Buick Electra 225 Convertible

Electra 225 Convertible at a glance

Where the names came from

Buick introduced the Electra for the 1959 model year as its new flagship, as part of a complete renaming of its range. The car was named after Electra Waggoner Biggs, a Texas sculptor and the sister-in-law of Harlow Curtice, then president of General Motors. Buick called the 1959 range "the Year's Most Changed Car".

The Electra 225 was the longer, more luxurious version of the Electra. Its number refers to an overall length of more than 225 inches, and owners soon called it the "deuce and a quarter". At 5,725 mm, the 1959 convertible is about 1,440 mm longer than a current Volkswagen Golf, so check the garage fit tool before buying one. In 1959 the convertible was offered only in the 225 series, which made it the most expensive open Buick.

The old 1cars text wrongly placed the car's origins at the end of the 1960s; the first Electra 225 Convertible was a 1959 model.

1959–1960: delta fins and the Nailhead V8

The first Electra 225 used GM's C-body, shared with Oldsmobile and Cadillac. It was long and low, with canted "delta wing" fins at the rear and a broad, diamond-patterned grille. The old 1cars text describes a wide lower moulding running into the rear wings and a chrome "V" on the front wings, a sign of the V8 engine.

Power came from Buick's 401 cu in (6.6-litre) "Nailhead" V8, rated at 325 hp gross, or 242 kW, at 4,400 rpm, with a 10.25:1 compression ratio. The standard gearbox was the two-speed Twin Turbine Dynaflow, and a Triple Turbine version was optional in 1959. Front brakes used 12-inch finned aluminium drums for better cooling.

The convertible came with power steering, power brakes and a power-operated top, and many cars were ordered with power windows and seats. Options included air conditioning, a radio with rear speaker and, according to the old 1cars text, headlights that dipped automatically for oncoming traffic and air suspension.

1961–1964: a cleaner, more modern body

For 1961 Buick replaced the finned body with a simpler, more upright design. The car became a little shorter, at about 220 to 223 inches depending on the year. The 401 V8 continued with 325 hp, and an auction catalogue records 6,746 Electra 225 convertibles for the 1961 model year.

The biggest technical change came in 1964, when the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, called Super Turbine 400 by Buick, replaced the old Dynaflow. It gave quicker acceleration and better economy than the two-speed unit. A larger 425 cu in engine with 340 or 360 hp also became available.

1965–1970: the final open cars

The third-generation Electra of 1965 had flowing lines and a longer body, reaching 225.8 inches in 1970. Buick introduced a 430 cu in (7.0-litre) V8 with 360 hp (268 kW) for 1967. For 1970 the 455 cu in (7.5-litre) V8 took over with 370 hp (276 kW) and a 10.25:1 compression ratio. Compared with the 1959 car, that is 34 kW more from an engine 0.9 litres larger.

The 1970 model was the final Electra convertible. From 1971 to 1973 every Electra 225 two-door was a hardtop. By our calculation, power rose by 14 % between 1959 and 1970, while the car's length stayed almost the same.

All power figures are American gross ratings, which were measured without accessories and are higher than modern net figures; the power converter turns them into kW and PS.

Prices then and now

When new, the convertible was among the most expensive Buicks. A specialist catalogue lists 3,820 US dollars for the 1959 Electra convertible, and the old 1cars text says more than 4,000 US dollars. We do not convert these 1959 prices into euros, because the comparison would mean little.

The difference between the two shows how much collectors value the finned 1959–1960 cars over the later models. For a rival from the same period, see the Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

What came after: Park Avenue and the electric revival

Buick dropped the Electra 225 name after the 1979 model year and moved the Electra to front-wheel drive in 1985. The last Electra was the 1990 model, after which the Park Avenue became a model line of its own. In late 2022 Buick announced that it would revive the Electra name for a new family of electric cars. Buick's wider story, including its performance models such as the Buick Gran Sport, is in our history of Buick.

Buying a 225 Convertible today

The Electra 225 Convertible suits buyers who want a large, comfortable American cruiser rather than a sports car. The 1959–1960 cars are the most sought after for their styling, the 1961–1964 cars are the best value, and the 1970 455 is the most powerful.

Before buying, check:

• rust in the floors, rear quarter panels and the lower body, which is common on all big convertibles of the period;
• the power top mechanism, its hydraulic pump and the condition of the fabric;
• the condition of the Dynaflow or Super Turbine gearbox and the engine's matching numbers;
• the original equipment, since power accessories and air conditioning add value.

Spare parts for the Nailhead and the later V8s are widely available in the United States. For more cars of the period, browse the 1950s classics and the convertibles section, and see all models on the Buick brand page.