtop that somebody complete cut the roof off of at just above the windshield and at the top of the doors and below the rear window as a parts car. It was a done at home paint job or blue with red racing stripes and the factory dash color was green, identical to my 1974 Buick Riviera. I don't remember the exact colors of the interior of the 1974 Buick Electra 225 other than the dash. My 1974 Buick Riviera was a light green with a dark green dash (identical color to the 1974 Electra 225 4 door hardtop's), green carpet, interior and headliner, but white vinyl seats and a full white vinyl top. All 3 of the 1974, 1976 Electra's and the 1974 Riviera had 60/40 split bench (bucket?) seats with the center armrest. All of the cars (1961, 1969, 1972, 1974 Riviera, 1974 Electra, 1976 LeSabre 4 door sedan, and lastly the 1976 Electra 225's literally had the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. The 1974 Riviera was a fast car after I had a modified TH200-4R installed and made 20 mpg going from Albuquerque to Phoenix a couple of times, normally 13 mpg in the city limits of Albuquerque from 2006-2008. I kept right up with a 300ZX from the 1990's and was a lot faster than a brand new Chevy Z71 Silverado 4X4 from 2006! They're all gone now except for the 1972 black Electra 225 4 door hardtop which I should get going again along with my 1984 Toyota regular cab short box 4X4 pick up truck.
5:47 Working at my dad's garage as a teen, I remember those HUGE upper radiator hoses. Somehow, those really amazed me.
Electras were very popular in the mid 1970's. The company that built my subdivision issued them as company cars to their executives, and I saw them daily in 1974 and 1975 and was amazed at how large and luxurious they were.
Adam, Thank you for showing the 1975 Electra. I think that this is one of the best looking and driving land yachts ever made. I had taken my road test in my Dads 75 Electra. He had a 4 door in Glacier Blue with a dark blue vinyl top and blue cloth interior, It was like sitting in your living room.
The car had plenty of power and with the $20.00 firm ride and handling package option along with the radial tires, it was a blast to drive!
The Glacier blue car in your video brings back allot of great memories.
I'm so glad you mentioned the rear design of the '76 '77 Regal. I always thought that was a beautiful car. Not just the Eldo look for the horizontal reflectors, but the actual working lights which had the original 63 to 65 look. This was a wonderful video. I destroyed a sports car in 1977, and Dad only approved a 78 Regal, which had that same blue velour interior. Memories. You touch some amazing memories. Thank you!
Love those deuce and changes!!
My mother drove a 1976 Park Avenue with this interior in a medium shade of tan with the brown metallic exterior. It was over the top, over the top! I got to drive it to my high school prom. It was, in todays terms, Dope!
Neighbors of ours in the mid-seventies had a beige '75 Electra Limited Park Avenue sedan with that exact same plush velour interior. The Park Avenue upholstery looked even lusher than the Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman upholstery, I thought, because its densely tufted lower seat cushioning didn't stop at the front edge of the seat the way the Talisman's did but extended all the way down to meet that deep-pile carpet. And interiors like this were not considered "funky" or tasteless in the seventies but were actually considered luxurious and tasteful, even quite refined.
I had always wondered about those mid-seventies Buick Century Regal taillights. Good to know.
The 1974 Buick Limited was available with the Stage1 455 option over the standard 455. A Stage1 had the larger exhaust valves, higher lift cam, main jets, etc. There was an oiling issue to the earlier 455, but finally by 1974 that issue to the main bearings was corrected.
An Electra Stage I ? That is pretty funny and - sorry to contradict you but Stage I was available in the 74 Century Gran Sport, and Riviera GS only. I own a 74 Century GS 455 Non- Stage 1.
@@gt-37guy6 I believe it was available. We had one at was special order but available option. Burgundy exterior and velour seats. Pretty fast and would outrun plymouth police package fury's.
Vaughn - I stand corrected....and in utter disbelief - apparently in 74 ONLY this WAS an option - I would think a VERY rare one...wow.
Wow... That blue velour Electra interior brings back memories. My family had one of these and it remains to be one of my favorite cars of all time for many reasons. It was super reliable which alone makes it special in that era but it was hugely roomy and very comfortable especially in the back seats with a high seatback. On trips to the beach or long road trips this car had basically as much room or more as modern day mini vans only it wasn't tall. It had a feeling of being a safe secure cocoon.
