Bill Stoneberg Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 I was coming home from dropping a car off in North Dakota and we had an empty trailer.We were looking at junkyards for parts and muscle cars. I had no intentions of buying anything.Anyway, I found this 88 wagon parked in a junkyard in South Dakota.Grass had grown up around it. The paint was faded but the interior looked new. It has all the options on it. It had 100 K on the odometer. The owner said it smoked a lot, which is why it was junked.We loaded it on to the trailer and brought it home to Houston. I had to put tires and a battery in it and valve seals. Since then I have driven it 25,000 miles and I love it. Its big and the seats are comfortable. It will never be a show car, but it makes a good addition to my Buick collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel88 Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 That is a great story Bill, and I am glad you came along and rescued a interesting and useful Buick wagon. It looks really nice for coming out of a junk yard. It fits in very nicely with your Buick collection.Woody Michel'40 Roadmaster Coupe'63 Riviera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junqueboi Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Nice car. I like the maroon color & those rally wheels. Those Olds 307s will run forever. It's nice to see something like that brought back to life... I'd spring for the paintjob since the car's so clean. Keep it rollin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 I agree on all accounts. A great story and a very nice wagon you have there. I have always been partial to the 1977-1990 GM stationwagons. My parents almost purchased a 1984 Electra Estate Wagon back in the late 80s, but opted for the 1981 Oldsmobile Omega Brougham instead. The 307 engines in the late 80s models are reliable engines, but WAY underpowered. I actually have a "twin" to the Buick Estate Wagon. Mine is a 1989 Pontiac Safari wagon with the 307. Smooth engine, but it is S L O W. I have actually stopped driving it because it is so slow. I also had a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon, but it had the 305 V8, but it had a bit more power. My 85' Caprice Estate had a bad valve or rings- it was burning oil- I placed it on E-Bay and sold it for $400 if I recall to someone in Ohio, that was going to restore. He had a good engine for it. I had bought it from the original owner- whom I work with. The interior was very dirty though. Attached is a photo of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66400 Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 It will never be a show car, but it makes a good addition to my Buick collection. Don't sell your car short!I went to a car show at a San Antonio Buick dealer and there was identical twin to your car on display! It was hands down the best 1988 SW there. Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted February 18, 2005 Author Share Posted February 18, 2005 Henry, If it was last year, that was mine. It always is the best 88 SW at almost any show. And it is sloooowwwwww.... But once it gets going, it will cruise all day.We took it to the St Louis Regional in August and over 2500 miles we got almost 20 mpg at 65 - 70 mph. We did 2 700 mile days going home (we took a side trip to Chicago) and were comfortable the whole way...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Bill- I hope it is not as S L O W as my 1989 Pontiac Safari wagon with the 307. I think the engine is about worn out, as it is almost dangerous to drive, due to the low power. In fact, I have quit driving it again. The car was almost like brand new when I first got it 4 years ago (see attachment), but now it has weathered badly and not in near the shape it was. I hope to start driving it again soon- at least once a week to keep it in good running order. Last time it set for a year- I started driving it again with no problems. The body is the best thing about it- as it is a 100% rust free southern car. The photo of it was taken in North Carolina, about 4 years ago, just before my uncle delivered it to me. Your 88' Buick is extremely nice. Do you have any other photographs of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shaffer Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 The above attached photo was 4 years ago- when it was excellent. Here is a photo taken last month (January of 2005). Notice it is not nearly as nice as it was.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted February 22, 2005 Author Share Posted February 22, 2005 I dont know, I will check and see if I can find some more pictures. I know I have some of the inerior someplace.I like your car too, those wagons are classic. Have you thought about an Oldsmobile 400 going in it ? It supposedly drops right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Just a thought: S l o w on a 307 Olds could mean a few things, a clogged exhaust, low compression(rare),low torque multiplication from the transmission or maybe frozen weights in the distributor. Easy enough to check out. You may want to try Marvels Mystery Oil with your next oil change and a couple of cans of Berrymans B-12 in the gas tank . Good luck, Mitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 One other thought: My dad's '89 Cadillac Brougham with Olds 307 sometimes seemed slower than it could have been because the transmission shifted into overdrive lockup at about 35 mph! It was great on gas mileage, but it was much more practical to leave the OD off for around town trips and freeway merging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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