Car Collector Corner: Info On 1976 Buick Electra 225 Park Avenue

Q: Hello Greg. I read your collector car column in my newspaper, which had a "Car Care" insert. I have a 1976 Buick Electra 225 Park Avenue with 46,000 miles on it. I am thinking of selling the car but I have no clue as to what the car is worth and if there is any type of market for this type of vehicle. Can you assist me? The car has 44,864 miles on it (all original) and is red in color with a full white padded top.

The interior is all black with plush cloth seats. There is some rust around the back window where the padded roof ends and it meets the trunk area, but nothing major. Currently, the car is insured through American Collectors Insurance, and I am allowed to drive it 5,000 miles a year, but I do not drive it that much. If I had to rate the condition of the car, I would say it is in good condition.

What can I expect to get for a car like this? Thanks, Wassil from Hazleton, Pa.

A: Wassil, there is a market for a car like your Buick Electra 225 Park Avenue. These large cars from the first half of the 1970s include other General Motors brands like Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Cadillac, all which continued to build monstrous cars even in the face of fuel shortages and a massive economical import car infusion. By the second half of the 1970s, GM got the message, but these huge vehicles with huge engines (I had a 1975 Cadillac Coupe Deville with a 500-inch engine) were still built and today attract collector interest because of their monstrosity.

I've seen some nice 1974 to 1976 full size Buicks and Cadillacs going for near $12,000 in excellent condition to a low of $4,000 in decent shape. I'd say for a good condition '76 225 Park Avenue like yours, expect in the $6,500 range (which is close to the original factory prices). The Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs bring a little less, but they also have a market. The engine for your Electra 225 with the Park Avenue option is a 455 V8, a little smaller than the 500- inch Cadillac. Remember, this opinion is for ballpark figure purposes only, as the buyer has the final say in what he will offer.

To sell you car, clean it all up and advertise in your local newspaper as someone close by may be looking for a gem like yours. Selling locally eliminates all the hassle of shipping to an out of state buyer, unless the person visits in person to buy the car. If you can't sell locally, Auto Roundup and Hemmings are my favorite national titles.

Good luck with your Buick and thanks for the letter.

Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader input on collector cars, auto nostalgia and old-time racing at 116 Main St., Towanda, PA 18848 or email at [email protected].