Could faux wood panelling ever actually be considered cool? While the jury is still out on that one, the consensus seems to be that the Corvette-engined Buick Roadmaster Wagon is sub-zero. Once mocked by car enthusiasts, this land yacht has since become a genuine cult classic. Although we didn’t appreciate it at the time, the Roadmaster represented the swan song for the traditional American station wagon, killed off by the SUV.
The Roadmaster name was applied to the biggest of Buick’s cars in the 1930s and ran right through to the end of the 1950s, so it was only natural that it would return for the company’s new flagship estate car in 1991. Sharing its underpinnings and most of its body panels with the Chevrolet Caprice and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, the Roadmaster Wagon duly made its return – although it was the only one of the three available with the vital ‘woodie’ look.
It was among the last few cars to use the incredibly old-school B Platform chassis which, although nominally dating all the way back to 1926, had been significantly re-engineered several times along the way. All Roadmasters were fitted with a four-speed automatic gearbox, with the initial engine a 5.0-litre, 170bhp small-block V8. Comfortably seating up to eight occupants in its squishy interior, it was suitably large for an ultimate family cruiser.
For 1992, a four-door sedan Roadmaster arrived and the 5.0-litre engine made way for a 180bhp 5.7-litre. The ‘Corvette’ engine came in 1994, along with an updated dashboard. In reality this 260bhp variant of the Corvette’s LT1 engine was fairly widely used throughout GM’s ranks, and had been re-tuned here for low-end torque at the expense of power. Still, telling people you have a Corvette-engined station wagon is pretty cool and doesn’t stretch the truth much. The running gear is shared with the Chevrolet Caprice so there are plenty of tuning options. Even a mild tweak with the right camshaft, intake and exhaust can easily push it beyond the Corvette’s 300bhp for real sleeper status. It’s not uncommon.
That said, a 260bhp Roadmaster is surprisingly quick, with a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds. This obviously misses the point. The power is really there to offer an effortless driving experience, and fuel economy was improved by, yes, 1mpg over the original 5.0. Top speed was limited to 118mph.
Various minor styling changes were brought in for 1995 and 1996, the final years. The big change was a switch to more modern, OBD-II-compliant engine management. The final cars received a few special touches, including a ‘Collector’s Edition’ badge.
Desirable options to look for include the rear jump seats for the full eight-seater experience, plus the towing package that also adds a much better cooling system. Most have leather, but find one with velour for the full retro American experience.
Owning a big old station wagon is a lifestyle choice, but one that remains practical and affordable. The Roadmaster has been a somewhat under-the-radar prospect for a few years, but people are finally starting to cotton onto its charms.
Buick Roadmaster Wagon common problems
• These are big, strong cars, but it’s important to check the chassis for any signs of accident damage or excessive corrosion in the boot floor area. Finding one with a good body makes life easier.
• All the V8 engines are tough, but look out for any signs of neglect. Regular servicing is a must. Check the condition of the coolant, and for signs of leaks around the water pump.
• Electrical problems are not uncommon but most are easily fixed. Make sure all the windows open and close smoothly, and that complex things like the auto climate control operate correctly.
WHAT TO PAY
Daily driven examples that have had a hard life are still reasonably common in the US and can be picked up from about $3000. Something with under 100,000 miles and a good history will be around the $10,000 mark. Low-mileage cars can fetch upwards of $25,000. Post-1994 LT1-engined cars are the most coveted, obviously.
