S.E. WI Newb with 1975 Le Sabre 455 Convertible

Hello all
My name is Al.

Just purchased my Le Sabre. Very happy with it. It was a one owner car. Purchased new by previous owner. I purchased it a couple weeks ago from a dealer who had the car consigned. Drove it 5 hours home right after purchase. Made the trip just fine.

I've been getting to know the car. Driving it a bit each day. Making a list of what needs attention. For the first time ever for me. I am going to keep this car as stock as possible. I still want it to run as hard as it can in stock trim.

First thing is it is very very cold blooded. When cold started its missing and stumbling bad. Huge bog when you step on the gas. Got to 2 foot drive it to get it going anywhere. A few minutes running and it runs very well. No bog or stumble. Idle is rougher than I would like. It does miss a bit at low idle when fully warmed up. I have not looked over any ignition components yet.

Some questions:
The catalyst was in the trunk. Looks to be in nice shape. Is that a useful part for someone? I also have the original stock belts/hoses that were removed and replaced. Any use to someone here?

I plan to change out the shocks before the season is over. It still has spiral shocks that I will be taking off.
Again, do restore folks want these things? I'll ask first and toss away only if unwanted.

Couple pics

 

Welcome Al! A very nice looking convert; looks well taken care of and loved!! Hope you enjoy cruising ; many knowledgeable people here to help with your questions.

 

Hi Al and welcome from Florida!

 

Welcome aboard from NY. Nice looking ride.
Fred

 

Welcome from Georgia! Very nice looking car. As for the original parts, post them up either ‘for sale’ or ‘pay it forward’; someone will want them. The cold nature may be your choke not working-you may want to consult one of our resident carb gurus.
Patrick

 

Wow. Great looking car! Lots of advice to be had on here.

 

Nice looking car!



1975 was the last year for the full size RWD Buick convertible, only 5300 LeSabre Custom convertibles left the factory for the 1975 model year.
The 455 was optional, standard engine was the 350.

I've seen that car for sale with the same photos at locations all over the US.

Here's a link with 120 photos of the car

And a video as well:



“One Owner All Original”

Every once in a while, we uncover something that is truly special.
This 1975 Buick LeSabre Convertible was purchased new at Stall Buick, inc. of Grand Rapids MI on February 20, 1975 and remained with the original owner until our recent acquisition. The car was purchased with the intension on having it as a “sunny day” fun car and was used only for that purpose for its 47 years of ownership.

This LeSabre is powered by its optional 455 V8 engine, turbo 400 automatic transmission and rear wheel drive.
It is presented in its factory, Artic White exterior paint with white convertible top over Saddle interior.

The car is highly optioned from the factory to include: AM/FM Stereo Radio with Front and Rear Speakers; Firm Ride and Handling Suspension; Heavy Duty Cooling to include extra HD Radiator, Thermo Control Fan Drive and 55amp Delcotron; Standard Heater; Cornering Lights; Pulsating Windshield Wipers; Soft Ray Tinted Glass; Sport Remote Mirrors; 6 way Power Seat; Door Courtesy and Warning Lamps; Power Windows; Power Convertible Top; Front Lamp Monitors (Fiber optic); Electric Trunk Release; Accessory Group – Trunk Light and Digital Clock; Lighted Sunshade Vanity Mirror; Chrome Plated Wheels; Protective Body Side Moldings and Wide Rocker Moldings.
Over $1200.00 in options with final $6376.30.

As a result of consistent care, proper storage and timely maintenance, this 1975 Buick remains in remarkable, all original condition.
The Artic White exterior paint has lots of life and is deep and glossy.
Of course, there are a few minor chips and imperfections, but overall shows outstanding original.

The original Chrome and trim are excellent.
The interior is to-die-for gorgeous; the dash, dash facia and gauges are excellent and clean, the seats have no rips or tears and show little to no wear, the original carpet is clean and excellent.

The frame and underside are excellent, clean and dry.
And under the hood remains very tidy and all stock.

Mechanically, this LeSabre is outstanding in all areas.
The motor is strong, the transmission shifts smooth and almost seamless, the suspension and steering is tight.
The car drives out extremely smooth with 1 fingered driving at 75mph.
Drives like a Buick should.

Documentation includes: Original window sticker, both original build sheets, original key knock outs, original bill of sale, original cash receipts document the payment of the vehicle, original sales follow up pack with salesman business card, original owners manual with original sleave, original warranty pamphlet, original Michigan application for title, the original Michigan title, (car has been retitled due to the passing of the owner, but the original title remains as part of the documentation), original 1975 Buick Dealer brochure, original 1975 Buick Trim book, etc.
Also included is the original spare, jack and convertible top boot.

