1979 Buick LeSabre Junkyard Find

I got lucky on this one. I went to the local Pick n Pull junkyard in south Dallas to check out another vehicle when I spotted this 1979 Buick LeSabre that had just been put out for parts. So I was probably one of the first people to look it over as that day it was raining off and on. It was mostly all there with new parts as well in the trunk. She was also a little decked out with power windows, locks, driver side seat along with a tilt steering column and cruise control. The hood ornament was even in good shape. Unfortunately the vinyl top did a number to the roof and it leaked water into the interior where it was now smelled and covered in mold. Underneath though it was very solid still. There are still some good parts to be had on this one before it ultimately meets the crusher.

[@googleusergp]

Whoa Nelley, 1979 and used to be fine. Doc Stewart Buick is now Bender Chevrolet-GMC at 2500 Mabry Drive in Clovis NM 88101. Yes, 1984 is the fist year for the SPID on GM passenger cars. Trucks were much earlier as you've seen. Nothing like being out for the count after a business flight home from Florida. I've been out sick since Monday and I was told to take the rest of the week off. No, this is a Pontiac V8. A Buick 350 has the "pulley over pulley" system and a distributor in the front for the "integral drive" oiling system. That curved alternator bracket is a Pontiac trademark. I'd even violate my "divisional power/divisional rule" and rock this one with the Pontiac V8, although normally I'd want a Buick with a Buick V8. In this case, the Pontiac V8 is the better choice. No (full VIN), can't really win, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 4 for Buick, N for LeSabre base model, (P is for LeSabre Limited), 69 for four door sedan, Y for 4.9L (301 CID) V8 with two barrel, Pontiac produced aka RPO code "L27", 9 for 1979 model year, X for Fairfax, KS assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Fairfax plant that assembled this car operated until 1986, and then Fairfax II opened up thereafter and still operates today under GM. No tag, can't brag, but might go something like ST79 for 1979 model year, 4BN69 for Buick (4) LeSabre base (BN) four door (69), (BP is for LeSabre Limited), X for Fairfax, KS assembly, 63L for Dark Gold lower exterior paint, 11T for White vinyl top, 62 for Buckskin (or Camel Tan) interior trim, among other codes. My uncle had a 1980 LeSabre with a 301 V8, but it was a four barrel. He got it in 1982 and sold it in 1986. It was a company car from my father's company and it used to come home to our house for a time from 1980-1982 before he bought it the spring of 1982. I saw it several years after and I knew it was the same car as it had a "Vermont is for Lovers" bumper sticker on it which the new owner added. 1989 Firebird with the VIN for the win: 1G2 for US made Pontiac, FS21 for Firebird two door hatchback coupe, S for 2.8L V6 with MFI, 5 is a check digit, K for the 1989 model year, L for Van Nuys, CA assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Van Nuys plant was one of the "Terrible Three" of the GM system and closed in 1992 when the last of the 3rd generation cars rolled off the line. Norwood, OH which also assembled these closed in August of 1987. No SPID, wish you did, but should be code 41 Black exterior paint. Whoa Nelley, two for one and both done. 301 probably still runs. Buick with a Poncho needs a new honcho. That's it, time to quit. Sold new by Doc and ready for the chopping block. L27 is going to Heaven. Dark Gold looking very old. No tag, can't brag, and that makes the Google Man sad. Vinyl top took a big flop. Third generation Firebird was always a turd. Going to get squished and many here, perhaps Benny and you betcha for the "Bui-iac" the Google Man is going to be very, very, very, very pissed.

[@garymckee8857]

I could have bought the Electra 225 Version with the same paint scheme as this one back about 87. Why l didn't purchase it was because of the 403 Oldsmobile engine that everyone back then told me not to buy.

[@googleusergp]

Nothing wrong with a 403.

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Feel better soon Google Man!

[@garymckee8857]

Hey, get well soon and last week I was not feeling well but my employment no sick days so off to work l went.

[@googleusergp]

@@garymckee8857 I was told, "Stay home. You have plenty of time. Not worth getting yourself or others sick". So, home I stay.

[@emeyer6963]

That Buick looked ready for action with a little love.

[@googleusergp]

You betcha, with a 301 V8 under the hood. I'd bet it still runs.

[@emeyer6963]

@@googleusergp Funny how small they looked when they were downsized for 1977 and how big they look now.

[@googleusergp]

@@emeyer6963 Yup. I rode around in a Chrysler Pacifica minivan for a week in Florida on business last week. I said to my coworkers, "Great rental, but I'd never buy one". LOL.

[@emeyer6963]

@@googleusergp Prices on those are off the charts.Not hard to get one deep in the $50000's these days before the greedy dealer adds his 'FEES".

[@googleusergp]

I signed up with the KZbinr who is developing a buying service that is supposed to eliminate all those fees. We shall see.

[@theoak64]

I owned a silver 79 Buick LeSabre. Bought it off my mom. It had that wonderful boater suspension. It used to hit bumps and just Glide over them.

[@carminecrapanzano1407]

It's ashame it's in the junk yard. The body isn't to bad. I'd venture to say it spent some time in a garage. The inside is rough but not past the point of being cleaned up. I wonder if it ran? Well thanks again for the time you spent on the video Benny. Thanks for the odometer reading.

