1976 Buick Electra Limited 455 V8

I found the dash on my 72 fairly easy to take off . Mind you I was replacing the heater core at the time so if you’ve ever done one you’ll know the dash removal is easy in comparison to the heater core

 

The dash removal is pretty straight forward in these cars, it is just a pain in the a$$. I was never able to figure out pulling the speedometer housing though. The housing is huge in these cars. The air cleaner housing on the Volo car is correct for 1976. The 1975 Electra's were the only cars I have ever seen with the "cold air intake hose" not sure why they would do it for 1975 only but as far as I know that's the only year of that on the 455. As for the missing spare tire cover other options on the Volo car, it was simply the most highly optioned Limited I have personally seen that was not a Park Avenue. The ugly steering wheel on the airbag cars alone have been a deal breaker for me for that option. Your car collection sounds amazing! I would love to see more of them all!!

 

I find it strange that the Volo car is missing under insulation??
and true I don't like the airbag steering wheel either. Were there any issues with early airbags?

 

I agree but I have seen some with the insulation and some without. I replaced mine with die cut original casting insulation. Even so, it gets dirty very quick and cars that have been in storage often have evidence of rodent nesting hiding under the hood insulation. I have never heard of issues with the Buick airbags but here is a original Buick promo video for their airbag option

 

We had family friends that had a 3 day old 74 Caddy with the airbag system that on their way home from a party a drunk driver hit them, they both walked away from the crash and the other driver in a 71 Mercury Marquis was killed. Police at the time as well as reports in the newspaper lauded the airbag system as having saved their lives.

 

Wow that is eerie..Sad about the other driver...
Stangs, didn't realize also that there was a drivers side at that time..When I mentioned issue's I was thinking as it was early electronic's and new in general that there could of been premature airbag deployment while just driving or just by maby hitting a bump?

Edit: just re saw the video and kinda shocking that it seems it was not important to use the seatbelts with the the airbags?? Starting at around 8:00 minutes in a man says thats actually the best thing about it..Not needing to buckle up all the time and hear the annoying seatbelt warning ring..They were on the right track but still

 

The airbag cars still had the lap belt just not the shoulder belt. I will have to rewatch the video to see what you are speaking of.

 

I think they thought it’d be easier to sell bags than get people to buckle up. ‘Seat belts?! That’s crazy talk. Next thing we know, you’ll want us to drive sober and quit smoking! Ha ha!’
Patrick

 

HAHA, Im pretty sure GM was pro smoking back then, Every door has its own built-in ashtray and lighters lol. All those ashtrays and not a single cup holder, guess I will just have to hold onto my Scotch hahaha

 

Does your 76 have the 6 ashtrays and 4 lighters like my 74 had??
Remember the Classic Caddy's that came with the full bar setup in the front glove box, glasses, bottles and all!

 

Ah yes, the good old days!

 

and be texting with your other hand

 

Like Bumper guards! Lol

 

Beautiful car. My dad had a 72 when I was a kid. Always loved the lines of the big Buicks - better than the Caddys and Oldsmobiles of the era. Your car and the amazing work you have done on it give me the itch for a land yacht! So well done.

 

Thanks for the heads up..