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This 1985 Buick LeSabre Collector’s Edition was purchased new by Glen Ryan of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. (photo courtesy of the owner) |
Throughout automotive history only a handful of cars
have earned the honour of serving royalty, prime ministers, movie stars,
champions and captains of industry. For more than 100 years, the elegant and
understated Buick has consistently gotten the nod from the world’s elite as
their conveyance of choice.
Buick had garnered countless accolades since it first
appeared in 1899. It was first to bring the luxury of front parlour
appointments to an automobile’s interior. It was first in the industry to boast
a fully enclosed car. The marque held the distinction of being first to
introduce drivers to the novel idea of electric turn signals, power windows and
a power convertible top. Dyna-Flow automatic transmission was a first as was
the honour of being first—co-shared with sister Oldsmobile—to offer hardtop
sedans.
Buick’s Canadian legacy began in 1908 when the
McLaughlin family of Oshawa, Ontario, long the largest carriage maker in the
British Empire, struck a deal to use Buick engines in their new line of
McLaughlin automobiles. The McLaughlin name disappeared in 1942 and Buick was
neither assembled nor imported into Canada after World War Two until the 1951
season.
The 1985 Buick LeSabre was a very special vehicle
because this would be the last of the big, rear-wheel drive land yachts to be
moored in Buick’s harbour. Management wanted to make sure that the classic
LeSabre would never be forgotten.
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The front track of the 1985 Buick LeSabre measured 1 570 millimetres (61.8 inches). |
To that end, a special Collector’s Edition was
created. It was tastefully laden with all the glitz and glamour that Buick was
meant to have. The 3.8-litre V-8 engine was standard but one could order the 5-litre
mill sourced from GM’s Oldsmobile division.
The car was graced with special badges and a stand-up
hood ornament that read, “Collector’s Edition.” There was unique exterior trim
including aluminum rocker moulding panels. One could order genuine mag wheels.
After all, Buick was every bit as fleet as it was refined.
Interior door pulls were kissed with gold-coloured
inserts. Upholstery was posh, a sumptuously soft velour on ‘loose pillow’
seating arrangement, the perfect compliment to the six-way power seat.
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Even the keys got special treatment as part of the Collector’s Edition. |
The last of the big LeSabres came with plenty of swag.
A brown, suede-look pouch held a decorative commemorative key fob, special key
blanks and a limited edition, hardbound book that told the LeSabre’s legend. A set
of beautiful colour prints--worthy of framing--showed off landmark LeSabres
from 1959 to 1985.
There was more optional equipment for the last of the
big LeSabres than there were codfish in the Atlantic Ocean. Power seats could
recline, power windows and door locks and a tilt steering wheel were all
electric servants. The cabin was heated and cooled with Electronic Tough
Climate Control. Entertainment came from the Delco AM/FM stereo replete with a
cassette tape player. Sound was orchestrated through the latest in audio
technology, a graphic equalizer.
This 1985 Buick LeSabre belongs to A. Glen Ryan of St.
John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He special ordered the car in November of
1984 from Terra Nova Motors in St. John’s. The base price for the Collector’s
Edition was CAD $13,980 before Revenue Canada held its hand out. Glen ordered
his LeSabre in Black with a Burgundy interior. He had selected every option
possible except for the sunroof. The list price was $18,155 but Glen cut a deal
for $17,000. With taxes the beautiful LeSabre came to a total of $19,088.
Today Glen still owns the Buick. His neighbours have
nicknamed it “the sunshine car” because it only comes out to play in warm sunny
weather. With only 77,000 kilometres on the odometer, Glen and his family will
no doubt enjoy the car for many years to come.
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The trunk capacity of the 1985 Buick LeSabre was .589 cubic metres (20.8 cubic feet). That’s a lot of room for luggage or handsome bear cubs. |
Visit my old car website at: The Oilspot Eh!
Copyright James C. Mays 2012
All rights reserved.
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Buick had garnered countless accolades since it first appeared in 1899. It was first to bring the luxury of front parlour appointments to an automobile’s interior. It was first in the industry to boast a fully enclosed car. The marque held the distinction of being first to introduce drivers to the novel idea of electric turn signals, power windows and a power convertible top.
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