OUR CARS: Brock DeCare’s 1965 Buick LeSabre 400
Brock DeCare says that when it comes to restoring a vehicle, “patience is the key.” He should know. He received a 1967 Chevy C10 pickup from his parents for his 16th birthday – the truck was intended to be a father-son restoration project – and it’s still a work in progress. But patience isn’t Brock’s only virtue. Almost five years ago, he sold his 1965 Buick LeSabre 400 to help buy an engagement ring for his future wife, Amy. A wedding and two children later, what goes around comes around. The LeSabre is back in the family.
Name: Brock DeCare
Position at Hagerty: Account Representative
Years at Hagerty: 4
Vehicles: 1965 Buick LeSabre 400 (and 1967 C10 long-bed stepside pickup)
Background: I grew up around cars (in Alpena, Mich.), helping my dad in the garage. I have a degree in Auto Body Repair and a Bachelor’s in Automotive Management from Ferris State University. My wife and I have a daughter, Amelia, and a son, Finn.
Why did you choose a Buick LeSabre? I saw it sitting under a pine tree in a guy’s yard in northeast Michigan. I didn’t have time to stop, but I asked my dad to check it out the next time he was in the area. He called me a few days later and told me he was looking at it. He asked me what I wanted to spend, and a few hours later he called to tell me he was driving it home.
I sold it in 2012 to buy my wife’s engagement ring. For years after that I would regularly search the internet to see if I could find one like it. One day I typed “1965” into a local craigslist ad. The fourth vehicle listed was “1965 Buick LeSabre Survivor” – my old car. I showed the ad to my wife and with a little convincing she agreed we should buy it. I contacted the seller, and it was the same gentleman I sold the car to a few years earlier.
Repairs and Modifications: It has a new windshield; other than that, it’s all original. It definitely needs new tires and some upholstery work.
Hobby activities: I’ll continue bringing it to work on Friday mornings for Cars and Caffeine at Hagerty (during the warmer months), and cruise with the family.
Best and Worst Moments: The best moments were seeing the smile on my wife’s face when she would drive it while we were dating. She said it felt like she was driving a cloud. I also love it when people wave when we’re out cruising or when people do a double-take because they aren’t sure what kind of car they’re looking at. The worst? A restoration project that takes a long time.
