When an automobile collection reaches 25 or more, storage space and a lack of time to care for your fleet properly can become an issue, and that’s the dilemma the seller of this 1963 Buick Estate Wagon is facing. The most vehicles I’ve ever owned at the same time is three, and even a trio takes up valuable real estate, so the owner has made the wise decision to find this one a new home rather than just watching it sit around. This vintage station wagon is reported to be largely original and solid all the way around, so if you’d like to help the seller clear some space, this one’s in Pacific Junction, Iowa, and can be found here on Facebook Marketplace. It’s priced at $16,800, and we’d like to thank reader T.J. for another excellent tip here!
Even with so many cars on hand, it would still be challenging to decide which ones you’re willing to part with. Being a sixties wagon fan myself, this might be one I’d consider hanging onto, especially since it appears to be a competent driver already. The body is stated to be rust-free, with one respray believed to have been performed in the nineties. A few minor flaws are noted, including small dings and paint chips, but the seller has already cut and buffed the finish. Since this paint correction process was completed, the exterior is now said to show very well.
A possible reason this one was chosen over the others to sell could be due to the engine, since it’s not the original component. The standard powerplant here was a Buick 401, which became known as the Nailhead because of the unusual shape of its valves and their small covers. There’s still a member of the Nailhead family in the bay, but it’s of the 364 cubic-inch variety, which has recently gotten a few new parts. Some of these include hoses, belts, a new water and fuel pump, along with a tune-up.
The interior is stated to be all original and described as remaining in amazing condition, with a good selection of photos provided that seem to back up this claim. I’m not spotting any cracks or tears anywhere, and since the LeSabre was a full-size offering, there’s plenty of room for the family plus lots of cargo. I’d probably leave this one exactly as it is, and primarily use this 1963 Buick Estate Wagon as a fun weekend driver. What would you do here?
Where’s the fire, Chief? Nope, never, and I mean NEVER saw’r a red car in the 60s, (or yellow or black and white, for that matter). It was instantly associated with the fire dept., and that initial joke got tiresome. This certainly looks original, maybe a respray, and nobody knows or cares what powers it today, so a moot point there. I’m telling ya’, ( for umpteenth time) we are witnessing the decline of the classic car hobby, right before our very eyes. Don’t think so? Good news for some, devastating for others. Considering what this is, the price doesn’t seem out of line, no one that ever experienced a car like this was ever disappointed. That mindset, has, sadly came and went. Wonderful cars, I hope someone appreciates what grandpa saw in a ’63 Buick.
The engine bay is the best indicator or its original color unless a engine out restoration occurred, and not the case here for what we see.
It does look to have been brightened up a bit. My ex had a Special convertible of the same year, just like one on display here recently.
Yes, there were red wagons in 1963. My parents owned a RED (with white top) 1963 Pontiac Catalina wagon.
Pontiac definitely made red Catalina wagons in 1963, with popular shades like Marimba Red and Grenadier Red, as the Catalina Safari was a key full-size offering that year, available in various colors including red, catering to families wanting style and space.
Key Details:
Model: 1963 Pontiac Catalina Safari (Wagon).
Colors: Factory colors included codes for red, such as Marimba Red (L) and Grenadier Red (V), proving they were available.
The worst part of the car hobby nowadays (to me) is that there are so few original cars. And frankly, there are few OLD cars.
Modern Corvettes, Mustangs, and Challengers are 50% of what you see. Another 25% are gawdy, overbuilt hot rods. Throw in some rat-rods etc., and finally there are about 5% actual 50s/60s cars that are original or semi-original.
I just don’t care to look at 40 2018 Corvettes or Mustangs. The owners never wrenched on those cars. They probably pay someone to detail them. They just adorn them with tacky aftermarket chrome bits, then show up wanting a trophy. It’s dumb.
This would draw so much attention at Cars & Coffee. Less than 10,000 built (2 and 3 seat), how many can be left? I would be surprised if there are 100 still out there.
The first-generation Buick V8 was called the “Nailhead” because the pent-roof shape of the combustion chamber restricted the diameter of the valves. This resulted in valves that looked more like nails than proper intake and exhaust valves.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t there a period of time in the 1960s where Buick and Olds didn’t offer full sized wagons? I don’t think i’ve ever seen a ’63 Buick station wagon.
`65-`69, neither Buick or Olds had a (quote…) full-size wagon, then Buick got one in `70, while Olds got the Custom Cruiser full-sized wagon in `71 with that restyle.
Will Fox is right. However, the Olds Vista Cruiser and it’s Buick Twin had a wheelbase five inches longer than their respective mid size sedans for the first two generations.
Mid 60’s anyway my dad bought a Olds Vistacruiser wagon which we rocked across country at least 3 times. Was a big machine!
This sure is a flash back to 1963. My parents traded in their 56 chevy station-wagon for a brand new Buick wagon identical to the one here, right down to the red, except for the white roof. I learned how to drive on that car, which didn’t go without incident.
While this `63 LeSabre wagon is scarce today in it’s own right, I wish I could see more of that `57 Mercury wagon in the background of the first photo. One of my favorite wagons.
Love this car! My dad was a Buick dealer in the 60s. Big wagons were rare in early 60s Buicks. I’d probably spruce it up a bit under the hood, but otherwise leave it alone.
SAKES ALIVE! Would that beauty ever look good in our 3 car garage next to my Fiesta Red 1956 Thunderbird and my wife’s 2019 Race Red Mustang GT! There IS room (that is if the 2024 wagon were to be parked out in the elements)! Being so close to Christmas, wonder if I gave my wife today that diamond necklace that I have under the tree if she would let me add this beauty to our stable🤔? Nah, let’s face it, I probably haven’t been THAT good and certainly not THAT lucky!! Thank goodness I can still dream as this FoMoCo fan, on this beauty, “really would rather have a Buick”. Hope it finds a great home.
Oh c’mon Tim! Who wears the pants in this family anyways? Personally, I’ve found that sleeping in the garage two or three weeks after a questionable car decision really isn’t so bad. No snoring, No one stealing the covers, and not waking up to the green-faced alien-looking creature is pretty nice, even peaceful. So gird your loins S. and fight for your right as an American male to have as many cars as you want! Just put some Xtra blankets in the garage.
Hmmmmm🤔, not a bad idea! Hadn’t thought of that. Could that be yet an alternate interpretation of Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men? Just might give it a try!! Merry Christmas🎄‼️
Looking for a nice reliable driver/family car? You won’t find anything better for $16,800. Even a 15-20 year old beater will cost that much and he might be willing to bargain a bit.
Pretty car but, I’m surprised there’s parts available for this. I had a hard time running down correct interior and engine parts for my 1967 Buick Gran Sport back in 86.
never see these in the wild. some detail work and it could be a killer wagon
never seen 1 in person. fairly rare with some detail work it could be a killer wagon
I could see myself driving this one. Too far away, though. Wouldn’t be TOO far removed from the matador red/white 1957 Chevy 210 station wagon we got new and regrettably traded-in on that awful 1961 Chevy wagon. Back in the early 1960s, somehow I saw more Oldsmobile F-85 wagons, than full-sized Buick ones. How come most of the nicest cars are either out in the Iowa-Illinois orbit, or else out in British Columbia or Washington State?
The Pacific Northwest; WA, OR, ID, BC, seems to have the ideal climate for preserving cars. I see so many survivors listed there. A lot of rain, but otherwise very mild and forgiving on cars. Too bad I live on the opposite side of the country.
That’s one handsome machine, but would love to see the Merc wagon behind it as well.