Buick LeSabre

The Buick LeSabre was a series of passenger cars, which was manufactured from late 1958 to mid-2005 by Buick as a successor to the Buick Special in the U.S.. For many years, the LeSabre was the entry level model in the Buick with the lowest base price.

Model history

LeSabre ( series 4400, 1958-1961 )

Buick LeSabre Convertible ( 1959)

The published end of 1958, the successor to the Buick Special had a completely new styling with a flatter bonnet and slanted twin headlights. The tail fins had a wing shape.

The cars were equipped with a V8 engine with 5965 cc capacity, which developed an output of 250 hp ( 184 kW) at 4400 min -1. This engine adopted from the model year 1958 was less than the 6.6 liter V8, the more expensive models Invicta and Electra. Six different two-to five-door bodies were available. Most cars were delivered with a two -speed automatic transmission; a manual three-speed transmission was available on request.

In 1960 there were few changes, but 1961 was a much defused body version on the market, where the dual headlights were placed side by side within the wide radiator grille and the winged tail fins gave way to a smooth trunk lid. Also, the LeSabre was by reintroducing Special only the second least expensive model of the brand.

Until the autumn of 1961 created 430 186 copies of the first LeSabre.

LeSabre ( series 4400, 1962-1963 )

Buick LeSabre (1962 )

For model year 1962 changed the styling of the bodywork little. However, only four body styles were offered: limousines with two or four doors, a two-door hardtop coupe and a four-door hardtop sedan.

The cars were now equipped with the V8 engine of the larger models with 6571 cc, the (206 kW) developed 280 hp. On request at the same price was a performance -reduced version with lower compression and with only 260 hp (191 kW) available.

In the following year there were no technical or stylistic changes, but wagon and convertible were available again. The introduction of the Skylark LeSabre rose to the model range to the mean model.

From early 1962 until the end of 1963 298 291 copies of the LeSabre were built.

LeSabre / LeSabre Custom (1964-1969)

Buick LeSabre Sedan ( 1966)

In the spring of 1964, the LeSabre appeared slightly revised and again in four body styles: four-door sedan (with the B-pillars and hardtop ), as a two-door convertible and two-door coupe as ( also with hardtop ). The five-door station wagons were the independent series 4600th It is now smaller engines were only 4916 cc and 210 hp ( 154 kW ) are used. There was also a three-step automatic transmission.

In 1965 there were technically identical models in standard and custom - design, said convertible was only available as a custom version. The styling of the vehicles was designed a little square.

The following year, station wagons formed a separate series called Sport Wagon, and the two-door coupe was designed as a hardtop. A significant facelift made ​​for a highly contoured front grill and a swing of the hips over the rear wheel arches. In addition, a larger motor with 5572 cm ³ and 220 hp came (162 kW ) are used. Without major changes, this model was further built in 1967.

In 1968 there was only slight stylistic adaptations, such as rectangular mounts for the dual round headlights. Again, the engine power was increased, this time to 5735 cc and 230 hp (169 kW). In 1969, the front fascia has been slightly smoothed when otherwise technically unmodified vehicle.

In those six years, emerged by the end of 1969 937.856 copies.

LeSabre / Custom / 455/ 455 Custom / Luxury ( 1970-1976 )

Buick LeSabre Custom (1976 )

In the spring of 1970, there were only a small facelift, but the 5.7 -liter V8 engine grew significantly in power to 260 hp ( 191 kW) to. A new addition was the execution 455, which included the big V8 with 7,456 cc 370 bhp (272 kW).

In 1971, fully introduced revised, larger bodies. Technically they remained in the bids of the previous year, with the 5.7 -liter V8 230 bhp only (169 kW) gave. Front disc brakes, a three-stage automatic transmission and power steering were standard on all LeSabre models.

In 1972 they went on with the performance data to SAE horsepower ( nhp ), which lowered the nominal values ​​drastically, as the services were now measured with all ancillary units and on the rear axle. So it took the only available 5.7 -liter V8 now only at 150 hp; the 7.5 -liter V8 of 455 dropped out of the program. Stylistically, there were only minor changes.

