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Expand You Vista: 1977 Olds Cruiser Wagon

'77 Olds race

Today we have a magazine featured show/race car for your consideration. This 1977 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Wagon was featured in Hot Rod and Car Craft back in the late 80’s. It may not be for everyone, but it is interesting. Find it here on craigslist out of St. Louis, MO for $9,500.

'77 Olds race engine

Here are some of the major mods: there is a ’68 Chevelle 396 big block with a Turbo 350 automatic transmission that runs to a 1955 Olds rear end.

'77 Olds race int.

There is also a roll cage, fuel cell, custom interior, paint and premium suspension.

'77 Olds race rear

The wheel and tire sizes are not given.  Mark, the owner, says that there are too many mods to mention in the ad so you may have some questions for him.

'77 Olds race front

Mark says the car is in great shape to drive as is or you can add any mods you want.  What mod/s would you add?

Motor-on,
Robert

Comments

  1. Avatar grant

    Is this a Vista Cruiser or just an Olds wagon with a sunroof? ? I don’t see the raised Vista roof.

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  2. Avatar Cassidy

    It would cost way more than $9500 to build this car today, seems like a bargain if you’re looking for a 1/4 mile rocket ship that is barely street legal. The huge rear tires show that the ’55 Olds rearend has been narrowed as one of those mods that the seller was too busy to list. Looks like it could use a hood scoop, that opening looks like its missing the one it originally had in the 80’s. It doesn’t look like a Vista wagon, looks a lot more like a Vega wagon.

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  3. Avatar JW

    Actually this is a bargain for someone wanting to get in to drag racing on the cheap. My wife and I have a lady friend who runs a Pro Stock 80 Chevy Malibu and it cost them way more to build that car.

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  4. Avatar JW

    This is a bargain if your looking to get in to drag racing, we have a lady friend who runs a 1980 Chevy Malibu Pro Stock and it costs her 10K just for her motor & trans.

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  5. Avatar Donnie

    I think the hood is cut that way because it had a blower at one time.

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    • Avatar George

      Get a new hood or go back to a blower. With the other mods, the blower probably looked like it belonged. The motor is probably a replacement after the one with the blower.

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  6. Avatar Stephen

    It’s a ’78, not a ’77.

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  7. Avatar Robert Member

    We went with what the owner states: “1977 Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon” as per the ad.

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  8. Avatar Donnie

    It is a 1977 custom cruiser / not a vista cruiser 2 different bodies styles .

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    • Avatar Robert Member

      Thanks Donnie, sometimes owners don’t know what they really own.

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  9. Avatar Steve

    Someone get this back to the circus before they notice it’s missing.

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  10. Avatar 64 bonneville

    just rig for Friday night street racing, or the 405 street outlaws. if I had the moolah would jump on it in a heartbeat.

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  11. Avatar Fred

    Isn’t this a 4 door wagon with the entire rear door/back seat portion cut out? Similar to those “shorty” tri five wagons you see?

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    • Avatar Mark S

      I was thinking the same thing makes me think that it was a wheel stander at some point. Kind of cool all the same. Nice find Robert.

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      • Avatar Robert Member

        Mark S,

        Thanks, and I will keep looking.

        Like 0
  12. Avatar George

    Vista Cruiser was being used at that time. The Vista Roof was long since gone though. Funny that they don’t even mention that it was shortened…

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    • Avatar brakeservo

      Maybe they didn’t want to mention that it was shortened so that you think you’re getting more for your money!!

      Like 0
  13. Avatar piper62j

    Here’s what I found..

    The Vista Cruiser is a station wagon that was manufactured and marketed by Oldsmobile from 1964 to 1977 over three generations.

    The first and second generation Vista Cruisers are noted for their fixed-glass, roof-mounted skylights over the second-row seating with sun visors for the second row passengers, a raised roof behind the skylight and lateral glass panels over the rear cargo area along the raised roof — and three rows of forward-facing passenger seating. Sharing its bodystyle with the Buick Sport Wagon, the Vista Cruiser was introduced on February 4, 1964, as a 1964 model, based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass/F-85 model. Prior to the 1973 model year the Vista Cruiser utilized a wheelbase which was 5 inches (127 mm) longer than that of the Cutlass/F-85 sedan.

    Subsequent Oldsmobile mid-size wagons featured a skylight as did the 1991–92 full-size Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon and the 1991–96 Buick Roadmaster wagon.

    Reminiscent of earlier models, the third generation Vista Cruiser (1973–1977) featured optional rear-facing third row seating, while incorporating a single fixed, flat venting skylight over the second row seating.

    GM’s 1971–76 full-size clamshell wagons, including the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, incorporated an optional forward-facing third row and a slightly elevated roof over the cargo area, though no skylight.

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  14. Avatar pontiactivisit

    Definitely a shortened 78 custom cruiser. Don’t like that it was shortened but think its a bargain at this price. I have close to 16k in my 80 safari wagon. And I didn’t shorten mine. Lol. I have way more motor too.

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  15. Avatar josh h

    Isn’t it actually a 1978 or newer mid sized Cutlass Cruiser?

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  16. Avatar kenzo

    This is not a cut up Vista Cruiser. My mom had a Vista Cruiser and I had a Buick Sport Wagon. Please re-title your heading. this is just an olds wagon!!!

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  17. Avatar PRA4SNW

    It looks like a shortened 5th generation (78 – 81) Cutlass Cruiser Wagon.
    Here is a similar one that was at BJ Auction this spring:
    http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Archive/Event/Item/1980-OLDSMOBILE-CUSTOM-CRUISER-STATION-WAGON-181606
    Notice how much longer it is.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Joe

    This is asbsolutely a Cutlass wagon. Same exact body as a Malibu wagon with different grille and lights.

    Like 0

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