When I was a boy, most people purchased a station wagon more out of a matter of necessity than as a matter of choice. They weren’t a cool car, and were primarily seen as a workhorse for the larger family. The station wagon has now made way for the SUV, but some people would still rather own a wagon if they had the choice. That is where vehicles like this 1986 Buick Electra Estate fit into the scheme of things. Classic wagons are now extremely desirable, and this one is a tidy example that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. It is located in Auburn, Massachusetts, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has made it to $4,651, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

The Electra is finished in Medium Blue and presents nicely. The paint is showing some fading on the hood and the roof, but it still presentable. It would not be an expensive proposition to address this issue, and then it would really stand out. The woodgrain vinyl has held up remarkably well for a wagon of this age, and it seems to need nothing. This is a bonus because this is one item that can be prone to damage and deterioration. If this happens, it can create a headache, because it can be quite hard to obtain a match with replacement vinyl. Quite often, an owner will replace all of the woodgrain to maintain uniformity, or they will remove it altogether. I’m not a great fan of the latter option, because I think that it destroys a lot of the character of these classic wagons. The seller has owned the Electra for 6-years. To the best of his knowledge, it has never seen a Winter road. As a result, it is claimed to be rust-free. The trim and chrome hold a beautiful shine, as do the wheels. I can see no problems with the glass, while the Estate comes equipped with a two-way tailgate.

The interior of the Electra is a bit of a surprise because its overall condition is excellent. The reason that this is a surprise is that the majority of these wagons were used as family transport. This meant that the interior tended to get loaded up with kids, dogs, luggage, and groceries. This left the trim prone to its share of wear-and-tear. It isn’t unusual to see the interiors pretty severely beaten up by now. This one has only a couple of minor flaws, and even these aren’t deal-breakers. There is a crack on the wheel rim, and the carpet is looking slightly faded and worn. Neither should present a problem, because wheels are available for around $160, while a carpet set can be sourced for under $200. With those items installed, this is an interior that would be close to perfect. Not only is it tidy, but it is also quite nicely equipped. For added versatility, this is an interior that features the 3rd-row seating. Also, there are air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise, an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

The Estate comes equipped with a 307ci V8, a 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This V8 produces 140hp, but there is no escaping the fact that the Electra is a heavy vehicle. It tips the scales at 4,321lbs, which means that the journey down the ¼ mile takes 19.6 seconds. However, that’s not what this classic is all about. This is a vehicle whose primary role is to transport a family reliably and comfortably. The interior appointments take care of the comfort factor. That leaves the drivetrain responsible for reliability. The Electra has recently been fitted with new brakes, new tires, a new battery, and has received a fluid change. The owner states that it runs and drives nicely. He also claims that it has a genuine 82,000 mile showing on its odometer. However, he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this claim. When all is said and done, it appears that this is a wagon that is ready to hit the road for a lot of family fun.

I know that we should never say never, but I have my doubts that we will ever see vehicle manufacturers introducing large family wagons into their range again. The SUV has supplanted the wagon, and they do offer a high level of versatility. While there are plenty of people who would like nothing better than to walk into a dealership and slap down their cash for a wagon, the sales volumes simply aren’t there at present to justify the millions of dollars in development costs. With that in mind, it is going to be left to tidy survivors like this 1986 Buick Electra Estate to fill that void. It is a role that it should perform well, and with values steadily increasing, this is a case of a once uncool vehicle becoming an automotive “must-have.”