The engine was so perfect for this car as well with lots of low end torque. It never felt like the engine had to work hard. It didn't need to rev to get power, you just touch your toe on the pedal and you would go. And it would happily lay a scratch even with all that massive weight. Of course it rode smoothly and was very quiet. One thing that I especially remember was the fuel gauge which would stay at the full mark for a long time and then slowly make its way to the halfway mark and after that it would drop like a rock. Basically when it was half full on the gauge you might as well stop by a gas station.
Like having a living room in your vehicle. Great for road trips.
My parents had a Buick Electra when I was in college. I remember riding home in at, and occasionally driving it around town. It was a land yacht! It excelled at freeway speed on straightaways. Around town and parking lots it was a beast. All that seat cushioning still didn’t make for comfort as it just wasn’t supportive. Plenty of interior room, though! 😁
Adam, I can very clearly recall seeing a ‘75 or ‘76 4 door HT white Park Avenue with a red velour cushion Interior parked near my school bus stop when I was 15 years old. It was always parked there and I’d always peer into the windows and drool over the lush, luxurious, over the top interior. I absolutely loved it and thought it was the best interior ever. Better than a Cadillac (I wasn’t aware of the Talisman Edition at that time). It was the first Park Avenue I had ever seen and I recall thinking this must be a new model as I wasn’t aware of it previously. It obviously made quite an impact on me as that was 45 years ago and I remember like it was yesterday. Thanks for sharing this and bringing back such a fond memory! Take care.
I didn't know about the Tailsman Caddy either!
FUN FACT: The name "Park Avenue" was used by Buick's brother (Cadillac) in the early 1960's for a short trunk version of the DeVille. (For parking in tight urban areas OR to fit old house garages) So... it WAS possible that someone could have had a CADILLAC Park Avenue AND a BUICK Park Avenue at different times during their (highly successful!) career! To be fair the 1971 "C" body GMs are not only the last of the 1970s era, But Really, they were the last of the 1950s era. A 1976 Buick Electra or Oldsmobile 98 are closer to their 1956 models than the 1977s are. It was an end of the '50's 60's,and 70's. The downsized GM "B/C" and the Ford "Panthers" would be the "future" until the 21st Century.
True!
Yup, '61, 62, and '63 they were called Short Decks. But only '62 and '63 used the name Park Ave.
✔Very Interesting
I would've said "Buick's _Sister_ Cadillac..."
not "brother"🤔 Honestly neither are right, neither are wrong imo🤷♂️
True for the biggest Buicks and Cadillacs. But the Chevy, with its 116 inch wheelbase, was still bigger in every dimension (other than being 1" lower) than a "full sized" '57 Bel Air.
I was just going to point the fact that the "Park Avenue" actually started out life as a, of all things, Cadillac nameplate, but you beat me to it! Albeit, prior to 2016 or 2017, I didn't know this fact. And I think that 1963 might have been the debut year of this nameplate. Even if it somehow wasn't, the reason I learned of the existence of the Cadillac Park Avenue, a somewhat obscure and short-lived nameplate/trim-level/model, was because there was a 1963 Cadillac Park Avenue Sedan for sale in my town, and I contacted the owner to inquire about it, and it was he who gave me a short crash course in that name and its history and its origin being with Cadillac.
Loved those cars, absolute luxury we will never see such luxury again.
These Electras were the pinnacle of luxury and style for Buick. Very classy cars.
Thanks, Adam! These 1975 Buick Park Avenues were very rare if memory serves, as they were a mid-year addition and didn't reach large scale production. They were also a very costly option. I remember showing a German friend of mine my new 1978 Buick Regal turbo couple which also had the Limited interior with yards of red crushed velour trim. "It looks like a casket!" he laughed. He was right!
haha oh wow I never thought of it like that but now that you mention it, it really does look like a Casket! 😂
In 1982 my Dad bought at 77 Buick 2 door with just 42000 miles at the local Buick car lot. I don't recall it saying it was an Electra but it said Limited on the rear quarter. It had the 403 Olds? engine and ran strong and smooth. It had black velour interior, auto temp control and all power accessories. My Mom was the main driver and they owned it for close to twenty years. The old man would change the oil and grease it every six months. 90% of the mileage was short in town trips to work grocery store, etc. I changed the starter motor once for him but I don't recall anything else going bad on the car. They finally got a newer car and sold the 77 to a neighbor for $2000. That's a loss of 3500 dollars spread out over 20 years. It was a well built tough old Buick.
