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Buick Electra Coupe 7.5 V8 (205 Hp) Turbo Hydra-matic
Overall Rating
Buick Electra:
The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its entire production and was offered as a two-door sedan, two-door convertible, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon.
The Electra initially used GM's rear-drive C Platform, undergoing a significant downsizing for 1977.
For its sixth generation, introduced for model year 1985, the Electra underwent another significant downsizing, and adopted unibody construction as well as GM's new front wheel drive C Platform — becoming along with its rebadged variants, the Oldsmobile 98 and Cadillac Deville and Fleetwood, the company's first full-size, unibody, transverse engine, front-drive cars....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Coupe Overview:
Buick Electra (Coupe). With 468 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. At around 2112 kg, it’s on the heavier side. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The 1975 Buick Electra Coupe predates modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP, which began in 1997. Safety features were rudimentary by today's standards, focusing on basic structural integrity and seatbelts typical of the mid-1970s.
7.5 V8 (205 Hp) Turbo Hydra-matic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers smooth, effortless cruising thanks to its high torque (468 Nm @ 2000 rpm), but acceleration is leisurely for its size and the 205 hp output is modest for a 7.5L V8, reflecting the era's emissions constraints.
Fuel Economy
Extremely poor fuel economy is a significant drawback, typical of large American V8s from the mid-1970s, making it costly to run and environmentally inefficient.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional ride comfort and smooth cruising ability
- • Spacious and luxurious interior for its time
- • Torquey V8 engine provides effortless power for highway driving
- • Distinctive classic American styling and road presence
- • Generally robust mechanicals if well-maintained
Cons:
- • Very poor fuel economy due to large engine and heavy weight
- • Handling is soft and ponderous, not suited for spirited driving
- • Dated safety features compared to modern vehicles
- • Large dimensions can make parking and maneuvering challenging
- • Emissions performance is poor by contemporary standards
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Buick |
| Model: | Electra |
| Generation: | Coupe |
| Modification (Engine): | 7.5 V8 (205 Hp) Turbo Hydra-matic |
| Start of production: | 1975 |
| End of production: | 1976 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 205 Hp @ 3800 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 27.5 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 468 Nm @ 2000 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 7456 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 109.47 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 99.06 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7.9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 10.3 kg/Hp, 97.1 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 4.5 kg/Nm, 221.6 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 2112 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 586 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 82 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5928 mm mm |
| Width: | 2029 mm mm |
| Height: | 1372 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 3226 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1610 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1626 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 3 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Gearbox type | Turbo Hydra-matic |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 225/75 R15 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
Behind the wheel of the Buick Electra. How does it handle on the road?