Not long ago, we saw our third DOTS Oldsmobile. With 170 cars so far in the series, you'd think Olds would be better represented... and now I've just realized that Buick has a mere three cars as well (the '70 Skylark, the '71 LeSabre, and the '76 Skyhawk. We've got plenty of examples of Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Cadillac here, so the question is: Do Alameda residents have a bias against the #2 and #3 most prestigious marques in the old GM hierarchy? Bias or not, I've found another old Buick on the island, bringing the total tally to four.
One of the best things about 60s GM cars is the treatment of the rear marker lights; while this one doesn't have the rocket shape of the Olds light or the arrowhead shape of the Pontiac, its shield logo is still pretty snazzy.
Speaking of snazz, remember when American carmakers didn't try to emulate "classy" European cars via the use of cheapo plastic interior components? In the 60s, Detroit added class to their cars by covering them with hokey heraldic crests and crypto-Charlemagnic shields, all stamped out of genuine cheapo metal. Call it a Brougham and you're ready to go!
It's always good to see a Buick that still has the original Buick Rally wheels. This car is for sale (well, it was for sale, when I shot it a few weeks ago). Good condition, no rust: $3,000 asking. Not a bad price, even for a four-door.
The 360-horse 430 was the standard engine for the full-size Buick in 1969; of course, the larger-bore 455 is a bolt-in, which we strongly recommend doing if you get one of these cars. A four-speed manual was never offered on the '69 Electra, but we recommend installing one anyway.