Next Caretaker Please: 1988 Buick LeSabre Wagon Indy 500 Pace Car Replica – SOLD!

April 13, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this unique Buick Estate “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.

With us now into our second year of finding and sharing interesting “Classifinds”, we’re bound to come across a few where the current caretaker is ready to let the next person enjoy their interesting ride.  One such example is this 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate originally listed on Craigslist in March 2021 in Webster, New York (Rochester) for $6,500.  While downsized, fifth-generation LeSabre Estates are starting to gain interest among station wagon fans, a previous caretaker took this one up a notch by having it wrapped in tribute Indy 500 livery dating to 1975 when a Buick Regal paced the race.  Not only did we trace the history of the previous owner, but you’ll also find the link from a Barnfinds.com feature from September 2018 that our very own Rad Era Editor Jeff Lavery wrote about when this car was part of a two-car deal for $15,500.

Here is our original description from July 2019 about what we are in the process of confirming is in fact the same car:

Listed on Craigslist in July 2019 was this truly unique 1988 Buick LeSabre Wagon Indy 500 Pace Car Replica in Nesconset, New York (Long Island) where the private seller asked $7,900.  Based on the NADA Classic, Collectible, Exotic, and Muscle Car Appraisal Guide, the “Low”, “Average”, and “High” value range for this Estate is currently only $1,200, $2,650, and $3,775, so we think the seller deserves our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!) Award for thinking pace car livery will make his wagon double in value.  We believe this is one of the two examples featured here on BarnFinds.com which could be had then for a package “deal” of $15,500.  Looks like he was only able to find one buyer so far…

In 1986 while Buick redesigned the LeSabre Sedan and Coupe on GM’s new front-wheel-drive H Body platform shared with the Oldsmobile Delta 88 and Pontiac Bonneville, the rear-wheel-drive, B-Body based LeSabre wagon continued virtually unchanged through 1990 when it was quietly canceled.  Savvy Indy racing fans (or those skilled in the use of Google) recall that a front-wheel-drive Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible paced the race, so what is exactly the deal with this example?  Apparently, the owner loves the livery of the “Free Spirit” Buick Indy Pace Cars from 1975 and subsequently used those cars as the inspiration for his two creations.

Cool graphics aside, the seller states that the 307 cubic inch V8 “runs perfect [sic] with no leaks.”  Recent repairs include a new battery and a radiator flush.  The seller also reports that the air conditioning “works great” and that he just replaced the headliner. One odd note is that following the install of a different ring gear positraction unit, the seller claims the odometer is off by 1.15 miles for each one driven, so the car’s true mileage is lower than what’s stated on the dashboard.  The original ring gear set is included as part of the sale.  The sale also includes new old stock (“NOS”) bumper fillers that need to be painted prior to replacing the cracked units.

While this LeSabre’s pace car livery will make a great conversation piece at any car show, we don’t think it doubles the car’s value.  Apparently, the rest of the collectible car world agrees as the seller continues to find the right buyer.  Now if this already had a completed LS swap at this price, the seller would not have any trouble finding a buyer. We hope someone out there is willing to give this LeSabre a new home and we wish him luck with the purchase!