1978 Buick Estate Wagon: When Family Haulers Had Style
I grew up with station wagons. Heck, I came home from the hospital in one. And though my parents had Volvo stations wagons, in various trims of 240 and 740 models, I still had a soft spot for the big domestic woody wagons.
Just on our block, there were two 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagons, one in a dark metallic brown, and the other in what I believe is the same color seen on today’s featured ’78 Buick, owned by my friend Robert Reed.
GM’s 1978 full-size station wagons were only mildly changed from 1977. That’s because ’77 was the arrival of the downsized big GM cars, from the lowest-priced Impala two-door to the Cadillac Fleetwood limousines.
Downsizing was a big deal at the time. While there were the usual folks worried about the change, and missing GM’s Nimitz-class full-size cars from 1971 to 76, the new rolling stock proved popular—so much so that Ford shrunk its own biggies for 1979, except for Lincoln, which got a one-year deferral.
The new cars were certainly smaller. The ’76 Estate Wagon was 231.8 inches long with a 127 inch wheelbase. The all-new 1977 Estate Wagons arrived in Buick showrooms sporting a 115.9-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 216.7 inches. While those numbers don’t seem so wild on paper, in person, it was quite a switch.
The ’77s came in a two-seat ($5903) and a three-seat version ($6078). Production total for both models combined was 25,075. As previously mentioned, the ’78s only had minor changes, the most noticeable being the new grille.
The ’78 now was cataloged as just the two-seat version, with the three-row model now being simply an option instead of a separate model. Base price was $6394. Curb weight was 4063 pounds and 25,964 were built for the year.
But of course, being a Buick, there were lots of options and accessories, perhaps the nicest being the Limited trim option, which Rob’s wagon has.
Per the 1978 Buick brochure, the Estate Wagon Limited included “… 55/45 notchback seats, power windows, a custom tilt steering wheel, a luggage rack with air deflector, chrome-plated road wheels—even the same front end styling treatment as the Electra, and more.”
I always loved the instrument panel on these, especially the silver-faced gauges. The matching analog clock was also very cool. It was only recently that I realized the clock was an option, when I saw a ’77 LeSabre sedan with few options for sale online and it just had the wood trim panel above the glove compartment.
Getting back to the featured car, here is a little background on it from Robert. “This wagon was sold new to a military (Navy) family from Chuck Haselwood Buick in Bremerton, Washington. It is “tan” with “colonial walnut” and tan cloth interior.
“It was owned by the same family in Bremerton until 2010 when a collector in Vancouver, Canada purchased the car. I became friends with the collector and let him know I would be most interested in purchasing the wagon if he ever sold it.
“I had been looking for a nice 77–79 Estate Wagon for over ten years. We stayed in touch for several years and finally in July of 2023 he reluctantly sold it to me.
“These are so hard to find in nice condition. These wagons were workhorses purchased to be used for hauling children, building supplies, or towing boats and campers. Nobody ever thought to put a low-mile wagon away for its value as a future collectible. They were the SUVs of their day.
“I have been fortunate enough to have owned some nice classic cars over the years, but none of those has ever gotten the amount of attention this old wagon gets! It was uncool to have to drive Mom’s wagon to prom. Now days it is just plain cool driving one of these!”
Oh Robert, please contact me if you ever decide to sell!
I inherited my grandfather’s 78 Estate Wagon when he passed away — exact same colors inside and out. It hauled my young family around in the early 1990s and, yes, it was a workhorse. And a very comfortable one at that. So much quieter and more elegant than the 77 Impala wagon (with vinyl seats) that my parents could afford.
I’d be VERY interested in reliving those days in this car. Don’t know why I ever sold it….
In general I am not a big fan of American cars but I do like these big station wagons.
Ahhhhhh…..Memories! I had a 1979 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser for a few years as a company car. Had a 403 with a rompin’ stompin’ 175 horsepower. Sure was a highway flyer, though.
Looks great, except for that mouse-fur upholstery. I test-drove a used 1990 (the last year) Chevy version in early 1991, and liked it, except for the sluggish 307 Olds engine in it.
My parents owned a Buick Estate Wagon I drove it to take my Drivers license test I got the better score than my sister HAHA.
I think the clamshell wagons had more style. I carpooled in one that had every possible option because it was originally bought for the dealer’s wife. I was particularly intrigued by the little map light in the sport where a conventional (not windshield mounted) rear view mirror would go. I was torn on whether the clamshell or Ford’s dual action tailgate was cooler.
A friend’s family did have one of this generation wagon but IIRC it was a Pontiac. I guess these days the big GM wagon is a Suburban/Yukon/Escalade which is either utilitarian or vulgar
My father purchased a 1976 Chevy Caprice Estate after gifting me his 1969 Chevy Kingswood. My parents took us (7 kids) on a road trip from Southern California to DC to see grandma. Even though we were packed in with suitcases and ice chests, it didn’t feel too bad. I kept my’69 wagon until 1984 when I purchased a new Olds Cutlass. Wished I kept the wagon.
It even has ELO in the eight track!
My Grandfather had a 1986 model and I loved sitting behind the wheel in the driveway adjusting the power seats , resetting the radio channels and pretending to be driving it at a 16 year old waiting to get my permit ! The parts hardly changed from 78 – 86 from what I can tell !
in 2012 i got my first roadmaster wagon a 96. and people were still making stupid griswald jokes. jump to 2022 and i have a 93 and people of all ages give it thumbs up and it turns heads at times.
sadly i am having to sell it and although it’s in good condition, it seems these current times are not good for selling
Wood panelled wagons were an American only idea. Maybe a couple of countries flirted with them, but they were a staple of US homes for decades. Watching (tv) from afar it seemed every American family owned one. Now everything is a 2 box shape and there is no identity. An SUV looks the same in Korea as Kansas, and more likely to be made there. I cannot forsee a nostalgia for something so bland and dull.
Wagons were so practical back then for big families and they could still haul a trailer. Why did we ever need a minivan? after my Caprice classic got very tired I moved on to several Suburbans just to keep the ability to carry 7 or sheets of drywall but with the price of fuel have moved on to Volvo wagons and yes we do need wagons too, not just sports sedans and tiny hatchbacks.
My 87 is just like the one in the movie “Adventures In Babysitting”!
We had a 78 Chevy wagon similar to this in many ways. We would load the kids and my racing kart in the back with tools and support goodies for the kids. Perfect for the young families of the day.