Yupp I had a 1996 Park Ave Ultra until totaled Dec 2007, was a terrific car with supercharged V6.The 70s interiors were garish mostly.
My second car was a '73 225 Limited 4-dr hardtop. It was mossy green with white vinyl top and white interior. No velour, but I liked that better. What a fun car. I really like 4-dr hardtops.
Good job Adam thank you
I always liked the comfort of the 70’s luxury car interiors. The velour, (although a bit tacky) was extremely comfortable. Like floating down the road on your living room couch. Even the downsized versions were very comfortable.
My very first brand new car when I was 19 y.o was a 1975 Electra 225 coupe. I bought it myself too, no inheritance, no money from the folks. I paid for it, well took out a car loan actually, and worked two jobs, because I saw it at the dealership up on a ramp facing the road and thought it was beautiful. It was the dark blue with the white landau top, white vinyl interior, blue dash and carpeting. I loved that car and currently looking for a replacement 75/76 now that I'm retired..
No offense but kind of an unusual car for a19 yr old. Were you starting a family?
I was 18 in 75 & went rt for a Trans Am upon joining the military.
I applaud you for your choices and hard work. I have had a lot of different cars from Nissan 370Z to Trans-Am but my favorite car and I still own one now is the 61-63 Lincoln. I bought my first 63 Lincoln in 1975 at 21 years old. Age does not necessarily mean you must drive a certain car. Good luck on your search for another one.
As far as I know, I was the first 18 year old to have a new Monte Carlo in town but you surely got me beat. I financed and paid for mine too..lived like a pauper and had it paid off in a year and a half. Now I'm retired with 3 cars, the newest a 97 Cadillac. Glad I had my new cars when they were worth having and I was young enough to enjoy them but NOT a wise move financially. Advice to the young.. buy old Buicks from old people and drive them till they die. If you ve got to spend a fortune to make yourself automotively happy, but a classic oldie that you love and let it appreciate instead of depreciate.
I love that story! I was the same way as a kid. My dad bought a brand new Ford LTD Landau w/460 in 1977, which I thought was so sweet. I loved that car. He traded it in on a new Trans Am in 1979 during the Smokey Bandit craze. I was soooo bummed. I’m sure I was the only teen that wanted the LTD over a Trans Am but I loved big cars….and still do at 60.
I owned a 76 Talisman. I found the Park Avenue seats to be more comfortable and supportive. Fun fact: Steelcase designed and built the Park Avenue seats.
Not a '75, but my Park Avenue story. I was a mechanic at Tip Top Chevrolet / Buick in Fairbanks, Alaska. A customer had just purchased a brand-new Park Ave and, because it was like 20 degrees below zero out, they delivered it in the Service Lane of the shop. After the salesman showed the new owner all the bells & whistles, the overhead door went up and the proud owner drove off.
About 5 minutes later, the customer returned, on foot, stating that the car died about 8 blocks down the street. The sales rep looked the guy square in the face and said, "You can't expect them to last forever!" We all just fell out laughing and the guy, after a few moments, joined in.
I got the lucky task of figuring out the problem - a defective ignition module - and we had the guy motoring off within an hour.
Hilarious
😂
My step father had a 74 Buick Limited, colored in that blue paint with blue velour interior. It was the largest car I have ever seen. I got to drive it once when I was 17. It felt like captaining an ocean liner.
I would like to add this is a great video, it brought back some good memories
Had a ‘75 Electra 225, one of the best riding and most reliable cars I’ve ever had. Miss it to this day.
Owned a mint 1983 Buick Electra Park Ave and a decent 1984 Buick Electra Park Ave. 1984 was the last year of the big rear wheel drive Electra Park Ave. So comfortable you'd fall asleep in them. Loved my big Park Aves.
Yes I drove an ‘83 as a taxi for several years, it was a sweet ride very smooth. The tiny V8’s were no powerhouse but overall a great driving car
THANK YOU for using metrics in engine size. I always had to pause the video to google how much litres is exactly X cubic inches. Much appreciated!
