(first posted 3/31/2012) The 1971-76 GM full-size station wagons were the largest wagons the company ever made. Each division had their own fancy version, usually with vinyl wood appliques on the sides – the Chevrolet Caprice Estate, Pontiac Grand Safari, Olds Custom Cruiser and Buick Estate Wagon. The Buick was the fairest of them all, an Electra wagon for all intents and purposes.
Buick had only just resumed the production of full-size wagons. Starting in 1964, the Sport Wagon, a long wheelbase version of the Skylark wagon with windows over the second row seat (shared with the Olds Vista Cruiser), became the top Buick hauler. This remained the case until 1970, when a new full-size Estate Wagon debuted on the LeSabre chassis, which had been redesigned for the 1969 model year.
I’m not sure why GM bothered with the ’70, as all-new big Buicks were coming out for 1971. They must have really felt the need to get back in the full-size wagon market, to tool a wagon body that was only used for one year.
In 1971, the new Estate Wagon came out with new sheetmetal and interiors. This was the biggest wagon GM would offer, and the Buick was arguably the finest. Luxury wagons were not a crowded segment. The only other comparable wagons were the Chrysler Town & Country, Mercury Colony Park and maybe the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. Need to haul? No problem, as these wagons had 105.7 cubic feet of cargo space and a 127-inch wheelbase. Plenty of room for cargo and people.
Interiors were extremely nice for a station wagon, with upholstery that would not have looked out of place on an Electra. The Estate Wagon essentially was an Electra, sporting the very same front end and the requisite four portholes on the hood.
1971 Estate Wagons came with a standard 455 CID V8 and a three speed column-shifted manual (most likely only a handful were equipped with it) or optional THM 400 automatic. The usual woodgrained vinyl applique was available, but you could get painted sides if you wanted it. Two-seat, six passenger or three-seat, eight passenger models were available. One nice feature of the 1971-76 GM wagons was the third seat faced forward. One third of the curbside seat folded forward for access. In an interesting throwback, the 1971-76 GM wagons had a leaf-sprung rear suspension. It was the only was the third row seat could face forward and have sufficient space.
But that was not the Estate Wagon’s greatest trick. GM, perhaps in a fit of pique after seeing Ford’s revolutionary Magic Doorgate, decided that they could build a better mousetrap. The result was the ‘clamshell’ tailgate. By inserting your key into the slot (there was also a switch on the instrument panel) and turning it right, the rear window would retract into the roof . Turning the key twice would make the tailgate roll below the cargo area. It was a pretty cool trick, if perhaps more complicated and less robust than Ford’s solution. Also, since the tailgate did not fold down, you didn’t have additional space for longer items if need be.
The Estate Wagon carried on in Bristol fashion, following the updates of its sedan, coupe and convertible brethren. As with every single US car, in 1973 it received the ‘park bench’ 5 mph front bumpers, and received a matching rear bumper the following year.
I saw our featured car, a 1974 model, in traffic. We have had wonderful weather around here the last couple of weeks, but I was still happily amazed to see this Estate Wagon in traffic. The last time I saw one of these was at the Scott County Fair at the demolition derby probably twenty years ago. Let us share a moment of silence for all those fine clamshell wagons that were purchased for $500 in 1990 and smashed into oblivion.
Anyway, I had to see if the driver was stopping someplace nearby. Luckily, he was. I love this wagon! The American Racing rims, white letter tires and slight rake give it a great look. 1974 was the last year the Estate Wagon got the Electra trim, and it may well be the best looking of the ’71-76s despite the big bumpers. I think it looks great without the wood trim too. This red ’74 has an attitude, but nothing that couldn’t easily be put back to stock.
Another big plus for these wagons: glass area! With the wraparound quarter glass, there is basically no D pillar. Great when you’re merging onto the freeway or backing out of the driveway.
Do you remember red interiors? I do, and miss them. I also miss the white, dark blue and dark green interiors. Black, gray or tan is getting a little old after being the only choices for the last fifteen years in most cars.
The owner clearly takes care of this wagon, as he parked in the ‘back 40’ of the mall. Got to avoid those door dings, you know. It also has 1974 Illinois plates, a neat touch. I really like the 1974 front end, with the subdued grille and ‘floating’ headlights.
The Estate Wagon carried on in much the same form for 1975 and ’76, but for some reason, the LeSabre front end replaced the ’74s Electra nose, and it was down to three portholes per side. It still had the colossal space and 455 V8 power though.
