I have recently picked up a 1979 Buick LeSabre 2 door coupe. It has the 3.8L V-6 w/turbo, 105,000 original miles. The car in really in pretty good shape but has not been run since 1991 when it was placed into storage.

In checking over the car I found that it has 4 wheel disc brakes. I know this was a factory option, at least from what I have read. What I am trying to find out, and have no idea where to look, is how many 1979 LeSabres were produced that had this option. Can anyone tell me where I could find this information or direct to me a person, website or company that would have this data available? Would this be a "rare" care with this option?

I am in the process of draining & refilling all the fluids, oil, transmission, radiator etc. and I will be reluctant to turn it over, or even run it, til I am satisfied that it is O.K. to do so. Was told by the Original owner (I am now the second owner) that he drove it into storage and parked it. Entire car was Ziebarted after purchase by original owner ... no evidence of any rust anywhere. Purchased for $1000.00. I think it was a good deal .... any one with any thoughts of helpful information?

Thanks!

Peter

 

What you have there should be a 1979 Le Sabre Sport Coupe, either that or someone swapped the original engine and put that turbo motor under the hood once upon a time.

To tell if you really have a "Sport Coupe", first of all it must have 2 doors obviously .

The most telltale signs would be a blacked out grille, blacked out door pillars, blacked out window trim, and blacked out taillight housings.

Also you should have "Turbo 3.8 liter" badges on the sides of the fenders (where the fake portholes on regular LeSabres would be)

A true Le Sabre Sport coupe would also have an L.E.D. Indicator somewhere near the bottom of the huge speedometer or fuel gage for displaying turbo boost.

Also I believe these cars came with special 15 x 7 mag wheels and a special "firm" (by Buick Standards anyway) suspension and handling package.

Bucket seats may have been standard on the Sport coupe, that I'm not sure of.

The Turbo 3.8 Liter engine originally came available with a 2 or a 4 barrel carberator. It was designed to match the performance of the 350 V8 while providing 6-cylinder economy. The 2-barrel was around 160 HP, the 4 barrel around 180HP. While these cars were very quick by late 1970's standards, they are definitely not fast by today's standards. If you have a true Le Sabre Sport Coupe, It is indeed very rare, and I advise you to take good care of it.

Being that it hasn't ran in so long, once you do get it running, I would be very gentle. Turbo's are not cheap to fix and good luck finding parts for that thing if something breaks. When starting the car, allow it to idle for a few minutes before you drive it, especially in cold weather. This will allow oil to circulate through the bearings in the turbo. Also after driving the car, let it idle for a few miutes. This will get the oil temperature down and prevent sludge from jamming the bearings in the turbo. You may want to fins a mechanic who knows something about turbos to take a look at your car and check it over. Good luck with your Buick!

 

Cellblock_g: It is indeed a 2 door Turbo Sport Coupe just as you described....black door pillars, LED boost indicator on gauges etc etc. Hood ornament and fender badges say as much too! I am going to trailer it home, so I can work on it there, tomorrow evening, well, if the day goes as planned! Thanks for your reply too BTW!

What I would really like to know now is how many of these (with the factory option 4 wheel disc brakes like mine) were manufactured that year. Where would I find that type of information? Does that make the car any more valuable?

The car is white with Red leather interior. Photos will be forthcoming .... as in tomorrow or Sunday ....

 

I think your car needs a complete servicing .Its a perfect time to meet good mechanic and get it checked thoroughly.If any information you need about this particular car so its better to check it online.

 

O.K. , FInally I have the photos of this 1979 Buick Le Sabre Turbo Sport Coupe up. They are posted in the gallery on this site. Here is the link to it:

https://www.buickforum.com/forum/members/flyfisherwiz-5307-albums-1979-buick-le-sabre-turbo-sport-coupe-24/

Still trying to find actual production info on how many Le Sabres were made in 1979 with the 4 wheel disc brakes. I have been told that it is not too many but I would really like to know actual numbers ... I am having difficulty in locating that data so I once again appeal to the readers out there for directon as to where to go or whom I should contact.

VIN number on this vehicle is 4F3739H479556 if that helps anyone.

Thanks, everyone, for your relies so far.

Peter

 

I may not be able to get too much info such as original ROP or other detailed info on this car. I have found out that the Buick (GM) archives start after 1982. Other Buick archives are available at the Sloan Museum ... they have the Buick Gallery and Research Center coveing models years 1970 and 1972 thru 1976 :

http://https://sloanmuseum.com/buick_gallery.html

This leaves a significant gap from 1977 to 1982 of vehicle history that is unavailable. The materials at Sloan were actually slavaged and donated by a GM employee after he noticed them in a dumpster ... WOW!