Muscle Wagon: 1970 Buick Estate Wagon 455
The 1970 Buick Estate was a genuine Muscle Wagon off the showroom floor. However, this beast takes that to a higher level courtesy of a raft of engine upgrades. It presents beautifully, and its interior is loaded with comfort features that will make any journey pleasant. This Buick deserves a close look if you yearn for a classic the entire family can enjoy.
If you plan a project build, commencing that process with a sound foundation is always the best approach. That was the one chosen by this Buick’s current owner. They located this Estate in Arizona, and that state’s dry climate protected the steel from rust, which is often an issue. The seller is candid about its presentation, admitting the clear covering the Bronze paint has imperfections. However, it retains a healthy shine and is comfortably acceptable as a driver-grade classic that provides carefree fun. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the tinted glass is in good order. The Buick is missing some minor trim pieces, and the front bumper needs to be aligned. It would present well with those minor issues addressed and would still attract the right type of attention before anyone knew what hides under the hood.
The 1970 Estate was a potent beast off the showroom floor, with its 455ci V8 producing 370hp and 510 ft/lbs of torque. However, this beauty takes that to a higher level, with the seller taking a “complete” approach to the build. The engine bay still houses a 455, but it is anything but ordinary. It inhales deeply through a Holley Sniper fuel injection system, with spent gases exiting via Tig-welded headers and a dual exhaust featuring Magnaflow mufflers. Internally, the V8 scores a mildly upgraded camshaft and Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinder heads. That is a recipe for more than 400hp, which feeds to the Ford 9″ rear end via a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Global West tubular upper and lower control arms improve this Wagon’s manners, while the braking system should cope with the additional performance following an upgrade to four-wheel discs with ABS. A standard Estate could produce a 16.2-second ¼-mile ET, but a low 15 could be within reach with this version. The seller left no stone unturned, and while there are a few minor tasks for the winning bidder to complete, this Wagon runs and drives well.
The good news continues when we focus on the Wagon’s interior. The first thing to note is that it scores a desirable third row, allowing the Estate to swallow eight people. The second is that it presents exceptionally well. The Brown leather seatcovers are in excellent condition, with no signs of wear or abuse. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, and the carpet exhibits none of the wear that often plagues vehicles of this type. The dash and pad have withstood the Arizona sun, and the list of creature comforts proves there is more to this interior than good looks. The new owner receives vintage air conditioning, power windows (including the rear), a power front seat, a tilt wheel, and a Kenwood CD player. The seller admits the buyer must fit the few included A/C hoses and recharge the system, but the remaining features and lights work as they should.
Mere words struggle to do this 1970 Buick Estate Wagon justice, making it easy to see why it has attracted thirteen bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Science Hill, Kentucky. The action has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $14,600, and with the reserve met, it is only hours away from finding a new home. This is a total package that can seat eight people, making it ideal for enthusiasts with a young family. It could be the classic of your dreams, but are you willing to pursue it further?
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Comments
Thanks for the Memories! On my first trip to LA in 77, a friend chauffeured me around in a 70 Wildcat convert, leaving my rental Cougar parked. That Wildcat was a beautiful metallic gold. Riding in it was pure pleasure. Luxury! Power! And panache. Not a wagon fan, but for those who are, Wouldn’t you really rather have this Buick? Sure beats today’s SUVS and crossovers! 👍
Very nicely done. The interior is beautiful, and the addition of the manual trans is sure to bring a lot of smiles to whoever gets the privilege of owning and driving this wagon. I also like the older style air cleaner as well.
I totally disagree about the 4 speed transmission. This never was and never will be a race car. Different strokes for different folks.
I totally disagree about the 4-speed transmission, too….. because it’s a 5-speed.
A race car ? No. Although it could be.
What is wrong with going “fast with class” ?
Now *this* is a Sportwagon! Great upgrades, particularly the 5-speed and the subtle, big wheels. Based on the moldings at the base of the D-pillar and across the top of the tailgate, it originally had a vinyl roof. The painted roof goes well with the mods, but a black vinyl roof would really set off the bronze paint.
A man in the town where I grew up used to buy 2 new Buicks every year. An Electra for his wife and in 1970 an Estate Wagon for himself. I remember that it was the first wagon that I ever saw that had a vinyl roof.
Love a sleeper, great to see a 5 speed wagon, back in the day had a Datsun 510 wagon changed the 4 speed out for a 5, great little wagon but no 400 HP ! What fun and trouble I could get into!
wow, this is probably the mightiest wagon ever !, plus power windows 😁
the upgrades are awesome, and though its only a wagon, would win many races.
i almost bought one, same color, in LA a few years ago. We couldnt settle on a price, after i drove there with trailer and cash to find it was not original paint, and the paint it had was good but lacking and had a few so so repairs. It did have fresh/quality re-upolstered interior.
I think this might be the car.
i know it sold for at least 10.
Id pass on the 5 speed and put a built, auto, 4 speed in.
If this sells for 15, after all those mods, the buyer is gonna be happy.
i hope to buy it someday, ill be lookin out for when it comes back around.
Front bumper “needs alignment”??? That bumper is BENT, and maybe beyond salvaging, as that is a really difficult one to straighten. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
The carpet? Looks like something really ugly trying to crawl out from under that floor mat in front of the driver.
Not sure I’d call the missing front fender items “minor”, especially if you’ve ever tried to source the correct ones. Pictures aren’t clear enough to tell if the door moldings are the originals or not, but if replacement types, they seldom match the originals well.
With a rebuilt title, and what I see in the front end, I’d want to make sure anything wrong with the frame was fixed, since it obviously got smacked in the front.
Edit: meant to say “Not sure I’d call the missing front fender moldings “minor items”.
That motor looks puny under that big ole hood
It looks like they are using an air cleaner from an old Cadillac. Cool
What a nice car! It got snapped up and for good money.