Hi, everyone! This is my '71 LeSabre, Betty (and her stall, which my car show friends have dubbed the Garagemahal because of all the service station swag inside). I've had her since 1988, having been given to me by my grandfather when I got my license and needed a car. He in turn bought her from a certain 2nd Circuit Court Judge John Keefe, who bought her new for his wife in June of '71 (all dealer paperwork as well as manual still in the glove box). So, I'm her third owner. The name comes from my high school days, when two of my pals also had early-'70s cars, Ford LTDs that they named Bessie and Betsy. If we parked together we'd probably take up half the student lot. I've had Betty under restoration for years, but with the rise of the Internet and the sites like this one (not mention having a larger budget), I'm hoping that I can really make things start to happen (birth of our first son 9.5 months ago notwithstanding). So, if anyone knows somewhere or someone I can get parts from, could you please help a brotha out?
Nice! (And I like the garage swag). Congrats on the little one, wife and I had our first about 6 months ago. I can't hardly find the time to pull mine out of the garage these days with the little. Doing a full resto on top sounds tiring! Haha. Good luck, and start a build thread so we can follow along.
Welcome aboard from NY. Best way to find parts is to post in the parts wanted section for what you need. Fred
It's an interesting example to show just how basic a full sized Buick could be bought, Not sure how the interior is equipped but the only options outside are vinyl roof, whitewalls, and it appears to be a remote mirror. The body side molding is aftermarket. Not sure if the front fenders have been replaced but it appears that it may be the factory body side moldings on the front fenders but missing the length of the car. Unique car indeed
Heh - I know, right?! Course, weather's been playing a hand in my keeping my mighty mare in her stall, too. I don't take her out in extreme heat/sun or rain, and so far this summer it's either been broiling hot, or raining. Thanks and congrats on your little one as well! If you're like our house, your wife has her baby in the crib and you have yours in the garage. Betty's been under resto for so many years (due to the fact that resto money is always the first thing that gets cut from budget) that progress is glacial. But I'll get her done eventually. She's in the family now.
Thanks so much! You must be in law enforcement, or just have a insane eye for detail! She is just a lowly base model and without any power features, but she does have A/C and an AM radio (or did until I foolishly replaced it). WRT her externals, the original mirror was just a plain Jane model. But when I got sideswiped and ordered a manual replacement, I was shipped a remote. I guess it was supposed to be an upgrade? At any rate, in the decade or so since I installed it, with all the classic car guys who've seen my car, you are THE FIRST AND ONLY ONE who's noticed an upgrade mirror on a base model car! Regarding the front, that is a replacement clip. When I was 16 and soon after I got a license I hit a pole on the passenger side. Nothing much, but it did bent the fender, hood, bumper and grille. When I finally got replacement pieces and had them put on, I added the paint (original color was teal) and later still the molding to match the rest of the car (thus the molding on the fenders is new; the molding the rest of the way back is dealer-installed original). It's all only temporary-permanent to make the car look good until I have the financing to have everything professionally painted and molded. And when I do, I want to keep the original sweeping, full-length molding as I love the way it accentuates her sidespear lines.
Thanks! I started collecting over 15 years ago and finally had to stop when our little Joey came along. Only thing I really would love to get but probably never will is a vintage gas pump. I should prolly take some pics and post 'em...
Thanks for the props, guys! And thanks for the tip on parts. Guess I'll hit the needed parts thread next.