Hey,

Decided to finally post some pictures of my '88 SSE. Although, for a number of reasons, I'm beginning to think I was lied to and it's a '90. More about that later.

It's got every option (didn't all SSE's? I don't know) and every option actually works. To me, this is amazing considering the condition the car is in. The only thing that doesn't work is the fog lights, and that's only because I don't actually have the physical lights in the lower bumper. I'm looking around for a set though. I put an ad in the Wanted section. Anyway, the leather seats aren't bad - not ripped or anything but they are cracked a great deal but are still very comfortable. I really like the Twilight Sentinel feature - very convenient though at the same time somewhat useless. I like it though. This car is missing the rear passenger piece of the body kit and one center cap for a wheel. Also, as a bonus, the car was from South Carolina and has ZERO RUST. Only downside is I don't have any clearcoat on the top of the car . It's solid as a mountain though.

I'm new to this H-Body but I enjoy it and am very fond of it already, even after just a week of ownership. Handles pretty well and the styling is superb - I love looking at it.

These pictures here are...well...crap. I didn't want to take it out of the garage in the rain because those picture would be worse, but you can get an overall idea of the condition. They're in no particular order. Enjoy!






















Thanks for having a look!

-Andrew Z

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry

I believe the steering wheel is a giveaway for an 88

Not bad.

Edit: and is it just me or is that grill out of place?

_________________
~Randall~


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

Ah the steering wheel...good point.

The grille is from and '87, and if that's not what you meant, it is actually kind of crooked. The front end was in some kind of collision at one point. When I bought the car last week the bumper and cover were hanging to the ground. I guess that was never fixed but the headlights and turn signals were replaced. I don't know much else besides that but I am on the lookout for a correct grille.

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry

Actually, from the markings on the bottom of the steering column, it looks like it was replaced with a unit from the jy. As for the grill, that is a grill used in the LE's. Here is my grill in my 89:



Nice find though.

Nice buy, Glad to see you're fighting for her. I'd really like to get an '88-'91 SSE. Good luck with it!

_________________

'93 SSE "Guinevere" RIP 1993 - 2019
'01 SSEi "Chloe" Mods: Intense FWI | GenV | WBS Intercooled | 3.2 MPS | 1.9 YT Rockers | SSAC Headers | N* TB | TEP Trans | 3.29 FDR | Torsen LSD
DTM Tuned | Dual AeroForce | Solid Mounts | 255 Walbro Pump | Fuel Logs | GXP STB & Sway Bars | CSS Lowering Springs | GXP Brakes | Disabled DRL
Magnaflow Mufflers | Magnaflow Cat | GXP Seats & Trim | 35 % Tint | Cleared & Tinted Tails | repinS Retrofited Morimoto Mini H1 | 19" GT500 Wheels
'09 G8 GT "Abigail" Mods: Rotofab | LS3 Heads, Intake & Cam | Kooks LT | Solo Exhaust | Tien Springs w/ GXP Struts | Whiteline Swaybars | BMR Subframe Connectors
Achievements: Guinevere - 264k mi | 16.27 @ 84.10mph | March '11 COTM :: Chloe - 223k mi | 13.85 @ 102mph | January '09 COTM :: Abigail - 192k mi | 12.85 @ 112mph

After looking at the Pics I do believe that you have an 88 SSE..

It's an early one. It's got the Theves ABS system.

_________________
2005 GXP - White Gold Pearl, no mods...yet.
2000 SSEi - Resurrection in progress. Built L67 w/L32 fuel rail, ported heads, and cam. Camaro front brake system, GXP cluster, and much more in planning.

Its not a 90. The center console is the same shape as the T Type. The later SSE had a console that angled down. But... the motor isn't from an '88 as it doesn't have "3800" cast into the UIM. You can tell what year the motor is by the valve covers though: if they are still aluminum then its an '89 but if they are composite (plastic) then its a 90 or 91. The motor in my '89 came from my '90 Olds 88 and it has the composite covers.... one of which has a chip and lets oil seep out.

It needs some paint and a couple little bits of trim here and there but it looks pretty good overall.

_________________
-Eric
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all Things" --Benjamin Franklin
-1989 Buick LeSabre T Type: 220k miles
-1987 Fiero GT: 224k miles
-2012 Honda Civic (boring, but its a good DD)

I am also restoring an 88, and I also noticed the side mirrors. The original ones I removed were more squared than the 89,90,91. I think someone has saved you the trouble of doing that. Parts are hard to come by so make a list of what you need and want. Keep it handy so when you see one in a backyard or in a barn or in a upullit yard get to them fast. Looks like yours is in better shape than mine started in.

_________________
1988 SSE-Gone but not forgotten.
2001 SSEI-304,572 miles, 3.5 Pulley, Intense PCM, Intense FWI Spectre filter, 160 tstat, ngk iridiums, belden wires, Silverstars-high and low beam, rebuilt tranny, shift kit, cooler, Dex VI fluid, replace the rear compressor and lines and level sensor, Monroe air shocks in back, FE5 struts and Moog strut mounts, Moog stabilizer bars, AC\Delco control arms.

