Looking Back: 1985 Buick Electra LaserDisc Promo

3972 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by 72roadrunner, Mar 8, 2015

91 s-10baja

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2015

The first front drive Buick Electra bowed for 1985 as one of GM’s newly downsized C-body models. A front hinged hood was unique to Buick, thought. Power was furnished by gasoline V6’s of 3.0 and 3.8 liters, or by a 4.3 liter diesel. Interiors were quite spacious. As before, the 1985 Electra line listed coupes, and sedans, but trim levels now comprised base, the ritzy Park Avenue, and surprisingly a sporty T-Type with a handling package and locked out exterior trim. Park Avenue soon came to dominate sales.

Video: 1985 Buick Electra Promo Video

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Im 36 and this was actually my first car. It was a decent car for the time I had it. I always kept it pretty and clean. I always thought Buicks version of the fullsize "short bodies" looked more elegant and had a bit more class than the Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, and Cadillacs. The thing I like the most about it was plowing through the snow with it's front wheel drive in those Chicago winters. I probably got up to 250,000 miles on that 3.8 V6. The ride was smooth and floaty......nothing sporty to brag about, but hey it was pretty luxury back then. lol!

I would love to find a clean one as a winter car.

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sepi

· #3 · Feb 5, 2015

One of the first signs of the end of GM - the switch to front drive everything was a disaster - not because it was front drive - but because it was under engineered and an awful product.

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ponchoman49

· #4 · Feb 5, 2015

I had this exact car in brown but in 2 door coupe style with a cream colored vinyl top and leather interior. It was quite a car but suffered a few first year bugs. The famous GM rack locking up taking corners manifested itself around 100K miles and the 440 trans axle was by this point shifting funny with flaring and tardy shifts at times. Luckily I never had to replace either as some trans X took care of the power steering and a trans flush and service along with a new modulator valve quickly restored shifts to like new. That 3.8 PFI V6 always ran like a bear and could see up to 30 on a trip or about 23-24 combined, interior room was very generous considering how little room this car took up outside, the seats were all day comfortable and this car was an animal in the Winter months. Nothing stopped it! I always thought the clam shell hood opening was neat too.

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goochman

· #5 · Feb 5, 2015

This has to be the worst sales promo video ever made.............first start with the 'stage' - a tan curtain and tan carpet..........but beyond that we have this guy telling us how much 'quality' is put into the car from the door seals, bumper, interior, etc... and we DONT GET TO SEE ANY OF IT. I love how he describes the engine and how easy it is to get to everything - but THEY DONT SHOW IT. Almost the entire shoot is done from 20 feet away where you have to take this guys word that everything he says is true. No road driving shot, nothing. I wonder if this was a model mule that had no interior nor engine and was made before final production...............

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Rick_VT

· #6 · Feb 6, 2015

Could you imagine a 4.3 Liter Diesel in a car that size now a days lol

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KingElvis

· #7 · Feb 6, 2015

Yeah - surprisingly low production values. I remember Car and Driver liking the chassis but hating the interior - kind of like the Regal T type - where it was a heart of gold underneath but the '70's' fluffy pillow and plastic chrome trim inside.

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Aromanances

· #8 · Feb 6, 2015

It was always fun to take this car out when it was new and see if my friends could open the hood. No one ever could do it right. It was a white Ttype with red leather and a console. It had a sweet radio with the EQ, sounded good! Thick leather steering wheel and eagle GT tires... It handled wonderfully. Nice car.

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scooter5

· #9 · Feb 7, 2015

I love these GM cars from 85 to 1990 they are roomy inside yet not that big outside. When people hear what I drive I often get jokes about driving a boat but my one friend was surprised when I parked next to his Camry and it really was no longer than his car. I have an 88 Buick Park Ave. 1990 olds touring sedan and and 85 olds 98 with 4.3 diesel all have been very reliable great cars! I've had the 90 olds the longest bought it used in 1994 my daughter drives it now.

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72roadrunner

· #10 · Mar 8, 2015

I bought a new 1989 Electra T-Type that I rank as one of the top cars I have ever owned, and I have owned many cars. The 3800 engine was smooth and reliable, and the T-Type suspension handled great. The most notable feature of this car were the supremely comfortable bucket seats that paired with the smooth ride made for a great road car. The memory of this car (and my love for my Riviera) is what moved me to again buy a new 2014 Buick LaCrosse. I can only hope this new Buick is as bulletproof as my Electra and Riviera. I foolishly traded my Electra in on a Cadillac/Northstar which ranks at the bottom of the cars I have owned for reliability. It spent more time in the shop than it did in my garage, so that experience soured me on GM products for many years. But so far my LaCrosse is proving to be as enjoyable and reliable as my Electra. I am surprised that this video says the 3800 provided 0-60 times of 12 seconds. It felt faster than that. The only annoyance I remember with my Electra was the absence of a trip odometer. I have a trip odometer in my 1983 Riviera...so why not in a top of the line Electra that was 6 years newer? But, that is the only nit I can pick on the Electra.

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72roadrunner

· #11 · Mar 8, 2015

My 1989 Electra T-Type was surprisingly sporting and somewhat European looking with the amber rear turn signals, dechromed doors and black side wall tires. It looked much more aggressive than the sister Park Avenue models.

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Looking Back: 1985 Buick Electra LaserDisc Promo

91 s-10baja

Pellz

sepi

ponchoman49

goochman

Rick_VT

KingElvis

Aromanances

scooter5

72roadrunner

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