1976 Buick Electra Limited 455 V8

Thanks Keith . That’s just my luck haha . Was just getting ready to go and complain at the dealership

 

Once you have a car with ‘lamp monitors’ you’ll miss them forever! I’ve had two Cadillacs with them and it’s just a cool feature.
Patrick

 

Beautiful car. Really outstanding. I love those final big boats....

 

Now hear me out everyone
I wouldn't see much drilling to add it to your 72 if you could find one. Wondering what cars would be the best donor's as for fit? My cousins 71 coupe deville had it in the rear for example.
Only drilling I see would be most likely hidden down bellow on each corner and behind the window molding?

 

Wow, I learned something today! Apparently I have only been in newer than 1972s all my life. LOL Thanks!

 

yea seems fairly easy . I have no idea what the bracket looks like but could come up with something that makes it work and look factory .

 

It looks just a molding connect junction and just a little bit thicker as far as I remember. I would think looking for a parted out Caddie, a little newer Electra, a Olds 98 instead of fabricating your own?
The Caddie's seem to come with it alot more or was even standard equipment at some point?

 

good idea . guess ill have to modify the wiring also seeing as it dint come equipped with one

 

First GM to use the rear monitor was the Eldo in 71 or 72, regular Caddy's came later

 

My question, is the rear lamp monitor fiber optic like the front or electric, if electric it would be a pretty simple addition, if fiber optic, then not near so easy as you would need the proper fitting and placement into the tail light lens. If you have ever seen the little nipple that sticks out the back of a of a headlight, that is for the fiber optic to pick up light from the headlight. You would have to drill your rear lens etc for optics

 

I'm pretty sure it's a fiber optic. Something to think of though on the rear tail light sockets?
I remember looking at my 84 Lesabre and a friends 81 Cutlass Supreme years back which didn't have this option, but it still had the headlight sockets with the hole where the fiber line would snap in behind the nipple. I'm guessing the sockets were universal by then but can't say for 72. I don't remember about the turn signals with a universal hole in them??
Magic, I would look at the front turn signal setup and see if the back of the tail lights have any signs of a hole for the optics.

Stang, i'm sending you a couple drill bits to start the drilling

 

I'll be checking out my lights later for sure

 

You need to check your sockets for a hole for fiber optics, being Eldo was the only GM car that offered the rear option in 72 I doubt the bean counters put the new sockets in all other cars. There would be no reason for the housings or taillights to have holes installed being that it was not an option.

 

Somehow I missed this post.
How cool!

 

Here is a very sweet looking 1973 Hardtop.

 

Even though I bought the 1976 4 door hardtop this was actually my secret desire. I LOVE the 1971 to 1976 Buick Estate Wagons. I am also attaching a video of the trick tailgate. LOVE these cars!

 

WOW! That's badazz!

Thanks, now I want one of those cars too!! Like I need another car!

 

That is a nice clean 73..Did you see the comment on how one guys parents 73 had the fender monitor's and on the rear window, so it looks likes 73 was the first year of both..
I think the Estate Wagon's had the Lesabre's 123" wheel base, am I wrong? What a great parts runner this Estate Wagon would be.

 

I personally don't remember the light monitors for the front and rear being separate options. I have never seen one with only the fronts. Every one I have seen had both front and rear light monitors.

 

The 1971 to 1976 Buick Estate Wagons had the same 127" wheel base as the Electra's. However, they used a leaf spring rear suspension as opposed to the Electra coil spring setup. They also shared the Electra's grill and 4 portholes on the side up until 1974. The 1975 & 1976 Estate wagons used the Lesabre's grill and 3 port hole design elements. Additionally, the Estate Wagons had the Lesabre steering wheel, door panels & seat trim.