Daily Pick: 1973 Buick Electra 225

“Old” Buick Electra and the new Buick Electra are as different as two cars with the same name. The Electra of 50 years ago was a large sedan or coupe with a big-block V8 engine. The Electra of 2025 is a battery-powered electric crossover. Are they exactly the same? Hardly.

Today’s pick is a 1973 Buick Electra 225 two-door hardtop for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Northridge, California. (Click on the link to view the listing)

Let’s turn our attention to the Electra of yore, which is from the brand’s fourth generation (sold from 1971 to 1976). During that time, the car was built on what GM calls a C-body platform, and was larger and heavier than its predecessor. Some design and engineering updates were made in 1973, including revisions to the egg grille and the introduction of a federally mandated “5 mph” front bumper. All Electra 225s from 1971 to 1973 were hardtops.

The Electra was described as “a car that glided into the annals of automotive history with undeniable grandeur and elegance.” The color combination was particularly striking, consisting of a deep burgundy exterior and a white vinyl interior. Woodgrain dashboard trim and a Sonomatic “Stereo Eight” push-button AM radio were luxury features of the time.

The seller says the 455cid (7.5-liter) big-block V8 was rebuilt in 2019 and has covered 120 miles since then. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows just 81,421 miles, and the maintenance history is very thorough. The list of services includes the starter motor, gas tank, tires, exhaust, shocks, radiator, front brakes, stabilizer bar linkage and heater control valve, as well as a rebuild of the four-barrel carburetor.

Ready or not, the Electra is back in the electric car game. Perfect name, right? The Buick Electra “E5” will go on sale in China this fall, a crossover that rides on the same “Ultium” battery platform as the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and Acura ZDX. It remains to be seen how the North American version will differ from the Electra that will be available in China.

Until then, I have a feeling most of our readers will prefer the old big-block V8 Electra anyway.

The listing concludes: “This is a stunning example.” Asking price is $24,000 or best offer.

To view this list on ClassicCars.com, browse by “Daily Picks.”