The LeSabre nameplate made its first appearance on the 1951 Le Sabre show car,[1][2] which introduced the world to aircraft-inspired design elements such as the wrap-around windshield and tail fins.

The new styling included slanted headlights in front along with a chrome square grille somewhat similar to the 1958 Buick and "Delta-wing" fins back along with round taillights.

The 250- and 300-horsepower 364-cubic-inch V8s were continued from 1959, but a new no-cost option was a 235-horsepower lower-compression two-barrel version of the 364 with a lower compression ratio to permit use of regular-grade gasoline instead of the premium fuel required with all other Buick engines.

[2] LeSabre and all other full-sized Buicks (joined by the compact Special this year) were completely restyled for 1961 featuring finless rear ends, more restrained use of chrome, and boxier sheetmetal.

Wheelbases remained at 123 inches (3,100 mm) but the new cars were slightly downsized in both length and width, and rode on a new X-frame chassis which included a conventional rear axle and driveshaft replacing the decades-old torque tube design.

The same assortment of 401-cubic-inch V8s was carried over from 1962 but the three-speed manual transmission returned as standard equipment with the two-speed Turbine Drive automatic reverted to the option list.

A somewhat better equipped "Custom" version also joined the lineup this year, easily identifiable by its full length chrome side molding with a brushed metal insert.

[2] LeSabre and other full-sized Buicks were completely restyled for the 1965 model year, featuring more rounded bodylines and Coke-bottle profiles with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtop coupes.

The 400 package also included the more desirable Super Turbine "400" three-speed automatic transmission also found in Buick's higher-priced Wildcat, Electra 225 and Riviera models.

Ordering the LeSabre 400 option upgraded the buyer to a 260-horsepower 340 with four-barrel carburetor and higher 10.25 to 1 compression ratio along with the three-speed Super Turbine 400 automatic found in the larger engine Wildcat, Electra 225 and Riviera.

The 1969 LeSabre received new sheetmetal with more squared off styling than the 1965-68 models including a formal roofline on coupes replacing the semi-fastback of previous years.

Interiors were mildly revised with minor changes to the instrument panel including the movement of the heating/air conditioning controls to the left of the steering wheel, which was new this year.

Steel rails were also built into the doors (and rear quarter panels on coupes and convertibles) for improved side impact protection as was the case with all 1969 GM B- and C-body cars.

This transmission completely replaced the old two-speed automatic offered with the smaller base engines in past years, while the 455 was paired with the Turbo Hydra-matic 400.

[2] The same assortment of 350 and 455 cubic-inch V8s were carried over but featured lowered compression ratios and other modifications in order to enable the use of lower-octane low-lead or unleaded gasoline as a result of a General Motors corporate mandate.

Also new for '71 was a flow-through ventilation system utilizing vents mounted in the trunklid shared with other full-sized GM cars and the compact Chevrolet Vega.

However, within weeks of the 1971 models' debut, Buick and all other GM dealers received multiple complaints from drivers who complained that the ventilation system pulled cold air into the car before the heater could warm up and could not be turned off.

A new (and seldom ordered) option was an "Air Cushion Restraint System" which included driver- and passenger-side airbags along with a unique four-spoke steering wheel.

1975 also was the first year of the catalytic converter, and standard high energy ignition which was part of GM's Maximum Mileage System at the time Introduced in September 1974.

Slightly larger but narrower taillamps draped the back of the car with back-up lights positioned in the center broken up by the license plate.

[2] Only minor styling changes highlighted the 1976 Buick LeSabre, which was the final year for the 1971-vintage bodyshell, the unpopular and rarely-ordered driver and passenger-side airbag option, the 455 V8 and hardtop bodystyles.

[4] The 1977 Buick LeSabre and other GM B-body full-sized cars were considerably smaller on the outside and lighter than their predecessors, losing 700-800 pounds of weight and 10 to 15 inches (250 to 380 mm) of overall length.

The cars were also a bit lighter in weight for improved fuel economy along with the slightly more aerodynamic sheet metal which made the 1980 models look a little bigger than their 1977–79 counterparts but overall dimensions changed very little.

New this year was a Turbo Hydra-Matic 200 4-R four-speed automatic overdrive transmission paired with the gasoline V8 engine for improved highway fuel economy.

[4] A new front clip that largely resembled the Electra and wider and lower taillights were among the appearance changes for the 1984 Buick LeSabre, still offered in Custom and Limited models.

The packaged included featuring 15” aluminum wheels, blackwall tires, heavy duty engine and transmission cooling, revised suspension (marketed as Gran Touring), 2.97 Final Drive Ratio, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, tilt steering column, wipers with delay feature, electronic cruise control, red an amber tail lamps, dual exhaust outlets, black trim (side, belt, roof drip, wheel openings, tail lamps, door handles, lock cylinders and grille), flush hood ornament, black cloth 45/45 Seats, carpet savers, T-Type identification, rear deck spoiler, front air dam, stereo radio (with graphic equalizer, cassette tape and red backlighting),console with red backlighting, black trimmed operation controls (e.g., heating, air conditioning and steering column), analog gauge cluster(with red backlighting, voltmeter, oil pressure, tachometer and coolant temperature gage.

The rear fascia featured a wider trunk mouth and lower lift over height to ease loading baggage while the front was smoothed with simplified chrome molding and absent bumperettes.

[4] This generation saw the installation of Gran Touring Suspension, which included an air compressor that would pressurize the rear Chapman struts to maintain a level overall ride height, along with a slightly lower 3.08:1 final drive ratio (as opposed to the standard 2.93:1).

In addition to Custom trim level standard equipment, this model included "90th Anniversary" badging, cassette player, cruise control, rear window defogger, power driver's seat, carpeted floor mats, exterior pinstripes, and choice of wire or aluminum wheel covers.

In 2003, a Celebration Edition package recognizing Buick's centennial added to the Limited trim pearlescent with either White Diamond or Crimson Pearl tricoat paint schemes, a blacked-out grille, 16-inch chrome wheels, and special badging.