When your bidding is going up by five-dollar increments, you might be into a car that’s going to be a lot of work to restore. Such is the case, it would appear, with this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass station wagon, brought to us here on ebay with a current price of $405. If you’re interested, you must act by Sunday evening, and then find your way to Edwardsville, Illinois, to claim your victory. But be careful with your bids—there’s no reserve. You click an amount above what’s listed, this baby’s going to be yours, most likely.
The description “used” doesn’t do this one justice. “Very used and nearly used up” might do it a little better. “Buried up to the axles” also comes to mind. In fact, a 12-year-old with a Red Ryder BB gun (or, in the correct movie parlance, a “200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time”) tried to put it out of its misery and managed only to shoot out a window, which no doubt then created an easy path for moisture (rain, snow) to find its way inside and rot the floor. The seller says that the interior is rough, the car needs floor pans and body work, and that the car is “complete but rough.” One look at the rear end sag should be all you need.
The upside is what you’d have when you’re finished. This wagon is replete with a 350-V8 that ran as late as 2009. It is complete. The features are cool, including a rear-facing third row seat, power dual-action tailgate, and rear power window. At one time, in other words, a family was styling when seen in this thing. But let’s be real: time’s gone by, and the car has become a sad reminder of those good old days. When was the last time you saw a lawn mower gas can sitting tidily under a hood? The downside is that this isn’t the more cool Vista Cruiser model, but rather what the ad calls a “flat top”—the Custom Cruiser model. In other words, it’s not quite as fancy, and it doesn’t have the partial glass roof that would allow those third-row passengers a view as they passed under the clouds.
“Would make a cool ride.” True enough, but who’s got the moxie to take on such a massive project on such a massive paperweight? Are there parts enough here to justify a five-hundred-dollar bid? Maybe, but then you gotta get to the middle of the country, do the strip-down, and haul the hulk to the scrapyard. And no, Kars for Kids doesn’t want this as a donation.
Was a stylish wagon once. Yard art now.
It’s recycled itself better than halfway. Let it finish the job.
Indeed. Don’t mess with the great roundy circle of life.
This poor wagon is well on its way to being composted back into the earth. Its not even a Vista Cruiser, but as a wagon, it most likely has had its share of adventures and history. Curious how this made its way into the eye of Barn finds.
It’s not a Custom Cruiser. It’s a Cutlass wagon. The Custom Cruiser was the full-sized wagon that came along for 1971.
I’d throw 410 at it tops. Thats more then scrap.I’d like to see if she runs.Thats the cool factor part.
Bidding over $400 bucks people see something I don’t because I think its scrap metal save the engine and trans if you can but it looks like its been flooded good luck.
Parts. Maybe the nose will fit a standard Cutlass. Restoring anything that is half buried in dirt is a fools errand.
I’ll bet it breaks in half when they try and extract it.
Stored in a well.
Poor thing is done. Allow her her dignity. Always a shame to see an old lady go to the squisher, but there’s noting else to be done for her now.
Someone had the right idea. Shoot it and put it out of its misery.
SOLD. Winning bid $511.00.
Vista Crusty
Nice purchase! At that price you get the 350 and trans pretty much free after scraping the rest. I don’t know about the rest of you , but getting hard to find those 350s in my neighborhood.
just when I believe you can’t come up with a bigger POS, kazam! you do it.
Vista Crusher
Rust in Piece