Never Seen Salt: 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada

When it comes to vehicles you’ve never thought of owning that completely turn your head with the right modifications, the possibilities really are endless. For instance, I’ve never much thought about owning a Pontiac Fiero, but with a proper V8 swap, it gets interesting in a hurry. In the same vein, the Oldsmobile Bravada isn’t exactly an SUV I aspire to own, but this 1991 model listed here on Facebook Marketplace has been so sensibly upgraded that I might have to change that mindset. Of course, just finding a first-generation Bravada that isn’t completely trashed is a major achievement, but this one is desirable for reasons beyond being rust-free. The asking price is $8,500.

I also give a lot of credit to enthusiasts who look at a vehicle and say, “Why don’t we get one of those and lower it?” That’s exactly what happened here and what has so dramatically changed the effect this Bravada has when you first lay eyes on it. Dropped on a Belltech lowering kit and then further upgraded with wide wheels and tires courtesy of a C4 Corvette make this truck look like it’s ready for the autocross course, not the trail. Does that defeat the purpose of an SUV? To some extent, yes, but this truck was never going to spend much time off-road, no matter what sort of promises the marketing collateral made at the time.

And let’s not forget that behind the modifications is a clean, well-sorted early 90s SUV that you simply don’t see much of anymore. Of the sibling trio of urban assault rigs – the Blazer, Jimmy, and Bravada – the Oldsmobile is the one you saw the least. It’s not entirely different from the Chevy Caprice wagon, the Buick Roadmaster, and the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, with the Olds being the one that seemingly got picked last every time. The seller’s truck sports a clean black leather interior, a replacement steering wheel, a new Bluetooth radio that looks period correct, and working A/C and cruise control. He notes he bought it from the original family and that all in all, it’s a well-sorted truck.

The 4.3 TBI V6 benefits from a new aluminum radiator, alternator, belts, pads, and rotors. The engine produced 160 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque when new, and should prove reliable for years to come with the recent maintenance performed. It has 142,000 miles and the seller notes he bought it from the original family that owned it in Bakersfield, California, so he likely had a pretty nice SUV on his hands before the modifications were performed. All in all, the tweaks are fairly minor, and easily reversible if you don’t like the look. But with sticky rubber and Bilstein shock absorbers, it should actually handle pretty well while still being able to haul your family and friends and their gear.