In the following year the 7.5 -liter V8 was offered again and offered 225 nhp; the performance of the 5.7 -liter V8 to 175 hp. The convertible was not offered this year. Otherwise there was little change.

1974 there was again a significant facelift. The dual round headlights in their rectangular frames were now disposed laterally from the radiator grille, whose upper halves consisted of panels in body color. Also, there was again a convertible, but only as a LeSabre Luxus ( luxury replaced the Custom).

1975 decreased engine performance due to the use of catalysts to 165 nhp, or 205 nhp. Also for the first time came unleaded petrol used. The luxury was wearing the name of custom. In addition, there was only a slight facelift.

1976 was the convertible because of its sustained failure of the program. The other models were small, rectangular dual headlights with arranged underneath indicators and side lights. For the first time in the LeSabre and once when a U.S. vehicle upper-middle- class V6 engine with 3785 cc capacity was offered as standard equipment. This was only available for the standard version and made 105 hp.

Overall, until the summer of 1976 1.122.005 created copies of the LeSabre.

LeSabre / Custom / Limited / Sport / Estate WGON (1976-1985)

Buick LeSabre Sedan (1976-1979)

Significantly reduced, but without significant stylistic changes was the LeSabre in autumn 1976 in the model year 1977.

As with all GM vehicles this time, size and weight have been reduced significantly in response to the oil crisis, but without significantly restricting the space inside and in the trunk. Also, the rear-wheel drive was first obtained. Hardtop models were no longer offered. So it was only a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe. Advanced was the engine: in addition to the known from the previous year 3.8 liter V6 with unchanged 105 hp there were four different V8 engines: 4,933 cc with 135 hp ( 99 kW ) 5735 cc with 155 hp (114 kW) or 170 PS (125 kW) and 6604 cc with 185 hp (136 kW).

Next year, came a V6 turbo engine for the LeSabre Sport Coupe to the power of 165 hp ( 121 kW ) also drew from 3.8 liters, and the 4.9 -liter V8 was a V8 replaced with 4998 cc, the (107 kW) made ​​145 hp. Also the front of the vehicle had been significantly altered: there was a grille of the Mercedes style, which extended to below the double headlights ( there, where had been previously arranged blink and parking lights ). The turn signal emigrated to the corners of the vehicle. Also had the vehicles, according to the new regulations, now yellow side marker lights on the front fenders and corresponding red lights on the sides of the rear fender.

In 1979 there were only a small facelift, the V6 turbo strengthened to 170 hp ( 125 kW ) and the 4.9 -liter V8 replaced the 5.0 liter engine of the previous year, but with 140 hp (103 kW) again. The more powerful 5.7 -liter V8 made ​​only 160 hp (118 kW ) and the 6.6 -liter V8 was omitted.

The following year, the Mercedes -like grille was a fine-meshed network structure, the base V6 engine now made ​​110 hp (81 kW). For this purpose, a larger V6 engine came with 4130 cc and 125 hp (92 kW). Also new was the LeSabre Estate Wagon, a five-door station wagon based on the same floor pan as sedan and coupe, which was, however, only available with a V8 engine.

1981 there was again a clearer revision: the grille was in a coarser mesh structure organized and extended, as before, again to below the rectangular dual headlights. The wide range of engines, which was based on another similar motor units of different manufacturers GM ( Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet ), was significantly reduced. There were only four engines: The two V6 from the previous year ( the V6 Turbo was with the LeSabre Sport omitted), in addition a new V8 engine with 5031 cc and a power output of 140 hp (103 kW) and the first time a V8 diesel engine with 5735 cc and 105 hp (77 kW).

Only cosmetic changes ( an even coarser grid design on the grille ) identified the models of model years 1982 and 1983. Too, in technical terms, the models remained unchanged. 1984 there was a new grille with matte black, vertical bars between the double headlights and taillights new. The combination was accounted for in this year.

