My 1972 Buick Estate Wagon...finally took some pics.

hmmm. I cant recall. There used to be more photos of that wagon that showed that. I will see if I can find it.

I am thinking that it was mounted toward the back of the side panels... on the driverside if I recall, with the vents aimed toward the glass.

 

I sure remember that thread on the AACA/BCA forums

On the defog matter: I have to get through some paperwork of the 1972 Buick models again on that, I think the only option was the electrical heated glass (71(?)-76) for full size wagons.

Here are 2 clamshells I found on a yard in CO with that option (parked next to each other):

 

Rob, you are amazing! Great pics! Just what I wanted to see!
You have got to be the most knowledgeable clamshell wagon guy in the world!

C49 M9 Heated Glass Rear Window Defogger 62.00

I definitely want this option! Not sure why, but I do! I need to go back in time and order that!

 

btw: I made my own defogger by putting a 12V fan on one of the side panels (suction cup... NO screws or glue!! ).




Have used it only one time and it works, for normally I won"t drive the wagon in weather types where a defogger is needed: therefor I have a a tiny Euro-crap car (a red Fiesta nicknamed "the strawberry" ,,,,,there where my US-cars have names like the Whale or Behemoth )

 

Rob, have you received your 71 Electra yet? if so, we want !

 

It is not here yet (couple of weeks to go). But as mentioned (?) earlier on this board: made a 4750mls roadtrip with the 71 Electra (it had to be a 71 (louvres!! I searched for years for a 71 Estate Wagon due to that louvres fact, but couldn"t find one and so 'ended up" with a 72 in stead...... )

It is a dream car... besides the (typical CA sun) damaged paint on the trunk (it was under a carport with the trunk catching too much sun light) there is nothing wrong with the very well maintained car (no fluid leaks, it used much less than the quarter of engine oil I bought at the beginning of the trip).

Only problems that occured: AC clutch burned/blown tire/ignition problems (points)


(I just love the space under the hood when repairing a US car )

Talking about options:
it has the finger-tip wiper control.... but missing CC
it has the rim blow horn steering wheel..... but lacking cornering lights, and defogger
it has powered windows...... but not the automatic trunk opener
it has AM and FM radio..... but no ACC





Bought it from the first owner's family (old lady deceased a couple of months ago).
Interior is as new: no cracks anywhere! Which is quite odd for a Buick from that region.
Here are a few photos:



With a big smile on my face I filled her up with gas (she did about 13 mls to the gallon) knowing to pay 4 times the total amount back in Europe:




Handed her (yes her...: Carmen) in LA to a shipping company on the last day of the trip:




So, a couple of weeks to go, get her through customs than alter the head- and parkinglights to European standards and have her inspected by our "DMV" to get Dutch license plates

 

what a sharp car! what does this mean?

"it has AM and FM radio..... but no ACC"

where did you go on your trip???

 

Wow! Rob, your Carmen is so beautiful!
What a find...and what a fun road trip that must have been! Thanks so much for posting so many great pics from your journey.

My foot sure tastes lousy , but it has been in my mouth alot lately when it comes to me having to eat my silly words...the color of your Electra is simply gorgeous!

I love all of the huge luxury coupes of the late 60's and 70's. To me, these are so decadent. The idea of someone buying one of these new, when most people bought the more practical 4 doors...wonderfully self-indulgent and self-assured.

When she arrives home, and you get her all settled in, I want more pics. I want to see the seats, the fingertip wiper control, all the little details! More please!

 

Jeffrey and Rob, since you are both here at the same time, let me pose a loaded question to the two of you.

Everyone know that within the ranks of 70's GM, Chevrolet was at the bottom end of the divisional family tree, and Cadillac was at the top. Not much question about Pontiac...right above Chevrolet. But which division was just below Cadillac in the GM hierarchy?

 

Buick was 2nd, Olds was closely behind (I never thought that was right though)

 

In those days a FM receiver was an option (standard the was AM for years; end 6-ties FM radio stations were not common)
ACC is Automatic Climate Control (with a temperature sensor, so you can actually set a chosen temperature(heat and cold)) My Electra has the common AC


This was more or less our route:



It was my first real holidays in 15 years and was talking about it for that period of time as well. I do go abroad all over the world, but that is for my work. Always talked about doing a road trip through the US in a true car. Last December, I had some sort of holidays travelling from upstate NY to TX in a 66 Riviera and at the time I decided to make my talks come true.

I will add some more photos later as long as they tone with the station wagon board

 

....and since Cadillac didn't make station wagons.... Buick was Numero Uno for Station Wagons

 

you both must be doing night shifts...

I'm in the garden enjoying our summer : 3 days of sun with temperatures around 86F

 

Back to the ranks: Still I think Buick should have added fender skirts like Olds did for their Wagon... but with the lines of the Olds embedded in the skirts Buick couldn't have done a better job.

 

Thanks guys for playing along...I know that is probably a tired question, but I wanted your opinions anyway.

I grew up thinking that Buick was right below Cadillac, but looking at how the 71&72 Oldsmobile wagons were presented, decor-wise, I think Olds was getting pretty pushy!

In the Buick Estate Wagons, the custom interior option got you some handsome seats, but retained the same lower door panels as the Chevy, but with a stainless trim ring. But with the Olds, the standard trim level also had the lower door panels that the 98 and Limited had, with door pulls...both not available on any Buick wagon at any price. Also the rear fender skirts, the elaborate dash with the clock for the passenger and overall baroche styling of the Olds, makes me start to reevaluate my thinking.
Oldsmobile was getting mighty big for her britches!

My foot sure tastes good!