1978 Buick Park Avenue Sedan review from North America

Replaced Windshield and seals.

Completely replaced front and rear brakes.

Replaced head gaskets and valve cover gaskets.

Replaced Water pump, Radiator, Wiper motor.

Retrofitted A/C to R134 fluid and replaced Compressor.

This is my first and will always be my favorite ride. I purchased it after slaving all summer over the grill at Mc Donald's back in 1995, and it was money well spent. It had been neglected for a while and needed some minor work, but if if you take care of these cars they will never let you down. I can attest to this nearly 9 years and 96,000 miles later. The paint was beginning to fade when I bought it, probably from sun damage, but there was virtually no rust on it. I managed to scrounge up some money two years ago and repaint it, the closest thing I could find to the original dark, dark blue color. The thick vinyl top was in surprisingly good shape, a little armor all and it was good as new. It's great to have a car that can actually seat the six adults it claims to, and in timeless comfort and style. The seats sink down just like lazy-boy rockers. This car is loaded to the gills with almost every option, even for a Buick, and everything still works. A modern car this nice would probably set you back about $40,000.

The engine and transmission deserve a standing ovation by themselves. This car never has failed to start, be it -40 or 100+ degrees. If the US built cars this reliable today, imports wouldn't stand a chance. And more than enough power. It does drink gas pretty fast, but it makes up for it with power and reliability. One of my secrets is using only premium fluids under the hood, Mobil 1 to be exact.

An old man approached me at the gas pump a few weeks ago, and said this looks just like the one he bought new back in '78. Well it turns out it was the same car. He could tell it had been repainted, but was amazed and the mileage and condition of it.

"Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?"