1963 Buick LeSabre Series 4400

Buick used the LeSabre name in 1951 on a Jet Age Auto-O-Rama showcar, and later applied to a full line-up of body styles offered on Buick's entry-level, full-sized platform. The first generation arrived in 1959 as a Delta-winged convertible, coupe, sedan, and wagon and would go on for two years before being replaced with more restrained, contemporary designs for 1961.

Buick's second generation of the LeSabre would become progressively more angular and powerful, setting the design pace for years to come. Styling elements included portholes narrowing to jaunty vents, slab sides, and a roofline that creased over the c-pillar. Beginning in 1962, displacement grew to 401 cubic inches, and output was rated at 280 bhp at 4,400 RPM.

The 1963 Buick LeSabre was available as a sedan priced at $3,000, a two-door sedan priced at $2,870, a hardtop sedan at $3,150, and a two-door sport coupe at $3,070. The convertible listed for $3,340, the six-passenger wagon at $3,530, and the eight-passenger version at $3,600. The most popular body style was the sedan with 64,995 examples built, followed by 50,420 of the hardtop sedan, and 27,977 examples of the sport coupe. 9,975 examples were convertibles, 8,328 were two-door sedans, 3,922 were eight-passenger station wagons, and 5,566 were six-passenger wagons.

The 401 cubic-inch, overhead valve V8 engine had a 10.25:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and developed 280 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The engine was backed by a three-speed manual transmission, or an optional four-speed manual unit or turbine drive.

Standard equipment included a Step-On parking brake, cigar lighter, electric windshield wipers, carpeting, dual armrests, and directional signals. The interior was finished in Bayonne cloth with vinyl bolsters on all body styles except the convertible and station wagons which came in all-vinyl.

New styling elements included stamped grille, minimal side trim, a narrow bright strip traversing the body side, vertical taillights on the rear fenders, and triple ventiports on each front fender.

Buick would continue to employ the LeSabre name for nearly half a century with the last SeBare being built in 2005 as a mid-size sedan.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021