1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon Limited
The Roadmaster name was used by Buick since the 1930's, often taking the role as Buick's flagship product. The final generation Roadmaster, which came out in 1991, was offered in two body styles, a massive sedan and a more massive wagon. The wagon was called the "Estate Wagon," which may seem redundant as the European term for "wagon" is "estate", until you realize they probably named it that because it's the size of an actual estate. These wagons were the last of big "vacation" wagons as minivans and then SUV's quickly filled the niche for family haulers. Buick attempted to revise the genre in 2019 with the short lived Regal X.
For consignment, a 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon with a title verified 171,773 actual miles. This well traveled car has the 5.7 liter LT1 engine, the tow package and newer tow hitch. And yes, to answer the question everyone asks, it has the rear facing, collapsible rear seat.
Exterior
From the side, the Roadmaster is a whale of a car with enormous windows, a long front door and a bulbous back that maintains a straight roofline, sloping at the end to form D-pillars that frame a sizable rear window. The rear quarter hangs over the rear wheel, like a built-in fender skirt, which aids in streamlining the long vehicle, all 217 inches of it. Two stage burgundy paint covers horizontal surfaces and frames the wood grain vinyl on sides and tailgate. That wood is also highlighted by the broad black topped silver trim piece that encircles the car and adds visual interest as well as having a narrow effect on the profile. Up front, a characteristic Buick grille is flanked by flush composite headlights and a protruding bumper that is color keyed to the car. Harkening back to the Vista Cruiser and Sport Wagons of the 60's, the Roadmaster includes a vista roof of tinted curved glass that rises from the surface over the second row of seats. The paint is in decent shape and includes scuffs on the bumper while woodgrain film is peeling off of the trim pieces around the vinyl woodgrain panels.
Interior
The burgundy vinyl and plastics along with the plastic burlwood accents look good on the doors, although the driver's door naturally shows some usage with cracks in the plastic and chipped paint from the instrument panel. The other three are in good shape and house carpet lined storage bins. The tall backed split bench up front is constructed of burgundy leather and the driver's seat shows wear with creasing, compression, and tears. A bit of wear on the passenger's seat as well but the second row looks good. The way back seat is clean and dressed in stitched design and shows indentation where it was folded onto the seatbelt buckles. With the seat back down, gobs of square footage is available for storage, all covered in carpet. Back in front, a no frills dashboard greets the pilot, free from distractions so he can attend to the kids in the back seat. There is a trip odometer so when the inevitable "are we there yet" finds its way to the front seat, you'll be able to answer unambiguously. Plush red carpet covers the floor, showing some wear in the front but quite nice in other areas, toe deep as some manufacturers put it. The headliner is in amazing shape and belies the mileage on the car.
Drivetrain
A relatively clean engine is in the big bay, and it's a 5.7 liter LT1 putting out 260 horsepower and fuel injected. GM's venerable 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission is behind it sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle with 2.56 gears. Power assistance is a necessity for this behemoth and disc brakes are up front and drums in the back.
Undercarriage
Surface rust abounds on the belly of this ol' girl but it's mostly dry with just a bit of residual oil on the pan. This baby is equipped with true dual exhaust which intersects a pair of stock style mufflers and exists unceremoniously behind each rear wheel. Coil spring suspension is utilized up front with trailing arms and coil springs in back.
Drive-Ability
If you've driven a Caprice or Impala SS, the cab is going to feel like a very familiar place, except for the cavernous space you see in your rear view mirror. We crank up the detuned Corvette engine and use the handy column shifter to put the wagon into drive and roll out onto the test loop. These were built with smoothness in mind and the car delivers, tracking well and providing adequate acceleration, and exhibiting expected roll on turns, but remaining sure footed as can be with a wheelbase this big. As a well maintained and loved car, all functions work as they should on this Estate. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
The more uncommon these become, the cooler it is to see one on the street or at a car show. Stock original examples are harder to find and they're representative of a genre that despite a number of import performance station wagons, simply does not exist, especially in the domestic market. Snag up this relic of family life for those who would not bow to the minivan nation and were too cool for an SUV. These are great highway cruisers and can hold a ton of stuff for the ride!
1G4BR82P3TR411993
1-USA
G-General Motors
4-Buick
BR-Roadmaster Estate
8-5 Door Station Wagon
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P-5.7L LT1
3-Check Digit
T-1996
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
411993-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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