1959 Buick Electra 225 Convertible

Gone were the traditional model names: Limited, Roadmaster, Century, Super, Special. Long gone were heritage hallmarks like tooth-comb grilles and VentiPorts, those little faux portholes created by stylist Ned Nickles. Buick was reinventing itself.

Actually, all GM cars were new for 1959, a response to Chrysler’s radical finned 1957 line. But Buicks, with their diagonally-swept fins, were newest of all. The over-the-top ornamentation of 1958 was tossed away, replaced by tasteful, almost understated accents.

The sole concession to 1958’s gaudiness was a downplayed version of that year’s diamond-tooth grille. Now there were four Buicks with three names on two wheelbases. At the entry level was LeSabre, on a 123-inch chassis.

Invicta shared its wheelbase, but had a larger engine. Electra took the larger engine and put in on a 126. 3-inch chassis, while the Electra 225 - named for its overall length in inches – added overhang to claim top status.

Engines, however, were not so new. The LeSabre used a 364 cubic inch version of Buick’s traditional “nailhead” ohv V8. The upper three lines had a new 401 cubic inch engine, which was the 364 with a little boring and stroking.

Brakes, too, were upgraded, the fronts fitted with aluminum drums. While most agreed the new Buicks were handsome, sales proved disappointing. Buick deliveries actually fell by comparison to recession-torn 1958, in a year in which the industry as a whole was recovering.

The styling was updated for 1960, becoming fussier and more intricate, but while sales improved the purity had been lost. The 1959 Buicks remain some of the most attractive cars from that era. Most Buick convertibles in 1959 were LeSabres – more than 10,000 were sold.

One of only 5,493 Electra 225 droptops, this car was assembled in Kansas City and is subtly two-toned in Wedgewood Blue over Arctic White. A well presented car, its paint is in good restored order, while the interior seems to be the original and is in exceptionally good order, only the tonneau cover shows some age/staining. The top mechanism is fully operational, though we noted that the passenger front window was not working when a Bonhams specialist inspected the car.

When road tested the car started promptly and performed well on the road. A great looking example of this now rare model.