It’s still possible to get a fun old car that’s enjoyable for reasons beyond just being old. This 1975 Buick LeSabre convertible represents the last of Buick’s full-sized ragtops, and with V8 power, lots of options, and a bright color combination, it is a heck of a lot of old car fun for not a lot of cash.

This pretty Glacier Blue Buick spent most of its life in Florida, where it was used during the six months each year when its owners would escape the cold northern winters. As a result, the 67,193 miles showing on the odometer is an accurate reading so the car still feels quite robust. It was repainted a few years ago, not because of accident damage or rust, but because of the havoc that the hot Florida sun plays on enamel paint. The finish is appropriate to a car of this age and price, not perfect but quite nice, with a fantastic urethane gloss that’s probably better than original. The sheetmetal is very straight and there’s no evidence of any nastiness hiding under botched bodywork. Sight down the flanks and you see straight body panels and good gaps, and that crease that runs from nose to tail doesn’t allow for errors in assembly. The bright blue looks cheerful and combined with the white interior and top, it really pops. A white pinstripe highlights the body’s contours and it still carries “Venti-Ports” on the front fenders, a Buick trademark since the 1940s. You’ll note that the urethane bumper extensions are in excellent condition, the original chrome is holding up quite well, and it is equipped with rather rare fiber-optic indicators on top of the front fenders, an option even on expensive Buicks. More than one person has walked past this Buick in the showroom and said, “Wow, that’s really a nice car!” as if they didn’t expect it. Look at the price, and you’ll understand why.

The white interior is likewise mostly original and in excellent shape. The upholstery shows quite well and hasn’t turned yellow with age as is so common with some cars. We suspect that the carpets might have been replaced at some point because they’re extremely nice, but everything else seems to be factory-issue. The interior isn’t perfect, of course, but it’s not stained, ripped, or damaged, and it remains a great place to hang out on a warm, sunny afternoon. For a car that lived in Florida, the dash pad is in excellent shape and even the plastic steering wheel isn’t cracked or faded, which is a real surprise. This LeSabre is loaded, too, including cold factory A/C, power windows and locks, dual power front seats, the aforementioned fiber-optic indicators, and a power antenna for the AM/FM/CD stereo that has been cleverly hidden in the glove box. The original radio is still in the dash, but it’s disconnected and we like that they kept the OEM look. There are a few of the usual signs of age, a scuff here and a wrinkle there, but overall it’s quite nicely preserved. Overhead, the white power convertible top folds easily with the touch of a button, and it seals up well although it does have a split in the usual spot behind the driver’s quarter window—very common on the GM scissor tops. And just check out that ultra-clean trunk, which includes a full-sized spare with cover and a factory jack assembly.

This LeSabre is powered by Buick’s 350 cubic inch V8, which makes the big ragtop feel reasonably fleet in traffic. But where this car really shines is when you can just lay back and cruise, letting the V8 burble along almost silently, the pillowy suspension making bumps disappear, and enjoy the sky overhead. It’s tidy and clean in the engine bay and shows conscientious maintenance over the years, including a recent tune-up that ensures it runs properly. The A/C has been converted to R134a refrigerant for easy service in the future and there are recent belts and hoses plus a new radiator up front. The heater core seems to be disconnected and there’s a brand new core in the trunk, leading us to believe that the original has started to leak, but if you’re not driving it in the winter you may not even need it. Turn the key and it fires right up every time, idles smoothly, and just goes about its business without any fussing. If you want an interesting old convertible, this one has the right hardware for the guy who is into driving instead of fixing.

The engine is backed by GM’s tough TH350 3-speed automatic transmission, which shifts cleanly and has no issues. There are tall 2.73 gears out back, so this is a fantastic highway cruiser that just loafs along at 70 MPH. You know this car has led an easy life when you see the original catalytic converter still underneath, although the rest of the exhaust system is more recent. I’ll trust you to be experienced enough to discern surface scale from actual rot, and as you can see, the undercarriage is extremely clean thanks to a lifetime in Florida. It isn’t shiny and perfect, but for a 45-year-old driver, this is as good as it gets. The brakes have been recently serviced, the shocks were replaced a few years ago, and it sits right and doesn’t sag in back, a common malady for these cars. Buick Road Wheels are some of the most attractive wheels you could get on a GM car, and these are in excellent shape and carry 225/75/15 Firestone whitewall radials.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manual and other books.

This is a lot of car for the money, and history has proven that these big Buicks are reliable, easy-to-maintain cars. It also offers modern performance, easy driving manners, and lots of options, so you shouldn’t feel like you have to suffer with a bare-bones car when you’re out having fun. And you will surely discover that everywhere you go in a car like this, people are your friend. It’s like a one-car parade. Get in, drive, have fun. Sometimes it really is that easy. Call today!