Electra was the "top" brand series of Buick in 1959. The buyer can opt for a four-door hardtop or car, but very chic "Elektra" was, of course, two-door convertible Electra 225. The index "225" originally meant overall length machinery in inches (in our opinion it is 5.72 m - 5.6 m against a series of other cars Electra), hence its colloquial name - deuce-and-a-quarter (two- to-quarter).
It cost $ 4,300 - more expensive than any other brand Cars Gallery Buick. Outwardly, this Cars Gallery was different from other large bottom molding, go to the rear wing. At the front end sported a large chrome-plated trim area Stylized V, which, by tradition, marked motor with V-shaped cylinder arrangement. For a series of Electra 225 was supposed to only one, the most powerful power unit returns to 325 hp An automatic transmission was also standard equipment. PPC had a triple turbine and the torque converter, and a device for slowing the descent from the mountains. Even in "Power 225" wheel covers were ornate, and tires with broad white sidewalls were listed in the pricelist standard equipment. Interior finish could be thirteen color combinations and fabric texture to heighten the chic designated in French: "Mozhayev," "Sarah", "belfur" ... to open "Power 225" separate front seats are standard. Convertibles also other series of solid content with triple sofa in front, and separate seats for them can be ordered even as an option. But for the most expensive "Power 225" some comfort items had to negotiate separately. The main option was a system of Automatic adjustment of the headlights - a special relay switches with head lights on low beam driving when another car came to meet. It is clear that among the options were listed air suspension, which began just come into vogue, air conditioning and a radio with power antenna.
Of course, such a luxury, but still a fast, immediately noticed the "Association of American Avtosporta." Snowy outdoor Electra 225 was chosen for the role of the judiciary to race Cars Gallery "500 miles of Indianapolis," which was held May 30, 1959.
The first generation were produced from 1959 to 1960.
And already in 1960 was re-styled models. There were four holes in each wing, which were set in the future for many generations, Buick Electra. LeSabre and Invicta had three holes in each wing.
In particular, has been modified grille which has now become concave, and the center of the emblem raspolagala updated in three panels.
Lights placed horizontally mounted speedometer a new type of wheel was also changed to dvuhspitsevy. In the back compartment, in 1960 made possible the option of separate seats which was previously only possible in a convertible. The back of the car received a new look, and also some previous time was at work.
Life is a car in America - in short do not happen. One year later, the company arranges a presentation of the new model year, and all that until recently was considered the acme of perfection, gets the prefix "ex". In any case, half a century ago it was so. Buick Electra, 1959, in this sense was more fortunate: in the U.S. today is a cult car, like his contemporary Cadillac Eldorado to some extent it is an achievement itself a car - their fins and aircraft jet engines however. But more - nostalgia for the days when life was not rolling, and flying. Someone will remember that in 1959 there were in America's 49th and 50th states - Alaska and Hawaii. At the same time the U.S. was the world's first astronaut from among military pilots.
Buick began producing expensive limousines that are in demand in certain circles.
The second generation were produced from 1961 to 1964. The same held restyling each model year. Automatic transmissions have always been the standard. 1959 to 1963 models had a 2-speed automatic (three-speed was available as an option in 1959) Since 1964, they oborudovali 4-speed automatic.
The car disappeared "wings".
In the model number of the model ceases to exist Electra due to lack of demand, there is only Electra 225.
Since 1963, most luxurious sedan from Buick has to bear the name "Riviera", which is produced only in coupe.
In 1964, significant changes in the technical part was not, not counting another restyling.
The third generation of Buick Electra released from the end of 1964 to 1968 and each year introduced some changes.
In 1964, GM decides to revise the design of the entire lineup, Elektra was no exception. Management of the company's emphasis on increasing comfort four-door sedan, luxury sedan is the most in the back of hardtop sedan. Eletra offered in two trim levels of "Base" and "Custom". Developed a completely new platform and chassis with full perimeter, first put ribs (lateral bump stops), which replaced the Phillips structure (A type) are used since 1961. The engines were offered in 1964 model year, without change, the base was the 401st V8 engine 325 horsepower issuing two versions and more powerful, 425-D engine quad 340ls issuing the same 425-D engine but with dvuya \ name 4-chamber carburetor issuing 360 hp. The default is trehskorotnoy machine.
