canadiancatgreen posted this at the Cohort with the comment “Ok, what is this thing?” Well, I’m reasonably optimistic someone here will be able to answer that.
Cohort On-The-Go Outtake: “Ok, What Is This Thing?”
– Posted on July 15, 2015
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Curbside Classics Archives
It looks like a 1969 or 1970 Buick Electra 225.
Yep, Buick fo sure, see the Ventiports hidden in trim on the fender?
Think it’s a 68-70 Buick…maybe Electra, maybe a Wildcat…?
Jason got it; it’s a Deuce and a Quarter. Looks to be a nice one, too.
Only things missing are the Trues and Vogues.
I’ve never owned or driven a 1969-70 Buick Electra, but I used to know someone who had one similar to this one.
Only one question: Trues and Vogues? What’s that?
Tru-Spoke brand wire wheels and Vogue full whitewall tires. These were quite the thing among certain pimp types in the 1970’s. Watch Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry in Magnum Force to see such a rig. Or this: http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/04/corvorado.jpg
A tow operator once described that to me as “all bothered-up.” Not PC, but rather concise shorthand!
i know i’m old when this is even a question.
69-70 buick electra 225 …custom or limited most likely.
That’s what I was thinking (the part about being old).
I can’t even imagine a color like that being available today (on anything other than a car like a Kia Soul). Too bad.
Green was quite common then. Our 1971 Cadillac Sedan deVille was in a similar metallic green.
I’m not that old and I could. I was looking all over the picture trying to find something else irregular lol
I was about to say exactly the same thing, lax. Jeez, this makes me feel old!
Too easy for me too, and I’m only (almost) 33
Agreed, easy for me too and I’m 25 this year.
It IS a 1969 Buick Electra 225.
Agree, the front bumper extension distinguishes it from the ’68 & ’70. I recall a childhood neighbor family had a sedan in this color.
The front side marker is also a positive way to tell its’ a 69 (vs 70) as well.
1968 > sidemarker lights OR reflectors required
1969 > sidemarker lights OR reflectors required
1970 > sidemarker lights WITH reflectors required
This Buick’s having a bulb up front, and a reflector out back = 69, even if I didn’t recognize it.
Congratulations, you get the prize for having the correct answer.
GM redesigned their big cars every two years back then, so this model was new for 1969. The 1970 is almost identical to this model as they would be redesigned again for the 1971 model year.
The 1970 Electra 225 models were the same except for a different front bumper, decorative lines going across the taillights instead of those small squares you see in the picture, and small lights on the sheet metal of the rear fins, above the rear bumper.
Yep, my Great Aunt across the street had the same car, but in white with a black vinyl roof, and a nice dusting of Pittsburgh rust by the early 70s. I remember thinking those doors were huge. And i was right!
A neighbor on Oak Park Blvd has one of these. It’s not too common but it’s not too rare neither.
A Buick Electra 225 Coupe early 70s model maybe a 70 or 71
Interesting how styling has changed from GM’s 60-70s a front up to now popular elevated rear
thanks for the ID
This is the ’69 – ’70 body for the Buick Electra 225.
The tail light grid pattern with the back up lights built into the grid near the license plate make it a 1969. The ’70 had a straight horizontal light pattern, and the back up lights were in the fender blades.
+1 … The ventiports are above the crease in the body for 69, below for 70.
It is for sure a 1969 Buick Electra 225.
Here’s a very easy way to distinguish the years on full size Buicks:
If the ventiports are seperate from each other, it’s an odd year.
If the ventiports are attached to each other, it’s an even year.
My dad taught me that when I was way to young to drive. We had a 1968 Wildcat, which didn’t have ventiports,but rather these large ventpanes on the front fenders.
Wow. Amazing that they stuck with that pattern.
Except that it does not work in the 50’s. The late 60’s this seems true. Early 60’s not so much.
Cool. Apparently at least someone had a sense of humour at GM.
Another way you can tell a 69 Buick Electra 225 from a 70 is by looking at the grille. How’s that for sense of humour? They change the body styling every few years, but they change the grille once every year.
First thing I thought was “late 60s Electra 225” and then I had to do a bit of research to narrow it down. Then I thought about the 4-door that I saw for sale at my apartment complex in the early 80s–the one that got away. Such is life.
Put me down in the “the question makes me feel old” category. The sweepspear instantly says Buick to my generation. The formal roofline would mean Electra.
+1. But I take it the poster is younger than most of us, but into cars. I solute him/her.
Bob
Absolutely Bob! +1
1969 vs 1970 Change for the sake of change
Looks like a Buick Electra 225 coupe… If by some odd lil chance it’s not, it could be a Wildcat or a Centurion.
First I thought it was 1969 Buick Wildcat or Electra 225. Knew it had to be a 1969 because of the lack of side vent windows (ventilators?). I believe it’s a Electra 225.
Had a ’69 Wildcat 4 dr ht in that same color with black vinyl roof as my first car in high school in ’78. She was ugly but she sure could cook!
(now there’s a reference to make you feel old)
I graduated high school when this car was new. Back then, we called them ‘Duece-and-a-quarter’……
I see a triple black Electra coupe much like this on my way home from work most days. Sharp-looking car!
“Ok, what is this thing?”
Not sure, but I like it!
Cool is what it is – very, very cool.
Scenario from ADAM-12:
Offc Malloy: Now, look closely, Ma’am… Is that the car you saw?
Lady: Yes, THAT’S it, I’m certain.
Offc Reed: Your positive? A 1970 Electra 225 Coupe?
I’m glad I wasn’t the only guy here who could not tell the difference between a 69 and a 70 for this car. And thanks to you ventaportophiles for the field-spotting tips.
I knew it couldn’t be a Wildcat with that formal roof. So, it had to be an Electra 225. I haven’t tried to substantiate this, but I was told long ago that the Electra was 225 inches long. Anyone else ever heard this? I believe it is possible since my ’64 Olds 88 is 217 inches.
My daily driver is a 68 Electra and yes it is just shy of exactly 225″ long
oh and the one pictured is a 69′
Big Ass Buick… ’72 RoadHogster.
It’s a Buick Electrasaurus, which was known to gobble up Chrysler New Yorkers, and even take a bite out of Cadillac DeVilles and Lincoln Continentals.
For me the rear lights are a hint to a 1969 Electra … the 1970 seem different from the ones on the Photo ..
Okay, Dirk
This is the rear of a 1970 Electra 225 coupe. Use it for reference to compare, if you want. 😉
1969 Buick Electra 225
The responses here echo my reaction as well: it’s an Electra 225, what’s so hard about that? Though I was probably plus/minus a year or two on the correct model year. But my second thought was, are there still cars with nicknames (like Deuce and a Quarter)? I can’t really think of anything newer than the Toyota “Mister Two”.
I’m having a much harder time figuring out what the white CUV next to the Expedition is.
Hyundai Tucson. Don’t feel bad, I suspected it was either a Kia or a Hyundai but I had to look it up to be sure! CUVs are among the worst offenders in anonymity…
It IS a 1969 Buick Electra 225 Hardtop Coupe. I was 12 when it was built, and it looks to be in better shape than I am. 430 under the hood. Turbo Hydra-matic 400 attached to that 430. This is a very formidable cruising vessel. Same color as my dad’s 1969 LeSabre, which had a 350, but would definitely get out of its own and everyone else’s way, except the bitch that changed lanes into him once.
Buick Electra, most of them are probably 2 Toyotas by now.
69 Electra.
They probably never saw anything that big before…