In the 1970s and early ’80s, anyone under the age of 12 would have readily voted the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser “Coolest wagon around.” What’s sweeter than an “11 window wagon with observation roof?” Lots of cars offer nifty features for the driver, but the Vista Cruiser graces its back-seat passengers with light on every drive. When your folks have a Vista Cruiser, you can’t help but show it off to your friends. This particular 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Vista Cruiser in Kenmore, Washington is not perfect, but the listing here on eBay includes a tasty Buy It Now price of $3250. Thanks to lov2xlr8.no for some details.
Though the car comes with the red steel wheels shown above, this picture highlights its sporty potential with a previous set of aftermarket five-slot wheels. Many wagons wear their wood grain as a center strip, but keeping the wood on the bottom creates an “arrow” shape that further exaggerates the length of this mid-sized wagon. Note how the top of the wood trim aligns with the bumper tops. Sharp!
The Vista Cruiser (an upgrade from the flat-roofed Cutlass Cruiser) came with standard front disc brakes, wood-grain sides, and a “Drop-or-Swing” dual-action rear door that drops as a tail gate or swings open to one side. The Observation Roof features heat-resistant glass and visors to minimize heat transfer to the interior. This one has the tilt steering wheel and appears to have left the factory with air conditioning, but no compressor is visible in the engine compartment.
New parts including front shocks, dropped spindles, ball joints, battery, carburetor, and ignition componets. Though the seller reports leaks when it rains (not a good feature in Washington state), it has been kept under a tarp and driven only in the dry. The 350 cid V8 has a “mild” build and dual exhaust, and the seller says it “runs nice.” What’s not to like for $3250?
Potential buyer needs to check for past collision damage in the front end. At some point the plastic grilles from a 1972 model were installed on this 1971. I doubt it was just for looks.
“What’s not to like for $3250?”….
10 miles to the gallon, that’s what…
But at that price and the overabundance of space it’s a good candidate for an electric conversion…. a sea of batteries, new suspension and better wheels then you’ll be killing everyone at your local dragstrip. Electric beats gas, everyday!
I’ll take the 10mpg rumble any day over electric silence. No problem with electric vehicles in 2019, but please, let’s not cut up our classics to make Frankenteslas.
How’d you miss out on the electric Sanfu van that was on here a few days ago?
My parents had a 65 Vista Cruiser for one year. My father hated it…it was top-heavy, smelled like gas inside, and the two speed transmission. I liked looking at the moon and stars through the roof windows.
daCabbie, I think you are posting on the wrong site.
Not particularly making much sense there buddy.
wtfe
I could be called an electric car guy, I have a C-Max Energi and a Leaf, but turning this into an electric car is, well, absurd. I’d like to get a license plate bracket for them that says “I’d rather be driving a car”. They are just appliances. If one objects to a car because of its gas mileage, they are on on the wrong site! My old Mercedes may only get 15 MPG or less, but that’s only a few hundred bucks a year.
If you’re driving a classic car and your main concern is gas mileage, you don’t deserve to have a classic car! Buy a Prius tree hugger! LOL
Add a note, the description says the car is an original AC car but the previous owner took the compressor off but it is included in a box with the car if you would like to reinstall it. Sounds like a pretty good deal for 3250…………..
Maybe you ol-timers got no sense of humor…
Some people suggest a LS swap for everything… the evolution of that insult is drop some batteries in it.
And facts are facts… Electric always wins on a 1/4 mile.
Eat my exhaust…. oh ya, I don’t have any.
Hahahaha…. ROFLMAO
daCabbie
so not all of us are old and I can almost promise i’m younger then you because only and old guy can be quite as crunchy as you are. electric also doesn’t win every time and you saying that points out you are not very educated in the world of racing. maybe when all you are doing is stock form racing but that’s not what all drag racing is… and i’m going to make a guess and say you are talking big like you drive one of those fast Tesla’s or something when really you might drive a Prius which FYI are slower then snot mister they always win in fact I have a dual turbo Cummins truck that has schooled every electric car I have raced. So First I think you should change your profile name to daCrabbie and go find some other website to post on
Haters gonna hate.
This one will go very fast at this price, to the point where it’s probably not even worth the effort to bid. But if anyone tries let us know!
it is advertised as a 71, but that is a 72 grille ( front clip?) wrong coast lots of potential
“What’s not to like for $3250?” – how about lots of rust and leaking interior when car is exposed to water?
On a different topic, looks like the tailgate is from another wagon…
Love it! My next project will be a 70 Vista Cruiser, 455, 400 turbo, almost all options- tilt, cruise, power windows & locks, power seats, etc. Has been sitting in my barn for a few years but did start with a fresh battery and bottle feed fuel. 15 inch Torque Thrusts and 235/70/15 tires waiting. Hopefully will start on it this summer.
For sale?
Keeper, at least for now. I’ve got lots of projects lined up but this one looks pretty easy, would like to have some fun with it first.
That 71 brings back a memory or two. Back in the 70’s I was a manager of a loan company and had one as security on a bad loan. Happened to find the guy, the car and the company already had judgement on him so the car came in. It was an interesting car but it wasn’t in the best of shape even though it only was 5-6 years old at the time.
This model is difficult to repair if the leak is near or at the hear resistant observation windows. If it’s anyplace else, it should not be an issue. I’m an Olds fan and would get serious about this car but I have no room.
Red Foreman
”66 Impala S/W factory a/c, what a blast to drive. Wheels, tires,2″drop and disc brakes changes the whole dynamics!
Cool wagon but it looks like the owner is really upside down in it. :)
Cool ride had a 68 vista cruiser rocket 350 4bbl factory 4 speed funeral car with I still had it went to a buyer out of town who probably saw the potential for $$ that I didn’t because I was young and dumb
Cool ride! My parents had a white ‘68 Vista-Cruiser when I was a kid,it was a clean classic Oldsmobile!
Glad to hear an electric car can beat my 71 chevelle, who cares. When my headers and straight pipes roll by people notice. I get about 8mpg. Electric 0% cool, 4bbl powered 71 chevelle 100% cool
I sure miss my Cutlass station wagon.Bruce.
Can’t get enough of those wagons.
As an 18/19y.o.(back in ’83/84) I was going to buy a ’70 455 Vista wagon off a friend of my Girlfriends Dad for $400… unfortunately something got lost in translation somewhere & he traded it in for a ’77 Pontiac wagon before I could get my hands on it…. kinda been wanting one ever since!
If I had the disposable income & the time now, I would definitely be after this one now!!
The Vista Cruiser would be a great U.S. cruiser. An LS/AOD transplant would make this a good looking roomy economical ride across Rte 66.