1961 Buick Special

Hmm, looks like it was the 215 V8 for '61 then a 198 V6 offered in '62.

 

That is correct for Buick. The 215 was the only engine offered in the 1961 cars. The V6 was derived from the 215 (though in cast iron) and was the base engine for the 62-63 model years with the 215 optional. Olds offered only the 215 in all three years. Pontiac offered the slant 4 as the base, with the Buick version of the 215 optional in 61-62 and the iron 326 optional in 63.

 

Being that all Pontiac V-8s share one basic block, dropping in a 287 through 455 would theoretically be a bolt-in swap. If the original transaxle would handle the enormous amount of torque at the higher displacement end is another issue. Guys used to convert them over to traditional solid axles and then hammer out a hump on the floorboard, when setting them up as hotrods

 

You’re exactly right Joe. Cars are worth what the market tells you they are. How many of these have we seen in prepetual state of sale. They think they have the last piece of gold, or think they’re entitled to get their taste money back. I bought a beautiful ‘62 LeBaron about 20 years ago and paid the owner $125 more than he had in the paint job. But he was realistic about its worth, and knew he put too much money in the car. But that was his decision, and he loved “Milburn”. I know I have more in some of my cars than I can get, but guess what. That’s the game we’re in.

 

Didn't all of the world's best artists die poor?

 

The Transaxle in the Tempest/Lemans would barely handle the torque of the 4bbl version of the 326 (actually a 336 but that is a long story)

 

Then, they must have been using Corvair parts, thanks to the usual bean counters

I could use a bedtime story. Wait a minute, though. I've got to first go get my bottle

 

That '63 Tempest conv would get down the road nicely with a 455 in it!