Rarely do you come across a car that is so intact, original and mechanically fit.
This Buick checks all the boxes as a high-quality collectible and tremendous driver.

 

That's Staal instead of Stall, dealer code was 07-566:



Staal matchbox, it's for sale on eBay:

Click image to view the listing

 

Interesting how loaded it is but no A/C. I'd be buying that matchbook.

 

There is also a Staal Buick 1962 Zippo lighter listed on WorthPoint:

Click image

 

Yep-That's the car I bought. I too thought it was weird how they optioned the car at purchase. For example. They paid for cornering lights. Yet did not buy a tilt wheel? Power windows. Yet no power door locks. No A/C. No cruise control. This was the day before the manufactures packaged equipment. Having options available as ala carte resulted in cars like this on occasion.
I have seen several convertibles of this era purchased with no A/C. Many folks back then thought that you didn't need it since it was a convertible. Few things can be more uncomfortable than the top down on a hot day. Every time you stop. You roast. I've had convertibles for over 50 years on and off. I'm pretty good at knowing when to drop the top. Or when to leave the top up.
One thing that was not mentioned is the receiver hitch and 7 pin trailer harness the car has. Original owner must have had a boat or camp trailer. I too intend to tow with the vehicle. I have a 14' cargo trailer I converted to a camper. I live less than an hour drive from multiple parks and campgrounds. So I was glad the car still had the tow equipment still on it.
What did dawn on me is I hope I don't fold up a front fender. As I looked at these cars. This was the only one I saw with the cornering lamps. I'll bet those would be some tough fenders to find if needed.

 

I think the car will look even better with white line tyres:

 

Great color combo, I had a 75 LeSabre years ago with the 350. couldn't get out of it's own way and really needed the 455. As I remember the electric choke on that car as being very finicky and problematic, my mom had a 75 LeMans new and that had similar problems. Not sure if GM transitioned to something different in 75.

 

Is this part of a trailer brake system?

 

efog-Love the avatar.

Thanks all for the welcome and compliments and comments. The dealer collectibles are cool. Just not my thing. I did get lucky on eBay with a shop manual. I like to buy smudged and greasy fingerprinted shop manuals. Nice price break for a book I will just get smudged as well. I found one for $12 shipped to me. Less money than the match book delivered. LOL. More useful too.

As I look at the car I too am on the fence about whitewall tires for the car. I'm right on the fence about that. I like both looks. I think the blackwall adds a tad of muscle to it's look. I really think Buicks in general are and amazing mix of performance, class, and luxury. So a more muscular look still fits in to the nature of the beast. If I do go to whitewalls 1st choice would be original style Vogue tires. I looked at them. Only thing I see from them now is a modernized version. No longer have the classic Vogue "V" molded into the white wall. That's disappointing but not unacceptable. Tires are a low priority now. The blackwall's are like new.

First and foremost is getting the shocks changed. They appear to be the 47 year old originals. The ride back home from Michigan proved it would be a welcome upgrade. After that I will tackle the cold drivability issue. Not my first rodeo with a Q-jet carb. I'm sure I'll get it dialed in again.

Current plan is to change out the shocks. Then look into ignition system and parts condition. While I have the plugs out Ill compression test it as well. I doubt I have a mechanical issue from how well the car runs when warm. I will do it for baseline condition info for my ownership term. My guess is that some TLC for the Q-jet and ignition, should net me a sweet running big block.

edit: Saw the trailer question. Yes thats an old school Kelsey Hayes electric brake controller. I have yet to hook trailer up to test any of that,

 

Wow she is one pretty car!

I prefer the wider white walls or any white wall.
I don't know if it has 215/75 x 15's on it but I would go up a size to 225/75's or even 235/75's for a smoother ride and better stability for a heavy car like this one, plus if your going to tow.

I love the front fiber optic lamp monitors that GM used and thats almost the first thing I look at when looking a Electra/ Lesabre as silly as it sounds and was I think standard on Caddy's?

The non AC has to be because of the convertible just as you mentioned but guessing they just missed some of the check boxes on the order form for the other missing options.
There are tons of loaded cars iv'e seen where there was no clock for example, just the pattern on the dash.

 

Al,
it looks like you know your cars very well. I just want to throw this out there.
The 455 Buick engine will not move a car when cold, it just flat out doesn't want to go. Happened in my 73 Riv ""which also was loaded, moon roof and all but didn't have power locks"" and my 74 Electra.
Iv'e read it here also with other members mentioning it.
They would need a good 5 minutes of warm up. I am thinking though you know the difference and its a carb issue?

 

A good going through of the carb and a distributor recurve should wake it up quite a bit.
Patrick

 

Welcome to the site Al from southern WI