1959 Buick LeSabre

Every model from every division within General Motors received major upgrades in 1959, and Buick led the march with new model names and radical new styling with sleek rooflines, chrome and stainless steel, tailfins, and slender bumpers. 1959 Buick models included the entry-level LeSabre, the intermediate-priced Invicta performance line, and the top-of-the-line Electra. The LeSabre and Invicta used the new GM B-body platform and the Electra used the C-body. The LeSabre and Invicta wheelbase measured 123 inches and the Invicta had a 126.3-inch platform. The LeSabre used a three-speed manual transmission, while the other models received a Twin Turbine Dynaflow. A triple Turbine Dynaflow was optional on all models, as was a Positive Traction differential.

1959 was the first year of the LeSabre, a model name that Buick would use to 2005. Its position within the Buick lineup was that of the prior full-size Buick Special model, a position it held from 1936 through 1958. The name 'LeSabre' originated from the Le Sabre show car of 1951 designed by Harley Earl.

The 1959 Buick LeSabre had slanted headlights, a square chrome grille, round taillights, and blade fins that traverse from the front of the body rearward.

The power was from an overhead-valve, 364 cubic-inch V8 engine with hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg, Rochester, or Carter two-barrel carburetor, five-main bearings, and delivered 250 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The Invicta and Electra engine was a 401 CID V8 with 325 horsepower. The 401 CID V8 was a new Buick engine while the 364 CID V8 had previously been used in all Buicks in 1957 and 1958.

Standard equipment included dual horns, horizontal Red Liner speedometer, trip mileage indicator, glovebox light, electric wipers, and an outside rearview mirror on the convertible. Body styles included the convertible coupe priced at $3,130, a sedan at $2,800, and a two-door sedan at $2,740. The four-door hardtop had a factory base price of $2,930 and the two-door hardtop listed at $2,850. The station wagon was the most expensive in the lineup, priced at $3,320. The most popular body style was the sedan with 51,379 examples built. The most exclusive was the station wagon with 8,286 units built. 46,069 examples of the four-door hardtop were built and 35,189 of the two-door hardtop. 10,489 were convertibles.

The interiors were done with Barbary cloth and Cordaveen, except for the convertible coupe and the station wagon which had an all-Cordaveen interior. Balfour Cloth and Cordaveen Custom combinations were optional on all body styles except the wagons and convertibles. Other standard equipment included power brakes and power steering. Twelve-inch finned aluminum brake drums, originally introduced on the 1957 Roadmaster, were standard on all 1959 Buicks.

A major facelift occurred the following year, with only the trunk lid and roof being the same as the 1959 model. In the front was a new concave grille with horizontal headlights centered by Buick's 'Tri-Shield' logo.

The 1959 Buick LeSabre accounted for approximately 58% of Buick's total production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020