1961 Buick LeSabre
Estate Wagon Donor
Deep in the heart of Texas there was a very tired 1961 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon. I should say, used to be, as it is now on a transport truck headed for my shop in Maine. This long lost sister wagon to my own was last on the road back in 1979, but as it is complete, and 1961 Wagon parts are so hard to find, a parts car is nearly a must. For you 1961 Buick 4 door freaks you can see there was a red 4 door sitting right next to it at this salvage yard.
She isn't pretty, but she is complete, so there will be a lot fewer things to worry about in case of that one odd ball part, that no one has, breaking on my own wagon. If you look close you can see the 1979 Texas registration. I always wondered what I would do if I broke the back glass, or a tail light lens on my wagon. At least now I have some options.
The interior is typical parts car ratty, but small items abound in there. This wagon has more options than my own. It has the performance engine, power windows, clock, AC, roof rack, etc. Some of those items may end up on my own wagon in the future. Yes, you may say, "Not original!" but in my opinion as long as it was a factory part that was offered on a LeSabre in 1961, it is fair game. I'm not selling the car anyway, it is part of my family.
Here is a close up of the dash. Not too bad for a parts car really. It isn't great, but I sure have seen a lot worse (and for more money too). For those of you that don't know 1961 Buicks, check out the speedo. That isn't the gauge, you are looking at a reflection in a mirror. The gauge is actually printed backwards facing up. You can adjust the mirror angle so that you can see the gauges correctly depending on your seating position.
The factory roof rack is pretty cool, not big on the two tone though. I think the all over fawn color looks better, but I am bias. Not bad in my opinion for a parts car, and it just so happens to be the same color. It was fate, I had to snap it up. Barnes Auto Transport will be dropping it off at ECR shortly.
So now if you visit the largest Land Rover custom shop in the USA and you wonder why there is a 1961 Buick wagon tucked in and amongst all the Land Rovers, you'll know why.
ECR.
21 Tolman Road
Warren, ME 04864
207-594-8086
fax: 207-594-8120
email: ecrover@midcoast.com