[@Richaag]

I had a ‘78 LeSabre. A 2 door model with the 301 Pontiac motor. It was underpowered, under cooled (it overheated constantly) but floated on the road with a suspension that’d put you to sleep. It was a love/hate relationship… fast forward to today and I miss everything about it.

[@googleusergp]

Probably had a cooling system issue that one one properly addressed.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I love these cars. Whoever let this go to the yard needs to get beat

[@whatsgood8134]

I love these oldschools rides. Hate to see her go😢

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! The three years in all GM models 1977 - 78 - 79 very cool and riding cars B.O.P & Chevy Platforms ! 👍☕️🚗🥐

[@curioso700912]

The first giving you a like, thanks for putting the locations of the junkyards 👍

[@ClassicRideSociety]

👍

[@richroggio]

I like that LeSabre Benny, it reminds me of my 79 Regency LX

[@googleusergp]

Close. That was a "C" body car, this is a "B" body car. The Electra would have been the Buick equivalent to the Olds 98.

[@joelakers410]

my favorite buick

[@nathankim7664]

It was absolutely savable until the interior got moldy. Wonder if the broken window was the culprit. It's too bad as the body is very nice and it looked mechanically sound. Lots of good parts left Benny, you know those whitewalls have your name haha!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

😆 not those whitewalls

[@henryhendriks9499]

One of my dream Buicks, unfotunaly much to scarce and to expensive over here in the Netherlands. Thanks again for this video Benny, really enjoyd it.

[@jasonwhite3257]

This car was for sell at the location for over a month. It was donated out of Oklahoma. It was being sold with no key. They started at $2250 when I 1st saw it. It was all intact except it had a new Edlbrock carb that had been removed and was being held in the office. Apparently someone in office wanted that carb cause some carb from the yard was tossed on it. I offered $1500 and left my number with the manager. They came down to $1900 but I just wasn’t in love with it. That back window was not busted out either…. Thanks Benny as always

[@ClassicRideSociety]

From your description it sounded like you were referring to a 79 Buick Riviera that they had for sale that was missing the carburetor. I made a video on that car as well. They did end up selling it

[@sburton982]

Diamond in the rough, people sleeping on the old school 😢

[@tristankelsey1746]

This car is in better shape than anything I've owned lol. Idk what it's doing in a junk yard

[@edgardopombo7908]

Buick LeSabre, que suavidad, confort, espacio.

[@giuliopedrali4794]

The coupe 2 doors is significant and beautiful, the 4 doors sedan so so.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

People need to realize that there aren't many of these old cars around anymore. They've either been scrapped, crashed, trashed or customized. Sometimes you might need to buy a few cars to make one. In Southern Ohio there aren't many with good floorpans or quarters. But the interiors are usually decent. Bottom line, if we want these cars in our future. We have to start saving them now. Yards like this are the worst. They will only sell parts. Don't send cars here unless they're newer. I would love that Buick just for the shell. Rust doesn't scare many Ohioans

[@marcusmerritt-gt7ve]

I got the 79 limited coupe with the buick 350 in the same color. Wish i stayed closer just to have the extra parts 😢

[@Love1ifnotall]

I need her she still has life

[@Love1ifnotall]

White walls and a sunroof she ready to go

[@googleusergp]

I'd bet that Pontiac V8 still runs.

[@Love1ifnotall]

@@googleusergp guaranteed we both no it

[@googleusergp]

@@Love1ifnotall Many of those brackets, bolts and other parts under the hood would work on my 1979 Trans Am with the Pontiac 400.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Unfortunately she's long for this world. Crushed in probably a couple of months

[@martinliehs2513]

I liked the corduroy fabric on 80s cars.

[@googleusergp]

It was the style back then, including pants. Corduroy was all the rage in the day.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I remember that style well. Never owned a pair myself. It was just something about the material that felt odd wearing it. Surprised it hasn't made a comeback like other styles

[@googleusergp]

@@ClassicRideSociety I think it had its time, but I do recall it coming back for a time again in the 1990s or so.

[@martinliehs2513]

@@ClassicRideSociety I'm working to bring it back. In fact, cords have never left my wardrobe. My views on corduroy might be different if I lived in the year-round Texas heat, however.

[@tristankelsey1746]

Damn near factory fresh in my opinion

[@cleckleymotorworks]

Optional 301 Pontiac motor. More than likely the reason it was parked. Lol

[@googleusergp]

Only because some "mechanic" doesn't know how to fix it. Nothing wrong with the 301. The transmission might have totaled it out. They typically had the THM200/THM250 behind them and those gave up the ghost and totaled them out.

[@301Pont]

Engine is the 4.9L Pontiac 301 V8.

