Back in the day, when gas was cheap and big cars ruled the road, GM’s C-Body platform was the king of the hill. The Cadillac Deville, Olds 98, and Buick Electra were built on this massive foundation, and they were all powered by big-block V8 engines. These cars were the epitome of American luxury and performance, and they were loved by celebrities, gangsters, and everyday drivers alike.

GM Ruled The Earth

The General built hundreds of thousands of these sleds and all of them sported big block GM power. Olds and Buick came with division-specific 455 cubic-inch mills, while Cadillac ruled the roost with a whopping 500 cubic-inch kahuna. All were backed up by GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic transmissions and shared a 130″ wheelbase and 225″ length. Curb weight hovered around 4,600 pounds.

For those old enough to remember, Buicks were seen as the less flashy, more understated cousin of Cadillac. But that didn’t mean they weren’t every bit as luxurious and comfortable. In fact, many people preferred the Buick’s more subtle styling and lower profile to models from the Wreath and Crest division.

Few Survivors

Sadly, time has not been kind to these old GM C-bodies. They were susceptible to rust and corrosion, and their door hinges and tires were known to wear out quickly. But despite these shortcomings, the GM C-bodies were stone-cold reliable cars. Most passed through many owners and were literally driven into the ground. Few remain in survivor condition today, so when we saw this AutotopiaLA YouTube video of a hopped-up C-Body Buick, we were thrilled.

AutopiaLA’s Shawn Davis takes us for a ride in his friend Meemo’s 1976 Buick Electra, nicknamed the “Killer Blue Whale.” The name is fitting, as the car is both massive and incredibly powerful.

The Electra is powered by a 455 cubic-inch Buick V8 that has been hopped up to produce 580 horsepower and 575 foot-pounds of torque. The engine is paired with a TH400 transmission and a four-wheel disc-brake system. The Buick V8 was upgraded with components from TA Performance out of Arizona. With a carefully curated brew of components like a new manifold, heads, headers, camshaft, and pistons, this Buick Electra is now making the mega horsepower that owner Meemo was looking for.

The Electra also features a number of custom touches, such as 20-inch Eagle Race wheels, X-pipe exhaust with Black Widow mufflers, while retaining the factory diamond tuck upholstery. The only custom touch inside is the Nardi steering wheel. Be sure and check out the simulated carved wood on the door panels. I can almost smell High Karate cologne and freshly sparked hooch.

On The Road Again

On the road, the Killer Blue Whale is a surprisingly agile car. It’s also incredibly comfortable, thanks to its soft suspension and luxurious interior. This shouldn’t be a surprise as it’s a friggin’ Buick Electra for God’s sake.

In the video, Shawn and Meemo take the car for a spin on some back roads, where it gets to show off its performance capabilities. The car accelerates quickly and handles well, despite its size. To see this thing in motion is a treat to behold. Think of a charging cetacean at full throttle and you get the idea.

The Killer Blue Whale is cool not only in its reincarnation or that it received a big hit of testosterone, but it’s a great example of what can be done to keep an old leviathan relevant and on the road for all to see.