20 Years Later

Post pictures, sounds, and VIDEOS of your 3800 or Northstar powered Bonnie/Grand Prix(H & W Body ),Buick( H & C Body ) or Oldsmobile( H,C,G & W Body ) here. We want to see 'em! (Any picture or video files must be posted on a server somewhere to be linked here). Also post pics of Regional or National meets. THERE IS A 25-PIC LIMIT PER PAGE IN THIS FORUM. ADDITIONAL PICS MUST BE LINKS TO AN ALBUM OR TO INDIVIDUAL PICS. Meets are exempt from this restriction.
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RJolly87
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Year and Trim: 1993 Buick Park Avenue
1994 Buick Regal Custom
Location: Las Cruces, NM

20 Years Later

Post by RJolly87 »

Here it is! My 1993 Buick Park Avenue. This car has been around the forums since I got it, and has treated me very good for the 5 years (this month actually) that I have had it. She is a tough old bird that is showing her age, but it comes back more every day.

I am going to start out with the battle scars (beauty marks?)

The right front bumper is tweaked (happened before I got it)
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Right front door has taken 2 hits. One swipe down the rubber strip (it had red paint on it for a while) and another hit that buckled and creased the front of the door. The second hit pushed the car over (1 inch) in a dirt parking lot (with pics confirming it).

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Aftermath from the dog I hit

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Bumpers need a repaint, and a broken front grill (broken since I have had it)

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The hood, with paint chips and scratches. Still shiny though!

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Drivers side front fender, nicks, scratches, but overall holding together well enough, it still needs to be replaced from the innards being blown out from the dog hit.

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Paint fried off the mirrors, nicks, scratches, etc

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Drivers side, door dings, paint scratches, and loose trim in front of the drivers door (again, it was like that when I got it). Also some damage where it was hit at the front of the LR wheelwell (can't really see it)

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Swipe on the LR quarterpanel, again, it was like that before I got it

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Crappy repair job coming apart, clear coat peeling, bondo cracking, not even counting they clearcoated over the pinstripe :roll:

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Paint off the back bumper

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Trunk lid looking good enough with light scratches and a ding here and there

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Now, the really sad part, the onset of GM Pattern Baldness. 3 spots over the back window, as well as the roof trenches.

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Couple brief interior shots. Faded and battered, although the camera is not helping any either. Intact for the most part, with exceptions being the passenger assist handle, overhead console and a few other odds and ends. Please pardon the not vacuumedness.

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So I decided to go on old hwy 185, heading north. Farm country.

First stop, just up the road, when the trees cleared, I knew it was time to stop.

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And I found an interesting sign right up the street

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Move up the highway a ways, turn off a side street, to a new home development. Parked in an empty lot, and went for the Haro walkaround.

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And knowing I have now hit just about every possible shot I possible could, and clearly violated each and every picture limit there is, I knew the only thing left to do was change the scenery. So, I hopped back on the road!

Random shot!

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Next stop, the remains of Fort Seldon, a local field trip hot spot.

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Along with a couple of scenery shots:

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Just up the street a bit, Leasburg Dam State Park, and Leasburg Canal. According to Park Services, the place got trashed up pretty good on Easter, which is a really sad thought.

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Few more scenery bits:

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Back on the road, a mile or so up, I found me another cool sign. Cue the pose!

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At this point, I was in uncharted territory. The road started getting twistier, hillier, and the car was getting temperamental. This was the final stop:

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At this point, I started shooting video, which, with an old point and shoot, leaves a lot to be desired. I will try editing it to make it interesting, and putting it on YouTube. But we were nearing the end. I was going up to the next town, and finally caught I-25. Then, life was better. The car was home.

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Big Red, was finally home!

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With the cruise control set around 78, and open interstate in front of it, this car is unstoppable. No drama, no worries. Nothing else matters.

I mean sure, when I feel like, I can pull the car up on a berm right by my house, and grab me a couple of great back drops:

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But, even after this car is long gone, I will always remember it for what it really was. A car, that with the cruise set at 78mph, completely smooths out, and will drive you in to the night.