Purchased my first Buick in 1985; a 1978 Electra 225 sedan. Royal(ish) blue with a powder blue vinyl top and matching velour interior. The car was fully optioned with a full power bench seat, and a speedometer alarm (which was stuck at 52mph) and a factory anti theft alarm which the used car dealer neglected to mention at purchase but I learned about quickly one tipsy morning at 3am... Over assisted power steering, decent brakes, ice cold AC and enough power to get out of its own way. I thought the Buick's fit and finish and brightwork was much better than my friends 1984 Fleetwood. My Buick was a true boulevard cruiser.
I have a lot of affection for the 90's and 00's Park Avenue.
I'm surprised the car didn't have the early ACRS airbag system. Seems like the well optioned Buick, Olds, and Cadillacs were equipped with that option. Having lived through the 70s and the styles in interior décor, fashion and everything else....those interiors are rather tasteful.
Maybe velour pillows on the steering wheel and dash could've served the same purpose :)
ACRS was extremely rare on all 74 to 76 GM full size cars
@@stangslayerws6 There was one example on, I think, Curbside Classics, or something similar. It was a 4 door pillared Impala, or maybe even a Bel Aire. The author thought it might have been a government fleet car.
@Rafael Fiallo They were optional on Buick Electra 225, Cadillacs and Oldsmobile Ninety Eight only.. Optional then, with a very low take rate.. I'm thinking four figures.
@Rafael Fiallo I think air bags were priced at $250 and about a total of 10,000 cars over all years and models were sold.
In Canada I remember the first drive I had in one and after seeing many others through the years I have never seen a Park with the center console.
I prefer the Park Avenue to the Electra Limited because I cannot stand the diamond tuck style of the interior.
These cars & many others through to the late 70's (Parisienne Brougham) in particular had this design & they were superb.
Yes, the Quality of the overall vehicle was not as good as the mid 60's to 1970 cars for all GM's, (my favorites are still the 65 Chevrolet, Pontiac full size) they were a joy to drive
& Had many more options than the predecessor's had to offer.
Many Fords & Chryslers would have most options but lacked the important ones for me.
They typically came with air conditioning & cruise control but would miss out on tilt steering & power seats.
Still love all these cars & the ones you have acquired. Don't know how you find them, but they are awesome & I enjoy the opportunity to enjoy them again.
Excellent video, thank you
My friends parents ordered a 75 park Ave. They trade in was in demand so they gave them a 1970 olds delta to drive while waiting. Being a loaner my friends parents didn't object to us using the olds. I loved it. The park Ave was ok to drive. His parents traded in a 1970 Buick wildcat. With buckets and a console. All they said was they ordered the car and really wished they had driven one before doing so. My friends mom vocally hated the new Buick and she fought to get her old wildcat back with no luck
I admit I have never been a fan of those big boats, but damn I love those velour interiors!
Hi Adam, just watching this video I started to get sleepy---that interior looks softer that my bed......
I had a 79 electra 225 limited and that was a LazyBoy on wheels… in blood red color. Loved that car man
3:04 .... I get✌🏽 TWO ADAMS for price of
☝🏽one!!
🤔That's like 264 IQ points!!
_I love this guy!!(honestly)_
My mother had a 74 Buick Electra limited it was burgundy red with the black top with black interior and I kind of prefer the look of the 74 with the round headlights a little better than the 75 is my grandfather had a 75 it was silver with the white top with the gray interior but the 74 just looked better ours was a two-door non landau top so the back windows roll down the ones with the landau had to fix back window but that was a very comfortable car I always loved it I always liked the back how the backup lights would change colors from red to White when you put it in reverse I always thought that was cool.
I remember seeing plenty of these.
The Park Avenue and the Electra in general,
were a good alternative to the Cadillac and the Lincoln Town Car.
Thanks for another honest and rational review.
I am proud to say I have owned 2 1974 Buick Electra's. They were by far the best, most comfortable most beautiful cars I have ever owned. The '74 had a much better look and layout then the revamped '75.
