Buick Electra 225

With the introduction of the 1959 model year in the fall of 1958, the large Buick Roadmaster and Limited models were replaced by the Electra for Roadmaster and Electra 225 for Limited. The top model was the Electra 225 Riviera, a four-door, six-window hardtop sedan with no B-pillar and a length of 5.7 m (225 inches), whose roofline corresponded to the Cadillac Fleetwood built at the same time. The Electra models, like their smaller sister models Invicta and Le Sabre, featured the huge Deltawings (45° outward-pointing rear fins).

The Electra and Electra 225 were powered by a 401 Nailhead V8 engine with Carter twin-barrel carburetor, which sent an output of 325 SAE hp at 4400 rpm to the rear axle via a Dynaflow automatic transmission.

In 1960, a two-door hardtop coupé was offered instead of the Electra convertible. The convertible was only available as the Electra 225.

The bodywork was completely redesigned for the 1961 model year. The protruding delta wings had disappeared and made way for a more functional shape, as far as the length was concerned. While the Electra was available as a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop sedan and a two-door hardtop coupé, the Electra 225 was only available as a four-door hardtop sedan or two-door convertible. The output of the 6.6-liter V8 engine remained at 325 SAE hp.

In 1962, Buick discontinued the regular Electra, while the Electra 225 continued to be built as a convertible and coupé, each with two doors, and as a hardtop sedan and sedan, each with four doors. One year later, the name Riviera disappeared for the hardtop versions and from then on referred to the Buick Riviera, with which the manufacturer entered the personal luxury car market.

There was another facelift for the 1964 model year, which gave the car more bulky bumpers and vertical rear lights.