Another week, another vintage domestic land yacht. I spotted this one last week on Marketplace, for the very reasonable ask of five grand.
I’m sure it’s no secret I love these 1977-79 GM C-bodies, from Brougham d’Elegance to Ninety-Eight LS to this Electra Park Avenue. It seems like 90% of these, no matter the make or model, had the optional wire wheel covers, but I really love the standard wheel discs on this one.
And that interior! When luxury was luxury. No Burgerkingring lateral G’s, no skidpad numbers on par with a Corvette, just cosseting luxury, plush seats and a smooth ride. Back then Buick wasn’t trying to make a Lexus. Heck, there was no Lexus, not then. And other than the home-market only Toyota Century (admittedly a cool set of wheels), which was beaucoup bucks, the flossiest thing in Toyota U.S. showrooms was the Cressida sedan and woody wagon, with its Mini-Me Cordoba schnozz.
And Buick City was still going full tilt in Flint, cranking out luxocruisers like this one in a wide variety of colors, trim levels, options and body styles-though as of 1977 two- and four-door pillarless hardtops were no more.
Sure, there’s no infotainment, and no Electro-Motive motivation, just a tough and reliable gas-sucking V8. But you’d ride in style!
The Park Avenue was the top Buick sedan, above the base Electra 225 and mid-tier Electra Limited. Technically the Park Avenue was a fancy trim package for the Limited, explaining this car’s Park Avenue sail panel emblems and Limited emblems on the quarter panels. This one even has the optional AM/FM stereo with CB! Not one to press into daily driver service though, especially with how well preserved this survivor is, but a great Sunday cruiser, for those so inclined…