Bought a 1968 LeSabre based on pictures alone due to distance. Now from enhancing one of the pictures I see that the water pump is off. Hopefully this isn't a sign of bigger issues to come. Here are a couple of pics.
Cool! Thanks. Looks like a previous owner swapped out the 400ci engine for a 350. Not disappointed over that. Funny thing is, I paid about as much as the 1968 price.
Ah, thank you for the info. I don't know the the big Buicks as well as the A bodies (obviously), but yes it has the 400 badge on it.
"That's to point out that the car came with the optional TH-400 transmission, not the 400 CI engine." I never heard of a 400 badge used as the transmission designation. T400 transmissions were never offered with a small block.
'68 LeSabre 400 was indeed a small block 350 in front of the 400 transmission. Marketed towards the heavy duty (towing) customers. 400 badging? Yup. See the word "marketed" above. Devon
He is correct the 400 package gives the Th-400 trans and yes they came with a 350. It would still be a 400 optioned car even if it was ordered with a 400 or 430.
But you couldn't order a LeSabre with a 400 or 430 big block. Small block only, which is a bit troublesome for LeSabre owners who want to do a big block transplant. The LeSabre was 3" shorter than Wildcat/Electra cousins, and it's all in front of the firewall making less room for a bigger engine. Devon
It still has the tri shield badge on the front bumper. That in itself could be worth the price of the car.
O'k, I be removing foot from mouth, again. I never knew that. I learned something new on this site, again. I walked past many LeSabres in bone yards back in the day never realizing there could have been some usable goodies for the A-body.
No worries, that marketing strategy has had people scratching their heads in dismay for decades! Devon
I thought only the Electra was longer. Marketed as 225". I'm quite sure my 69 Wildcat is the same as a Lesabre.
Overall length is one thing...you're correct that the 225 moniker is inches. Wheelbase is a different story. LeSabre's 3" shorter, and the difference is all up front. In other words, fenders and hood are shorter than Wildcat and Electra. The wheelbase, too. Front and rear tires are 3" closer together. Here's a snip from the 1968 chassis manual: Devon
I know the ‘67 and ‘68 are years where the front clip was shorter on the LeSabre compared to the Electra and Wildcat. It was pretty clever; Buick was able to build three cars with two sets of body stampings. The Wilcat was essentially ‘free’; it was the Electra front clip (with different trim) and the LeSabre cabin on the Electra frame and drivetrain. Patrick
So in 69 and 70 they thought it would be more cost effective to just extend the rear quarter on the Electra to get about 225"?
Not sure about that, I'd have to have a look at the '69 and '70 chassis manuals. GM has the week off, so I do too. Will have a look! It's fun to find out about this stuff. Devon
Wow. I thought the LeSabre and Wildcat exteriors were the same except for grille, badging etc. Body panels at very least. Table shows different width and wheelbase between the two. Interesting. I used a LeSabre fender and hood on my wildcat.
In 70 you could get LeSabre 4 door with 455. I had one a real sleeper. Ran 14s...played with a few Mustangs in the early 90s until I pulled motor to put in a Skylark.