But I do take comfort in one thing, however. This car is living to the typical GM standard. The drivetrain just keeps going. Sure, the car may be coming apart around it, but it still has a lot to give. And I take comfort in knowing that when this car finally goes, it will be nothing short of spectacular. Only time will tell if it drops dead first, or gets killed (my money is on this outcome).

The mileage count, at the end of the day:
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Last edited by RJolly87 on Mon Apr 01, 2013 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
~Randall~
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1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place
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SSEiMan01
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by SSEiMan01 »

That took me forever to load... And I have speedy internet.

Looks good through all its age! I have to say with less miles and less age my LeSabre was in way worse shape!
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

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RJolly87
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Year and Trim: 1993 Buick Park Avenue
1994 Buick Regal Custom
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by RJolly87 »

I bet it did take forever to load. Photobucket gave me the code for the full res versions (10MP, 4MB a pic). I just fixed it.
~Randall~
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1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place
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nos4blood70
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by nos4blood70 »

It still looks good and has tons of style and character.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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Squilliam
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by Squilliam »

Wow, your paint looks great! Sure wish mine looked that good. Gotta show some love for a fellow Park!
1995 Park Avenue Ultra
2002 Dodge Intrepid "Superbee"

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dmnowaksr
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by dmnowaksr »

That 3800 is almost broken in with that mileage! Still got another 20 in her!
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MattStrike
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by MattStrike »

I LOVE that color on a Buick!! Here's to 20 more and then some :beerchug: !
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The Fleet:
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Upcoming projects:
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RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
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Jrs3800
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by Jrs3800 »

None of the GM H or C bodies were the greatest handling, greatest riding... Really not great at anything.. But good at a lot of things... GM overbuilt the C and H body and overbuilt the 3800's that went in them... I don't think people or even Gm expected to see them still driving at 300,000 Miles... But they did were and are.. Last time I saw my buddies Park ave it had 270,000 miles on it and ran like a champ... Original trans and engine... Just refused to give up... LOL
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by 00Beast »

Psh, 176k? That thing is a baby! Just crossed 196k on my 03 the other night.

Not too shabby for 20 years old buddy. Hope she gives you many more!
Bye Bye:
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RIP sandrock
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gweg_b
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by gweg_b »

The beauty just brought a tear to my eye. Congrats on keeping her looking as good as she does for a 20 year old car. These cars weren't anything special to the general public, but to guys like us, these cars were tanks.

I loved those scenic shots, too! Been a long time since I've been on that side of the country.

I really need to get by LeSabre back on the road, and give it a good tribute by the time October 2014 comes around!
- Greg | -- Project Prasinos -- |
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1995 LeSabre Custom: 312K Miles | Custom K&N CAI | Edelbrock SDT Muffler | Camaro Tips | 180 T-stat | LED Interior
& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
2001 Bonneville SSEi: 225K Miles | Instense FWI | Intense MPS (3.4") | 180 T-stat | ZZP Plog | Ported Rear Manifold |
ZZP 3" Downpipe | Magnaflow Cat | Retrofitted HIDs | GenV M90 | GXP Brake Upgrade | 35% Tint | Plus Many More Mods |
2005 Bonneville GXP: 101K Miles | Custom FWI
2009 G8 GT: 89K Miles | 35% Tint | Roto-Fab CAI | SOLO Mach Exhaust | BMR Tunnel Brace | BMR Sub Frames | BMR STB |
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by PRD2BDF »

When I opened it, the power went out on the entire block and I'm pretty sure a plane fell out of the sky.

Regardless, it looks really nice!






