Like the other GM carmakers, Buick completely restyled its B- and C-body cars for 1971. The full-size cars emerged larger and heavier than before and also ever after. The styling featured curved bodysides, long hoods and wide expanses of glass. All Electra 225s were hardtops in the 1971 to 1973 model years, eliminating the previous four-door pillared sedan variant and the convertible. In 1974 Buick adopted GM's pillared coupe body and fitted it with the "Landau" option on the Electra Limited coupe. Optional driver and passenger airbags were also available from 1974 to 1976, but unpopular due to their cost.
First year for new GM C-body shared with Oldsmobile 98 and Cadillac, the 1971 Electra 225 rode on a new body chassis which retained the 127-inch wheelbase with styling evolutionary from previous models. The new design included a double-shell roof for improved roll-over protection and noise reduction. Inside was a new wrap-around cockpit style instrument panel shared with B-body LeSabre and Centurion models that grouped all instruments with easy reach of the driver.
Under the hood, the 455-cubic-inch V8 was retained as standard equipment, but featured a lower compression of 8.5 to 1 compared to 10.25 to 1 in 1970 as part of a GM corporate mandate requiring all engines to run on 91 Research octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasolines. Horsepower also dropped from 370 to 315 as a result. Standard equipment continued to consist of variable-ratio power steering and Turbo Hydra-matic transmission. Power front disc brakes were now standard equipment on Electras, replacing the 12-inch (300 mm) finned aluminum drum brakes used in full-sized Buicks since the late 1950s.
Also new for the 1971 Electra 225, as well as the B-body LeSabre and Centurion, and E-body Riviera, was a new power ventilation system. The system, shared with other GM B-, C- and E-body cars along with the compact Chevrolet Vega, used the heater fan to draw air into the car from the cowl intake, and force it out through vents in the trunk lid or tailgate. In theory, passengers could enjoy fresh air even when the car was moving slowly or stopped, as in heavy traffic. In practice, however, it didn't work.
Within weeks of the 1971 models' debut, however, Buick—and all other GM dealers—received multiple complaints from drivers who complained the ventilation system pulled cold air into the car before the heater could warm up—and could not be shut off. The ventilation system was extensively revised for 1972.
This amazing low mileage original car has a known history form new and is pretty much as new. The car was ordered new by George Hagen of Hagen Buick in Cincinnati and used as his demo. Mr Hagen passed away a year or so later and it was purchased by a client whose wife drove the car occassionally. After she passed away the vender went over to the widowers home and started and drove the car briefly monthly to keep the car in good order. He later purchased the car and has had it for the past 20 years. He had the bumpers and some other chrome replated to show quality because of the poor quality of plating on these cars generally. Recently a new set of Coker Classic Radials has been installed but the car still sports its original spare tire. All books and paperwork are with the car since new. The car has never been left outside overnight or used in inclement weather. It has a known history from new having only had a couple of owners. The car received a Best of Show Award for its era at the National Buick Club meet a few years back. This is the perfect car for AACA and BCA events as it will provide comfortable touring all day long and still win at the concours! The car is by the way completely decked out with every available option you could get in the Limited, including the rare MaxTrack Traction Control. This was the top of the line Buick for 1973!
