Hello. I'm a longtime lurker, first-time poster. I finally found a wagon worth purchasing and I felt compelled to post it on stationwagonforums. I'm from Michigan, about an hour west of Detroit. My father used to do bodywork and mechanical, now a licensed builder. My mom's a hairdresser. I graduated from college in 2012 and now work as service rep for a great local company. I like to fix things that are broken and I like old, authentic junk that has stood the test of time. I recently bought a 1989 Buick LeSabre, V8 307 Olds engine. It's a base trim wagon, no power options except rear tailgate window. I'll upload some pics soon. I drove out to Pennsylvania for it and drove the wagon all the way back the same day. Very solid body and frame with some minor surface rust and paint imperfections. It had previously been used as a business vehicle for a funeral home (spooky), and was always garaged. Almost 70k miles now (unless the OD rolled over, I'm not sure). Regardless, it's great for being almost 30 years old, and it runs! I've done a ton of things to it already to get it back to a daily driver, doing basic engine maintenance that probably hasn't been done in forever. Spark plugs, wires, PCV, filters, all that jazz. I'm trying to journal all my auto repairs and maintenance now, including the wagon here: http://ifidknownthenautoblog.blogspot.com/ Next I'll be working on some suspension fixes for the sagging rear end and some front end alignment components. My goal is to use it as a fun car, sometime cargo mover and reliable roadtripper. I'd love to take Route 66 again in this eventually. Questions or thoughts?
to the forum. Long ago we did a lot of camping in your neck of the woods. I couldn't tell my wife what the past life of your wagon was if I owned it. I'd guess the Odometer is accurate unless they did a lot of long distance burials. Hope all your trips with the wagon are chearful ones.
Hate to break it to ya but "business" means body transportation. You might already know this but In "the underground storage business" they only use the hearse for the ceremony, they use things like station wagons and now a days, minivans to carry the bodies from one place to another, like say from the morgue to the makeup table. That being said, you probably got a great, well taken care of car. It's not ideal to go hot rodding around wearing out a car when you got the deceased laying in the back. Sweet dreams tonight! I wanna see some pictures!!!
I did notice the last few times we went to funeral homes they had black mini vans next to the hearses. Never gave it much thought. I'd rather get shipped to the makeup table by antique station wagon. Who started this depressing topic? again Clark. Lurk no more. It's show and tell time for your Buick wagon.
Reminds me of a riddle: "the man who built it doesn't want it, the man who bought doesn't need it, the man who needs it doesn't know it." Could it be this wagon? Anyway, I knew it was probably used for shuttling the deceased around. As yet, it doesn't seem to be haunted, or more importantly, to bother the missus. Here are some pics from inside the garage. Sorry for the cruddy phone images.
Score!!! Am I wrong or is that back pillar different from other Buicks?? It looks great. I never heard of a haunted car, think there are movies about possessed cars? Anyways, I always take notice whenever I see funeral home cars for sale. Nevermind the death business, it's not a factor. It happens to the best of us, And also the worst
Welcome. Looks like a great car, I like the gray with the aluminum mag wheels. My grandpa had bought a retired Chrysler Funeral Home pickup car. They are garaged, low-mileage, and well-maintained. Once out of service, they are cherry wagons to grab. Grizz is right, now everyone uses minivans(some have tell-tale landau bars on back windows). Hearses on the other hand, don't really have a "future use" except for Halloween props. Hearse conversions are a very large purchase for funeral homes(six figures plus) and then they are sold dirt cheap. LT1 low-mileage Fleetwoods and Roadmasters can be bought for $3000-4000 around here. Nice cars but 2 seaters that most of our wives would not condone lol!
Welcome aboard. Looks like a nice car you got yourself. Regardless of the real mileage. I am sure it will serve you well. Congrats.
Thanks, all! I had to google "landau bars". Fascinating history! I'm excited to fix 'er up and I've been elbows deep already in some parts replacement.
