Here’s another one of Corey Behrens’ finds in Amsterdam, and it’s another big American. The burble coming out of those twin exhausts probably sounds not unlike some of the boats that ply these canals. Or are they electric already?
I’m not sure why I threw in that line about electric canal boats, but it’s not just a pipe dream; electric boats and ships of many sizes are the hot new thing, especially ferry boats, like this one in Norway, which was the biggest at the time (2018). But bigger ships are in the pipeline. Electric propulsion actually makes a lot of sense for certain shipping applications like ferries, since they’re not out on long distance trips, and are back at their docks to recharge every night.
Back to this…barge. Can you blame me for having a nautical theme in my head? We’re looking at a LeSabre Custom Sport Coupe. Anecdotally-speaking, these were not all that common at the time, as two door coupe sales were quickly migrating from full-size platforms to mid-sized ones. Who would want this when there was a stunning Grand Prix or Monte Carlo to be had, or even just a Skylark coupe? The four door sedans outsold these by a hefty margin, as they were still in demand by a certain conservative Buick clientele.
It’s hard to know exactly which version of the Buick 350 (5.7L) V8 is under the hood, as there were three available: the base version had 260 (gross) hp, and had a two barrel carb and a 9.0:1 compression ratio. The next step up was a four barrel carb version rated at 285 hp, still with the 9.0:1 CR and also using regular gas. The top dog 350 had a 10.25:1 CR and used premium. There was also a LeSabre 455 trim version that obviously came with the 455 (7.4L) V8, and rated at 370 gross hp. But they had a “455” badge on their rear flanks that this doesn’t.
Even rarer in 1970 was the Wildcat; same body, but a bit more trim. The Wildcat’s days were numbered, due to the image now being all wrong; what had been…wild in 1962, was now irrelevant. In 1971, the Centurion would replace the Wildcat. The end of a short era.
The LeSabre nameplate would of course soldier along for quite a while yet, all the way through 2005. It had become the essence of the affordable Buick, essentially taking over the role the Special once had before it became a compact in 1961. The Special name took a hiatus in 1959, the year the LeSabre took its role. The Special name was first used in 1936, so just two names for the same basic concept for almost 70 years, now that’s some kind of record.
I got a hand me down 69 Wildcat sedan while in college. 430 Cu In 4 barrel. I believe 340 HP. Moved very well for a heavy car but terrible mileage on premium fuel. Went to the opposite end of the scale trading it for a new 1980 civic.
Maybe the same motor ?
I’ve been bothered by the total lack of protection between the canal and the street. Then I looked at it from the other angle. These parking spaces are for boats AND cars. Boat passengers can step onto the bricks without jumping a wall.
I’d be concerned that people need a wall to stop themselves from driving into a body of water (though unfortunately aware that is often the case)
In traveling around you’d be surprised how relaxed other countries can be about such things. They have a lot fewer lawyers, and accept far more personal responsibility. Quite refreshing.
Perhaps a 1971 model in Amsterdam; but a 1969/1970 model in the USA?
Oops; fat-fingered the title. I referred to 1970 in the text…
We knew what you meant.
No nail holes in my hands; I am far from perfect when typing in a hurry.
(As you already know from my postings here.)
Interesting on the power train line up for 70. If it was a 69 you would know which 350 it had by the 400 badge or lack there off. The 400 package got you the TH400 and the only 4bbl 350 that year. For some reason for 70 you could only get the TH400 behind the 455 and they added a 3rd 350 option. I think duals were standard on the top dog 350 but of course after 50 years someone could have added them to any of the engines.
I know in 1972 Buick had 3 transmission offerings…THM 350 for the Skylark 350 engine, THM 375B for the LeSabre 350 engine and all 455 engines got the THM 400….
This is a car I have never warmed to. The C body Electra of 1969-70 was exactly right, but the B body cars never looked right to me, and the 2 door had the worst shape of all. I could take or leave any of the 3 B body BOP cars of 1969-70 (based on looks alone) but if I had to take one, the Oldsmobile seemed to come off the best on this innately pudgy shape.
Agree!
The 1971/72 Electra body was much more to my liking.
I have a 1968 225 and it is my baby
The B-body four-door hardtops look much sleeker, as we saw with Pioneer Fox’s ’69 Caprice last week.
All these yank tanks wedged into old Euro and Japanese downtowns are fascinating. The fortitude displayed is outstanding.
I wonder what the demographic is for these folks. Must be some interesting stories.
Yet another car Ive seen a few times with my own eyes! There used to be 2 others nearby, a 2 door and a wagon, both quite rusty so I dont expect them to be on the road anymore, havent seen them in a few years either. My grandpa bought a new Buick every few years in the 70’s and 80’s, always sedans. Before that a Thunderbird and locally assembled (by the Ford plant in north Amsterdam) Mustang notchback. Modern American cars are a very rare sight but pre 1990 models aren’t difficult to find at all, today alone I saw multiple Pontiacs, Chevrolets and a GMC.
Note the size of the Buick in contrast to the parking space – in addition to parking well past the line on the driver side. Oh well . . .
Thanks Paul for this article. Brings back memories. My parents had a Forest green 1970 LeSabre Custom two door with dark green vinyl roof. 350 4 barrel bought new at Brewbaker Buick in Montgomery, Alabama. Great memories, and again many thanks for this article.
I remember those cars when I was a little kid,my dad had a car lot on Ventura Blvd in Los Angeles and he got to use various different types of cars.I loved how much room they had and I jumped around in the back and would hang over the front seat.Funny though,I never remembered anybody wearing seatbelts.I guess the whole car was your airbag!I also remember you could watch the gas needle go down.Most cars only had around 250 mile range.But who cared,gas was 36cents a gallon.When I started driving in 1981 gasoline was 1.28 a gallon thanks to the two oil embargoes and nobody wanted any 10 mpg car,except me.My first car was a 1974 Cad Eldorado that I bought for 1600.00 dollars.I ran an ad in the local newspaper saying I want to buy your gas hog.Got a lot of calls and settled on my Eldo.I miss that car,sold it in 1984 for 1100.00.That old 500 cid could inhale your wallet but what fun.Keep up the great stories folks,I love all of them! Robert Levins.