2,100-Mile Survivor: 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Wagon

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The Chevy Celebrity was a front-wheel drive mid-size car that carried the Bow-Tie brand for most of the 1980s. More than two million of them were built, but when was the last time you saw one? These were likely not envisioned to become future collectibles, so they disappeared in the junkyard once they were used up. This 1986 Celebrity station wagon would be the exception and may only have 2,100 miles to its credit (it looks too nice for 102,100, but you never know). Located in Beaverton, Oregon, this could be one of the nicest Celebrity’s left on the planet. It’s available here on eBay where the current bid is just $530 with an open reserve.

Chevrolet used the Celebrity to pave the way for the intermediate RWD Malibu of the 1970s and the FWD Lumina of the 1990s. The cars used GM’s A-platform which was also employed by the Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Pontiac 6000. When you visited a Chevy dealership in the 1980s, the Celebrity was your choice if the Corsica was too small, and the Caprice was too big. The Celebrity turned in its best sales performance in 1986 405,000 units of which nearly 84,000 were wagons like this one.

Not much is known about the history of this Chevy and the AutoCheck report posted by the seller doesn’t help much. It’s obviously been well-maintained, and the body and paint look quite good and original, as does the interior, which might need cleaning of the carpeting. It’s hard to imagine how a 38-year-old automobile can have only collected a couple of thousand miles. The current owner has had it for about five years and only used it on the weekends.

The FWD wagon runs and drives well, per the seller, thanks to a 2.5-liter transversely mounted inline-4 paired with an automatic transmission. We’re told the tires have plenty of tread left, but could they be as old as the rest of the Chevy? The seller says the vehicle comes with its original title and a sales invoice with a “circulation permit,” whatever that is. Do you consider the 1980s to be among the next wave of collectible automobiles?

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Comments

  1. Spearfish SpearfishMember

    Russ, after examining, perusing, and zooming in on the pics, it is my firm contention that this is not a 2k car, but a 102k car, albeit a very well cared for 102k car.
    And because it is a Celebrity, I can almost hear the furious rush of the approaching hordes casting derisive comments about. But fear not, this grocery getter has many more miles left to putter about and antagonize its detractors. Onward!

    Like 28
    • Stan 🏁Member

      Fish these were everywhere in the 80s. I thought the “iron lung” 🫁 2.5 only came w the 3sp. autoloader.
      I learned on Barnfinds not long ago apparently there were some of these made with a manual transmission in the Pontiac 6000, Buick Century, Chevrolet celebrity, Olds models, of this variety. I personally never saw one.

      Like 6
  2. Driveinstile DriveinstileMember

    I agree with all the above. Its a super clean 102K mile car. Looking at the wear stains on the carpet that wouldnt be only 2K miles of driving but that being said, this has to be one of the cleanest Celebrities Ive seen in decades. These were good cars back in the day. Im wondering with the 2.5 Iron Duke if most of the miles were early on highway miles. Perhaps it was a commuter car in its early lift.

    Like 5
  3. Steve R

    With a 95.7% positive feedback, with 11 negatives in the last year, most of which claiming the sellers description was deceptive does not bode well for an unsubstantiated incredibly low mileage claim. Any potential buyer should be wary and go over this car and it’s records with a fine tooth comb prior to completing the transaction.

    Steve R

    Like 12
  4. Todd FitchStaff

    My late grandfather’s last ride. After owning 4×4 SUVs from the late ’50s including Willys, IH Travelall, two Scout IIs and an ’86 Bronco, he bought one of the last Celebrity wagons. They made the wagon at least one year after the sedans gave way to the Lumina. They were… OK, and some had nice interiors. Pretty roomy and decent MPG. Typical GM rattles came on quick in pothole country. I don’t remember seeing a four-cylinder – especially interesting in a wagon.

    Like 7
  5. DonziDon

    My folks had an 86 Celebrity sedan in this same color combo. I logged lots of miles in it including taking it to a semi formal and prom. I agree the car looks more like 102k than 2k and if it had 2k he should have listed it on BAT versus Ebay. Curious to see what $$ it brings. GLWTA

    Like 5
  6. rustylink

    Looks like the odometer was broken for a considerable amount of time – there’s no way that is a 2K car…

    Like 6
  7. Mike D

    Judging from the wear on steering wheel and drivers seat, I’d say it’s 102k miles. My father had a new1985 Celebrity wagon. Was very underpowered. Fit and finish quality was horrible.

