I’m a firm believer that regardless of general desirability, any clean, original car can hold collectible value. I may tell myself that because I want my 2011 Ford F150 to be collectible one day, but I think there’s proof otherwise. Here we have such a car – one not typically clamored for, but what’s presented here is truly clean and original. This 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon was sent in by an anonymous Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Tampa, Florida. The seller has set a buy-it-now price of $8,500, but interested buyers are welcomed to make an offer.
The breadth of Buick’s station wagon offering in the 1980s was rather impressive. There was even a Skyhawk Limited wagon available in 1987, with reportedly less than 500 built. Much more common, however, was Buick’s full-size wagon. Starting in 1980, that full-size wagon was known as the LeSabre Estate Wagon in base trim, while the Electra Estate Wagon served as its more luxurious sibling. Even though The LeSabre and Electra coupes and sedans abandoned the rear wheel drive platform in 1986, the Estate Wagon stuck with it through 1990 before being replaced by the all-new Roadmaster.
This Estate Wagon’s exterior looks pretty solid and is claimed to be a rust-free southern car. The seller describes the paint as “a little tired” and noted some dings an chips but says it’s in ”very good shape overall for its age.” If you’re in the market for a 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon, I’d think that’s exactly what you’d be looking for. The faux wood grain appears to be intact with no noticeable peeling or fading and really pops against that white paint. The wire wheel covers add an 80s luxury touch.
The burgundy interior is in great shape. The wood accents continue the Estate theme inside. Front and rear benches maximize passenger-carrying capacity.
No vintage wagon would be complete without the third row!
The back two rows fold flat for those who need some utility out of their wagon.
All Estate Wagons were equipped with the 5.0L 307 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8 and backed by a 4-speed automatic transmission. The seller says this one runs and drives “nice and smooth” and is ready for daily driver duty. It’s claimed to have covered just 72k miles since new. As has the rest of the car, things have been kept tidy under the hood.
As collector car values continue to climb, I wonder when cars like this 1988 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon will start to get some attention. Would this be a good entry-level collector car for you?
Great write up Jonny, it’s a great wagon. I’d like to own this one
I’d rather have the 90s Roadmaster Wagons with the LS1 in it. But this is very nice, and someone won’t be disappointed.
Well preserved, but they might be disappointed in that anemic, under-powered, 307 engine that is buried somewhere under all of those power accessories, vacuum lines, and hoses. 4000+ pound car with about 150 h.p. or so. I have worked on a few of these engines and they are so difficult to get at that I ended up throwing a few wrenches and cursing at myself for taking on the job. Older cars and engines for me, thank you.
Very Nice Very Nice, Beach HERE WE COME .
I had an 87 Caprice Estate, the Chevy version of these reliable, but yes very slow cars. Miles of stupid hard plastic of vacuum lines. Spark plugs could only be changed by removing front tires and using long extension on your ratchet. Also, the Olds 307 are notorious pol burners. A GM dealer replaced my long block in 1993 under warranty. But despite 130 horsepower, our wagon hauled all.our daughters every where and never broke down. They are all married now and drive Jap mini vans. At least they grew up in station wagons like I did in the early 60s. Wagons forever.
Any car that survived Danny n Mels driving in (I believe) Lethal Weapon 2 (maybe it was 3?) is good enough for me!