I bet this will make ADAM DROOL

[My3buicks]

[

[Bob Alberini]

It just might be time for a road trip, Mr. Martin! Here you've got the best of both worlds -- your favorite color, a 455 and even a 4 door sedan like your first one! It doesn't get much better than this.

[Smartin]

wow!!!

[73 Centurion]

Strange color shift on the drivers side rear quarter. Looks like it was repainted at some time and the rest of the paint has faded.

Nice looking car, would make an incredible sleeper.

[Centurion]

Wow, Adam, how did I miss this one? Yes, the paint needs some help, but what a cool car this is! I love the 455 emblem on the LeSabres.

I also like the absence of protective side moldings. Adam, when I look back at your topic about the Twilight Turquoise LeSabre you previously owned, the photo shot of the car when new does not appear to show protective side moldings, but subsequent photos show the option. Do you know if they were added to the car? Or, is it simply the angle of the original photo when the car was new that makes it appear that none are present?

I was excited to see your interest in the '59 Electra that turned up on Ebay, but I've got to admit that this '71 LeSabre would be the perfect fit for you.

[Smartin]

Brian,

Are you referring to this photo about the moldings?

http://www.buickpartsdirectory.com/lesabre/buick001.jpg


They are present, it's just not the clearest picture in the world. That was one of very few options on that car.

[Centurion]

Yes, Adam, that's the photo. Thanks for clarifying.

If you have any interest in the Ebay LeSabre, it would be worthwhile to ask the seller to furnish the original paint and trim codes from the Fisher Body data plate. I would want to confirm that this really is an original Twilight Turquoise car.

[Smartin]

I have made an attempt to contact the seller, with no response so far.

[Smartin]

Bids up to $1525 so far, with the reserve not met, yet. I'm not so sure I would want to go above $2k bidding, especially if I don't know the reserve, and have no idea of the actual condition of the car. It would've been nice if the seller would respond to my messages.

[Smartin]

Finally getting a response...it appears that the seller has a pretty low reserve, so I will keep from bidding anymore. The auction ends late tonight, and I won't be up to watch it. He indicated that I was very close to the reserve. Whether it's $2k or what, I don't know. I'd rather cut a deal OFF eBay, though.

[Robroy]

Finally getting a response...it appears that the seller has a pretty low reserve, so I will keep from bidding anymore. The auction ends late tonight, and I won't be up to watch it. He indicated that I was very close to the reserve. Whether it's $2k or what, I don't know. I'd rather cut a deal OFF eBay, though.
didn’t reach the reserve….but our fingers are crossed for the possibility that you can make deal on it anyway…
Keep us posted!:xyxthumbs:

[Smartin]

I was hte high bidder. Didn't go much above that ending price. I did confirm the paint code as 39-39.

I'm not really sure I want to pursue it much more. If he wants to deal at the ending bid price, I'll entertain the offer.

[Smartin]

Welp, he sent a second chance offer.

Now I get to decide on whether I will pull the trigger or not. I need to get an answer to something unrelated, and then that will sway my decision one way or another.

[Centurion]

Adam, thank you for updates. I'm eager to learn how this all plays out.

[Smartin]

I'm having a fellow ATX native check the car out in person. If all goes well there, I may be flying to Austin in about 10 days.:Dou:

[Centurion]

Adam, I appreciate the update, and we'll be eager to hear all about the car. I understand that taking on another car is a big commitment, and this one will probably require some work.

On the plus side, your Twilight Turquoise sedan was a significant part of your past, and it's cool to think that you could recapture some of that with this LeSabre. I certainly can't think of a better caretaker for this car.

[My3buicks]

Adam, arn't you glad you have us to watch out for your best interests:xyxthumbs: or is it more like this :Blasting:

[Smartin]

The biggest draw (besides the color) is the 455. That's a big reason I sold that tan car last year. The 350 is a little too weak in stock form for my tastes. Imagine that:laugh:

[Bob Alberini]

And your "real" friends all thoroughly enjoy helping you find and make these tough decisions! Kidding aside, I know we're all pulling for you because even though this one needs some work, in your hands it will be beautiful and that LeSabre sedan with a 455 will be a sleeper for sure. Thanks for keeping us informed and we know you'll continue to do so.

[dewbers]

I'm with Keith, Brian and Bob on this... it's fun spending your money bro! :laugh: Pretty excited for you! Keep us posted on how this shakes out! :beers:

[EEE]

Not to rain on everyones party, but what once was will never be the same. The 455 is a nice feature, but do you really want another blue/green four door lesabre?