2004 SLE-Stock, 195,000 miles,oldest son's baby now

2000 Ford Ranger-Stock, 352,000 hard, pizza delivery miles, new control arms (upper and lower), new(used) tranny

Well, every day I drive the car I get more impressed with it. I'm getting an intermittent SES light now though. I'll get to that soon - doesn't seem to be affecting anything yet. I swapped in a set of Delco II coils and cleaned up the interior a bit, dyed the console lid and shifter so they match now, and got a trunk lock and lock cover.

I'm still having a lot of trouble finding that piece of body kit I'm missing. Every SSE in rough shape that I've come across in my searching is missing that same piece, and that same piece only. I swear it's a curse. One day...

Since I essentially have the car running like it should (I even got the idle down to normal speed) I'm not becoming picky about the appearance. Not the paint obviously,since it's winter, but I've been picking over stupid little things like getting an ashtray (to hold change) and getting the interior to look nice. I found out I have only one of six speakers.In related news, since the battery was in and out of the car several times, the radio went into LOC mode, and somehow unlocked itself last week. It was something of a miracle I believe - also, all my steering wheel radio buttons work except for the fade front-back buttons. I'm pretty impressed with that.

I got a grille from a '90 but I may have an '88-'89 grille on the way soon, as well as fog lights. Again-these are the things I'm starting to get picky over now that the car operates like a car should. I'm also going to be cleaning the original floor mats soon (they're in real nice shape, even the embroidery). I have 4 centercaps on the car now so the wheels look a little better and my nuts aren't showing . Who knows what else - I had a mile-long list that I completed so here's pictures of it so far, though they don't show the grille and coils.

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry

Looks better.... And I see the car is growing on you...LMAO

Glad to see them still around. Sure are gettin thin nowadays.

I'd definitely drive that.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

_________________
John
Now: '15 Toyota Prius III | 134 hp 2ZR-FXE | Silver | 36k
Now: '03 Honda CR-V AWD | Slow 4-Cylinder | Dirt | 180k
Then: '07 Ford Fusion SEL | 221hp Gen I VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Tungsten Silver | 150k
Then: '99 Toyota Avalon XL | 200hp 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 | Diamond White | 189k | Sold: July 2015
Then: '11 Ford Fusion SEL | 240hp Gen II VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Ingot Silver | 84k | Totaled: Oct 23 '14 (Rear-Ended)
Then: '96 Buick Park Avenue Ultra | 240hp Series II L67 | Medium Dark Lichen | Bought: JAN 11 @ 135k | Accident: FEB 3 '12 | Crushed: MAR 1 '13 @ 153K
Then: '98 Pontiac Bonneville SSE | 205hp Series II 3800 L36 | Topaz Firemist | Bought: NOV '09 @ 74k | Accident: MAY 28 '10 | Crushed: MAR 15 '11 @ 84k
Then: '93 Pontiac Bonneville SE | 170hp Series I 3800 L27 | Dark Yellow Green | Bought: JULY '07 @ 92k | Sold: JULY '12 @ 118k
Then: '89 Pontiac Bonneville LE | 165hp 3800 LN3 | Medium Garnet Red | Bought: JAN '05 @ 117k | Sold: SEP 30 '07 @ 152k

She's definitely improving!

keep it up. I love seeing these ones still driving around.

_________________

'93 SSE "Guinevere" RIP 1993 - 2019
'01 SSEi "Chloe" Mods: Intense FWI | GenV | WBS Intercooled | 3.2 MPS | 1.9 YT Rockers | SSAC Headers | N* TB | TEP Trans | 3.29 FDR | Torsen LSD
DTM Tuned | Dual AeroForce | Solid Mounts | 255 Walbro Pump | Fuel Logs | GXP STB & Sway Bars | CSS Lowering Springs | GXP Brakes | Disabled DRL
Magnaflow Mufflers | Magnaflow Cat | GXP Seats & Trim | 35 % Tint | Cleared & Tinted Tails | repinS Retrofited Morimoto Mini H1 | 19" GT500 Wheels
'09 G8 GT "Abigail" Mods: Rotofab | LS3 Heads, Intake & Cam | Kooks LT | Solo Exhaust | Tien Springs w/ GXP Struts | Whiteline Swaybars | BMR Subframe Connectors
Achievements: Guinevere - 264k mi | 16.27 @ 84.10mph | March '11 COTM :: Chloe - 223k mi | 13.85 @ 102mph | January '09 COTM :: Abigail - 192k mi | 12.85 @ 112mph

And it makes you wonder if GM ever saw that in the future that these cars would still be around and people would still love them so much... Some of these newer cars aren't up to snuff when compared to some of these older cars if you ask me...lol

It's starting to look really nice! I'm amazed at how well it still looks for its age!

I've always liked this style of Bonneville (knew a guy at school one time that had a similar model, don't know what year though); in fact, I've always liked the 'box' style look.

Keep up the great work on it!

