1965 Buick LeSabre

The Buick LeSabre enjoyed a lengthy production lifespan stretching from 1959 through 2005. The name 'LeSabre' was first used in 1951 on a show car that wore aircraft-inspired design elements including tail fins which would become popular throughout the industry during the 1950s. All full-size Buick automobiles, including the LeSabre, were completely restyled for the 1965 model year, with softer body lines and a wider stance. They embraced the growing trend toward Coke-bottle profiles and the two-door hardtop coupes wore semi-fastback rooflines. The LeSabre offered a full line of body styles throughout most of its existence, but the LeSabre's built from 1965 to 1969 were devoid of a station wagon. Additionally, in 1977, the LeSabre and other GM full-size models were downsized, with body styles that included a sedan, pillared coupe, and wagon.

The full-size LeSabre was consistently Buick's selling full-size car as it offered desirable comfort and amenities at an affordable price. In 1965, the LeSabre had 142,996 total sales which accounted for approximately 24-percent of the company's total production.

In 1964, all LeSabre models, with the exception of the Estate Wagon, shared their drivetrains with the mid-size Buick models. For the next few years, the standard V8 powering the LeSabre had the smaller displacement sizes of their mid-size counterparts. For 1965, the 300 cubic-inch V8 from the Special powered the LeSabre. It had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, a 9.0:1 compression ratio, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 210 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard or optional four-speed manual or two-speed Super Turbine 300 automatic. A new LeSabre '400' package added a four-barrel carburetor and 10.25:1 compression to the 300 cubic-inch V8, boosting output to 250 horsepower. The 400 package also added the Super Turbine '400' three-speed automatic.

1965 Buick models included the Special and Skylark resting on a 115-inch wheelbase platform, the Sport Wagon on a 120-inch wheelbase, the LeSabre on a 123-inch wheelbase, the Riviera measuring 119-inches, and the Wildcat and Electra 225 on a 126-inch wheelbase platform. The LeSabre's 123-inch wheelbase remained the same as the previous year, but it rested on a new perimeter frame shared with other B-body GM cars, replacing the 'X' frame in use since 1961.

A bright narrow molding traversed the lower portion of the LeSabre's body and the LeSabre signature was positioned on the rear body quarters. At the front was an extruded aluminum grille flanked by dual round headlights. Trim levels included the 'base' and the Custom, with the latter adding custom interior fabrics of cloth and vinyl. The list of standard equipment included door-operated courtesy lights, carpeting, a map light, electric windshield wipers, glove compartment light, dual armrests front and rear, and instrument panel safety pad direction signals. The interiors on the 'base' LeSabre were done in cloth or vinyl. The interiors were new for 1965 with a revised instrument panel with two round dials similar to the ones found on the Riviera. The heating and air conditioning controls were also new.

The 'base' LeSabre sedan was priced at $2,890, the hardtop sedan at $3,025, and the Sport Coupe at $2,970. The most popular body style was the sedan with 37,788 examples built, followed by 18,384 of the hardtop sedan, and 15,786 of the sport coupe.

The LeSabre Custom sedan was priced at $2,960, the hardtop sedan at $3,100, the sport coupe at $3,035, and the convertible at $3,260. The hardtop sedan had 23,394 examples built, followed by 21,049 of the sport coupe, 20,052 of the sedan, and 6,543 of the convertible.

The styling introduced in 1965 would continue through 1970, albeit with updates from year-to-year. The 1966 LeSabre gained new grilles and four-segmented taillights, along with a revised instrument panel with a horizontal sweep speedometer. New optional equipment for 1967 included a stereo 8-track tape player and front disc brakes. The standard drum brakes gained more cooling fins and a dual-master cylinder system. Another update to the grille and taillights arrived in 1968, along with concealed windshield wipers. The 1969 model was extensively restyled, retaining the chassis and inner body structure of the 1965 design, but with more square off styling and formal rooflines on the coupes. Another round of updates was applied to the grille and taillights of the 1970 LeSabre, and wheelbases now measured 124-inches. For 1971, GM completely restyled its B- and C-body cars and the styling introduced would continue through 1976. The LeSabre nameplate would continue to be used by Buick through 2005.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022