A lot of people didn’t, and still don’t like the term station wagon. Even though there are a few modern station wagons out there, that is rarely what they are called by the manufacturers because of possibly negative connotation. This Buick Estate Wagon with Limited trim package is for sale on Craigslist in New Tazewell, Tennessee for $3,800 and was brought to our attention by reader Pat L. Yes, the LUV was actually the name of a small imported Chevrolet pickup truck in the 1970’s, which stood for Light Utility Vehicle. But it this case, I think it can stand for Luxury Utility Vehicle. There’s also something about those Buick road wheels which made almost any Buick from the sixties, seventies and eighties look much better and more top line.
If you wanted an interior this nice in a station wagon back in the 1970s, you pretty much looked at the upper mid-price range cars like Buick, Oldsmobile, Chrysler and Mercury. The Limited was actually the highest trim level on an Electra until the Park Avenue trim came along in 1975, so I guess Buick decided it would look very nice in this Estate Wagon. Most seventies wagons were outfitted with vinyl seats all around while this one has the period velour seats found on top line models. Even though it has the nice Limited trim, it lacks the third seat and is suitable for only six passengers.
The seller gives a lot of information about the Estate Wagon, including a link to some great pictures on Flickr. However, as good as it looks in the pictures, it’s not in perfect condition. There are a few minor dings and some worn interior areas and it still has the original paint which shows some age. In 1979, you could still get a big engine in a Buick. This one has the 403 cubic inch V-8. There’s no mention of mileage, however a picture of the odometer looks like a little over 19,000 miles, so I’m guessing this vehicle has 119,000 miles. What is your opinion?
This is the third year of the down-sized B platform from General Motors, which meant they had switched back to a more conventional tailgate. This one swings to the left for loading and unloading of cargo, but the seller says the drop down feature isn’t working. About the only thing that distinguished the rear of these wagons from their fellow GM brands were the taillights, and of course the brand name and logo on the back. Even though there are some flaws the car presents well, and is rust free. Do you feel that $3,800 is a good price on this 1979 Buick Estate Wagon with Limited trim? Do you have fond memories of one of these GM B body station wagons?
Cadillac steering wheel?
Buick used the Cadillac designed steering wheel (with a Buick emblem) on cars ordered with the optional tilt and telescope sterling column. Tilt column would use a Buick steering wheel.
No, corporate Buick / Pontiac steering wheel.
This was a Cad exclusive wheel, used through ’76, but you could get it in a Buick for a year or two afterward if you ordered T&T, which was pretty rare on a Buick.
Only used when telescopic wheel is ordered….
Love the color combo…… with the popularity of wagons right now, this looks like a solid deal.
I have long thought the term “station wagon” darkened back to the days when a horse drawn wagon, and later, motorized vehicles, would meet passengers and take them and their baggage to a hotel they would stay at. And for non-car related fun, next look up “rushing the growler”. Hint, you can see it being done in the movie The Untouchables. Just search YouTube for “bar explosion, the untouchables”.
219,000 miles?
Nice car!!!!
I always though it meant that they would pass anything on the road but a gas station.
My buddy had one of these with the 403, and he put 265 size tires on it and used it to drive on the beach as a fishing buggy. It really worked well and would float over soft sand better than 4×4 pickups. i dont think he ever got stuck in it. Must have been the good torque and favorable weight distribution. Cool car. By the way, he also rigged up a pony beer keg in the back with a long hose feeding a tap installed in the dash. Not really recommended today, but it was quite convenient on those surf fishing trips on the NC Outer Banks.
Did he think about installing a reverse system for draining the tap? Seems that would be an important consideration on those surf fishing trips after a few hours.
I’m sure the extra horses from the 403 will be appreciated. The Olds 307 in later examples was pretty sluggish.
All those hoses top of the engine bay are hiding the hoses beneath them.
Although it has the fancier interior, velour fabric for the seats was the norm at that time for GM products.
That velour was comfy, but it seems to have faced badly on this car. I believe it was about the color of the seat belts when new.
Good point. It always matched the seatbelts. The velour lasts longer than the padding under it though.
Rusty is correct; the velour has faded and the driver’s seat needs to be rebuilt and restored, along with whatever else is on the list. These Buicks were calm, soft,well behaved cars, and the wagons were frequently unused for their design purpose; thy mostly served as upscale symbols of affluence.This car is too far away from me but if it were closer I’d take it seriously. I’ve had some big wagons and they are terrific. Somebody buy this and enjoy.
I am restoring a 87 Buick station wagon .I had one years ago and loved it. As most of my projects it had been sitting a while. It didn’t run and had no brakes. I got her running again with a major tune up. I had to replace the brake propationing valve, all the brake lines along with the 2 frozen front brake calipers. Then had to replace the water pump {what a bear to get in there with all that air pollution stuff}, and while it was apart I replaced the fuel pump which was right behind it too.Then came the fun part .I use a heat gun to remove all the faded wood grain siding. It has no rust just a couple of dent {I have taken care of} .Oh and its a 9 seater. I am getting ready to repaint her to her original dark blue color. I am trying to find the wood grain siding. I had seen it in J. C. Whitney but now I cant find it. Here are a couple pictures of her. P.S. Kelly G Love the Outer Banks of N.C. Been going there since the late 60s.Bruce.F.
yes sir Bruce, been an OBX fan since Dad drove the whole family down from Va. Beach, on the beach the whole way, in 1972. Things have certainly changed since then but we love it all the same. Just got back from a week in Kill Devil Hills with my family. Took my new grandson along for his first beach experience. Back to the wagon, it really was incredible how well that thing went on the sand, even that famous OBX red pea gravel. I never would have believed it without experiencing it firsthand.
Here she is getting ready for paint.Bruce.
My Brother had one of these with the putrid diesel, that puked. Same color combination. What a dream to drive, after installing an Olds 455. Great for naps on long trips. Put back the power operated seat back, and have a nice nap. VERY smooth & quiet ride. Set the HVAC to 72 degrees, sweet dreams. Holiday Inn on wheels.
Maybe just regular transportation 40 years ago, but pretty cool today. Looks like a Nomad next to today’s “crossovers.” The 403 was no racing engine but did OK in big cars.
@Kelly G, Now that is the coolest way to drive there. Too bad you can’t anymore.
I’m a wagon lover and these big ones definitely are beauties. I’ve thought about one but my Wife has a thing against them. I got a ’96 Explorer four door XLT with a 5.0 and it is just a station wagon to me. I just won’t tell my Wife. I love the utility of it.
Awesome. Loved seeing this 79 and the other pictures in the comments. I still have an 80 estste wagon I bought in early 80’s and it is a diesel and still runs, and i love it. It does need a paint job , some day.
Thanks for the post and comments.