1961 Buick Electra 225 Convertible with rare bucket seat option

You are looking at a 1961 Buick Electra 225 Convertible with rare original hardback bucket seat option.

I bought the car from the original owner with the plan of restoring it. I have way to much going on and I'd like tofind a buyerthat will bring it back to its former glory.

The story on the car - It was bought in Peoria Illinois, nd driven to Bloomington where it remained it's entire life. In fact the original owner told me they never took it out of that town as it was not the long trip car. I even asked if they had even taken it to Chicago at any point and he said no. It literally lived in Bloomington until I took it to Texas years ago. The car was parked inside a barn in 1970 and then moved 30 years later to another building where it sat until I picked it up a few years ago, o it was sitting a long time.

Condition :

Motor does not run and I have never tried to crank or turn it. I will not try and it's up to the new owner. I'm a believer in doing things right and it would need to be soaked and inspected before a turn. Original owner did say it ran 10 years ago. With the length of time it sat it needs the usual things to get on the road.

Body is pretty straight overall. It had some rocker rust repair in 1970. The pics will tell the tale on all that. Considering it sat since 1970 the underside has surface rust but a media blast and semi gloss black would make it look 1000 times better. I found one rust spot near drivers seat that is a hole. I also found two smaller rust holes under the rear seat. Trunk pan is rock solid. Chrome is what you would expect... pitted but original. Windshield has a wiper scar shown in pic. I have a good windshield if the buyer wants it but you have to deal with shipping it. Top is in good shape just old. The top cylinders were stuck so I unhooked them and the top goes up and down fine. I have the rocker moldings off and they are near perfect and ready to put back on.

Interior - it has the rare hardback bucket seats. I've been offered $ 4000 for the seats alone but will not part he car out. It was born like this and I wouldn't separate the two. Dash has a few cracks, arpet is worn, tc. It's original and sat for eons so you know what to expect. Driver bucket has wear as you can see. They are the original leather.

The summary is this :

Its a one owner car before me. Its rare with the bucket seat option. It sat from 1970 until 2 years ago so expect the usual things that come with a car that sat that long. If you want Barrett Jackson it would need complete restoration, f you want 'Fun Driver' you could get it running and driving and restore as you go.Yes it's from Illinois but it's not as rusty as the pics make it looks underneath. A soda media blast for $ 300 and quick black paint cover would make the underside look great.I have the original inspectioncard from when it went on the road ( the only time I've seen one of these ).I also have original owners manual and service guide.It's such a pretty car with so much potential.

I'm overseas friendly and will assist with loading with a transport. Cars can ship out of Houston via HalMari.

$1000 deposit due within 24 hours. Remainder due upon pickup or 48 hours, hichever comes first. All inspection welcome locally before you buy.

It's also for sale locally so make me and offer and I reserve the right to end this auction if it does sell local.

Thank you, nd here's a link to over a hundred pics :

http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/nutsaboutcars/library/1961%20Buick%20Electra%20225%20Conv