Looking back at the large Buick Roadmaster Estate of the '90s

(May 31, 2014) Someone in Beaufort, N.C., is apparently a fan of the early 1990s Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Three copies of nearly identical Roadmasters were found parked in a lot, all looking in good shape.

Buick revived the Roadmaster name for the larger wagon in 1991, which was a badge engineered Chevrolet Caprice Estate. It was also sold as an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. The three variants differed mainly in grille design and trim. The Buick came with a simulated woodgrain side and back panels.

The wagons were huge by today's standards stretching out 217.7 inches and could haul up to eight people with the third-row seat option. By comparison, today's full-sized Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is 13 inches shorter.

In 1991 the Roadmasters were outfitted with a 5.0-liter V-8 making 170 horsepower and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. From 1992 through 1996 the Roadmaster got a 5.7-liter V-8 good for 180 horsepower.

Gas mileage was measured at 15 mpg city and 23 highway.

Ordered with a towing package, the 1994-96 Roadmaster could pull the boat to the coast for weekend excursions, rated at 5,000 pounds.

Sources: Wikipedia, Edmunds
Top photo by Jim Meachen