It was on April 12, 1961. when the first human—Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin—completed an orbit around the earth in the Vostik 1 spacecraft. The ongoing space race between the United States and the Soviet Union pushed the boundaries of rocket technology and space travel.
That movement also significantly impacted the design, technology and marketing within the automotive industry. The low, streamlined profile of the Buick LeSabre, for example, marked a shift to sleekness from the exaggerated style of previous years. In December 1960, this Bimini Blue Buick left the Wilmington, Delaware, assembly plant to begin its journey:
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1961 Buick LeSabre Convertible. The car is being sold by a private seller in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and the auction will end Monday, June 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
The LeSabre was assembled as a General Motors B-body. Advertisements from the era called it “the big surprise in full-size cars.” Buick said the LeSabre reflected a beautiful change in design and engineering. “Inside, outside, underneath, up top—everywhere you look—the ’61 Buick is news all over.” While heavily changed from prior years, one of the exterior features that did carry forward was the characteristic Ventiport layout on the front fenders (something that had been around on Buick models since 1949, though skipped for 1958-59).
The listing says this car received a new soft-top in 1985 and, based on the photos, the last 40 years have treated it well. The torpedo-style bumper ends and the streamlined V-shaped rear end brought in some of the space age-inspired design elements we know and love. The interior, color-coordinated in blue vinyl, benefits from a retro-look sound system but otherwise looks largely original.
Power comes from a 364ci V8 mated to a Turbine Drive two-speed automatic transmission. Buick rated the engine at 250 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The odometer shows 44,515 miles, and the seller asserts that the reading is accurate. That comes out to fewer than 700 miles per year. Collector appeal? You bet. There can’t be many left with that kind of mileage. Bonus items include a convertible boot, the original Sonomatic radio, uninstalled suspension components and extra hubcaps.
Incidentally, the LeSabre has been gone from the Buick lineup for exactly 20 years as of 2025. It was replaced for 2006 by the Lucerne. All the more reason to celebrate one of the finest Buicks of yesteryear. Place a bid today!
The auction for this 1961 Buick LeSabre Convertible ends Monday, June 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery