As so often is the case, an automotive restoration starts with all good intentions. There is always an initial love affair with the suspect vehicle. That’s how it gets started and for good reason. After all, your Dad owned one or you drove one to your senior prom, or? There are so many reasons why we become attached to one particular car. We rarely deviate. It’s the same year, the same color – the same memory. We long, perhaps, to relive all of goodness that this car holds in our minds. We believe that driving this emotional attachment, one more time, will rekindle all that was worth remembering during that period of our life. We might go as far as to believe that we’ll see our father sitting next to us again, on that sunny summer day, just like it used to be. That is why this wonderful hobby exists. We all remember. We remember the songs blasting through those, woefully inadequate, am radio speakers. Our collector car hobby thrives on memories and continues to seek them.
So I wasn’t surprised when a friend (another car junkie dealer like me) called and spoke those venerable key words “I found a car you’ll love” – “it’s right up your alley”. The truth is, most cars are right up my alley. I love them all and for various reasons. However, I was already hooked when he told me that it was a 1960 Buick Electra 225 Convertible. As far as American made collectibles are concerned – Buicks rank right up there with Packards, Lincolns and Cadillacs to me. I love the “top of the line” models. The ones where the manufacturer bleeds all of the style and excess into their best – and most expensive – flagship.
Our newest collectible car, painted in it’s original Titian Red color, was exactly the scenario that I explained at the onset of this story. An older gentleman acquired her and endeavored to bring her to a “showroom” new brilliance once again. He made great progress. The car was nearly finished and sadly, he passed. His heirs had no desire to finish the stalled restoration and that’s how my friend found it, relegated from the house garage where progress ensued to the barn where she waited for a new owner.
There were a few items on the 1960 Buick Electra that always attracted me – and they are minor really, but important. The first are the portholes. 1960 saw the reintroduction of the famed portholes. They were mysteriously dropped in 1958. Buick rightful recognized that this iconic styling cue, harking back to 1949, was important to their buyers, so they returned after this short two year hiatus (and exist to this very day – and appear on cars like Maserati – if you notice). The speedometer on this Buick fascinated me too. It was adjustable. Meaning it could be moved up or down according to the height of the driver. Called Mirror-Magic, it was, in fact, a mirror reflecting the inverse image of the speedometer nestled slightly below the dashboard, out of view. The 225 Electra was also longer than the other full size Buicks, gaining it’s length behind the front door and before the rear wheels. Look at the Invicta from this year – and you’ll see it. The longer wheelbase suits the design. When the convertible top is up it’s particularly noticeable. Incidentally, the name 225 eludes to the overall length of the car. Fancy that. This is also the last year of the tail fins.
Only 6,746 Electra 225 Convertibles were produced in 1960. So they are relatively rare.
Perhaps the most attractive design element of this Buick IS the design of this Buick. Gone are the slanted headlights from 1959 – thankfully. The long and swooping crease that starts at the very front of the hood and gracefully arches to behind the rear wheel adds an undeniable elegance to this car. The concave grill treatment makes the front of the car more attractive too. There is a tasteful smattering of stainless and chrome here - but nothing like the “rhinestone cowboy” Buick of 1958. Although, we have one of those also, in the collection, and are quite fond of it’s excess. But most interestingly these Buicks were styled after – of all things – the B52 Bomber that was in service at that time. This car drips from the cues derived from “jet age” styling. The front fenders upper fin is themed from the wing of the B52 – and the headlights represent the dual jet engines. If you look between the headlights there is actually a raised vertical “stem” that would, in the B52, connect the wing and engines. I’ve included a picture of the B52 for reference. This Buick was truly inspired by an aircraft. Look at the rear tailights – yep, styled after the cone of the jet exhaust. All rather impressive.
Back to the portholes. Only the Electra 225 had four portholes. All other, lesser models, only had three. Just like the “Roadmaster” and “Super” models from the 50′s. Also, 1960 was the first year for the tricolor badge on the grill.
Powering this massive car is the proven 401ci nailhead V-8. Pumping out 325 respectable horsepower and a stately 445 lbs of torque. The automatic transmission is now called the “Turbine Drive”. All 225′s came with power windows and beautiful, if not artistic, hubcaps (pictured below).
Here is a final fun fact about the 1960 Buicks – their warranty? It was only 90 days or 4,000 miles. Thankfully, they don’t make them like they used to.
Paul J Burt
Winter is such a depressing time to be in the car collecting hobby. Especially in Wisconsin – (or Chicago for that matter). The skies are grey, the temps – not conducive to spirited driving. Anything with two wheel drive is, at best, suspect transportation. So when we were asked to donate a few of our cars for display purposes at the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show (2-25 thru 3-4-2012 at the Frontier Center) we jumped at it. Although we are biased towards our own Chicago Car Show – we did want to see what Milwaukee to offer.
Frankly, any excuse to take our cars out during the winter months is welcome.
We decided to display our 1947 Delahaye 135MS, Langenthal bodied, Teardrop Coupe. Which, incidentally, goes directly from Milwaukee to Amelia Island, Florida, to be featured at the Amelia Island Concours (http://www.ameliaconcours.org). We also took our 1955 Packard Caribbean. The Packard also head to Florida – not to be shown however, rather to be auctioned at the Fort Lauderdale RM Auction. Sadly, we are parting with her – as we have another, waiting in the wings, to be restored. That car, a white/pink/charcoal three tiered color car. The Delahaye is original and not restored, the Packard, rotisserie restored. They both show well however.