Adam, that was a great beginning in talks about the Electra Park Avenue! I really enjoyed it!!! My 1990 Electra Park Avenue will be delivered tomorrow I’m so excited even though she’s going to need some work here and there… hope you can follow up more of the Park Avenue line and show us your 85-90 C-Body Electra Park Avenue!!! I think you mentioned you had one still? I’m such a big fan of them!! And a big fan of yours, Adam!
Thanks again for an informative segment!!! And for reigniting my love of these great old cars!!!
Jeff 😊
So, did you get your Buick today?
I had a 78 Regal with the pillow velour interior. Oneof my favorite cars I ever owned.
I have always loved that style of Buick Electras. I still want one. 😏
I had 74 electra 2 Dr in early 90s for couple of years nice car
Years ago my next-door neighbor had a 76 electric 225 it was white with a maroonish red interior who is a beautiful car I used to clean it up and watch it for a couple two or three times a year having a lot of car wax believe me I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre and I love that car I bought it for 2400 bucks with 94,000 miles on it a couple of years ago and I’m not afraid to go nowhere in the car I went home to West Virginia last weekend it and you talking about a nice ride
My father had a light blue 75 Electra Limited with blue corduroy velour seats. It was a beautiful car.
I love the look of these 70s cars how I miss them today especially the Buick Electra the Buick lesabre of the 70s they were great cars back then in my opinion
My first car was a 1974 Olds 98 Regency Brougham. I was 6 foot 2. Could lay down in the back seat head and feet did not touch the doors. That was Luxury. Miss that car so much. I’m now 70 years old
I owned a 1976 Buick Electra 225 Limited (not Park Avenue) from new for several years. I have really fond memories of that car, although by the end, it was a maintenance nightmare ($$$). It was the 4 door hardtop. I don’t especially recall the “jiggles” as being that much of a problem. I think the 455-4V made for a decent driving experience, but you wouldn’t win any races with it. Thanks for your great reviews of all these old beauties.
For the very reason that this car is so similar to the talisman, it is almost interchangeable with the talisman on my dream car list. Those seats look SO comfortable. I certainly joke I have to opportunity to snag one of these in good shape some day. That center console is pretty neat too, looks like a nice place to rest my right knee while cruise control is engaged.
I had a 1975 Electra 225 not a Park Avenue. It was baby blue with black leather interior and black vinyl top. Great car, the only problem I had was a blown fusible link at the starter. It was my daily driver for a few years.
I drove the 75 coupe that was 2 years old, and a 76 limited that was 2 years old both were very nice.
Thank You Adam they are beautiful
My Dad wanted “the last of the big ones” Cadillac in fall of 1976. There were 4 new ones left in all of Toronto. He chose a brown Sedan de Ville D’Elegance. The D’Elegance package was the loose pillow, corduroy like velour. The greenhouse and probably 90% of the mechanicals were identical to the Electra with the main exception being the Caddy 500 cubic inch motor vs the Buick 455. It was awesomely over the top! Build quality was garbage, but everything always worked for over 200K miles. Rust was a big factor on salty Canadian roads. I learned to drive and parallel park in that car and never really considered it a big car relative to what was on the road at the time. As a dutiful 16 year old I researched exactly how fast it was or wasn’t, how underwhelming the brakes were, how many friends fit in it, how big the back seat was and how well it could do brake-stands and burn-outs (not bad actually, as long as you let the torque really build some wheel speed). Loved that car and would love to find a good one now.
Have ALWAYS loved these Beautiful Big Buicks, consider having one off and on but torn between the 75 Park Avenue and the 75 98 Regency sedans! Currently have a 76 Bonneville sedan triple black and cant stress enough how impressed I am with it. The General did a great job with the 71-76 B-Body cars! Thanks for posting👍👍
Back when cars looked good.
I do like the rectangular lights on these. That dark green 4 door was particularly nice.
Adam ,
My Dad had a 74 Buick Electra 225 Custom that I took such care of that he surprised me and let me pick out his 76. I choose the Electra Limited in Independence Red with the cloth interior. The dealer didn’t have a park avenue model in stock with the bucket seat so I was out of luck. I think if he did my Dad would have made me take it back because it was over the top.
Hey Adam, We have chatted before. Funny all your engine photos show the cowl to fender support bars that were no longer used on Electra in 75 or 76. Anyways, was wondering if you ever thought about showcasing the clamshell wagon version of these cars. I recently purchased a like new 1976 Buick Estate Wagon. It is a all original freak of nature good condition car. Keep up the good work!