[@googleusergp]

Indeed it is, the RPO code "L27" VIN code "Y" two barrel version, which was offered on various models from 1977 to 1979. The 301 with the four barrel (RPO code "L37" VIN code "W") was offered from 1978 to 1981.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

I like this model.🥰

[@davidmckinney6577]

Those models of buicks I never did like we had a Pontiac Bonneville the same year was a pretty ol car

[@mattmaverick703]

Should've been saved! Ironically back in 1985 the year my parents got married. My Dad owned a 1979 Buick Regal was a black with burgundy leather interior had the rally wheels was a nice car he said. When i was born the following year he traded that car for a Renault Alliance which he said was an 85. That car he had till 1990 because by then they already had me my brother and were expecting my sister. He traded that nightmare of a car for a used but very nice condition 1986 Grey Chevy Celebrity.

[@bigcrowfly]

That is a Pontiac V8. Not a Buick because plug wires come from the back (Buick V8 comes from front); not Olds (no front oil filler tube), not Chevy (Chevys have A/C on driver side).

[@googleusergp]

Pontiac 301 V8 with two barrel, VIN code "Y", RPO code "L27", correct.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I'll take the 🤡"L" on this. 😄

[@googleusergp]

@@ClassicRideSociety It's OK. GM had a dizzying array of combinations back then and everyone's engines were used in everyone's cars, except Cadillac who mostly had their own (save for the "Oldsmiac" Cadillac marketed, Olds produced 350 engines in the "Sevova" (Nova derived Seville) and other Cadillac models at the time.

[@seanpool8028]

When I was a very little kid my late grandma's neighbors that lived across the street from her had a Buick LeSabre just like this, except it was maroon and in much better shape than this one. I'm 40 now so that was 30 plus years ago and my grandma sadly passed away in 1991😢

[@reginaldwilson2532]

My grandfather use to have one of those

[@chrislemaster2695]

For anything 1984 on down the RPO or SPID option list would be in the glovebox

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I thought that was for the trucks

[@paulravitsky8085]

It'll be nice to restore it

[@flagcityparts]

that needs a 6.0/ 4l80e and a stage 1 cam

[@chriskoloski8881]

I had a 78 old 98 basically the same car

[@googleusergp]

That's a "C" body, this is a "B" body, but yes they share some parts.

[@briang4470]

That's not a Buick engine that's a Pontiac, most likely a 301.

[@lesterrojas2656]

Buick LeSabre counterpart of Pontiac Bonneville/Oldsmobile Delta 88 & Chevrolet Impala & Caprice Classic

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I guess I'm losing it in my old age. How it didn't hit me that there's no distributor in the front. I deserve to get 🤡'd

[@stevejohnson1397]

Rochester dualjet carburetor essentially a Quadrajet chopped in half they only put that on a 301 V8

[@briang4470]

@@stevejohnson1397 no they were also installed on 260 Oldsmobile and some 305,267,262 Chevrolet small block engines as well.

[@googleusergp]

@@briang4470 Correct. The "bootleg" Q-Jet.

[@RuthBrinson]

How much and how would you transfer the 1979 Buick lasabre for? I just need the body.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Unfortunately the junkyard crushed this one a little while back

[@corghhh]

Nice ride ,what a shame.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Here I thought you'd say fire up the crusher 😄

[@corghhh]

@@ClassicRideSociety Well thats a given but still you can tell someone took great care of that ride for a large part of its life.

[@johnboender1956]

Probably one owner garaged it's whole life.

[@enriquevelasquez1050]

I have the same car

[@anthonycoach4551]

That's one of my brrrick's I liked back then comfortable ridding car..that thing is in dam good shape for a 79..I don't like them seats either Benny..solid car underneath..

[@Glizzeys]

what was the name of the junk ad I need that hood

[@ClassicRideSociety]

It was at Pick n Pull South Dallas Texas. But its gone now. They crushed it

[@PizzaDave802]

👍🧡

[@Kingecj]

In the place to be!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

You didn't go to the Pate swap meet?

[@Kingecj]

@@ClassicRideSociety I was super busy

[@stevejohnson1397]

Well it's not a olds 403 that it's not a Buick 350 so that leaves you with one choice junk Pontiac 301 leave it there

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Yep I feel like a 🤡 for saying Buick 😄

[@googleusergp]

Yes, Pontiac 301 V8 with two barrel, RPO code "L27", VIN code "Y". The alternator bracket is a giveaway. No oil fill tube rules out an Olds V8 and a Buick V8 would have had the distributor up front. So yes, a 301 V8. No, they are not junk. The problem with them is the "mechanics" that attempt to "fix" them. Nothing more.

[@Butter615s]

Dang this one hurts. Such a waste of

[@channinghaynes4467]

Where this located? Do you have the phone number to the junk yard?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Its at Pick n Pull. Dallas Texas. 2nd Ave location.

[@channinghaynes4467]

I know it’s a long shot would you pick and ship?

[@DanKirchner5150]

the MOST vanilla ,boring car i ever owned ,mine was a "collectors edition" ,very rare

[@chevelle-pi1bn]

Another one that should not be in there .

[@bobbymatheson5807]

This Is a total waste this car is nowhere near ready to be put in the junkyard ! And as far as the interior goes with a little bit of the money that could be fixed also ! So unless this car had some major mechanical issue's it could of been saved and sold to someone for a reasonable price!!! Its just sad to see how wasteful some people can be !!!

[@danh2134]

Someone did make an offer but it was not enough .