A 1969 Buick owner’s manual needs a home

From an unknown sender in Texas

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A 1969 Buick owner’s manual arrived at our office without a return address on the envelope and only included a brief note tucked on the inside of one of the later pages.

Howdy!

My dad loved his Buicks. We had an Electra 225, white with green interior. What a tank! He recently died and maybe you could find a good home for this manual. (The trash is okay, too, but just in case someone might value it, I have sent it your way.)

All the best from Texas, Kathy

The manual is for Buick’s 1969 lineup (Le Sabre, Wildcat, Electra) and provides all the pertinent information a car owner would need for this former General Motors brand.

Automotive technology has evolved but the manual is essentially the same as I have in the glovebox of my 2015 Mini Cooper. It lets you know what your car can do, how it needs to be done and what not to do with your factory fresh 1969 Buick Le Sabre.

As for Kathy in Texas, a car conjures up good memories from my childhood and time spent with my dad. My experience was with a Sky Blue 1964½ Ford Mustang that my dad purchased from an ad in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

You wouldn’t think that an inanimate object could have a spirit, but cars do and the sincerity of a stranger in Texas makes me realize that car culture makes the world seem smaller, more genuine and closer knit.

In all likelihood I will never cross paths with Kathy from Texas. But we share a kinship that connects us because we know some cars are more than transportation and to share that bond with a stranger is what car lovers do.

Thank you, Kathy from Texas. Sometimes it’s the simplest gestures that have profound impact and brighten up your day. I don’t own a 1969 Buick and I need to find a proper home for this owner’s manual.

Do you know where it could be appreciated and enjoyed?     

17 COMMENTS

  1. Why not auction it off with all proceeds going to
    A worthy cause maybe a food pantry ! Wounded Warrior ‘s etc . And let your readers know where the proceeds went .
    Just a thought ,Kathy may have an idea .

  2. A 1969 Buick LeSabre was my first car. Is the manual available for purchase? Do you need me to dig up a photo of me with it and send a scan?

    Mike Volk

  3. Mr. Castro. thanks for sharing the touching story. A flood of memories came back from our 1962 Biscaine , the 1966 Bel Air to the 1975 Olds 98 Regency my dad kept into the early 2000s. Cars are a link to our families, like slices of time

    • I still have fond memories of my Dad’s sky-blue Mustang. You’re absolutely right, cars are our link to our family and great memories.

  4. In case you’re not the lucky contestant, there are several of these manuals on eBay starting at $4.00 and up if you want one.

  5. We’re going to put everyone’s name in a hat and the lucky winner gets the manual. If anyone is interested please note it in the comments and I’ll draw the name on Friday at noon (MST).

  6. Hello Mr. Castro,
    My very first car out of high school in 1993 was a 1969 Buick LeSabre Convertible that I bought for myself to get back and forth to college. The car was in okay shape and older than me but it has some beautiful lines. The car sat in my parents yard in NJ when I went on active duty in the Marine Corps because I never wanted to get rid of that car. I still have it till this day but it certainly needs some TLC. It would be great to read up on all the features in the owners manual that these slabs had back in their heyday.

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