In 1969, when most buyers went into an Oldsmobile dealer to get a mid-size station wagon, they left with a Vista Cruiser. You know, the one with the raised roof and see-thru skylights. Four times as many VCs were sold that year than the standard Cutlass wagon with a flat roof. So, you see far less of the latter today, especially one like the seller’s barn find that has a manual transmission. It’s been rescued from a long nap and is running again, though it’s far from pretty. Located north of Phoenix, Arizona, this vintage Olds is available here on craigslist for $8,500 OBO. Bravo, T.J., for this cool tip!
The Vista Cruiser and Buick’s Sport Wagon (same raised roof) were unique to those GM divisions. Chevrolet and Pontiac didn’t offer a comparable wagon. But they all sold a mid-size people mover like the Cutlass pictured here. Considering the audience that frequented the neighborhood Olds dealer, it’s likely rare to see anything other than a 4-4-2 have a manual transmission (3-speed in this case). Perhaps this wagon was specially ordered just to get the manual, or it was an odd duck that ended up at the dealer.
This Olds is a two-owner vehicle with 44,000 original miles. It’s one of 8,559 made with a V8 engine (just 180 folks went for an inline-6). For whatever reason, it was put away years ago and only came back to life in the past few months. To get it going again, all the fluids were changed, and the gas tank was cleaned out. We assume a new battery and other odds and ends were involved, too. The seller says that some of the tires are bias ply, which means they’re old and should be replaced before venturing very far.
Whatever version of blue paint this wagon once had has now faded to being nearly white thanks to the desert sun. It’s mostly rust-free, with just two spots in the lower front fenders. The interior looks dried out, including the front seats and door panels. While this Olds has a 350 cubic inch V8 (no pics), there is no power steering, further adding to the likelihood this is a rare wagon. The seller says delivery is available, but we assume there’s a mileage limit to negotiate. If you’re into vintage station wagons and want something a bit unusual, why not fix this one up a little more and take it to Cars & Coffee?
Unusual mix of options. Rare to see one in apparently good, solid condition. I’d love to see it restored, but I don’t know if it’ll be worth a huge amount of money. Someone might not see it as worth restoring to original, and try to make a hotrod out of it. I think it would be fun to drive around in a 3 speed column stick, but the lack of power steering will be a drawback. Hopefully, it finds a good home.
Can power steering be retrofitted?
If a car comes with or without power steering does the maker increase the number of steering wheel turns for the non-powered versions?
(I had a 49 Plymouth that went 7 turns left to right, and it was still a workout).
Yes on the retrofit and Yes, I’m pretty sure (regarding the different steering ratio)
Power steering is not hard to install if the car originally came with that as an option. I converted a 1959 Chevrolet Impala to power steering by removing the entire system out of a car in a junk yard and installing it in my car. Just get everything.
This would be a cool car to restore or make drivable. Smooth roof Cutlass Cruisers are almost never seen. These cars are lighter than you think. The manual steering is wide ratio and not as bad as you think.
Other than the small rust-through in the bottom left front fender, this one looks solid. I always liked the lines of the 1968-1972 GM mid-sized wagons, even the ones that weren’t Vista Cruisers or Sportwagons. And this one’s stripper status with the 3-on-the-tree would make this a real novelty on the Cars & Coffee circuit.
The basic wagon option was a 250 six and a 3 speed muncie on the column. This a unique car being the v8 350. I like the flat top wagons! No rust leaking water on your head! Power steering is an easy upgrade! Price a little high but these car are just now starting to climb the ladder!
Perhaps this car was bought for it’s torque to haul the family RV, given the trailer hitch in the rear (modern design)?
My dad bought a ’69 VC new to replace our aging ’64 VC. A twin to the one on That ’70s Show. Still have the broadcast sheet for that car. Ordered it with heavy duty rear springs and the HC 400 4-bbl, but we never towed anything with it. Too bad he traded it for a ’77 VC well before I got my license….
I have a theory, or maybe just a feeling…
There was this guy looking to buy a cheap Chevy Nomad (which was the bottom-trim wagon in the Chevelle line for 1969) and then the Chevy salesman pizzed him off, or maybe he “knew a guy” who worked at an Oldsmobile dealer.
So for a final out-the-door price that was around the same as the Chevy dealer wanted, he got a stripped-out Oldsmobile.
I love these land yachts but three on the tree without an overdrive a real turnoff, top gear at 60mph reving its head off unless it has a decent diff ratio
Definitely priced out of reality.
$850.00 is more appropriate.
Car looks like it got half a million miles on it. These people would have to swear on the Bible for me and that ain’t all
If I had the cash, I would own it.