Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick LeSabre T-Type

 Continuing our 1980's theme set by yesterday's post, tonight we'll look at another 1980s "icon". Okay, so it isn't quite an icon, but these cars do have a (limited) following. Launched in 1987 and remaining in production through the1989 model year, these cars were, like the Grand National LeSabre (yes, you read that right), a limited edition. 

Unlike the Grand National Lesabre, the T-Type did not have a rear opera window, and it came in colors other than black. Like the rear-drive Grand National, and its front-drive namesakes, these T-Types were also motivated by a 3.8L V6, unfortunately without any sort of forced induction. All is well, however, because even without being "fast", these were arguably the best looking H-Bodies.

1987 cars were the only ones to receive black and gray interior trim, and this example features black and gray interior trim, making this particular car a 1987 exactly.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these in white, and certainly not this nice. The only other ones I've seen have been maroon, and one of those I'm now certain was a clone.  On the surface, this example seems seriously well-kept, especially given the climate it lives in. I've also never seen this particular car in the same spot, so I'm certain this one is a daily driver.

The paint is very nicely kept, though as with all cars of this vintage, the plating on the badges and has flaked, and the grille has been pitted; as a daily driver, those two facts are not surprising.  Another thing I notice about this  example is the (probably recent) wheel swap; honestly, in this case, its for the better. The stock wheels aren't the most elegant examples, but being a 1980s GM product, what else do you expect? I feel that these American Racing generic specials suit the T-Type far better than the stockers do, and thankfully the owner agrees.

Does the owner know what he drives? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it's cool to see a rare vehicle that isn't locked in some old fart's garage. I can only hope that while it does get driven, it also gets regularly taken care of. I certainly don't want this rare LeSabre to fall victim to the ever-so-destructive tin-worm.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick LeSabre Custom 455

Buicks are classy cars; cars like this LeSabre make that evident. Minimal chrome, an minimal vynil trim make this big GM stand out from other cars of the era; add six passenger capacity (with front bench seats) and a big stonking V8, and you've got a cruiser.

While most people would associate the 455 mill with loads and loads of power, when fitted into the LeSabre, the 455 had only 250 horses; loads of torque was standard, though, but that didn't shave any time of the big boat's leisurely performance. Motor Trend's road test of the car yielded a 0-60 sprint of 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 121 miles per hour. Okay, so the big Buick wasn't meant to be fast; but it still looks odd with the 455 logo on the front fenders.

I would wager that these sedans are going to be more popular as they get older for two reasons; not many have survived the demolition derby phase, and the ones that have survived are likely in very good condition (as this one here is) ; while Rallye wheels were extremely popular on the LeSabre, the ones I've seen have had full-face metal hubcaps, and arguably, the hubcaps suit the nature of the car better; Rallye wheels suggest a muscle car, and despite having a mother of an engine, performance suggests otherwise.

I have loved 1970s GM cars for quite some time, and this fullsize Buick is no different; granted, I think it looks better as a Centurion convertible, but still. The lines look great, and despite me not being a sucker for four-door sedans, I quite like this.

It's got enough dirt on it render it a daily driver, but it doesn't really show its age very well--and that's a very good thing. Does this car look like its forty years old? No, it does not.While I will acknowledge the missing trim, this LeSabre looks like something that could pass as an extra in the movie "Used Cars". Waitaminute...

I really like this bodystyle, and again, while I don't like four-doors, I am happy I shot this one; I've never seen a well-kept four-door Buick of this era, and I've certainly never seen one with all the stock badges and hubcaps in place. Well-spotted and well shot, I say.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick Dynaflow Roadmaster

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick Skylark

Yesterday, I brought readers one of my favorite Oldsmobiles; today, I give readers the pleasure of viewing one of my favorite Buick models of all time; the Skylark--particularly this generation. I don't really like the 1968 or 1969 cars that much for the same reasons I don't like the same year Pontiac LeMans, Tempest, or GTO, and Chevrolet's Malibu and Chevelle. Likewise the Oldsmobile Cutlass. It's not often I see a car multiple times without shooting it, but that's the case here. I see this clean Skylark numerous times per day, and all days of the week; it's owned by someone who works at a food shop, and its used as their delivery vehicle. Not many older cars are used as a daily driver here in the rustbelt, and even less of those vehicles are in outstanding shape as this good ole' Buick Skylark is.
















Upon first notice, this classic A-Body looks pretty good; no bling, no evidence of bondo,and certainly the paint color is normal for once. Riding on Buick Rallyes, this 'lark fits my mental picture of what a Buick from this era is supposed to look like. In the early 1980s, this would have been an ideal "used car", but today this car can pass for a "summer car", especially in our area.
As a casual observer to these cars, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but one car buff on a site a frequent commented on the presence of Buick GS bits on a non-GS. Okay, so I likely wouldn't have known unless I was told so; I suppose that means the bits (the hood and steering wheel) fit quite well here. And I agree. While this is no show car, this Skylark has presence on the road. It's less common than its Chevrolet Chevelle counterpart, and its less likely to be preserved even further down the road.
To that, I give kudos to the owner for preserving (and cherishing) such a unique vehicle. I have long liked these, and it's great to see one that isn't either cut up and made into a donk, or transformed into a trailer-queen show car that never gets driven. I'm glad this isn't a high-spec GS, or GSX; normally, I'd prefer the nicer version of said "muscle cars", but sometimes a base model is okay too.
I still have fun spotting this car, even if the owner doesn't really get why I like his vehicle; oh well. Not everyone is a car enthusiast just because they have a nice/noteworthy vehicle.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Buick Le Sabre

Cars of the 1960s are a growing fascination of mine. I'll be honest, though; aside from Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes and other common cars, I know very little about 1960s-era vehicles. I'm slowly learning, though, because each time I find a new example a car from this era, it intrigues me.
The Buick LeSabre is a vehicle I am familiar with, not because I necessarily know a whole lot about the car itself, but it seems to be the most common Buick nameplate in Minnesota besides the new cars; every day, I encounter various post-1985 models in all sorts of condition, decaying pristine. Never ever have I seen one that was a pre-1970s model parked on the street--until now.














From what I can gather, this is a 1965 car judging by the front grillework and the rear fascia; from the front and rear ends, it looks amazing; the interior, too, looks to be in incredible shape. The fascias are mar-free, and the chrome is excellent. Inside, this classy Buick stays true to its heritage; minimal trim, and material abound adorn this proud classic. If I only saw the bottom picture, I'd assume it was taken almost forty years ago; not two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, all cars have flaws--that what gives them character, and this Le Sabre is no different. Gladly, though, this example has minimal rust, and its in the usual places. It almost seem like with a new pair of front fenders, this Buick would be ready to take its owner to church again without hassle.
I hardly ever see vehicles this old in my state, and when I do, they're often donked. Thankfully, this Buick has lived over forty-five years of unmodified history, but with a for sale sign placed in the windows, that might change. I sure hope it doesn't; I quite liked this finding, and its surely not an easy one.