Careless Corrosion: 1986 Buick Electra Estate – Sold?

June 28, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “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.

May 23, 2022 Update – The private seller just replaced their previous listing with a fresh Craigslist ad. In it, the pictures and description remain the same while the price is now lowered to $8,000

May 10, 2022 Update – The private seller just replaced their expiring listing with a fresh Craigslist ad. In it, the pictures, description, and already-lowered asking price of $8,500 all remain the same.

April 26, 2022 Update – The private seller just lowered their asking price from $9,500 to $8,500.

There’s a simple reason why Buick continued offering its sixth-generation Electra Estate station wagon with only minor changes for thirteen model years between 1977 and 1990:  they remained popular among suburban stay-at-home moms familiar with driving a comfortable full-size station wagon. Our latest find is this 1986 Buick Electra Estate originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Elberon, New Jersey with only 43K original miles.  The seller reports that other than needing the bumper fillers replaced, everything on the car works.

Currently offered for $8,000 (the original ask was $9,500), Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for classic car enthusiasts, confirms an average value of $7,253.  As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask now falls just below this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $9,250.

In 1977, the Buick downsized its Estate station wagon using GM’s new B-Body platform.  Fast forward to the late 1980s and Buick continued to offer this very same wagon in two forms: the Electra Estate Wagon (V35) such as the example featured here and LeSabre Estate Wagon (R35). Both wagons came equipped with the 307 cubic inch V8 topped with a four-barrel carburetor.  A rear-facing seat provides a seat for up to eight.

At what can best be described as some sort of film school project, the Kamahky YouTube channel provides a tribute to a very nicely preserved 1986 Buick Electra Estate:

With only 43K miles, we disagree with the seller’s assertion that the “minimal rust is not worth fixing yet.” At a minimum, that would be the first thing we would address to prevent it from getting any worse.  Beyond that, the temptation to LS Swap this 1986 Electra Estate is quite real.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“In original condition with 43k original miles.
Garage kept! Everything works!
Drives amazing!
V8 307 automatic
Minimal rust not worth fixing yet in my opinion
Needs bumper fillers
Not many like this left in this condition”

Do you have a Buick Electra Estate story to share?  If so, comment below and let us know!