And needs wheels.
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SSEiMan01
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by SSEiMan01 »

Holy crap Cody's alive! :lol: :P
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

James May wrote:Hello.
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by 1oldman »

Love the car and pics! thanks for posting! - BC
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by Hotwheels »

Brings back memories of the gray '91 my wife had when we met. That thing was a tank. 236k miles, original motor & tranny, and we drove it everywhere, always reliable and cruised silently down the road like it had 70k. Meanwhile, I had a '98 Z34 w/ 120k that was always having problems...we trusted her car more than mine! Have a great respect for the GM 3800's of this era.
~Ben

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2010 Chrysler 300 Touring Signature Series, Cool Vanilla - chrome 18's, MyGig touchsreen, all the toys.
2004 Chevy Avalanche LT 4x4, WBH, Arrival Blue Metallic - CAI, MBRP cat-back exhaust, lots of mods and all the options.
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by Jrs3800 »

GM took the C platform through 96 and the H platform through 99 and did some strange things with them... It started early with being able to order them with FE3 or F41 suspensions.. some sticky goodyears( way back in the day )... Someone in the Large car division must have said why cant we make them handle a little better... Lets see whats in the parts bin....LOL

In the 87-91 run you could easily get an LE Bonneville with F41.. 92-93 was the same... 94-99 was a little different it was FE2 that was the option... It just seems that they took a large car and found ways to add some sport to them.. Order this package and you get the performance ratio, alloys, deck wing, higher stall converter, and a stiffer suspension...

Order this package and you can get an Eaton blower...LOL

Gotta love those guys in the background ...lol
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by Saturn Simon »

gweg_b wrote:The beauty just brought a tear to my eye. Congrats on keeping her looking as good as she does for a 20 year old car. These cars weren't anything special to the general public, but to guys like us, these cars were tanks.
I agree. Under-appreciated by so many people who are ignorant of just how tough, reliable, and well built these cars were (including that knucklehead Clarkson!). That applies to all H and C bodies.
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gweg_b
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by gweg_b »

They weren't sports cars (although some of us try to make them sportier :wink:), but they run and hold up beyond well beyond their life spans.

My LeSabre is over 18 years old, has 312,000 miles, and still 80% original parts, and that's good enough for me to keep the car!
- Greg | -- Project Prasinos -- |
Image
1995 LeSabre Custom: 312K Miles | Custom K&N CAI | Edelbrock SDT Muffler | Camaro Tips | 180 T-stat | LED Interior
& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
2001 Bonneville SSEi: 225K Miles | Instense FWI | Intense MPS (3.4") | 180 T-stat | ZZP Plog | Ported Rear Manifold |
ZZP 3" Downpipe | Magnaflow Cat | Retrofitted HIDs | GenV M90 | GXP Brake Upgrade | 35% Tint | Plus Many More Mods |
2005 Bonneville GXP: 101K Miles | Custom FWI
2009 G8 GT: 89K Miles | 35% Tint | Roto-Fab CAI | SOLO Mach Exhaust | BMR Tunnel Brace | BMR Sub Frames | BMR STB |
Kooks Headers | QTP Electric Cutouts | BMR Sway Bars | Elite Engineering Catch Can | Innovative Dual Wideband Kit
1984 Caprice Classic Wagon: 86K Miles | Restoration Project
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SSEiMan01
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by SSEiMan01 »

If I was smart I'd have kept my LeSabre, that'd have been a great DD still. Though not even close to worthy of pictures, but now I wish I had even pictures.
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

James May wrote:Hello.
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MattStrike
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by MattStrike »

I wish I could have seen your LeSabre too.
Boost addict
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The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
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wake
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Re: 20 Years Later

Post by wake »

:hit it: that thing still has PLENTY of life in it..if it were 170K of illinois driving that thing would already be toast from the ground up..all your dealing with is sun damage really.. a good paint job and some new wheels and shell be good as new again and ready to run another 20 years..

i miss my L27 i bought it at 203K and by the end of the year i sold it with 270K and a blown trans for the same price i paid for it..

heres to another 20 years for that sweet looking PA :beerchug:
:headbang:LUCAS Image Member # 534.
96 olds cutlass supreme SL 4 door 3100 4t60 *3.33 gears* *Fe1* 115K bone stock DD
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