In addition to new styling, many features were offered by Buick for the first time in 1960. Among those were separate heater controls for the front and rear passengers; a new device called Mirrormagic, which allowed the driver to adjust the angle of the instrument dials; and a Twilight Sentinel that automatically turned on the car’s headlights at dusk and turned them off at dawn. Vented wheels and wheel covers were designed for greater brake heat dissipation, and the exhaust system was completely redesigned too.

The Electra 225 (named for the car’s overall length) continued as Buick’s top-of-the-line offering, with power supplied by Buick’s ubiquitous 235-horsepower, 401-cubic inch “nailhead” V-8 and Dynaflow automatic transmission. Power steering and brakes were standard, befitting of the Electra 225’s top-tier status.

This dashing Convertible found its current owner in 2008, after he responded to an ad in Hemmings, which described the car as “an older restoration and an excellent driver.” Equally appealing was the fact that it was loaded with options, including factory air conditioning, which was a feature that appeared on less than 10 percent of production that year. Additionally, it was lavishly equipped with a center console, power-operated leather bucket seats, a power antenna, power windows (including front wing vents), a Town & Country AM radio with a rear-seat speaker, a Twilight Sentinel with an Autronic-Eye, and a safety minder with a speed alert.

What followed was an exhaustive four-year restoration that left no detail spared. Receipts totaling in excess of $140,000 (excluding time and labor) are included with the car’s file. The highlights were extensively chronicled in a two-part article appearing in the July and August 2013 issues of Hemmings Classic Car. Everything was attended to, including an engine and chassis rebuild and even the reapplication of any factory paint dabs found during disassembly. A rechroming of all the trim, the fitting of a new interior and top, and a repaint in a factory color of Pearl Fawn Metallic were just a few of the myriad of things attended to. Attesting to the meticulous workmanship and detailing noted in the story, the car received its AACA First Junior award at Hershey in 2012, along with the prestigious Post-War Buick National Award that same year. It was awarded its AACA Senior in 2013 in Charlotte and has since received a Best in Class award at the 2013 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance and a First in Class at the Hemmings Concours in Saratoga, New York, in 2014.

As this car has attended limited showings since its restoration, the new owner is bound to receive further accolades wherever it should appear. Just like the ads of the era asked, “Wouldn’t You Really Rather Have a Buick?”