1975s also received a new instrument panel. The 1975-76 Buick IP is my favorite, with the drop-down glovebox and silver gauges. Very linear and modern for the ’70s. Don’t forget the woodgrain trim, after all, this is a Buick! The 1976s received quad rectangular headlights and a new grille, again shared with the LeSabre, but were otherwise little-changed. All new B-body Buicks were on the horizon, and they would also be great, but for different reasons. Let us raise a glass to the big Buick wagons; their kind will not pass by again!
Beautiful!!! I like the wood grain – just me. I know it’s a hassle and many people don’t like it. But it just makes the statement of the period.
At 55yrs. old and for 17 yrs. the 2nd owner of a ’76 Grand Safari that is FULLY LOADED, I have no desire to drive our late model Lexus or any other late model car. The front license plate is from my mother’s ’65 Biscayne 2 seater, ’71 Townsman 3-seater and finally her ’76 Impala 2-seater. (In Jersey, the tag stays with the person, not the car.)
My (mostly) orig. paint, DURANGO BRONZE(copper) over CREAM GOLD(yellow) GRAND SAFARI features windows,locks,tilt,cruise,intermittent wipers,60/40 notchback l/h&rh 6-way power with f&r custom seatbelts. Pwr. tailgate and heated wire rear window defrost. Auto temp.control A/C (same as OLDS. tempmatic), AM/FM/8 Track,4 speaker system, front dome reading lamps and 3rd seat/cargo dome lamp with auxiliary switch. White and red courtesy lamps on all four doors and front litter container. Also, lighted rt. visor vanity mirror and cornering lamps. Rally gauge cluster w/ fuel econ. gauge. Lh&rh remote sport mirrors and Rally II whls. Luggage carrier, frt.& rr. bumper gds. and trailer light wiring. Base Grand Safari–$5746.30 plus options–$2629,plus destination chg.-$370. Total— $8,745.30. What a bargain and it is still a Dallas, Tx RUST FREE Clamshell! Pic’s to come soon!
My first car was a hand-me-down blue with a white roof, 1974 Estate Wagon. 455 with a 4 barrel Holly, which was stock. I loved that car. It was so cool! I love bc edvthe wrap around rearvwinows, and with all the seats down in the back….well I’ll just leave that to your nastalgic imagination. I sure wish I still had that car. Huge comfortable front seat, andveven though the car was heavy, it fast! They say you always remember your first, and SHE was AWESOME!
I agree with most everything that I read as I also grew up in the 70’s and I loved being one of 4 kids hauled around in station wagons with the 3rd row seats. My uncle owned a 1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser & a 1974 Pontiac Catalina Wagon because he owned A FLORIST which delivered a lot of flowers during those years! His wife had the 1972 Buick Estate Wagon. My mom owned a 1970 Ford Country Squire which was green with wood paneling. It was a good-looking wagon. These were all great rides for the day, and I love reminiscing about it as a kid during that time period. I will have to defend the Buick LeSabre which I see a lot of posts referencing. If you take a look at just American made vehicles, it is no contest about which models sold the heck out of some cars! Buick’s LeSabre was by far and for many years a giant seller for Buick. It is also listed as one of the top 5 best-selling American cars without a doubt! Kudos also to Oldsmobile’s Cutlass, Ford’s Taurus, Ford’s Escort and of course the F150 Trucks. Also, Chevrolet wouldn’t be around today if it weren’t for the Impala! I just wanted to give credit and spread the love for some cars that withstood a lot of years..
Looking back at the pre-74 version (’73 ad in the post) of these with more refined small bumper rear end, reminds me of what a sucker I am for any 71/72 fullsize Buick. Gotta say though, the wagon really benefits from the plastic wood, which brings your eye down from the roofline of these great beasts.
My parents looked at an Estate Wagon in ’72 since we kids were getting close to college age. We were too big for the 3rd row because of the differential hump, and my mother decided it was just too big to maneuver and park in suburban and sometimes DC traffic. We got a ’73 Century wagon that didn’t have quite enough 2nd row legroom and rarely started without dying at least once. At least I talked my dad into getting the up-level interior, but we learned how awful vinyl seats can be. That Rendezvous in the background would have been ideal for us, particularly if it had the rare 3.6V6 and an extra timing chain. Dad did not like underpowered cars.
This ’74 has a little extra chrome around the outer headlights. I prefer the ’73, if you must have a big bumper.