_________________
- Greg | -- Project Prasinos -- |

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

Yeah the car is sure growing on me. I can always appreciate something new and this being new to me, I find it one of the cooler cars running around my area - minus the paint of course . I'm really getting to know the car more inside and out now and it's growing on me in the way my 'Sabre T-type did when I got my first black one. I'm loving it!

I got the fog lights in from 'Lugnut' on the board here and got a grille from a '90 SSE off of eBay. I should have an '88 grille sooner or later but I think I like the '90 a little better. Anyway, when I got the car I realized it didn't have the fogs, but I couldnt find the wiring for it. Sure enough, when replacing the bumper cover (the one that came with the car was red and hanging to the ground) I found two identical yet wayward plug ends. They turned out to be the fog light plugs/wiring. I didn't expect them to work but when I got the fogs in the mail I just plugged them in, set them where I could see them, and by some miracle, they both turned on! I bolted them up but something isn't right - they're not sitting straight/flush with the bottom of the bumper where they're bolted in. I think the bumper cover is crooked. Either way, the lights work great and they really cut through the snow and rain.


Thanks for the kind words everyone! It's nice to know other people enjoy this 'classic' car.

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry

I've been following this thread but not posting. However, I really feel the need to let you know how awesome it is you're continuing to fix up your car. It's in amazingly good shape. Is there an aiming system for the fog lamps, like a screw or something of the sort?

_________________
94 SSEi - Project car
99 SLE - Tuned with different parts and such
85 Porsche 944 - Daily driver
68 Chevy C-10 - Free truck! Needs parts.

Thank you sir - I appreciate the comments . Yes, there is an aiming screw at the bottom of the light at is attached to the bracket, and they're screwed all the way in aiming the lights as far down as possible. The problem is the bracket is sitting crooked because the bumper cover isn't on all the way SOMEHOW. I just took a look at it a bit ago to confirm this. I could have sworn i put the cover on correctly but it's like it needs pushed on another half inch or so then the fog brackets will fit right. I mean, I can live with it now since they're aimed low 'enough', but I'm going to have to try and figure this out because you can see from the side how crooked the mounting bracket really is. Little things like that bug the hell out of me, which is why my Lesabre T-type turned out so nice without me really ever intending it to .

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry

Great progress! My old girl is parked for now, till I can afford the paint job. The fog lamps you have, were they aftermarket or stock? Mine are in a metal "cage/bracket" and I can't tell if yours are or not from the picture. Also did they come with the clear lenses, because mine have the amber. Just curious, I like finding out about the little things.

_________________
1988 SSE-Gone but not forgotten.
2001 SSEI-304,572 miles, 3.5 Pulley, Intense PCM, Intense FWI Spectre filter, 160 tstat, ngk iridiums, belden wires, Silverstars-high and low beam, rebuilt tranny, shift kit, cooler, Dex VI fluid, replace the rear compressor and lines and level sensor, Monroe air shocks in back, FE5 struts and Moog strut mounts, Moog stabilizer bars, AC\Delco control arms.

2004 SLE-Stock, 195,000 miles,oldest son's baby now

2000 Ford Ranger-Stock, 352,000 hard, pizza delivery miles, new control arms (upper and lower), new(used) tranny

The fog lights I believe are actually from a '90. I knew I'd never find amber ones so I just took what I could get first. They are real SSE lights though, so I'm happy with them. And yes, they are housed in a metal cage-looking thing which I think looks cool - especially considering the styling of the bumper cover.

Like I said, I never expected to find amber ones but if I ever come across a set for cheap enough, they're mine! How do the amber ones look when lit up? I expect the light is a little weaker compared to clear ones.

Paint - I have think about that sooner or later. The hardest part is going to be getting a color that matches the original enough for the average eye not to notice. I do NOT want to paint the door jambs either. I think I might do single-stage paint too. I'm not trying to restore the car to a showroom finish so that might be good enough to look like a nice car.

_________________
1997 Buick Riviera - 102,000 miles : Series II L67/4T65E-HD : Intense intake : Ported S/C outlet : Ported LIM : Yella Terra 1.8 Ratio Rockers : LS7 Lifters : PLOG : Hogan Downpipe : INTENSE 3.5" MPS : 180 degree thermostat : AL104's : AC Delco 8mm wires : Shift Kit : STS strut tower brace : Custom Rear Strut Brace : F41 Sway Bars : Monroe HD rear air shocks : HD sway bar links : DHP Tune :
1988 Buick Lesabre T-type - 127,000 miles : Series I L67 : 4T60E-HD : AL 104's : 180 degree thermostat : '97+ Ignition Coils : Intense FWI : Walbro 255 : 2.5" Stainless Exhaust : Flowmaster 40 Series : STB : 'Caddy' braces : hood louvers: Karma Kustoms Ported M62 : Non-walled LIM : YT 1.8:1 rockers : LS7 Lifters : 2.4" S/C pulley : Custom PCV Oil bypass : B&M Trans Cooler : Sinister Tune

I also run the Buick Lesabre T-type Registry