Competing against the Chrysler Town & Country and the Mercury Colony Park, the Estate was originally produced as a wooden-body station wagon ("woodie"); from 1970 to 1996, nearly all examples were fitted with simulated woodgrain exterior trim (though technically optional).

The 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate (alongside its Chevrolet Caprice counterpart) was the full-size station wagon to remain in production and the last to offer exterior woodgrain trim.

[4] In 1976 American Motors Corporation introduced the Jeep Grand Wagoneer with similar passenger accommodation, luxury standard equipment and a simulated woodgrain appearance built on a dedicated chassis.

[2] Production totals record that 495 found buyers at the same time the 4-door Touring Sedan sold 95,875 and 4,764 convertible coupes were made.

In later years the character line of the "Airfoil" feature was accented with a stainless-steel strip that evolved into the Buick Sweepspear for several decades.

1935 was the year the Chevrolet Suburban carryall/panel truck was built with an all-steel body on a truck-based chassis and offered a choice of side-hinged rear panel doors, or a rear tailgate/lift window could be selected for cargo area access while only offering two side mounted doors,[7] resembling a cargo van that could seat up to eight passengers.

[8] The retail price for the Special Estate was US$1,463 ($30,306 in 2023 dollars [6]) and a similar production total of 838 were produced, while the Touring Sedan made 91,138.

The hardtop feature was also offered on the Special Riviera Estate Wagon and sold 6,817 with a listed retail price of US$3,167 ($34,357 in 2023 dollars [6]), while the Century Caballero Estate Wagon sold 10,186 with a listed retail price of US$3,706 ($40,204 in 2023 dollars [6]), leading in sales against the Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country and Mercury Colony Park.

The three Ventiports returned to the side of the front fender denoting the junior-level status in Buick's hierarchy of products offered.

Only 3,495 Invicta Estate station wagons were built for 1963, after which the name disappeared, when it was replaced by the Buick Wildcat hardtop coupe or sedan.

[3] By special request from coachbuilders like ASC and Traditional Coachworks of Chatsworth, California the Cadillac Fleetwood was modified as a station wagon after the donor vehicle was completed.

To accommodate various load duties, the second row bench seat had a 60/40 split for additional passengers and cargo while using the Buick 455 V8 for effortless driving.

[3] The listed retail price was US$5,047 ($39,598 in 2023 dollars [6]) and 28,306 were manufactured[3] The LeSabre Custom's bright rocker, wheelhouse and rear lower fender moldings were used.

Reviving a late 1940s "woodie" appearance Woodgrain using DI-NOC a vinyl wood-grained wrap was an option for the body sides, incorporating the traditional "Sweepspear" feature.

Despite being on the B-body it shared the C-body division flagship Electra's luxurious accommodations and standard equipment and four VentiPorts on the front fenders.

With a total of eight-passenger accommodation (similar to the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban of the time), the first-generation Estate wagon was among the largest vehicles ever built by Buick.

The Estate shared its 127.0-inch (3,230 mm) C-body wheelbase with the Electra 225, while all 1971–76 GM wagons were B-body-based per model numbers.

Like a top-hinged tailgate, the clamshell design allowed a user to stand directly at the open cargo area without impediment, facilitating loading and unloading in tight spaces.

To commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States, the standard colors available on all Buicks were Judicial Black, Liberty White, Pewter Gray, Potomac Blue, Continental Blue, Concord Green, Constitution Green, Mount Vernon Cream, Buckskin Tan, Musket Brown, Boston Red and Independence Red, with specially available colors on select models Congressional Cream, Revere Red, Colonial Yellow and Firecracker Orange.

To further differentiate the Limited model, fenders included four VentiPorts (up from three) and the interior had velour upholstery with loose pillow designed seating or vinyl with leather available in later years.

Cargo capacity with the second row seats in place was 87.9 cubic feet and the core chassis elements remained in use until 1996 when the GM station wagon production was terminated.

The stand-alone Estate Wagon was retired, as Buick reintroduced the Roadmaster nameplate as its new full-size line (replacing the Electra, but not the Park Avenue).

GM discontinued the Roadmaster Estate in 1996, ending production on December 13 of that year, the last traditional full-sized American station wagon.

[4] All 1996 Roadmaster Estates were installed with a "Collectors Edition" hood ornament, a round medallion in place of the traditional tri-shield Buick badge.

[18] Sharing nearly its entire body with the Custom Cruiser, both model lines were distinguished from their Chevrolet counterpart by a fixed "Vista Roof" skylight over the second row seats (a design feature revived from the 1960s Buick Sport Wagon).

For 1991, the Roadmaster Estate was fitted with a 170hp 5.0L L03 V8; replacing the carbureted Oldsmobile 5.0L V8 (307), the new V8 brought a substantial power increase and fuel injection.