Can’t tell if that’s a Roadmaster or a Caprice. I always wondered why GM didn’t use the whole Roadmaster front clip on the wagon. It shared all sheet metal with the Caprice and just had a different grille. Prolly something to do with less plant complication when assembling the wagons, but geeze, it woulda had a lot more Buick identity.
‘Course, there’s nuthin’ to stop someone from going to the ol’ Pick n Pull…
You can’t just bolt a Roadmaster sedan front clip on the Wagon, the doors are different which is why the Buick Wagon got the Caprice front end with a different grille, so they needed fewer unique parts.
The swap has been done before but it requires some sheet metal work.
It is a minor difference, I’m not sure exactly what it is but I’ve read about someone who tried to bolt a sedan front end onto a wagon and things didn’t line up quite right.
Actually the front doors of the Roadmaster wagon will fit the Roadmaster sedan perfectly. Cosmetically it may look a bit off due to the different types of trim used and the fact that 99.9% of all wagons got the wood grain but it will bolt up and work fine as a door.
Now the sedan and wagon rear doors are different and will not interchange.
I’m pretty sure the front fenders were different too, not just the grille/lamps. If you look closely you’ll see that the cutout where the indicators wrap around is more square and taller. In fact the whole fenderline might be taller, as the grille and headlight assemblies are. I agree that it would have looked more distinctive to use the unique sheet metal (better is subjective) but using the same stamping with simply a grille difference was a big cost saver. Here, I’m sure they used a Caprice body kit.
Did the Caprice wagons have the roof “bubble” skylight? I know the Buicks and Olds both did but I don’t seem to remember it on the Caprices. Haven’t seen a Caprice recently to check, though I still see Roadmaster wagons on the regular.
Blech. But at least they put the ventiports on the right kind of car with the right number. Makes you wonder why if they were smart enough to get the ventiports right they’d go on to commit the abomination with the rest of it. I guess a blind pig finds an acorn every once in a while.
I’ve seen more than a few donked W-body Impalas seemingly for no other reason than the name and the Impala badge that carried over from the ’94-’96 SS.
At the risk of political incorrectness, I can only repeat a phrase from a tow truck operator I once caught a ride from: “All brothered up.” He was talking about a yellow car, though… This isn’t yellow, but the principle applies.
Today on my lunchtime walk, I saw a boxy-B donk just like this one sitting at a weird angle partially blocking the entrance to a parking lot, along with some loud metallic banging going on (with a crew of diverse individuals supervising).
I initially thought they were trying to get the lug nuts loosened, but upon further inspection, it appeared that the rear tire had mysteriously become jammed into the fenderwell and they were banging on the bodywork to free it.
Wow, that’s all wrong.
Paint it black, un donk it, tint the windows as dark as the law will allow and lower it an inch or two from stock and it would look mean on steelies with proper rubber. Anything but those thin rubber bands. Right now it looks like and angry crab, puffer fish… or something.
I do not a hate it but dont love it ethier a rather wild cutomozation there are others that I have seen photos of that are wilder looking than this one. one is a yellow one. I personally reallly like the Roadmaster any its similer models
I’m usually happy to support folks with the creativity to modify their cars. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. I applaud the owner of this for daring to be different. Not my cup of tea at all, and I fear it will terrify small children, but it appears to have been finished well. All the Roadmaster Estates here are hearses, drive this and you’d never get mistaken for being a funeral director!
Well, I guess as long as the owner is happy with it. From what I can see at least it looks like a decent quality paint job. Beats driving a rusted out claptrap, and preserves the car for future generations, who may hopefully some day redo it.
Yuck!
Yuck is right. The Buick Roadmaster was ugly enough, but this makes it look hideous! The only good thing was the paint job. That looked good.
I think I’ll pass on it. It looks better with the stock front.
Oh Jesus. No.
Paul from the angle you took that pic, it looks like you flinched when you saw it.
Don’t you have Specsavers in America?The Roadmaster wasn’t a bad looker and it’s been monstered
It is impossible to unsee this hideous creation.
Oh, I thought you were referring to the tree!
I agree, yuck.
Can’t tell if that’s a Roadmaster or a Caprice. I always wondered why GM didn’t use the whole Roadmaster front clip on the wagon. It shared all sheet metal with the Caprice and just had a different grille. Prolly something to do with less plant complication when assembling the wagons, but geeze, it woulda had a lot more Buick identity.
