Wisconsin man Ronald Michalski is the proud owner of what is very likely the world’s most valuable Chevrolet Lumina after he paid out-of-pocket to have the car restored not once, but twice by a local classic car shop.
Michalski’s story actually starts with his 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass – which he bought new back in 1969 and is the only car he’s ever purchased. One day he brought the Cutlass to Authentic Automotive, a classic car shop in nearby Cudahy, WI, to have it fully restored. When the sop’s owner Jim Plimpton learned the old, rear-wheel-drive Cutlass was the only vehicle that the elderly Michalski owned, he offered to give him a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina he had sitting around on his property for free.
Michalski took to the modest Chevrolet sedan and began using it as his daily driver. Not long after he took possession of it, a storm knocked a tree branch onto the grey sedan, causing significant damage to the vehicle’s rear end and roof. At this point, most people would cut their losses and replace the aging old Chevy with something newer, but Michalski isn’t like most people. Instead, he wanted his beloved Lumina restored, so he went back to Plimpton’s shop and asked him to make it like new again – even if it would cost far more than the Chevy was actually worth.
Surprisingly, Michalski wasn’t done yet. Shortly after the initial restoration was complete, he brought the car back to Authentic Automotive for some more beautification, with Michalski’s investment in the four-door eventually totaling nearly $20,000. The car now appears just as it did when it rolled off the General Motors assembly line back in 1997 and is quite possibly the most valuable Chevrolet Lumina in existence.
“Well I’m different” Michalski acknowledged in a recent interview with Milwaukee FOX affiliate FOX6. “Some people would say weird. But I like the car.”
Check out the news report on Michalski’s beloved Lumina embedded below.
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Comments
Correction, not the most valuable but the one with the most money spent on it.
Valuable means you could get value out of it.
Exactly as we know this one’s been in at least one accident…How about a Holden built, exported 6.0 V8 Lumina SS https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used/2007-Chevrolet-Lumina-Ss-6.0-At-Mpumalanga-Trichardt/6807302/
This is another one of those timeless and classic gm designs that ages really well. They still look good today if taken care of.
That car is about as non-descript as they get. It’s like the design team couldn’t agree on anything so they ended up with nothing.
Good for him. If he likes it, that’s what matters. Personally, I’ve always liked this Lumina and recall putting a lot of miles on them as a police officer. When I first got into it back in 1995, the departments used these a lot due to hills and snow. Although not the most powerful and the 1998 was better with the 3800 V6, I found the Lumina’s to be very good handling and held the road well. They were built heavy enough that with some of the Chevy 9C1 police package upgrades, they held up well. They rode well, were fairly quiet, had great visibility and were not too expensive.
Our unmarked squads had the Recaro seat option – really comfortable.
Charles P: If I’m not mistaken, I think all the 9C1 police pursuit package Lumina’s had the Recaro’s. I know the cars we had all had them and you are correct, they were comfy and well made.
I am sure my department was too thrifty to pay extra for the Recaros, so they must have been included along with the 9C1 package, now that you mention it.
I had a 1999 Olds Intrigue GLS loaded. Meticulously maintained. Talked my mechanic into replacing the engine before 200k miles. The Sandy storm flooded the car with salt water and it was over 38k miles later. You have to be lucky with a car.
A man and his car, who could say more.
Kudos to him for sticking with the car.
I’d would gone with a better car but if it works for him go for it.
he must not drive from dec. through mar. or he is a snowbird or it would be full of rot
Insane. But it’s his money.
I had a 1997 Chevy lumina it was a great car! The best part was that back then when new it was way cheaper then new cars now.
I have a 97 “Luminarc” 9C1 that I got at auction for a cool $150. one owner Police unit complete with Recaro buckets and tactical center console. Its got super cold A/C and 148k ROWDY miles I’m sure.
No rust being a southern car. Runs strong for a 3.1L and is a solid comfy ride. I enjoy it more than I thought I would. Contemplating a 4.8 or 5.3 swap if the 3100 croaks , but don’t know if its really worth it. The white flaking paint is not attractive, but possibly a theft deterrent. Ha.. I understand this guys love for the Lumina.