1974 Buick LeSabre Luxus Sedan from North America - Comments

Water pump.

Alternator.

Wiper motor.

When my Toyota Camry was reduced to nearly half its size by a drunkard in a Suburban, I needed a replacement: FAST. This car was parked under an oak tree and hadn't run in 6 years, and there were at least 3 sparrow nests in the hood and grille. When I heard the old 455 fire up on the first try, the word SOLD immediately crossed my lips as I wrote a check out for $800.

It's HUGE, has the turning radius of an ocean liner, and drinks gas at the rate of anywhere from 10 to 18 MPG, But it's turned out to be the most reliable car I've ever owned. It started out with some mechanical problems, but that's to be expected of a 23 year old car that sat for so long. I feel privileged to drive a car from the mid 70's that can ACTUALLY SEAT SIX ADULTS IN COMFORT, isn't rusted to hell yet and has a pretty maroon color, unlike the common puke-booger green and dog-turd brown of the 70's. People stay out of my way on the highway and don't mess with me, because I've got over 2 tons of solid steel surrounding me.

The car rides smoother than anything new on the road, and the monstrous 455 purrs like a kitten during normal driving but roars like a dinosaur when asked to. It buries the speedo needle at 120 MPH while sending the fuel gauge in the opposite direction almost as fast, and it still has a little more umph left to go.

The styling is kind of love it or hate it, and I've grown to love it. With gas at the average of $1.50 per gallon, I usually drive my more sensible 95 Accord, But I still love my beast and would never part with it!!!

I also owned a '74 Lesabre, and I wanted to comment to others that it was the best car I've ever owned. It ran excellent with a 350.I live in northern NY, so through all the rough winters, the frame got pretty rough and I couldn't afford to do any restoration. If the frame would have never gone bad, I would still be driving it. I loved it very much.

What was wrong with it: Fuel pump, dristibutor cap, and there was no muffler.

General comments: 1974 Buick LeSabre was the first BIG car my wife and I bought. The second we saw it we fell in love, and for only $300.00 it was ours. The 350 engine is still running strong. The "labamba" as we call it is the coolest car. It takes us anywhere and I mean anywhere, the first road trip we took was from Idaho to the very bottom of Texas with out a single problem, and not very much gas. Labamba loves to go fast and never stop. We love our BIG car we will never sale it. We will continue working on it and making it the best, roomiest, luxuriest traveling car.

I am acquiring a 74 Lesabre Lexus w/35k orig mis, 1 owner, garage kept- it is my Grandfathers car. How do I decipher the VIN. The first digits are 4p39t4y.

Thanks

Jim Cook.

Jcjr5@earthlink.net.