Lost Parking: 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon – SOLD!

Update – we confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

1996 “Collector’s Edition” Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagons are General Motor’s swan song of full-size, body-on-frame, eight-passenger station wagons the likes of which will never be built again.  We love featuring these detuned Corvette LT1-powered, fully optioned cars, especially when factory equipped with the factory tow package such as this Bright White over Light Beige Leather example originally listed on Craigslist during the summer of 2020 in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, New York where the current caretaker is asking $7,900.  Judging by the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool the private seller has his Estate priced between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $14,400 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $5,500.  Unfortunately, the seller reports he’s losing his off-street parking and that is his motivation for selling his Estate Wagon. 

1996 was the final year for the GM full-frame classic wagons such as the example presented here.  The window sticker picture provided confirms this Estate is loaded with options including the very desirable factory towing package, which means with the Corvette-derived LT1 V8 under the hood this station wagon can tow up to 7,000 pounds by doing the following:  install a weight-distributing hitch, dual sway controls, setting rear tire pressure to 35 PSI, and disabling the Electronic Level Control.  The towing package added 2.93 rear-axle gears and a limited-slip differential, a heavy-duty cooling system including oil and transmission coolers, and a factory-installed self-leveling rear suspension consisting of air shocks, a height sensor between the rear axle and body, and an on-board air compressor. Most visibly, a pair of electric fans offset to the left under the hood was replaced by the combination of one conventional fan-driven mechanically from the engine alongside one electric fan.

Here’s a Buick commercial from 1992 talking about the relaunch of the classic Roadmaster brand name:

While the interior (particularly the carpet and dashboard) is in need of a thorough detailing, overall this Estate appears to be otherwise straight, well sorted, and documented.  As you’ll read in the detailed description below, this wagon also comes with a set of snow tires!  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s very detailed description:

“Final year ‘Collectors Edition’, 5.7L LT1 engine. Fully optioned vehicle (see photo of original window sticker), including trailer tow package and limited slip differential.

Fantastic condition, rust free southern car, 110K miles, lots of money recently spent on maintenance making it a very reliable and fantastic-driving vehicle. The engine leaks no oil (hard to come by on an LT1), and everything on this vehicle works as it did when it left the factory including ice-cold climate-controlled AC and self-leveling air suspension. I have 80+ pictures of the vehicle as well as a cold start and driving videos available if you message me. I would put them on here but Craigslist limits the number of pictures I can upload.

I’m the third owner. It was purchased from Blake Chevrolet, Buick and Geo in Miami (dealer sticker still on the car) by Mr. and Mrs. Englander on May 24th 1996 (see picture of original bill of sale showing they traded in their 1990 Mercury). They remained the owners (though moved to North Carolina at some point) until 2015. I purchased the vehicle from a car-collector in Maine in 2017. He’d purchased it from their estate sale and had only driven it a few hundred miles in the two years he owned it.

In my ownership, I’ve had the following work completed. I have invoices for all the work done – the service history folder with the invoices is two inches thick! All of the vehicle’s history, including the original bill of sale, window sticker and work done will be included with the car.

Transmission: Fully rebuilt by an ATRA-certified shop (this alone was over $2K)
Cooling:
– Radiator and all hoses replaced (also a $2K job)
– Oil cooler lines replaced
Brakes and Suspension:
– Front brake pads, calipers and rotors replaced
– Rear drums and cylinders replaced
– Front and rear shock absorbers replaced
– Air suspension compressor and rear suspension level sensor replaced
– Upper and lower ball joints replaced
Oil Leaks:
– Leaking Valve cover gasket repaired
– Intake manifold gaskets replaced
Ignition:
– Distributor cap, rotor, ignition wires, harmonic balancer, gaskets replaced
– Optispark replaced
– Left top oxygen sensor replaced
– Throttle body replaced
– Throttle body hoses replaces
Engine oil temperature sensor replaced
Wheel bearings replaced
Alternator replaced
Battery replaced
Fuel pump replaced
Starter motor replaced
Water pump replaced

Rustproofing:
– I do drive it all year, but have kept it rust free with rust treatments from Krown and most recently Woolwax.
– Please note that these are oil-based and conceal nothing about the condition of the car underneath (unlike a painted-on underseal)

I also upgraded the original stereo to incorporate a Bluetooth connection, so you can stream music from your phone through the car’s speakers.

The car has a fresh oil change. All oils / fluids / filters (brake, water, differential etc) have been refreshed within the last 12 months. I have a clear title in hand and two sets of keys.

It’s a 24 year old, unrestored car so some flaws to be aware of below. I have pictures available of everything mentioned below available if you contact me via Craigslist.
– Stone chips on hood
– Minor damage to front bumper chrome strip
– Plastic chrome insert on front bumper losing its finish
– 4 minor chips in woodgrain
– Minor damage (repaired) to rear bumper
– Wear on steering wheel (see picture). I’ve talked to trim shops and this is repairable with a spray-paint for a few hundred dollars.
– Wear on front carpet
– Small hole on dashboard, likely from an old car-phone installation
– Very slight rust mark on roof around vista roof

Also comes with:
– Custom-fit outdoor car cover
– Some spare parts; rear windscreen glass, front and rear lights, other assorted trim
– Full set of winter tires mounted on rims

I’m only selling as I live in Brooklyn and am losing my parking space. I can’t stand to see my hobby car parked on the street!

Payment by cash on collection collection only.“

Do you have a Buick Roadmaster story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!