1961 Buick Electra 225 Convertible

Description

Hagerty Marketplace is honored to offer another selection of vehicles from The SugarCreek Collection. This private collection in southwestern Ohio is supported by its own in-house restoration and maintenance shop, with a full-time staff of craftsmen. The garage is a true spectrum of car enthusiast dreams, ranging from unfinished restorations to the most recent sale of the SEMA-exhibited 1,000 HP 1962 Dodge Power Wagon, supporting the Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation. Thirty select cars from the collection are being offered just in time for spring. Whether awaiting restoration, preserved showroom stock, restored to like-new, or tastefully modified, these cars and trucks are truly SugarCreek quality.

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“Whether you choose the splendid Electra or the incomparable Electra 225, you are driving Buick at its finest.” So was the opening salvo in Buick’s 1961 brochure. But it was more than an empty promise: Buick had left the 1960 Electra’s fin-heavy design behind, and forged ahead with a bold new look. The previous Electra’s wing-like front fenders and prominent rear fins were gone, replaced in 1961 with understated yet supremely handsome body lines and a dash of chrome. Inside, occupants were treated to a host of power and convenience features, with premium features like two-way power seats and power windows found only on the top-level Electra 225 convertible.

The Electra 225’s Turbine Drive automatic transmission wasn’t just smooth at light throttle—it also featured an innovative “switch pitch” torque converter that increased the performance of the top-of-the-line Wildcat 445 engine while minimizing shifts. Displacing 401 cubic inches, fed by a four-barrel carburetor, and enhanced with a standard dual exhaust system, this beastly V8 made passing a rapid yet regal affair.

This stunning 1961 Buick Electra 225 convertible was restored by SugarCreek, and wears Newport Gray paint, a dark blue leather interior, and a dark blue power convertible top.

Highlights

• Offered from The SugarCreek Collection

• Top of the line Electra 225 convertible with Wildcat 445 power

• 401 cu-in V8 rated at 325 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque

• Turbine Drive two-speed automatic transmission

• Refinished in DD1-code Newport Gray with a dark blue interior (originally 820-code Gray)

• Standard power steering, power brakes, power windows, and two-way power seats

• Power convertible top

• The chassis number (8H3009147) decodes as:

  • 8 – Electra 225

  • H – 1961

  • 3 – Linden, NJ assembly plant

  • 009147 – Sequential serial number starting with 001001

Features

• “Switch pitch” torque converter with both variable-pitch and fixed-vane stators

• 3.23 gears in rear axle

• 15x8-inch wheels wearing 215/75R15 BFGoodrich Silvertown Radials and chrome wheel covers

• Aftermarket gauge cluster

Known Imperfections

• Paint chip above driver side headlight, on passenger side lower door, in front of driver side door, on driver side rear fender behind tire, on driver side of trunk lid, by driver side fuel filler door, and on front of dashboard

• Driver side mirror shows chrome pitting

• Some discoloration of aftermarket gauge lenses

• Brightwork imperfections commensurate with its age

• Driver side window seal by door lock is ripped

• No convertible top boot

• Light surface rust in trunk

• Driver side switch for passenger side power window works backwards

Included

• Keys

• Spare tire and jack

Ownership History

This 1961 Buick Electra 225 Convertible was restored prior to 2007 by The SugarCreek Collection shop.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Matt Lowney Phone: 623.308.2640 email: mlowney@hagerty.com