‘Course, there’s nuthin’ to stop someone from going to the ol’ Pick n Pull…
You can’t just bolt a Roadmaster sedan front clip on the Wagon, the doors are different which is why the Buick Wagon got the Caprice front end with a different grille, so they needed fewer unique parts.
The swap has been done before but it requires some sheet metal work.
I see. Never realised the front doors were different between the two.
It is a minor difference, I’m not sure exactly what it is but I’ve read about someone who tried to bolt a sedan front end onto a wagon and things didn’t line up quite right.
Actually the front doors of the Roadmaster wagon will fit the Roadmaster sedan perfectly. Cosmetically it may look a bit off due to the different types of trim used and the fact that 99.9% of all wagons got the wood grain but it will bolt up and work fine as a door.
Now the sedan and wagon rear doors are different and will not interchange.
I’m pretty sure the front fenders were different too, not just the grille/lamps. If you look closely you’ll see that the cutout where the indicators wrap around is more square and taller. In fact the whole fenderline might be taller, as the grille and headlight assemblies are. I agree that it would have looked more distinctive to use the unique sheet metal (better is subjective) but using the same stamping with simply a grille difference was a big cost saver. Here, I’m sure they used a Caprice body kit.
Did the Caprice wagons have the roof “bubble” skylight? I know the Buicks and Olds both did but I don’t seem to remember it on the Caprices. Haven’t seen a Caprice recently to check, though I still see Roadmaster wagons on the regular.
Blech. But at least they put the ventiports on the right kind of car with the right number. Makes you wonder why if they were smart enough to get the ventiports right they’d go on to commit the abomination with the rest of it. I guess a blind pig finds an acorn every once in a while.
Yep, dumb luck would be my guess.
Oh look a Cash for Clunkers survivor!! I really need to buy one of these wagons before they all are customized like this.
Not surprising. For some reason (probably the LT1 engine), a lot of bubble Impalas and Roadmasters seem to get the ghetto treatment.
I’ve seen more than a few donked W-body Impalas seemingly for no other reason than the name and the Impala badge that carried over from the ’94-’96 SS.
My 2007 SRX came from the factory “donked”. Nothing like Steve Miller’s picture below though.
At the risk of political incorrectness, I can only repeat a phrase from a tow truck operator I once caught a ride from: “All brothered up.” He was talking about a yellow car, though… This isn’t yellow, but the principle applies.
Saw this on YouTube today. Wish I had their spare change…wonder where they work?
Heh heh heh!
Today on my lunchtime walk, I saw a boxy-B donk just like this one sitting at a weird angle partially blocking the entrance to a parking lot, along with some loud metallic banging going on (with a crew of diverse individuals supervising).
I initially thought they were trying to get the lug nuts loosened, but upon further inspection, it appeared that the rear tire had mysteriously become jammed into the fenderwell and they were banging on the bodywork to free it.
Poetic justice.
Wow, that’s all wrong.
Paint it black, un donk it, tint the windows as dark as the law will allow and lower it an inch or two from stock and it would look mean on steelies with proper rubber. Anything but those thin rubber bands. Right now it looks like and angry crab, puffer fish… or something.
It reminds me of something created by Pixar. A preview to Cars III ?
I do not a hate it but dont love it ethier a rather wild cutomozation there are others that I have seen photos of that are wilder looking than this one. one is a yellow one. I personally reallly like the Roadmaster any its similer models
I’m usually happy to support folks with the creativity to modify their cars. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. I applaud the owner of this for daring to be different. Not my cup of tea at all, and I fear it will terrify small children, but it appears to have been finished well. All the Roadmaster Estates here are hearses, drive this and you’d never get mistaken for being a funeral director!
“Up next, on Counting Cars . . . . “
That’s not Grandpa’s Buick!
Honeeeeee! Run and get the eye bleach!
Despite the addition of after market “ventiports” (in Buick speak), I am pretty sure that car is a Chevrolet and not a Buick.
The photo seems to indicate the standard and lower roof of a Caprice body – not the “Vista Cruiser” style roof with glass found on a Buick Roadmaster.
And I believe the grille is likely one, though somewhat modified, from an appropriate year Impala SS.
Well, I guess as long as the owner is happy with it. From what I can see at least it looks like a decent quality paint job. Beats driving a rusted out claptrap, and preserves the car for future generations, who may hopefully some day redo it.