How do I determine how many '65 Electras were built with the dual quad engine? - I have recently purchased one of these but I cannot locate a chart on production numbers for this engine installed in the Electra models - THANKS in advance for HELP!
You could contact the Sloan Museum in Flint, Mich. Buick kept production records on the number of cars built with the various options....those are called 'Daily Car Reports'. They may or may not have records for 1964...they do have 65 and 66.
617 for all series 8000 _14 8237 (2 Door) _13 8239 (4-Door Hardtop) _16 8269 (4-Door Sedan) _91 8437 (2-Door Custom) 314__ 8439 (4-Door Custom Hardtop) 123__ 8467 Convertibles _46__8469 (4-door Custom Sedan) (from Daily Car Report, Buick Motor Division, 08-24-65, pp 230-269, courtesy of the Sloan Museum, Flint, MI) Whatcha got? A dual quad electra is awesome. If the right one came along I would be all over it. :TU:
THANKS for the help on the production numbers! - my Electra is a 225 convertible - I thought it might be rare when I purchased it from an estate about a year ago - it came to me with the original factory black exterior paint, factory black roof and red vinyl bench seat interior - total original miles around 30K - the pot metal chrome was badly pitted so it must have lived next to an ocean for a spell - I was able to find NOS body side chrome and some decent tail lamp assemblies - the top must have been down for years as it was wrinkled, but after sitting in the sun for a spell mostly straightened out - I did have it repainted as there was some paint cracking on the hood and trunk lid - I do have the original window sticker and owner's books so its a real dual quad Electra convertible - the driveline was pulled and the engine compartment detailed - the interior is like new so it needed no restoration at all - I plan on driving it during the summer months - I will post pictures when I get some decent ones in the spring - CHEERS! - Chuck in South Dakota
Sounds like a nice one Chuck how about some pictures. Also what part of SD are you in? My wife is from SD so we get back there every couple of years. Bob H.
Two questions: Dan, you mentioned that '64 stats were interesting. How many Super Wildcat 4 speed cars were built? Especially converts. Also, were there any full size 4 speed cars in '65? I know Olds built them. I almost bought one once. Dumb decision not too. Oh well.
Almost forgot. The 2x4 in my T bucket came out of a '65 Electra 4 door. Can't remember if it was a custom or not. I think it was a std hardtop, but that was 1977. Paid $135 for the car, got a free fitted block (another story). It was used and abused with lots of miles but the crank was standard and didn't change it. Could have used the block too if I had too. Still going strong.
Tom, 53 2x4 4-speed Wildcat convertibles in 64, 114 coupes, 7 four doors, and 2 wagons. No Electras or other big cars that I know of - the 4-speed was not available in the Electra, LeSabre, or Riviera, only in the Wildcat and the full-size wagons. Yes, Buick made Wildcat 4-speeds in 65, also, and that was it in the full-size lineup. In fact, the stick shifter in my avatar is in a 65 Wildcat Custom Coupe. Should have bought that Olds, what a cool car! Matt
Hi guys-good info there. It seems Pontiac put lots more 3 and 4 speeds in their big cars-probably 5+%...and lots with tripower. I almost bought a '65 Cat Ventura 4 spd in Brainerd a few years ago, but no title as there was a squable between past owners, so no go
Through 1965, Pontiac put a lot of sticks behind their cars, but it depends on the model - for example, you can expect a lot less on Bonnevilles. Starting in 1966, they were being ordered less and less (presumably because the mid-sized cars took the performance helm). They seem to be pretty rare by 1967, and by 1969, most of them seem to have been bottom-of-the-line 3-speeds with very few 4-speeds. If you want some numbers, I could look them up. I have some Buick numbers too, but I know they're misplaced. I may have some in my computer, though, for both stick and 2x4 cars, so if anyone has any questions, please be specific. Lots of stuff I got from lurking here.
How cool would one of those 4 speed wagons be? I answered an ad for the 4 speed Olds 88 in 1968. Went to look at the car. It was a light metallic blue, fresh paint and mottled beyond belief. Just a lousy paint job. I never even rang the doorbell. Just drove away. I know where there is an unreal nice 4 speed convert, not 2x4, owned by a little old lady - NOT FOR SALE. Oh well.
