I’ve long believed that everybody should have access to the classic car ownership experience. That can prove more challenging for large families, and if you are in that situation, this 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser could be the perfect vehicle. It is an original and unmolested Station Wagon that comfortably seats eight people. It features enough creature comforts to make any journey memorable, and its next trip could be to a new home. The owner has listed the Olds here on eBay in Hauppauge, New York. Bidding has reached $3,550, and with the reserve met, that new home is mere days away.
Oldsmobile launched its Third Generation Custom Cruiser in 1991, with the Wagon remaining in production for two years before the company retired the badge. This is a genuine survivor that the original owner ordered in Medium Maui Blue. It has never undergone any restoration work and is as it left the factory. The paint has the typical minor marks and chips you might expect from any vehicle with more than three decades under its belt, but its presentation remains above average for a vehicle of this type and age. The paint shines beautifully, and the panels look as straight as an arrow. Rust is not an issue, with the photos confirming there is nothing beyond the occasional spot of dry surface corrosion on the underside. The plastic hasn’t succumbed to UV damage, with the trim and aluminum wheels looking excellent. The vehicle features crystal clear glass, including the fixed roof panel, which is one of these classics’ defining characteristics.
The interior space helps this Custom Cruiser to come into its own. The front split bench and third-row seating mean it will comfortably accommodate eight. The Blue cloth and vinyl upholstery look surprisingly good. Family wagon interior trim can take a beating at the hands of some unruly children and pets, but this Olds has been spared that fate. There is no appreciable wear on the seats, and the only plastic showing signs of wear is in the rear cargo area. This is common, but it still looks presentable. The dash, faux woodgrain, and carpet are as clean as a whistle, and the CD player is the only apparent addition. It might be a family wagon, but they will travel in the lap of luxury. The new owner receives ice-cold air conditioning recently upgraded to R134a refrigerant. The Wagon also has a driver’s airbag, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, and an automatic day/night mirror.
Powering the Custom Cruiser is Chevrolet’s 305ci V8, producing 170hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission performs shifting duties while the driver receives power assistance for the steering and brakes. The mechanical combination means these Wagons perform well in almost any circumstance, with their open-road touring abilities making them ideal for long journeys. The seller indicates this classic has 112,000 miles on the clock and runs and drives beautifully. It is whisper quiet on the road, with no mechanical issues or problems. Included are the original Owner’s Manual and three sets of keys.
Oldsmobile produced 7,663 examples of the Custom Cruiser in 1991, nearly double the total from the previous year. However, it was well short of the glory days, making ongoing production unviable. The company discontinued the badge at the end of 1992, and with General Motors retiring the Oldsmobile brand in 2004, a revival seems unlikely. Bidding hasn’t been frantic on this classic, but it is strong enough to suggest people like what they see. If you have been searching for a family Wagon, would you consider pursuing this one further?
Nice, very clean looking car that is only 20 minutes from me. I hated these when they first came out, preferring the previous square body style. It must have been garaged and babied to remain so clean through 32 Long Island winters. I hope it finds a good home.
Look at those hips.
Your father’s Oldsmobile.
Though I like them all, I always thought somehow the Custom Cruiser looked the best of the three big GM wagons of this era. The split grille visually widened the front end to match the rear a bit better and the two tone broke up the sides a bit, while the alloys gave it a different look than the Chevy or Buick.
These are comfortable, roomy, very nice riding cars with an engine that just isn’t up to the task. It’s too bad this didn’t make it to the end and get the LT1.
The 305 V8 in these nearly 4,500 pound wagons, is under-powered for the work it has to do. The following year, the 350 V8 was put in these, which helped some.
Having grown up with station wagons they hold fond memories for me. Our family had Buicks, Dodges and a Pontiac but never had an Oldsmobile. If I were able to, I would have bid and ended up purchasing this beautiful Oldsmobile. This wagon is probably one of the nicest that I have seen on Barn Finds. The Medium Maui Blue is a beautiful color, and I am glad that this wagon does not have that wood grain paneling decal. I am hoping that it continues to receive tender loving care in its new home.
This generation Olds didn’t come with woodgrain, while almost all Buicks did. The Chevy could be had either way but didn’t have the Vista Cruiser-revival fixed glass roof over the 2nd row.
Will you look at those bumpers? You can land a plane on them.
They do look huge, but I think it’s distortion of the camera. If I remember these cars right, they’re not that exaggerated in person and much better integrated with the bodywork.
The wagon version of The Whale. Gotta hand it to GM. They said “damn the torpedoes” Lets make ’em bigger than we ever have.
Very nice and rare. Wagons are in these days.
Well, I bought this Custom Cruiser. It did need some work, especially since the brake lines did not pass the Missouri Safety Inspection. I had the wagon transported to a friend near St. Louis where the inspection was done. Once it arrived in California, I had all the brake lines replaced.
In terms of rust issues there is a lot of frame rot on the bottom but nothing that will cause a problem for many years.
The catalytic converter had seen better days so I replaced that also. In California one must pass a Smog Check every two years for 1976 and newer vehicles.