I’ve always had a soft spot for these big-boat Roadmaster wagons, built for just a few years (1991 to 1996) on the full-sized General Motors B Platform. This two-owner 1996, from the last year of production, is the nicest one you’re going to find, with just 38,000 careful miles on the odometer. It’s for sale here on craigslist in Cleveland, Ohio, offered at $8,995. That’s high for one of these, but in this condition, it’s justified. Maybe they’re negotiable.
As the vendor points out, the Roadmaster estate wagon was offered with the 5.7-liter sequential-point fuel-injection LT1 engine, which first graced the 1992 Corvette. In the Roadmaster, beginning in 1994, it was detuned to produce 260 horsepower (from 300 in the Vette). This car has that motor.
Among the photos is one of an invoice for $2,200 worth of work, including new brakes, tires, battery, air-conditioning charge, ball joints, front shocks, alignment, and oil change. This tank should be ready for years and at least another hundred thousand miles of family-hauling duty. Or do you want it on the show field?
The blindingly white body looks flawless. I’d prefer it in maroon to match the extra-nice leather interior, but the finish can’t be faulted. These cars were actually fairly subdued, with a minimum of gaudy trim and chrome. Also offered by Chevy, the ultimate on this platform was the Impala SS (based on the Caprice), which is now quite collectible. The $22,495 SS had the same motor as this wagon, though the SS also got big anti-roll bars, 17-inch wheels, and 12-inch disc brakes—making for a package that could reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. These wagons are slower but more capable than most.
The Roadmaster Estate Wagon was available with the classic suburban fake wood, though this example eschews that option. The selling dealer doesn’t say much about the car, other than the fact that it had two owners and is in “incredible condition, inside and out.” An engine photo would have been nice. A third row of rear-facing, rear-entry seats were optional in the Estate Wagon, and although there’s a shot of the impeccably preserved second row it’s kind of hard to tell if there’s also a third. I suspect not.
Of course, these are great floaty boats to drive. I had them as test vehicles back in the day, and remember a memorable drive to Washington, DC in an Impala SS. I wouldn’t mind having one of those today. The first four-door SS!
It’s unlikely that the new owners will use their Roadmaster as a daily driver, but if they do the Achilles Heel—in fact, the only drawback—is the terrible fuel economy. They were rated at 18 miles per gallon combined (14 in town, 20 on the highway). But don’t worry about it too much, since gas is inexpensive right now. What this wagon wants is to be used, wouldn’t you say? Thanks to Jonathan for this submission.
listed with a salvage title. Wonder what happened. Also the work performed seems strange for a true 38,000 mile car.
What Wonson said. Too many questions, too many dollars. Run, don’t walk away.
Third row seat was standard on these wagons.
True! But there was a third row delete “option”. I had one without the third seat.
Only thing needed to wake these up would be a 2800 stall tc and 3.73 gears. Also the salvage title is a red flag.
Agree with the others the price is too high and that $2200 of work seems excessive. The invoice for the work is an estimate (it’s not signed), so I’m guessing Par Auto Sales, being a dealer, actually paid somewhat less. Also, it seems somewhat excessive to charge $360 in labor for front ball joints, brakes and shocks as the wheels need off anyway to do anything. Finally, would think at least some to the AC service cost would be applied to the R134.
MPG should be higher than 20 on the highway.
markp – my parents had a 1992 Caprice wagon from 1994-2003 and my dad had to drive it long distances often. He’d routinely get 25-27 mpg highway, but that car had the smaller stock engine (305ci, I believe).
I recommended this ad, but didn’t see the salvage title note. That’s a huge red flag especially at the asking price, but these vehicles were pretty robust and long living, so….
38,000 miles and it needed new ball joints?
SOLD ! (not to me)
That’s funny, the ad is still live.
It’s nice but with that salvage title price is too high. That red leather interior is the same as the one my parents’ 1996 Collector’s Edition sedan had. My dad swapped in a 4L60 out of a Caprice cop car and no lie the car got 33 mpg. When my brother broke his tibia playing football his junior year of high school we spent all summer going to museums and even road-tripped out to Cleveland in our Roadmaster. Unfortunately, my junior year we were coming home from one of my high school football games and a Jeep Cherokee blew a stop sign and t-boned the car, totaling it. Earlier that day my dad had swapped in brand new cop car springs and a few hours before the wreck asked my mom how the car rode. My dad ended up parting out the car, selling the engine to a guy who had a LT1-equipped fourth gen Camaro Z28, and the transmission just went into my 1995 Caprice Classic LT1 station wagon. To this day we still miss that Roadmaster.