Yes, Adam needs more wagons on this channel. We had a 73 Chevy Caprice Estate.
1975 was the peak of outrageous interiors of Buick. My lesabre also from 75 has a interior with baroc style upholstery. In 76 that option was gone.
I knew someone who had an Oldsmobile with the velour interior treatment (though not as, um, over-the-top as your examples) ... and I remember thinking "oooohhhhh, this is so sooooffffftttt."
I was young, what can I say.
My absolute favorite car!
Olds Cutlass orange and brown striped interior is another wild one.
My parents had a 1972 Electra 225, mossy green vinyl on a buttery cream paint with cream pleather interior. That car was a dream, floated like a cloud BUT the drawback....its ran hot quite often. Mom always kept cans of water, tools and the water hoses to make the repair....as I type this, I can think of 3 times when I was a passenger that we had to stop and make repairs...it was the top hose, an easy fix BUT still very inconvenient. Still a very sweet car that I would LOVE to be able to drive again. She traded it in on a 1977 Limited Landau, silver on silver with an ice blue interior. Never liked that car, both the exterior and the way it handled.
Beautiful car, so as the Talisman.
I liked how you went into the details Adam. This was interesting to see with these images. I liked the information you shared. Now we know the history of the Park Avenue. It is kind like what Lincoln did with the Continental Town Car naming scheme. I remember the Fleetwood you spoke about and I this model which started out as a trim level then became its own model. The last big Buick sedan was the Roadmaster. It was not as long as this Buick, but it was big as well. Thank you for sharing as always Adam.
Beautiful.
The perfect car - I have always wanted one.
Buick’s are good cars, I drove Oldsmobile 98 Regency with that same interior and it was absolute comfort on a trip..
Buick also borrowed/shared unqiue interior trim with Cadillac with the 1989 Park Avenue Ultra with an interior trim similar to and designed by the same Italian designer. The Buick had a touch screen that popped up from between the front seats and controlled the 20-way power seats. The Cadillac version was the Sixty Special.
I have a 78 2 door Park Avenue. I love it. However, the interior is ridiculous. All 70s swank.
I love your channel, it's endlessly fascinating.
My Sunday school teacher had a '75 or '76 Electra in an unusual blue color, although the interior looks the same. I too love the luxury cars. 1976 being my favorite year of all. It seems all the auto makers hit the mark in design in 1976 (except the Lincoln Town Car I prefer '77). My boss had a '76 Olds 98 and I inherited grandma's '76 Caprice Classic in 1986. I bought a '76 Mark IV in 2001 on a gold on gold/cream.
GM should have branded its seat fabric like Chrysler did with its rich Corinthian leather: Sink into acres of plush Sybarite velour!
Love the 1970s luxury saloon interiors.
The Gold on Cream 76 is gorgeous!
our family car was a 1976 Electra 225 / black , white leather inside. power windows only. no cruise , no nothing. a beast to drive
I remember these cars well. They seemed quite popular down here in the south. I remember looking at that plush interior and it always looked like it would get really hot inside that car if the a/c ever failed on a hot humid day. Nice design though as always with the big Buicks.
My dad had an '81, and the interior looked very similar to this. Velour everywhere and the seats were pillows on top of pillows. His was a darker blue than this.
Huge road cars from when Buick was still Buick.
With the advent of super efficient battery electric drives…
Don’t be surprised to see giant boats to once again arise in the future.
Next time around…it’ll be called the Buick “Electric-Tra”
I would sure love that! These modern cars are awful in so many ways!
Oh yeah! These big full-sized cars would be perfect for an electric conversion.
I had the 1984 park avenue triple pillow leather the most comfortable interior in any car in my opinion so comfortable the velour was even softer
I've driven these Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs with this spuer luxury interior, very, very comfortable, far more than any modern car!
My dad bought a white 76 with red interior in the late 80's. That car was crazy big, I used to joke that it took 10 miles to get to highway speed. It drifted like a boat over road imperfections. My sister was banned from driving it cuz she kept hitting the side and back of the garage pulling it in.
I really love the coupes, made the sporty well played in the '70s
I remember they had the most luxurious interiors of any car back then even to this day nothing compares with the 70's cars.