1961 Buick LeSabre Convertible

The 1961 Buick LeSabre convertible played a crucial role in reviving Buick's position in the automotive industry, which had fallen to ninth place in 1960. This decline was alarming for Buick, a brand that had enjoyed a strong third-place standing in the U.S. auto market during the mid-1950s.

This ninth-place ranking marked Buick's lowest position since 1905, prompting urgent action to reverse the trend.

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In 1959, Edward D. Rollert assumed leadership of Buick Division, initiating efforts to enhance quality, which had previously been neglected.

He also focused on aligning Buick's offerings with contemporary trends. These changes became evident in the 1961 Buick lineup, which introduced the brand's first compact model, the Special.

While the full-size wheelbases (123 inches on the LeSabre) and model names remained unchanged, the driveline (eliminating the torque tube) and body designs were entirely new. The styling also underwent a transformation, moving away from the extravagant "Delta Wing" fins, slanted headlights, and bold sculpting that had dominated earlier models.

Thankfully, Buick returned to its traditional roots, resulting in the most attractive and marketable lineup of full-size cars the brand had produced in years. This included the LeSabre convertible, priced at $3,382, approximately $400 higher than a comparable Chevy convertible.

However, the Buick featured a 364-cid V-8 engine producing 235/250 horsepower, paired with a more stylish interior and the enduring prestige of the Buick brand. Sales saw an uptick in 1961, with 11,951 LeSabre convertibles sold.

Buick climbed one spot to eighth in the industry rankings. By 1964, it had regained its fifth-place position, where it stayed for much of the 1960s and 1970s.

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