Buick Electra (1st generation)
The pinnacle of Harley Earl’s 'Delta Wing' styling and Buick’s first-generation luxury flagship.
- Power
- 325 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 9.2 s
- Top speed
- 115 mph
- Est. value
- $14k–$65k
About the Buick Electra
The 1959 Buick Electra replaced the Roadmaster as the brand's premier luxury offering, debuting a radical new design language characterized by slanted headlights and massive 'Delta Wing' tailfins. Built on General Motors' C-body platform, it featured the new 401 cubic-inch 'Wildcat' V8, which provided effortless torque for the era. The 1959 model is highly prized by collectors for its one-year-only styling, representing the absolute peak of American chrome-and-fin excess before the industry pivoted to more conservative designs in the 1960s. It offered a remarkably smooth ride thanks to its standard power steering, power brakes, and the unique Twin Turbine Dynaflow transmission.
Buick Electra specs
The Buick Electra produces 325 bhp (242 kW) and 603 Nm (445 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h).
| Make | Buick |
|---|---|
| Model | Electra |
| Generation | First Generation (1st generation) |
| Trim | 6.6 |
| Years | 1959–1960 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Sedan |
| Country | United States |
| Original price | About $4,000 when new |
| Engine | 6.6-litre Wildcat 401 V8 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 6,571 cc (6.6 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 325 bhp (242 kW) at 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | 603 Nm (445 lb-ft) |
| 0–60 mph | 9.2 s |
| Top speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Transmission | 2-speed Twin Turbine Dynaflow automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2,120 kg (4,674 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 153 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Buick Electra worth?
A typical Buick Electra is estimated to be worth $14,000 – $65,000 (about £10,000 – £48,000).
Its original price when new was about $4,000.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Buick Electra rarity in CarSpot
The Buick Electra is an Uncommon card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 38 out of 100. Hot hatches and premium sporty cars. An Uncommon card is worth 20 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Buick Electra fun facts
- The 1959 Electra featured 'VentiPorts' on the front wings, a classic Buick design cue that was actually functional for engine cooling in earlier years but became decorative by 1959.
- The 'Wildcat 401' V8 engine was nicknamed the 'Nailhead' due to its unusually small vertical valves, a design intended to increase torque at the expense of high-RPM breathing.
- The 1959 model year was the only time Buick used the slanted headlight arrangement, which was shared across the entire range from the LeSabre to the Electra 225.
