1964 Buick Electra 225

Buick introduced the full-size Electra luxury vehicle in 1959, serving as the top-of-the-line model within the lineup. The '225' in the Electra 225 was in reference to its overall length, and it wore wide moldings, Electra 225 script, plusher interiors, power windows, and power tops for the convertible. The Electra, Invicta, and LeSabre were endowed with all new styling for 1961, and in keeping with the styling trends of the era, the tailfins became smaller. Four VentiPorts adorned the fender sides, four 'hash marks' positioned behind the wheelhouse of the rear fender, and nameplate identification spelled out on the front fender plaques. The Electras were trimmed in fabric and the Electra 225 had Calais cloth or leather trim, except for convertibles which were trimmed in vinyl. The optional custom interior added leather trim, and another option had vinyl with contrasting vertical stripes and front bucket seats and power two-way seat adjustment.

Power was from a 401 cubic-inch, overhead valve V8 engine with five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a four-barrel carburetor, and delivering 325 horsepower. Standard equipment included a 'Mirromatic' instrument panel, full-flow oil filter, Deluxe steering wheel, carpeting, glovebox light, Custom-padded seat cushions, dual armrests, cigar lighter, trip mileage indicator, Deluxe wheel covers, power steering, power brakes, and a Turbine-Drive automatic transmission.

The 1964 Buick
Buick models for 1964 included Special offered as a two- and four-door sedan, station wagon, and convertible, powered by a 225 cubic-inch V6 engine with 155 horsepower or a 300 CID V8 with 210 horsepower. The intermediate Skylark was both sporty and luxurious and available as a convertible, a sport coupe, and sedan. The LeSabre and Wildcat shared a 123-inch wheelbase, slightly shorter than the 126-inch platform used on the Wildcat.

The Buick Riviera, new for 1963, was a personal luxury car resting on a cruciform frame with a 117-inch wheelbase and using GM's new E-body platform. It wore a distinctive bodyshell with 'Coke bottle' styling, a tapered midsection, and flaring fenders.

The 1964 Electra 225 used General Motor's C-Body platform and was equipped with the same 401 cubic-inch V8 installed in the V8. It had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a four-barrel carburetor, and delivered 325 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The previous two-speed Dynaflow automatic was replaced by a three-speed TH-400 transmission as standard equipment.

Styling features included the four VeniPorts on the front fenders, a heavy die-cast grille, wide front lower body moldings, Electra 225 lettering on the rear fenders, unique full wheel covers, and vertical and narrow taillamps in the nearly straight-cut rear fender ends. The closed body styles were trimmed in vinyl and brocade cloth, while the convertibles had leather upholstery.

Standard equipment exclusive to the Electra were power brakes, power steering, two-speed electric wipers with windshield washer, courtesy lights, foam-padded seats, electric clock, trunk light, two-way power seat, and power windows for the convertible.

The sedan was priced at $4,060, the sport coupe at $4,070, the hardtop sedan at $4,200, and the pillarless sedan at $4,260. The Riviera Sport Coupe had the highest factory base price in the lineup, at $4,385, but nearly matched by the Electra 225 convertible at $4,375.

The most popular Electra 225 body style was the hardtop sedan with 24,935 examples built, followed by 15,968 of the sedan, 11,663 of the pillarless sedan, 9,045 of the sport coupe, and 7,181 of the convertible.

For 1965, GM passenger vehicles were given a major redesign, fully embracing the 'Coke bottle' styling with fastback roof profiles for the coupes.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021