1960 Buick LeSabre

As the Buick entered a new decade, the LeSabre's wings were removed and the body became rounder. The ventiport styling treatment returned, along with ornaments on each front fender. They were given a bright lower body molding and LeSabre name bars were located on each front fender ahead of the wheelhouse. With all-new styling, only the roof and trunk lid were shared with the 1959 model. In the front were a concave grille and horizontal headlights centered by a new Buick tri-shield logo that is still in use today. The instrument panel was revived with a Mirromatic speedometer for which the lens could be adjusted for optimal visibility by the driver. Another new addition was the two-spoke steering wheel with horn bars. Power was from an overhead valve 364 CID V8 fitted with two-barrel carburetion and offering 250 brake horsepower.

The 1960 Buick Lesabre was the entry-level model, followed by the mid-priced Invicta and the top-of-the-range Electra. Both the LeSabre and Invicta rested on a wheelbase that measured 123-inches while the Electra had a 126.3-inch platform. The Electra and the Invicta used a 401 cubic-inch V8 with five main bearings, a four-barrel carburetor, and 325 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.

Standard equipment on the LeSabre included a cigar lighter, dual sunshades, electric windshield wipers, trip mileage indicator, a single-key locking system, dual horns, and Step-On parking brake. Body styles included a two- and four-door hardtop, two- and four-door sedan, a convertible coupe, and a 6- and 8-passenger station wagon. Prices ranged from $2,870 to $3,500. The most popular body style was the sedan with 54,033 examples built, followed by 35,999 of the four-door hardtop sedan. 14,388 were two-door sedans and 26,521 were two-door hardtop coupes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2016