    Like 8
  8. Old greybeard

    Bought a 1989 Celebrity Eurosport in 1990. Our first car with AC or power windows/locks. Enjoyed owning it, handled decent and had fair acceleration with the 2.8V6, and good mileage. Worked great for a growing family, traded it in a a 1997 Taurus wagon, another decent ride. Never owned a mini van, and happy about that.
    We’ll be seeing 2nd gen Taurus wagons on here soon, neighbor drives a clean one, and they have aged well.

    Like 8
    • AzzurraMember

      I had a Celebrity Eurosport in the 80’s as well. I agree, decent handling, good mpg with the V6, and it looked good with the two tone paint.

      Like 5
    • Michael Tischler

      I see old Taurus and Sable wagons here in the retirement community.

      Like 2
  9. KC

    Throw away cars. Use to be thousands of these types of vehicles on the road but now very rare to see one today.

    Like 3
    • Mark

      Correct! Thousands everywhere . Since then they have all been crushed! By the way I think these are the cars were the rear door windows did not roll down

      Like 3
      • Dave

        You can see the rear door window winder in one of the pix.

        Like 2
      • Mark

        My mistake

        Like 1
  10. Troy

    Nope, I purchased a 85 sedan with that engine in it and it blew a head gasket at 45k miles had the dealer do the repair and the car never ran quiet again. Sold it and purchased her a 91 ford tempo and that car lasted her for years trouble free

    Like 4
  11. chrlsful

    love the size, just got the ford tho (1 yr older) and missed the frnt wheel drive (sucks).
    Great cars, no real “Malaise” in my mind. Justa return to the square lines of early ‘60s and efforts to deal w/a changing mrkt (pollution controls, europe’s sports & luxury; japan’s economy & reliability). This one did it’s best and it’s-a-good-enuf car.

    Like 5
  12. ken

    had same car with 2.8 fi. drove it 225k miles no issues with 25mpg. wish i still had it

    Like 3
  13. Michael Berkemeier

    One look at the steering wheel and even an uneducated person will know that this car has about 102K on it. It is doubtful it is 202K because it would’ve been long gone by now but, 2K? Not even a remote chance.

    Like 4
  14. Brother John

    If this had the 2.8 or the 3.1, I might be booking a flight. With the 2.5, naaaahh.

    Like 2
  15. Danny

    It’s a 2K car. Carpet has never been vacuumed. Original tires would never go 100K and there is no rust anywhere. Being from the northeast make me an expert on that. the 2.5 is ok just that the timing chain is a little noisy. the 125 trany is will give a good service life. No A/C basic box but clean!

    Like 0
    • Poppy

      Care to show us the date codes on the “original” tires? While you are at it show us the dry-rotted sidewalls from being 39 years old. The carpets don’t need vacuuming, they are faded from being outside. True 2k mile cars don’t have noisy timing chains and rubber Walmart floor mats in them..

      Like 0
  16. William Walsh

    I drove a mail route for 18 years and had Chevy Celebritys, Pontiac 6000s, Olds Cutlases and Buick Centurys. They all held up very well to 100 mi/day of stop and go use, except one with a 2,5L engine. I loved them. At one point, I “upgraded” to an off-lease Taurus wagon. When it came time to replace the transmission a second time, I dumped it.

    Like 2
  17. Big C

    Here ya go, Gen X’ers! Relive those days of being shuttled around to your next little league game, in style!

    Like 2
  18. Dave Brown

    I had one of these brand new in 2007. It had horizontal halogen headlamps. Mine as a loaded two door with a fake convertible top and a four cylinder engine vi traded an’85 Nissan Maxima in for this turd. It was SLOW! A commercial car was put holes in the padded top. I regretted this POS until the day I traded it.

    Like 0
  19. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    I am getting quite a chuckle seeing one of these on BF. Change it to silver paint and this is my company car from back in ’86.

    It was always filled with metal magazine racks, as I worked in marketing / sales for a grocery store magazine company. If anyone here remembers The Globe gossip rag, you get the idea.

    It was NOT fun maneuvering this thing around Boston traffic with the 4 cylinder pulling a heavy load. We nicknamed that wagon the “Rackmobile”. Thankfully, that job lasted only 6 months before I bailed.

    Like 0
  20. Poppy

    You could get the 3.8L V6 in these wagons in ’84-’88. They could really scoot with them.

    Like 0
  21. Connecticut mark

    Customer had ac2.8 in a wagon, exhaust really sounded good , like it was large, nice mellow sound. I would not want a 4 cylinder.

    Like 0

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