Buick Electra III gallery (1965–1970)

The third generation Buick Electra featured dramatic Coke-bottle body contours and the debut of massive big-block V8 engines.

All photos 0 I 0 1959–1960 II 0 1961–1964 III 0 1965–1970 IV 0 1971–1976 V 0 1977–1984 VI 0 1985–1990

Launched for 1965, the third-generation Buick Electra (widely marketed as the Electra 225) adopted striking 'Coke-bottle' body contours with curved side glass and semi-fastback rooflines. Retaining General Motors' perimeter-frame C-body architecture with a 126-inch wheelbase, the full-size luxury cruiser was sold as a 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door hardtop sedan, 4-door pillared sedan, and 2-door convertible. The generation witnessed major powertrain advancements: the legacy 425 cu in Nailhead V8 was replaced in 1967 by an all-new 430 cu in (7.0 L) big-block V8 rated at 360 hp, which was further enlarged for 1970 to a massive 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 producing 370 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Power was routed exclusively through the robust 3-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic transmission. Annual styling updates and a major 1969 redesign kept the Electra at the top of the American luxury segment.