Finding a Station Wagon designed for family adventures can be challenging because most modern examples typically accommodate only five people. This 1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is the ideal solution, thanks to its third-row seating. It is a tidy survivor with a V8 under the hood, and the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve means that it might remain affordable once the hammer falls. The seller has listed the Olds here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio. The bidding sits at $2,750 as the auction heads into its final days.
Oldsmobile marketed its Second Generation Custom Cruiser between 1977 and 1990. It emerged at a time when General Motors was downsizing vehicles across every marque to improve fuel economy and to address the buying public’s desire for smaller vehicles. This final-year example makes a positive first impression in Code 87 Gunmetal. The paint shines consistently, with no evidence of patchiness. The faux woodgrain looks surprisingly good, which is a relief since repairs that match the original color and “grain” can be challenging. The seller has listed this classic for the late original owner, indicating it has been garage-kept since Day One. That protection may have prevented rust and could explain the lack of UV deterioration. The trim and glass look extremely clean, and this beauty features a two-way tailgate.
If any part of a Station Wagon is going to deteriorate, it is typically the interior. Small feet, sticky hands, loose objects, and the family dog can all exact a heavy toll on plastic and cloth. This Olds is no exception, although it is serviceable. The seatcovers generally look dirty, and it is unclear whether a deep clean would remove every mark. However, since there are no obvious rips or tears, slipcovers would hide the problems and prevent further deterioration. The dashpad is cracked, the carpet is tired and worn, and the headliner is tacked in place. None of the problems are insurmountable, and budget-conscious enthusiasts could add a dash cover and floor mats to their shopping list to camouflage most of them. The ace up the sleeve is undoubtedly the third-row seating, providing space for a large family. The air-conditioning compressor is missing, although the seller mentions no other functional issues. It is quite lavishly equipped in a 1990 context, featuring power windows, power locks, power front seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The 1990 model year didn’t just mark the end of Second Generation Custom Cruiser production; it was also when Oldsmobile bid a fond farewell to its Second Generation V8 range. It included the 307ci powerplant that first appeared in 1980 and can be found in LV2 form beneath the hood of this Custom Cruiser. The modest power and torque figures show the motor was fighting a losing battle with emission regulations, sending 140hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed THM200-4R automatic transmission. It might not be a jet, but this Olds is in sound mechanical health. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well.
This 1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser isn’t perfect, but that could be its greatest strength. Its exterior presentation is extremely tidy, and its V8 should provide respectable performance. However, its interior shortcomings, which some potential buyers might find disconcerting, could be hidden without costing a fortune. Those issues will probably also result in a lower sale price, which is rarely a bad thing. If the wide-open road and family vacations are calling your name, perhaps you should join the bidding battle to take this Custom Cruiser home.
The fifth owner was Jerry, and he rigged quite a bit on his Oldsmobile…
That isn’t an Oldsmobile 307 as the VIN would lead us to believe. That’s a Chevrolet small block. 305? 350? I do see a bolt under the air cleaner to block a vacuum port. I’ll bet the Cruise Control doesn’t work…
The wheels have been painted silver – not sure to mimic the body color , but it’s visible between the spoke hubcaps. And three of the centers are covered with… more silver paint.
A decent starting point if the price is low. Most of the A/C parts should be easy to find for that small block. Just remember what I really nice ’90 GM wagon costs.
That aint no 307 in there. Replacement 305 or 350 so what happened to it . A/c ripped out as probably the emission set up. It’s a nice cruiser that need’s tlc but i see red flags pop up
Oh man, am I tempted!
I’ll go out on a limb here, and say that this era Oldsmobile wagon is probably the best car GM made in that era; I’d maybe even put it in the top 10 GM cars of all time.
It ticks all the boxes – looks great (very handsome car), solid quality, roomy, good ride, useful, reliable. It’s a shame that overall, the engines of that era were a bit weak, and in this particular case, may not be the original engine. There’s a little too much work to do on this car between the AC headliner, and dash pad (that’s the deal breaker for me), I’d be a bidder…
Obviously an engine swap which may be why the a/c compressor isn’t hooked up and maybe why no mention of mileage. Wonder what else isn’t connected. I hate red heater hoses!
The last 2-3 years the dash center trim piece was modified to accommodate din-2 size radios.
And looks like both front seats are power along with the mirrors.
As usual, no underside pics to accompany the cheery and syrupy comments which always make me say, “Oh really?”
And I just threw out my ancient cassette tape collection!! dayammm
I have around 300 of those. 300 cds, & 56 8-tracks with a Panasonic player, too.
It’s a 305 Chevy
Motor in the Olds wagon. 150 horse motor..some one has changed it..r
i emailed this guy and he claims he did not know it was chevy motor in there and has no idea what happened to the olds motor. i am not buying that story. how can you not know? this is way too fishy for me.
Had an 87′ it was one of the best cars I ever had! 307′ engines were notorious for eating Camshafts! Probably a 305 ( should have a 350)!:AC is a must and I would go the extra mile to get it! That was the only year with the UM6/UX1 radio set up! UX1 had a graphic equalizer and Bot cassette decks featured Auto reverse and Dolby B! Factory rim tire size 215/75/15, har to find but not impossible! Good daily driver!
I beg to differ. I had an 85 2dr Caprice Classic with the 305 and the same trans. Ultimate highway car. I top it off in Naples, and pull into Tallahassee with an eighth of a tank. Never had any other vehicle with that range. Having said that, I picked up a 99 E320 4matic estate in May. @21mpg combined, but much smaller tank. Only @16gal I believe. What the hell is the metric system??? 🤣
I had a 1986 Chevy Caprice Broughham in the 1990’s with a 305 4barrell set up. This is a clean looking wagon here but would have came with a 307 olds engine. The engine here in this wagon is a 305 or 350 pre 1986. Center bolt valve covers started I believe in 1987 on 350 and 305 engines.
One plus from underpowered engines of this era was they are easier on the rest of the components 💁♂️
At the time this car was in production, Ford had Multi-Port injection ( as opposed to the Carburetor the General was using)! The 302 blew the 305/07 out of the water from an acceleration standpoint! I still prefered GM’s breaking and handling though!
I had a 77 Delta coupe I bought used. it had a Chevy 350 from the factory under the hood.
GM in the 1970’s tried to consolidate power plants ( unsuccessfully)! Their was a lawsuit, people were unhappy that their Oldsmobile had a Chevy engine! It sounds silly now but in the seventies that was like a Lexus having a kia engine ( I know that would never happen) but that’s how people thought back then! If your Oldsmobile had a Chevy engine probably depended on What factory the car was made in! Different factories would use different engines depending on proximity of the engine plant to the final assembly plant!!
Well, it’s now up to $5600 with almost 3 days left on the auction. The owner of that wagon ought to donate some of that to this publication. Obviously, this article has sparked a lot of undeserved attention.
Wagons have become collectable in Recent years! Back when I was a teenager, you didn’t want to be seen driving the ( Dorkmobile) wagon! Times have changed and Faux woodgrain plus folding rear seats/ jump seats are now cool! I predict ten or fifteen years from now minivans will be classics!