Luxurious Leather: 1990 Buick Electra Estate Wagon – SOLD!

December 7, 2021 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 us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

November 21, 2021 Update – We just came across a fresh listing for this Buick Electra Estate we first featured in October. In their latest listing, the seller dropped their asking price to $6,5o0.

It’s funny how the vast majority of certain makes and models of cars feature a certain color combination.  Often, that color combination mimics what the manufacturer used in the advertising and sales brochures for the car. Perhaps the buyers want to emulate the fun people are having in the ad or maybe it’s just a striking color.  In the late eighties, for most Buick Electra Estate wagons, the color of choice was Camel Beige everywhere faux woodgrain did not cover the exterior.  The beige theme continued in the interior of these cars, most often with velour fabric. However, this 1990 Buick Estate originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Westford, Massachusetts (Boston) features the rare but highly desirable optional leather.

Currently offered for $6,900, neither Hagerty Insurance nor the Collector Car Marketplace provides valuations on these Rad Era wagons yet, so our only source, the NADA Guides Online Classic Car Valuation Tool currently lists its “Low”, “Average”, and “High” retail value range for these wagons at only $1,450, $3,300, and $4,375, respectively. Bring A Trailer had this 1988 example with a cloth interior sold at No Reserve for $7,100 about one year ago. so we hope the seller has left room for realistic negotiation.

In 1977, as part of General Motors’ “B” and “C” body downsizing program, Buick replaced its “Clamshell” wagon with a squared-off and trimmer version. “Limited” trim versions launched in 1979 offered many otherwise optional features as standard equipment. To further differentiate the Limited model, fenders included four faux VentiPorts (up from three) and the interior featured loose pillow-designed seating.

As part of a mid-cycle refresh for 1980, Also that year, Buick renamed the car the Electra Estate Wagon while the base model was now called LeSabre Estate Wagon. Exterior woodgrain applique was standard on the Electra Estate (but could be deleted for credit) and optional on the LeSabre Estate. The Buick 350 V8 engine was dropped from the options list and a 5.7-liter diesel 350 V8 was now available through 1985. The standard engine was an Oldsmobile sourced 307 cubic inch V8.  Although the Electra and LeSabre coupes and sedans had both switched to new front-wheel-drive platforms by 1986, the model names also continued to be used on the rear-wheel-drive wagons through 1989.  In 1990, its final year, Buick dropped the Electra and LeSabre model designations, selling all wagons named simply as the Estate Wagon. For 1991, a completely new Roadmaster replaced this generation that lasted thirteen model years.

This vintage video posted on the Rivlanta YouTube Channel shows Buick’s Action Library summary of Buick’s virtually identical 1990 station wagon lineup:

Camel-colored interiors combined with big families are a recipe for wearing out car interiors after thirty-one years.  However, based on the pictures provided, the leather in this Estate wagon has been nicely preserved on this 90K original mile specimen.  Featuring a replacement engine and newer tires, the seller states they would be comfortable driving their 1990 Buick Estate Wagon cross-country.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Reposting my Buick wagon after being away a lot and not being available to show it to folks readily. She is in good shape with 90k original miles. A very nice 10-footer, she is rust-free as she has been stored every winter of her life. She is loaded with every option, most of which work other than power antennae, washer fluid pump, and fussy cruise control. She has a brand new crate engine (not an old used one) and most of the key parts that surround it. She is totally ready for a cross-country road trip. Only 4k miles on her tires.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Buick Electra Estate Wagon?  Comment below and let us know!