Highly recognizable, and an iconic American family cruiser and road trip machine, the Vista Cruiser was the ultimate family hauler. Featuring awesome muscular Cutlass looks that appealed to the dads of the era, with all the storage and views you could ask for out of the back made these a great family machine. This particular wagon is available through a used car dealer and it seems like a fair deal for the $3,500 asking price. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Eugene, Oregon. Thanks to reader Miguel for this sweet wagon find!
Under the hood is a 350 Rocket V8 backed up by an automatic for comfortable family hauling in traffic. When the kids start to moan about being on the road for too long, and dying from all the sun exposure coming in the roof panels, just simply turn on the air conditioning. Although currently equipped with A/C there is no mention as to whether or not it is functional. The alternator, valve cover gaskets, and the oil has been changed as of recently, and this Olds is ready to drive off to its new home.
While the interior isn’t perfect, it’s not a bad start either. The driver side rear door panel is missing, but the rest of the interior appears to be complete. The front seat area could stand a good cleaning, and really this could be a nice preservation wagon on the cheap to enjoy.
For those of you concerned, you may put your mind at ease. Yes, the wood applique is in nice condition, and still shows very well after all of this time. There is some rust to contend with on this wagon, but it is “superficial” rust as it seems the floors, and chassis are rock solid. Some minor rot can be found around the rear wheel arches into the quarters, but it seems that the areas are “small”. If you look closely you can see some surface rust developing in the door jambs on the rockers. Also the tailgate has a spot right in the middle at the bottom which is a common issue. Also there is a dent in the driver rear door, but aside from that body damage, the body appears quite reasonable. Not quite a creampuff, but still a sweet ride to work on and cruise in, this Vista Cruiser would make a great preservation. Did you grow up with a Vista Cruiser, and would you make a move on this reasonably priced driver?
I’ve had three. 69 with a 400, a 72 with a 350 and I just got done restoring this 67 with a 330. Such fun cars to drive and you can’t go anywhere without people asking you about them.
I also had a white ’67. I loved that car. So smooth.
Very nice Jim. Love the color.
Thanks, we got lucky on getting one with a nice stock color. It’s an interesting car. It’s a base model (no fake wood paneling, no trim on doors around windows) but it has a factory tilt wheel, tach (it’s an automatic 3 spd) and luggage rack.
o that ’67 is such a beaut! nice job on the restoration.
My first car that I didn’t have to share with Moms, or my siblings was Moms old 1968 Vista. Hers was medium blue w/woodgrain. Great car, decent power, wasn’t too rough on fuel. Then I started dating. Moms quickly did the math .. teenage boy + girlfriend + raging hormones + motel on wheels = ‘You aint makin’ me a grandma!” I woke one Saturday morning after one heckuva Friday nite and discovered Moms had sold the Vista. I had to share her 72 Sedan de Ville, or Pops 73 Grand Marquis until a more suitable car could be found
my guess is that with the sedan de ville or the grand marquis you and yours were not necessarily suffering for space in the back seat. ;-)
Eric Forman, is that you?
Kewl kar!
Unless you are 7ft tall your parents didn’t think that out too well. Both of those cars are sofas on wheels. How many kids did you end up having?
Didn’t Clark W. Griswold trade this in for the “Family Truckster”? :)
You are correct on the model just the year is a 71 or 72. Being a VC owner it’s hard watching that car get crushed and seeing the glass being destroyed.
Why would the kids be “dying from all the sun exposure coming in the roof panels” when the rear passengers have sun visors just like the front?
second row passengers did have sun visors but they did not cover all of the glass. Plus the long glass between the 2nd and 3rd row on either side did not have visors so at oblique angles the sun would bake the back half of the wagon.
i still want one. preferably without the wood grain on the side. i never liked that stuff on any make or model.
If this wasn’t in Oregon, I’d be daily driving it right now.
This car has the potential to be a great swapmeet cruiser. Make it reliable, find a replacement door panel, wash and wax it. Then drive it.
It’s missing the AC belt, so it’s safe to assume it isn’t working.
Steve R
I wouldn’t even replace the door. I would drive it like that. If you replace the door then you need to get into paint which I wouldn’t want to do.
I agree. That’s why I didn’t say anything about replacing the door, just the door panel.
Steve R
I am planning on getting foreman to loan me some money to buy this one .
Thanks
FES
What’s with playing a game here Brian?
3700
Plus
$93…..Title fee
$90……Processing fee
$114…..Two year registration (tags)
You a dealer?
Sell the car out right …
If you want more money put it in the list but don’t play silly games 😳😮😼
FYI: I get the feeling the door is extra too..
Give the door with the car and let someone rattle can it and drive it
Do they have to buy the available gas in the tank too?
That is how a dealer has to charge the fees. The fees are separate from the price of the car. That is of course only if you live in Oregon.
When I lived in Oregon, and was a dealer, the title fee was $10.00 and two years of registration cost $30.00 for any car.
I can’t believe it has gone up so much.
I’m not American but I knew I had seen one of those cars before…then I remembered.
Rust is never superficial
Well……..it does have a rebuilt alternator………….
For the record I submitted this car because I would like to see more of this type posted here.
This car is in reasonable condition with decent options and priced so any one of us can afford it.
Mostly what I see posted here are worn out cars with huge asking prices that none of us would even consider let alone want to own.
Can we please see more decent cars at decent prices?