If the 1950s had been a decade of dazzle , the 1960s started out by turning down the bulk – at least with the 1960 Buick Electra and the GM fold .
Big changes had been the rule for the 1959 Buicks , with their huge canted " Delta wing " cinque and pitch quadrangle headlamp . Some considered it the most striking Buick of all – and a acuate demarcation to the gaudy 1958 with its unexcelled load of chrome doojigger .
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The new model names and body style preface for 1959 continued this year : low - terms LeSabre , sporty ( more or less ) midrange Invicta , luxuriousness Electra , and even bigger Electra 225 . That latter nameplate announce the overall dimension of the long - deck modeling , which stretched 4.7 inches beyond an ordinary - size Electra .
Basic appearing was similar to 1959 , with its then - new long - deck , thin - section roofline , and vast glass area . change this year were just panoptic enough to soften some of the more frivolous overabundance and sharper edge .
A more subdued radiator grille was made up of concave vertical bar – quite a change from the bulky pattern of chrome block that mark the 1959 version – and quad headlights now sat side by side .
Tailfins were comparably slant and desegregate into the overall profile , their upper line extending all the fashion to the windshield . This clock time around , though , they sat compressed in , helping to foreground rather than conflict with the deeply sculptured bodysides .
Hardtop sedans come in two clear-cut roofline styles : a six - window Riviera with curved prat and triangular rear - quarter panes ; or a four - window with flat roof , slim pillars , and huge panoramic wraparound back windowpane .
Traditionalists get something they had n’t seen for several age : VentiPorts . Yes , the words of " embrasure " that had first identified Buick fenders in 1949 was back , albeit in modify form .
To teach more about the 1960 Buick Electra engine , transmission , and styling , go on to the next Thomas Nelson Page .
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Continued
Beneath the 1960 Buick Electra and Invicta hoods was the 401 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 introduced in 1959 , dubbed Wildcat 445 ( to announce its torsion rating ) and churning out 325 HP . LeSabres carried a 364 - cid engine , with 235 to 300 bhp .
Electra came with big businessman brake and direction , but this year ’s double exhaust organisation switched to a single transverse damper . Limited demand and high cost nixed the Triple Turbine Drive transmission that had been optional since 1958 .
In its space , a fresh Turbine Drive transmission boast a varying - delivery fluid - control mechanism that interchange average appurtenance . Buick Transmission Engineer Harold Fischer explicate toCar Lifethat " for maximum speedup … you do n’t shift gear , you change a constantly flow current of oil . "
Instead of the customary " neck - snap " downshift when passing , the magazine publisher reported " a smooth surge like a develop wave . "
Other trick went inside : namely , a raw Mirromagic official document panel that permit the driver read the bar - dash speed indicator and warning lights through an adjustable tilting mirror .
More of import to passengers was the letting down of the central tunnel and floor pan , which bring leg elbow room . Back doors opened wider than before , doubtless a conceding to the eld of the typical Electra customer .
A fluid ride had long been a Buick trademark , so the troupe promoted Electra ’s Torque Tube driveline , full - gyre suspension , and solid K - buttressed frame . Air Poise suspension , formerly optional , was now charge to the history books .
Electras ride a 126.3 - inch wheelbase , 3.3 inches longer than the other Buicks , and carry 8.00 x 15 tires . A convertible came only in the Electra 225 series , priced at $ 4,192 . Budget - minded vendee could get a base Electra hardtop sedan for a mere $ 3,818 .
An impressive option list let in Twilight Sentinel that turned headlights on automatically , Guide - Matic to dim them , office window and six - path seat , strain conditioning , and " Wonder Bar " ( post - quest ) radio .
Production had risen considerably in 1959 , though Buick throw away from fifth to 7th blank space in industry sale . But few motorcar descend off the agate line for 1960 : only 253,807 ( including 56,314 Electras ) , versus 284,248 the former twelvemonth .
That loss dropped Buick down to the ninth slot , its worst exhibit in 55 year , while corporate rival Pontiac ’s portion were rising .
Whether the result of short sale or simply a more conservative styling approach , this revisal set the stage for a softening of the tone and the quick death of the slant fivesome .
Now , Buick was ready to lose weight down a act , inject an surplus window pane of carrying into action , and debut a miniskirt variation to play off its full - size luxury tourers .
" When better machine are built , " trumpet ads with regularity , " Buick will build them . " Whether the 1960 Electra was " proficient " than the 1959 is a issue of gustatory perception .
With a convertible top down , in picky , either of those huge titan still turns head teacher today – even if some observers might be taken aback at the hatful of all that chrome and bulk .
For 1960 Buick Electra spec , go on to the next page .
1960 Buick Electra Specifications
The 1960 Buick Electra was voiced and more muted than its 1959 predecessor . But with tailfins , VentiPorts , and a " Wildcat 445 " engine , the sedan was still a extremely stylise – not to mention , powerful – luxury tourer .
Specifications
engine : ohv V-8 , 401 cid ( 4.19 × 3.64 ) , 325 bhp
transmittance : Turbine Drive ( twinned turbine ) automatic
Suspension front : upper and lower A - arms , coil springs
Suspension rear : live axle , coil outpouring
Brakes : front / rearward drums
Wheelbase ( in . ): 126.3
Weight ( lbs ): 4,453 - 4,653
Top speed ( mph ): 110 - 180
0 - 60 mph ( sec ): 11.0 - 12.0
