The year 1976 was a year of little change in most American cars. Maybe manufacturers thought we’d all be too busy celebrating the Bicentennial to notice. Oldsmobile was no different. However, the 1976 Oldsmobile full-size models did get updated grilles. The Custom Cruiser shared its new grille with the Olds 98. This 1976 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is for sale here on Craigslist in Marengo, Illinois. Thanks to Barnfinds reader Rocco B. for bringing this car to our attention.
Look at that massive station wagon. This 1976 Custom Cruiser rode on a 127″ wheelbase and stretched 231″ overall. This particular car wears the simulated woodgrain siding, however, there were probably very few 1976 models without it. This is a very clean two owner vehicle. It has a fresh Light Blue Metallic paint job with some bodywork, including new vinyl wood siding. A luggage roof rack is an option found on this car.
The 1976 brochure said “Imagine an Olds 98 with a 106-cubic-foot trunk–and then look at a Custom Cruiser” While the interior was not as nice as that of the 98, its poshness fell somewhere between the interior of the Delta 88 and the Delta 88 Royale, with a center fold-down armrest. There must have been some unwritten rule in the seventies that all station wagons (and convertibles) must have vinyl interiors. I guess interior designers envisioned soft drinks and ice cream being spilled all over the seats. The interior of this car is in great shape though and has probably seen no spills. An aftermarket armrest with built-in cupholders has been added to contain those soft drinks on the turns. Also included with the car is an aftermarket radio.
This was the last year of the full-size General Motors clamshell tailgate, but no pictures of it are included. This Custom Cruiser is a two-seat model with the rear area reserved for cargo, including underneath the floor. The cargo area looks like it was used very little. You normally envision station wagons with scratches on the plastic and soiled areas on the carpeting.
To pull this massive vehicle around, a 455 cubic inch V-8 engine was required. But this one hasn’t been pulling too hard, because there are only 26,000 miles on the car. It runs and drives great. It has had recent mechanical work including oil change, differential service, transmission rebuild, and new flow master steering linkage. The air conditioning was retrofitted with a new compressor in 2015. New shocks and muffler were also added. This is literally a turn key vehicle that will need nothing. But with all the work done on the vehicle, it will demand a higher price of $10,000. Are you ready to add a massive wagon to your collection?
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