The show, as it turned out, was quite pleasant. Free of the general malaise of the Chicago show, smaller, more intimate and vastly easier to navigate. The crowds were lighter, the displays well done (witness the LFA at the Lexus booth, the 2013 Cadillac XTS or the 2012 Camaro ZL1 and 2012 Shelby GT500). There were also the aforementioned show cars (ours included) which peppered the general new car displays. They were a pleasant distraction. Parking was a breeze ($15 – but watch out for the attitudes of the attendants – quite Chicago like there) – and the center – clean. It was well worth the short drive from Lake Forest, IL to the show – which took only an hour.
So, if you are in Milwaukee, plan to be in Milwaukee – are curious about Milwaukee – or otherwise want to see new cars during these winter months – head on over to the Frontier Center. Our cars will be in the lobby waiting to greet you. It’ll be worth your time.
Paul J Burt
Mercedes Benz has never made a poor looking coupe. Choose a year – any year, you won’t find a poorly styled, nor poorly designed, coupe. 1953 – 300S coupe – beautiful. 1962 220 SEB – stunning – 2003 CL 500 – masterful.
Consider the renewed 2007 CL550 Coupe. Absolute artwork. There is no post = as with all Mercedes coupes – between the A and C pillar. No B pillar is the key.
Our example has travelled only 27,000 miles. She is silver with a black interior – and being a CL 550 – the top of the line coupe, is FULLY loaded. Here is a sampling of the amenities;
Massaging seats, heated and cooled
Night time driving assist
Rear camera
self leveling and dynamic (moving) lights - they lead you around a corner
Self leveling suspension
Sirius Radio
Rear back glass shade
and, of course, massive style, plus…
Dynamic seats – they hug and love you
The silver color has a tinge of blue in it and looks far better in person than in pictures. Initially, I was inclined to object - recalling that I had previously owned a higher mileage CL 550 in black with a tan interior. So I was biased. Until she arrived, gleaming in the morning sun – I was smitten.
She is as new- with the low mileage previously mentioned. Everything works – perfectly.
We added new tires to the front – which were probably rotated from the rear. They are top of the line Michelins and cost $360 EACH. Ouch. But – no further additions were required.
It’s still hard for me to believe that a car of this caliber (clearly a six figure car today) can be acquired for only $45,000. That’s the cost of a new Mustang for crying out loud. Which would you rather drive?
Paul J Burt
There was a day, not long ago, when being seen in a station wagon was, well – uncool, odd – even queer. Which isn’t to say – gay, just “not cool”. However, so few of us have a memory that ISNT full of rides in the back of the family “wagon”. Many of us recall, oddly but fondly, facing oncoming traffic in the “way back” seat – waving blissfully at the motorists – and feeling relatively safe doing so. Never mind that a rear end collision would have catapulted us into oncoming traffic lick a human cannonball. Our parents didn’t seem to mind either – our grandparents were ever so happy to not have us squirming next to them, and we – well – we fought for the privilege of being in the “death seat”.
I’m reminded of those good ole days – now, with our recent purchase of a beautiful 1959 Nash Rambler Greenbriar Super Wagon. An economy wagon in the truest sense, it has no third seat and, in fact, no carpet in the “cargo” area at all. None the less, there I was bouncing around this claustrophobic metal coffin hitting the roof with every pothole, manhole cover or railroad track. And while driving, my father, seems to enjoy finding all of these road impediments. Imagine watching your child, in mid air, from your rear view mirror – bouncing down the diver laden road. Now you get the sense of why these wagons were so popular to our parents.
I couldn’t resist adding her to our collection. Her colors, light and dark green, remind us of how colorful and bold the late 50′s cars were. I normally would not take a liking to a green car but looking at the pictures, you might agree, she is very attractive.
The Nash Rambler design has roots by Pinin Farina – and is very art deco. Of course, at first glance, you ask yourself - how did you change a tire when flat? We still are not sure – having no need to do so yet. But no matter, she is sexy in a Kirstie Alley sort of way. Plump but sexy – from certain angles and elegant in an evening dress – of light and dark green.
Paul J Burt
OK, it’s not just like the island – but I now have your attention.
Our avid readers will remember that, a week ago, we hosted a Porsche Club meet here at The Burt Collection. It turned out to be a great event with many cars in attendance. While there one of the members asked if we could sell his beautiful 2009 Porsche Cayman. He ordered the car new – drove her only 10,300 miles and truly coveted her. She repeatedly won first place honors at all of the Porsche events she participated in. More interestingly he ordered her with the, new for 2009, PDK transmission. Having never driven a Porsche with the PDK (remember – I’m old school) – I was amazed at how smoothly and quickly this new transmission shifter.
Our new friend was also a fireman – now retired. Naturally the car is red – red – red. A very complimentary tan leather interior sets this little hot rod off nicely. And is she clean – my lord, I’ve not seen new cars this clean. Truly – she is detailed to a level that new vehicles don’t enjoy. Perfection really.
She has NAV, PDK, floor mats, and other desirable options. In 2009 she was a nearly $60,000 car. Yikes.
She drives perfectly, of course. WIth only 10,300 miles on the odometer, you would expect that. The paint is perfect – the interior, you guessed it – perfect.
We are selling the car for him and are accepting offers north of $40,000. She will undoubtedly sell quickly. So please call Peter or myself and schedule a test drive.
Paul J Burt
