By the mid-1960’s, the station wagon had gone mainstream and was well on its way of becoming America’s iconic symbol of sprawling suburbia. It was the most practical and comfortable way to haul kids, lawn and garden supplies, Little League teams, and take advantage of Drive-In movies that charged by the car, not by head count. Introduced a year earlier in 1964, the Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser (what a great name!) had a unique raised roofline with inserted tinted windows on the front and sides that promised to give passengers – especially in the optional third-row seat – a more panoramic view of the sky above. The sales brochure also touted that its extra height helped in the handling of “tall cargo.” In actuality, the roof was raised only three inches, but the claim was still true…no false advertising from the Olds marketing team. Well, here’s one of the 17,205 Nine-Passenger Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser Custom station wagons sold in model year 1965 that looks to be in remarkable condition. Not much history is shared other than it’s been an Arizona car and it retains its original interior (which is in very good condition for a 60-year-old car – much less a station wagon).
I’m not sure if the seller used to be in advertising, but one industry trick to making a car look more appealing in photos and TV commercials is to place it on a wet, reflective street surface. It works here, because the Vista-Cruiser looks terrific. The Code N Burgundy Mist Poly paint is shiny, the chrome, trim, glass, and faux wire wheel covers look very good, and there’s no sign of the tin worm. I wasn’t aware of this, but the side profile photo shows that GM stretched its intermediate A-body chassis from 115 to 120 inches and the rear doors were lengthened four inches. This not only made for a more spacious cabin, but allowed for an optional front-facing third row seat, which was entered through the extended rear door with the split second seat moved forward.
I wish there were more photos of the Vista-Cruiser’s interior, but the two pics provided show seats, door panels, and carpet that are very well preserved. The seller is brief with the particulars, but the wagon comes with power windows, power tailgate window, tilt steering wheel, and a Wonderbar Radio which is currently disconnected. Strangely, there are no photos provided of the wagon’s engine which is listed as a 330-cubic-inch Olds Rocket V8 with 35,000 miles. Nothing is said if those are the original miles or if it’s gone around the odometer orbit one time. The seller also shares that the Vista-Cruiser has a new T350 transmission and a new master cylinder. Even though it’s been an Arizona car, it is currently residing north of the border in Vancouver, British Columbia and is listed for sale here on craigslist for $29,000. A big shout out to Scott for spotting this great-looking old Olds long roof and sending it our way!
This is absolutely stunning!!! What a beautiful color too. Unfortunately most wagons were ” rode hard and put away wet”. This one, quite thankfully escaped that fate. I’m guessing the owner upgraded from the 2 speed “Jetaway” to a THM 350?
The nice thing that Ron brought out in his write up is the stretched wheelbase and rear doors to have 3 forward facing rows to look out that beautiful roof window Very nice write up Ron, I enjoyed it very much. Brought back a lot of great memories.
Thank you for the kind words. I’ve always liked the Vista-Cruiser (and its Buick cousin, the Sport Wagon) and learned a lot about this unique wagon doing the research for this article. Like you, I’d like to know its story and how it survived the fate of many “rode hard, put away wet, and sent to the crusher” long roofs…
Hey Ron, I always appreciate the hard work and research you folks all do on here with your articles. I always learn something new on here. Please keep them coming!!!
29,000 Canadian dollars equals 21,170 American dollars….makes it look more affordable
Very cool wagon from the good Dr.🚀 Condition is remarkable for the age.👍
And thanks for the excellent article RD.
The reason the roof was raised was to accommodate a forward-facing third seat. The coil sprung rear suspension on the GM cars would have raised the bottom of the seat too high for adequate headroom. Ford’s leaf springs allowed a lower seat position and no need for a raised roof. The motion sickness inducing rear facing third seats were an issue for families with kids who were susceptible to that phenomenon. Having one of these cars without the third seat was kind of a waste.
My Mom had a ’65 like this in white with a black interior. Neat car until my brother spilled some milk on the floor in the back seat. Smelled like baby puke from there on. The family had 2 more after that, a 1969 and a 1971.
We spilled a cooler full of minnows in the back of our ’69 VC on a summer vacation back in ’72. Would still run across a dried up fish carcass every now and then, but I don’t remember the smell being too bad after about 3 weeks.
That’s a pretty VC. Nice color combo and looks very clean. A lot to like if you’re looking for a mid-sixties wagon. I wish there were more pics – namely engine compartment and undercarriage. I’ll show my wife this one when she comes home and she’ll drool on my screen, again…
I’d buy it, pack the grand kids in it and head to a drive-in theater on some Friday night…the problem is…all of our drive-in theaters have disappeared like pay phones around here…a cool ride…but good luck on the sale.
My grandparents bought a new olds every two years and I remember going on a vacation with them in their new Vista-Cruiser, blue with fake wood on the side. The colors on this one are outstanding.
Lovely looking car. I love the Olds Vista Cruiser. If only more pictures were posted of this car.
This would get my 29K before the 307 Malibu would.
We had a ’62 Olds wagon. Not a Vista Cruiser though. It had the power back window that stopped working and as a smart 12 yo figured out that if you banged on the steering wheel, the window would then go up. By 1968 the front floor pan was rotted through. My mom sold the car for $100 and bought a ’68 Plymouth Fury wagon.
sweet wagon in mint condition in great colors. paint looks like it’s been redone but i might be wrong. fair price. how hard is it to get back into the US though? you never see them looking like this. should have posted more pics of it.
GREAT lookin wagon , are those real American dollars listed? If so I would like to talk with the owner.Guess you might say O love wagons.
It’s on Canadian Craigslist so it’s Canadian dollars, about $21,200 usd.
FOR SURE Scott, that makes my heart beat.thanks. Golly I can sell my truck and eat also ……
Nice wagon! I MUCH prefer THIS sort of vehicle, to a muscle-power coupe!
Excellent. The text and the car.
ROGER that, I’m thinking
I hope it goes to a good owner, one who will carefully maintain the car and carefully drive the car.
Sure would like some assurance on the price before I sell my truck..
Just reach out to the seller via the Craig’s List ad.
If you’re asking 30 grand for a 60 year old wagon, an engine picture might be nice. Just a suggestion
I had a ’69 in white,with wood trim,black interior,350,a/c. Swapped it for a Pontiac Phoenix coupe with Iron Duke to a guy who had a collection of Vista Cruisers from each year and wanted mine to make up the set!
Red Foreman would be proud, LOL! I especially like the fact that the original owners bought it without the DiNoc woodgrain stickers on the side! A good, honest wagon from the time when wagons were a staple of suburban driveways all over America. GLWTS!
We had a neighborhood family that had a Vista Cruiser. We always went to the town fireworks where the dad would park the car backed up an incline and we watch the airial fireworks through the window in the roof. This car brings back many good memories. I live in South Florida, and if it was closer, I might just go after it. My wife loves red vehicles ( our Silverado is red ) and when she saw this, she went nuts. Nice car!!!!
Shipping is reasonable.
Thanks CROWN, STILL HAFFTA PUT TOGETHER THE FUNDS.