1988 Buick Electra Estate Wagon -- End of the line

Hi all:

I'm not sure that's the best title for a note, but the sad truth is that the days are numbered for my Electra.

Some may recall that while in the course of replacing the headliner -- rather successfully, I might add -- I, uh, found a 1991 Roadmaster Estate and bought it. I wasn't being disloyal to the Electra -- after all, I did put the new headliner in -- and the torsion bar in the tailgate, and new weatherstripping on all four doors (donated by the low-mileage Caprice Classic Estate I found in a wreckers) plus a bunch of other stuff to make it right.

But at 397,000 kms, approximately 250,000 miles, the car was getting on. Chiefly, right after the headliner went in, it started blowing more smoke than usual. I mean really blowing smoke. Search Google Earth under Victoria BC, Canada. See that cloud over the city? An August thunderstorm? No, that's the Buick, idling in the driveway. Kind of ironic, really -- doing all that headliner work only to have the engine give out? It's kind of like your Uncle Leo getting a hair replacement, but before he can go downtown on a Saturday night to see the difference it makes, his ticker packs it in. Go figure.

So I listed it on UsedVictoria.com. At $1300. Then $1100, now $625. Oh, a couple of nibbles, but no real interest. One fellow was to come by, but then he phoned to say he purchased a Reliant wagon instead. Instead of a 1988 Buick Electra Estate wagon? The hell, you say.

Now don't get me started on scrapping programs. But, that said, I can get $300 for the car. Plus, I don't have to drive it up to the wreckers where the Caprice Classic Estate is located, and have to explain why I spent, like, two full days there trying to get the damn headliner out of the Caprice, only to bring it back two weeks later, installed in a Buick. Hey -- maybe it will qualify as a return and I can get my money back?

Plus, I don't think it's a good idea to drive the Buick, especially all that way, and up a small mountain, to the wreckers up-Island, near Nanaimo BC. I think it would be patently unfair to asthmatics. Never mind those suffering from limited vision. Really, that is one thick cloud of smoke.

We did take it out on the highway to see if we could 'blow the carbon out of it.' That did not go well. In fact, I'm pretty sure that whatever the problem is, it sure isn't carbon. Or carbon neutral for that matter. I'm not too proud to admit that on the way back, I made my wife drive, and when people pulled up beside us, windows down, gasping for air, looking at us with disgust, I kind of made an eye-rolling gesture aimed at Michelle in an effort to suggest that I was just a hitchhiker, and she was quite possibly European, so what was a transient to do?

But I digress.

So I'm looking for some guidance. I'm thinking I will try to take the woodgrain trim surrounds off the car, the power window and lock switches, hubcaps, driver's seatbelt receptacle, and other easily accessible pieces and put them on eBay. This way, they're accessible to those who need them; and if no one wants them, well I've tried.

What other bits and pieces (that an idiot such as myself can remove) should be saved and offered up on ebay or to StationWagonForum classifieds?

I just bought a LH Taillight for the Roadmaster Estate through ebay, and I've purchased the odd, hard-to-come-by part for the Interceptor there, so I'm the first to appreciate folks who save some parts for others. Even if they then take the then somewhat depleted car to be scrapped, some of it has been reused and recycled.

There is some time urgency here: The Interceptor is in Seattle having the top adjusted and some other things done. So the garage is free, and the Electra is in it. The Roadmaster hasn't really arrived home yet, as in the ten days I've owned it, it's been in various garages getting repaired and renewed (AC, new hoses and belts, a new power antenna, master cylinder, new window switch, oil gauge sender unit, valve cover seal, new remotes, etc.) But it should be home tomorrow. The XJR is in the driveway. But the Interceptor will be back soon, which means the Estate has to come out of the garage so the Interceptor can go into it, which is all to say that if I somehow end up with two Buick wagons in the driveway, I'll have more than the usual number of problems on the home front. This would not be a good thing.

So there's the question: What is worth saving and passing along from my 1988 Buick Electra Estate Wagon which I bought new, and have had longer than my wife. And by the way, not that it's something I didn't fix in time, eventually, but in case it helps prevent problems on your home front, you should probably never tell your wife that you've had a 1988 Buick Electra Estate Wagon 'longer than you've had her.' Actually, better advice would be not to say you've had anything 'longer than you've had her,' because, thinking back, I don't think it's just the Buick thing that's problematic in that particular phrase. Anyway, just trying to help.

As always, input and ideas very much appreciated. I will attach a couple of pictures of the Electra and the Roadmaster.

Adam

 

Well, is this something that can be fixed rather easily like a new set of head gaskets and a retune with some new ignition stuff or is this a re-ring job where pulling the engine would be involved.

Smoking can be a number of things that can be fixed rather easily.

Is it black, blue or white smoke?

