Eight-Passenger 1985 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

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A perfect Thanksgiving human hauler, this 1985 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon has an extra seat in the back to make it an eight-passenger vehicle. Those of us who grew up in the drive-in movie era know that you can get quite a few more people in here than just eight. The seller has this wagon listed here on eBay in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania and there is a single bid of $8,000.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate! I can’t think of a better way to haul the brood to a relative’s house for too much turkey and football than in this Olds Custom Cruiser. It’s much cooler than a new SUV despite not having all of the high-tech trinkets that everyone neeeeeds (with a heavy, dramatic voice) now, or thinks they need. I guarantee you will not see another one parked in Aunt Emma’s driveway, it’ll stand out from a sea of silver mid-sized SUVs. Zzzzzzzz…

The tires are different in this photo so it must have been taken “less than 1,000 miles ago” when the new whitewall tires were installed. Those little white circles really dress up this wagon. The seller says this car is 100% original on the exterior and has a few normal dings and scratches from being almost four decades old now.

Oldsmobile made the Custom Cruiser for just over two decades in three generations, and this is a second-gen car, which would have been made from 1977 through 1990. The blue velour interior looks great as does everything else inside. The seller says the interior is original, the driver’s power seat was rebuilt, and the AC blows cold, but the cruiser control doesn’t work as of now. The back seat looks like new and the third seat in the rear also looks nice. Fold the two back seats down and you can haul almost anything in this monster.

The seller says this is an Oldsmobile 307-cu.in. OHV V8 out of a Cadillac – with around 140 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque – and it replaced the original engine. The transmission was also replaced and the work was done “professionally.” The fuel pump and AC compressor are new and there are other new parts, and hopefully a cap for the radiator overflow tank. Any thoughts on this Custom Cruiser?

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Comments

  1. Howard A Howard AMember

    I thought this may have been a Chevy 307,( remember that kerfuffle?) but research shows, it was an Oldsmobile motor. It was used in the Cadillac, but not sure why the reference here. All I remember about these cars, was the diesels, with black tailgates that spewed fumes and hard starting in the cold. I did hear of many reports of satisfied customers that had the diesel, but mostly in warmer climates. While a nightmare under the hood, typical of the era, these were just the best, most dependable people movers and I’m happy to say, I, and many like me, were a part of it. Every home in “Pressboard Estates” had one in the driveway. If you had kids, a wagon was it. Many a 442/GTO was a’ traded in on a Custom Cruiser wagon, I bet. Nice find, and with all these, word will get out after the 3rd modern transmission replacement, what great cars these really were. Again, there just won’t be enough to go around.

    Like 2
  2. DeadmanrisingMember

    You are absolutely correct Howard! I have a ’93 Olds Cutlass Cruiser and whenever I take it out people ask questions, give thumbs up, wave, tell me they like my car, etc. I drove it in a parade last summer and one guy asked if he could take pictures of it. People appreciate wagons.

    Like 3
  3. George Mattar

    I had an 87 Caorice Estate wagon with the infamous Olds 307. Gutless, ate gas and devoured oil like a pig. The selling dealer replaced it with a?new GM long block. Never had head gasket issues. The service manager told me the 307 bores became egg shaped over time, hence high oil consumption. It was slow, but never broke down. I had that car from 1993 to about 2002. Sold it. Now it’s worth more than what I paid for it 31 years ago. Now they are somewhat collectible. Go figure.

    Like 0
  4. Mason

    Rare Guage package – Temp / Oil / Volt. I would like it without the side wood grain. had owned 3 98’s in 82/83/84’s at $ 8,000 would be a hard sell for this particular one.

    Like 1
  5. Gary

    The heater core is not hooked up so probably leaks. All of the emission components have been removed so the check engine light stays on. You might have to invest a lot to get this back to factory specs. Too bad.

    Like 0
  6. wjtinfwb

    Nice driving and riding cars. That Olds 307 may not last forever but it will seem like it with its leisurely performance. A friend in college, his dad owned a Pontiac dealer in Atlanta. He brought a beautiful gold Grand Safari wagon in 85-86, a fantastic car.

    Like 1
  7. Claudio

    Well, i must say the ride height on my suv is much better and so is the engine output ! My leasure cars are for summer enjoyment and must be convertible , to each his own…
    YOLO

    Like 0
    • Claudio

      Arriving at the cottage, snow and ice on the ground , decided to drive the awd suv around the back of the house to get to the side door and unload , all this with a trailer in the back , try that with the wooden , 1 legged boat !

      Like 0
  8. Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

    Auction update: this one didn’t sell at $8,000 so it’s been relisted with an unmet opening bid of, yes, $8,000.

    Like 0

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