Vehicle Description
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 rearaxle 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.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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