Automotif DXL...

1970 was a watershed year for Buick's Electra model. It was the last year of the third generation of the model, which had launched as a '65. Further, it was the final appearance of an Electra convertible in showrooms.

It was the first year of Buick's newest iteration of its big block V-8, the 455, created by boring out the older Buick 430 V-8. It was also the last year of high-compression motors under the hood of Electras. The 455 in this Burnished Saddle Iridescent 1970 Electra 225 Limited convertible had a 10.0:1 compression ratio and was rated at 360 SAE gross horsepower, but for 1971 it would be reduced to 8.5:1 so that it could run on regular pump gas, giving it a horsepower haircut to 315 SAE gross.

1970 would also be the last year for finned aluminum brake drums on all four corners on the Electra. The 1971 model year would see power front discs appear as standard equipment up front on the big Buick.

What was unchanged for 1970 was size. The 1970 Electra 225 Limited still stretched a hair longer than 225" between the bumpers and pressed down on the earth with just shy of 4500 pounds of road-hugging weight.

It still showed off the classic Buick styling elements, too. On the front fenders are the four Ventiports proclaiming its status as a top-of-the-line Buick, and stretching down the flanks is a chrome styling line echoing the classic Sweepspear.

This one was photographed in August of 2024 with an Olympus OM-D E-M1X and a Panasonic 12-60mm f/2.8-4 zoom lens.