I don't know where you want to go, but you already had this car, and you already restored another four door lesabre to perfection. I think that the 2-door that is the same color as your current car with the hot motor might be more fun, unless you're going for the total sleeper look.

They're both the same price, heck I don't know, maybe I should just be quiet.

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Kimson, I think it's a sickness:D , we all seem to suffer from one degree to another.;) Adam is lucky in one respect, he's a lot younger than most of us and he is single. Low overhead $$$. Once the wife and kids, house and all the other baggage comes into play, most of us are only left to dream....and play lotto. Not complaining, just part of life I guess. So for you younger single guys, enjoy it. :xyxthumbs:

[Smartin]

Kimson has a good point. I have been arguing to myself about the fact that I swore I would buy another convertible before I dumped $ into another 4 door.

I haven't heard back from Frank regarding the car inspection...if I decide to pass on it, I'll still have money in my pocket. I like that idea.

I dunno...this is a tough choice for me, regardless of whether this is a "wise" choice or not.

[My3buicks]

Would you have gotten rid of the original LeSabre if it hadn't had the hail damage?

[Smartin]

No, not at least at that moment. I sold it mainly due to rust issues, MAJOR hail damage, and an engine that was getting very close to its demise.

[My3buicks]

Adam, you didn't have many options with your first 71 other than to sell it. How many people have you heard at car shows say they wish they had their first car or one like it? How many car people spend their lifetime trying to relive their first car? You have the oppurtunity to do that, plus with the bonus of the big block thrown in for a bonus. Buy it, clean it up a bit, and enjoy it for a while, then after you have it for a while, you will know if you really want to keep it or turn it over. Wait until that time to do any major cost renovations to it unlike the beige 71. You usually know within a short time if a car is a keeper or not.

[The German]

Keith and Rick, these were the right words !

I also would do it, Adam; it can´t be a mistake !
_________________
Rolf

[MichelHaak]

Just do it, because it's not really expensive. Then you can just make it look right, but not put too much money in it. If you decide you want to sell it again you maybe can make some profit on it if you can find the right buyer.

[Centurion]

Adam, I fully understand Kimson's point.

Keep in mind that there appear to be more convertible survivors than there are closed Centurions at this point, and the opportunity to acquire a convertible will surely be present again in the future.

This LeSabre sedan is something different, something unique, and that's part of its appeal. This is a model that we rarely see at the car shows or National Meets, and the spectacular color is the icing on the cake.

[Bob Alberini]

OK, the resident 4 door guy is going to chime in! We all know, Adam, that the final decision and choice must be yours. Having owned 4 doors all my life, I obviously love them but they are GENERALLY not collector cars.

With that in mind, the points that Keith and Brian are making are very appropriate and address the issue. If you're looking at this car to resell then I would say "no" don't do it. If you're looking at it as something special for yourself that will be a beefier reminder of your first car, then this is truly a special opportunity and it sounds like it can be purchased for a decent price.

I've wanted a Fire Red 72 Centurion or Electra 4 door for as long as I can remember but it had to be a really high quality candidate and only one has even come close and that was a Canadian Centurion that was exhibiting rust problems despite low mileage. And I'd hate to tell you how many cars I have looked at and documented over the past 35 years. Finding what you REALLY want can be an exceedingly difficult challenge and I'm speaking from experience on that issue.

We all know (and rightfully agree) that Twilight Turquoise is a terrific color -- but in 1971, it didn't sell. In the Centurion line-up, of the 11,892 Formal coupes, only 342 (2.88%) were built that way. Of the 2,161 converts, 77
(3.56%) came that way and the 4 door hardtops were no better with 456
(2.97%) of the 15,345 manufactured that way. I'm sure it fared little better in the other series because it was seldom seen even when new. (Brian will be glad to confirm that.)

Finally, LeSabre 455s and LeSabre Custom 455s are rare birds. I've documented less than a dozen of them. If you were going to opt for a 455, you took the next steps up and bought a Centurion or Electra. And LeSabres of this time period (except for an occasional convert) are exceedingly rare sightings at any car show.

This car has a lot of things going for you, IF YOU WANT IT and IF IT CHECKS OUT REASONABLY WELL!

[Smartin]

I moved the latest posts to a new thread..

http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541