In 1965, after feyslifta Electra gets thicker at the rear - a form of bodywork called Americans "Coke Bottle", ie "Coca-Cola bottle." The rear lights Electra 225 - are long, narrow strip of the entire width of the body that would become one of the stylistic features of many models of Buick up to the present day.
In 1969, the first head restraints are standard, due to new safety standards, and the steering column with ignition was that blocking the steering wheel and gear lever in position "P".
In 1970, led to the replacement of engines, raised new 455th motor power
370-horsepower V8 engine replaced the 430y which was used from 1967 to 1969.
This year, ceased to install an antenna, rather they are now built into the windshield in the form of thin wires.
In 1971 he developed a new (fourth) generation of Electra, who is on a new chassis with a wheelbase of 3,200 mm. These dimensions have not yet reached the Electra and reaches into all future generations. The roof was reinforced in case of turning the engine though was 455th but because of new standards for fuel has changed the degree of compression that led to a drop of power from 370 to 315 hp It was developed a fundamentally new sitemy conditioning salon, but there were too many flaws that led to the fact that in 1972 had to develop a new ventilation system on.
In 1974, new bumper, in accordance with then released a 5-mile Act, which spelled out that the car should be easy to take blows at a speed of 5 miles / hour and dissipate energy should have been bumper. They just added Massive already great car. As an additional security to the equipment offered to cushion the driver and passenger! as well as electronic watches and full power accessories including elektrosideniya.
In 1975, the Buick as GM moves to Ives rectangular headlights, so it should be noted that the Electra 225 sedan achieves its makismalnyh size ever more 6metrov.
Standard equipment now includes full power accessories, and radial tires. The speedometer vmeto 120 miles was set a rate of 100 miles / hour and added back-scale in kilometers.
In 1976, Buick is a little shorter than reaching for almost 6 meters (5926) mm.
In 1977 model year, in response to the oil crisis (remember, it was the main reason for the embargo declared by oil-producing Arab countries in return for support of Western powers during the Israeli "Yom Kippur War," 1973), General Motors has cut its full-size models. However, for the "Buick" is reduced to the fact that the Buick Electra 225, for example, simply returned to its original length of 225 inches, losing more than 12 inches (30 cm) in length and in the cabin of the car, thanks to well-designed layout, become even more spacious, but nevertheless the fact was clear: almost the first time in the history of automotive restyling since size models did not increase but decreases.
455th big-block is gone forever. Now based in the proposed 350-th 6 cylinder engine.
Stepped on hard times, the demand for electricity fell, the number of produced cars declined from year to year, which led to the development of devoting enough money and has become a model similar to their brethren from GM.
In 1985 he was accepted polednyaya attempt to revive Elektra. It was established recently at the moment the sixth generation.
The machine lost much in size and was no longer as attractive as the previous generation. Electra was the front-wheel drive and larger motors are no longer offered, eight-cylinder engines in those years did not put to any Buick, followed by the standard 3-liter petrol engine, as well as the option could be ordered injector or engine volume 3.8 liters.
Likewise, this model differs from its predecessors in that it opened the hood forward and not toward the windshield.
Overall design for 5 years does not changed, in 1987, replaced by rectangular headlights instead of the whole,
tal in 1988 dotupen engine of 4.3 liters, in 1989, front seat belts are vmontirovyvatsya in the front door. Demand for the model and finally fell Electra Electra last descended from the conveyor August 3, 1990.
There were rumors that the Chinese want to bring the model release, Elektra and its host in China, even on the internet slipped images with possible appearance of the car, but one can say exactly what the golden age of this model were the 60s, 70s the last century.
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