Is this fuel injected or carburetor? I am not sure when Buick made the complete switch.

 

Funny as hell post, Adam. I think it would be a damn shame to part that beauty. Drop an engine in there, preferably a 455, and you have a great car. SOMEone will buy that car. Your location is killing you market wise. If that car was anywhere near me I would yank it home! Well...if it wasn't blue. I'm not kidding, though....that car is way too nice to part. All it needs is an engine! That's no big deal! The 88 Electra is one of my very favorite wagons. Hell...the wheels alone are worth a LOT. I'm gonna ask you to hang in there and pacify the wife a little longer until a good 'ol Buick wagon guy like myself comes along and buys that whole wagon for a transplant. Please don't part that car. Blue or not...if it was close I would pull that home in a NY second!

 

Adam, you have a way with words! Hilarious!

I agree with Fox! That Electra is way too nice to part out! Yeah, you have a few too many cars, but it would be a real shame if that nice looking, one-owner Buick went away.

Tempest has good questions...see if it is fixable, and keep it.

Wish it was closer to me. I'm in Texas, and I have a complete, running 455 drivetrain for it. Damn, that would be nice!

Can't believe no one wants that pretty Buick wagon. :confused:

David

 

LMAO! My Uncle Leo played a defenseman for the Boston Bruins! And he did wear a rug, after he got benched and went to the Sudbury team.

I wondered about our Smoke warnings, because it smelled like a mix of Pine and Buick smoke. I had a 1963 Riviera blow up on me once.

You gave it your best. It's time for the rest of the Buick guys to bring her back to her struttin' days.

Good sense of humour, Adam. Thanks for the chuckles.

 

Right on, Wix! WAY too nice to part! Geeze...I didn't know you had a 455 sitting there, Wix. What year? Now I'm tempted to get that Electra and yank it down to YOUR place! Build that 455, drop it in, drive home.

 

WAIT! I just had a great thought! Read on...it doesn't happen often.
KK lives in Oregon...that's not TOO far from BC is it? Man....KK would love that car I'll bet. And he is short on cash at the moment so this beauty might be right up his alley! He's not an engine guy I don't think but, seriously, there are many engine possibilities for that car with not much trouble at all. Geeze...even if he bought a new, totally rebuilt 307 and dropped it in there he would still be way ahead of the game with that nice wagon. KK could end up with a one owner, rust free Electra wagon with lots of new parts already in it! Even if he just parked it until he made a decision on what engine etc...I really think KK should snap that wagon up! I don't know how far away it is but it's a lot closer than the one he likes in MN. And a lot cheaper. Long shot scenario....IF I buy that car KK is looking at for me today....and IF KK were to buy Adam's wagon and get it to his house before I get there to pick up my car....I could help him install the engine of his choice. The guy I may bring with me is a retired mechanic! That scenario is a way long shot...but, hey...KK...BUT THIS WAGON! I will help you get it together any way I can!

 

When its right, its right. The mystery unfolds.

 

Wow, I absolutely concur with everybody's sentiments. When I pulled up the pix, I never expected the 88 to be so pristine. That is a gorgeous, obviously loved and well cared for long roof. It is absolutely much too nice to part out. There has to be some way to save this beauty. C'mon guys, work something out.

 

Here is Adams ad for the car, you can use the map to judge distance.

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classif...ctra-Estate-Wagon---Price-Reduction!_12785519

It's still a bit of travell to get here from Oregon, and ferry cost on top of all that. On top of travel costs if you were to truck and trailer it your self the ferry trip would be over $200 one way, your a over size viehcle. I have no idea what having it shipped would be.

I would be interested but the timing is'nt rite for me at the moment. If any one here is seroius about the car I would gladly offer a "nutral opinion" by viewing it. Don't take that as a insult Adam, I'd expect the same if I were selling a wagon to a member here

IMO, the car needs WAY ore pics to be sold online though

 

Dammit!....I want KK to have that car....I KNOW he would love it when he got behind the wheel!! He's not that far away.

 

So is the car now not drivable perioud? Needs a tow truck? Can it be delivered under it's own power to Langford Can West Mall erea, it's still insured? Sorry but paying for a tow from your location to mine is....I can't justify it rite now perioud$$$. I'd really like to save it but......

Whats your bottom line price today, don't hold back

It would look nice sitting beside this, with a new/newer engine come spring time

 

Thats sad. It's always tough when you get "attached" to a car. If you decide to part it, this man is local to me (NC) but maybe what he needs could be shipped. I e-mailed him and told him about this site.


http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/1914262273.html

Jon

 

I know some one that would like that car too. But he is too far away also. 4wagons4kids, but he's in CT.
And, I do NOT want to see this car parted.

 

it would be a darn shame to see this car in pieces, i hope someone can save it, i wish i had a way to because i sure would.