For 1985, the grille was modified a second time. Also, this was the last model year of the LeSabre rear wheel drive. A station wagon version was available again, but the 4.1 -liter V6 engine accounted for. The LeSabre Limited, there was also a collector's edition.

From this last LeSabre - generation rear-wheel drive originated from autumn 1976 to mid-1985 1.23516 million copies.

LeSabre (1985-1991)

Buick LeSabre (1985-1986)

In the autumn of 1985 a completely new LeSabre model, which was again provided significantly smaller in its dimensions and front wheel drive appeared. However, there were only sedan and coupe in this embodiment; the combination was further built without changes.

The car appeared in a wedge shape and had a wide grille with a coarse network design, on the two ends of which were used rectangular dual headlights. As a drive for the new front-wheel drive were optional two V6 engines: the smaller one had 2966 cc and made 125 hp (92 kW), the greater was the famous 3.8 -liter V6, now with 150 hp (110 kW). The combined model was further driven by the 5.05 -liter V8 engine. The diesel was omitted due to lack of customer interest.

Only in model year 1986, there was a coupe the LeSabre Grand National, which was successfully attended NASCAR races. From the held always in black car with gray interior only 112-117 copies were built, making it the most sought today LeSabre model at all.

In model year 1987 accounted for the small V6 engine, as the simplest version of the LeSabre was introduced (without additional name) again. As a special model of the LeSabre T -Type was available, the - available only as a coupe - always had a black finish and held in matt black trim. Furthermore, disposal of the T -Type a leather steering wheel and alloy wheels. On request, there was the T package for the other LeSabre models ( with the exception of the combination ). All LeSabre received broadband instead of the previous twin headlights.

In the following two years there were no changes, only the engine power of the only available V6 rose in 1989 to 165 hp (121 kW). From 1988, the LeSabre standard was built only as a coupe and the LeSabre Custom only as a sedan. The LeSabre Limited, there were two body styles.

1990 T -Type had been deleted from the Offer for bad sales in the previous year as well as the combination with rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine. The remaining models Custom and Limited received a slightly different front fascia and taillights with integrated reverse lights.

In 1991, the model received yet a new suspension geometry, otherwise you underwent Buicks Bestsellers no further changes.

From the LeSabre model with front-wheel drive 723 297 pieces created in six years, while the last model of the LeSabre Estate Wagon, based on the previous platform even 19,700 copies were built.

LeSabre Custom / Limited (1992-1999)

Buick LeSabre (1992-1996)

An aerodynamic revision received the LeSabre in the late summer of 1991 for model year 1992, so that it looked similar to Park Avenue. He also took in length with a constant wheelbase to something.

There was only a four-door sedan with the 3.8 liter V6 engine, whose power had been increased to 170 hp ( 125 kW). Only the two better equipment options Custom and Limited were available.

1993 ABS standard equipment for all LeSabre models, and there was a special model for the company 90.Geburtstag Buick. Up to and including 1995, there were only minor technical changes.

In model year 1996, the LeSabre received a new engine. The 3.8 -liter V6 of the second series made ​​205 hp (151 kW).

In the fall of 1996, for model year 1997, a minor facelift in which the turn signals from the front headlights wandered into the bumper. Also, there was now standard tachometer, but did not really fit to still use place broadband speedometer. In this embodiment, the cars were still built further to the summer of 1999.

Overall, in eight years, about 1.2 million units were built from the LeSabre the second generation model with front wheel drive.

LeSabre Custom / Limited / Centenniel (1999-2005)

Buick LeSabre (1999-2005)

For model year 2000, the LeSabre received in autumn 1999 again a major overhaul. The hood was contoured, the oval grille no longer opened together with the hood, and the rear was made ​​higher. The Blinkleuchen wandered back to the corners of the vehicle next to the wide-band headlamps.

On the 100th birthday of a particularly well-equipped Buick LeSabre Centennial special edition appeared in 2003 in the finishes white and pearl colors with black trim.

On 22 June 2005, the last LeSabre was manufactured. He was succeeded by the Buick Lucerne.