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Rocket Wagon: 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, General Motors pulled the plug on a now-iconic car in the same year that George Lucas debuted his now-iconic movie. That year was 1977. This Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is from 1972, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist, for $3,100, in the Northwestern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… but we’ll get to that in a moment.

In 1964, as the mass exodus from cities to suburbs was in its heyday, Oldsmobile and Buick decided that the time was right for a family-mobile with something different: A skylight window like the ones in the storied Greyhound Scenicruiser buses. And boy, were they right! Enter the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (and Buick Sportwagon).

Fast-forward to 1972. The second generation A-body wagon, and the skylight for which it is famous were at their end soon after this one was born. Fast forward to 1977 when America was still feeling the pain from the Oil Crisis of 1974 and a slow economy. The third and final generation Vista Cruiser met its end, unceremoniously.

Built in the Lansing, Michigan plant, this 1972 is one of approximately 32,000 produced that year. They came with an array of available options, including two engine choices, two transmission choices, 8-track player, and a 5- or 7-seater configuration. You could have a 455ci with floor-mounted Hurst-shifter four-speed if you wanted! In fact, a handful of them were prepared and used as the official pace car of that year’s Indy 500.

The listing for this one is rather thin on details, save for mentioning 123,000 miles, two owners, and “runs good”. The pictures show a cream or beige exterior, Rocket 350 with AC, power brakes, automatic transmission (likely the TH-350), “cooling-tower” wheel covers, light-colored vinyl seats, brown carpet, and dark green dash. It’s difficult to tell from the photos whether or not it has the AM-only radio, or if it has the optional electric clock in the dash cluster.

Having owned a 1972 Cutlass Supreme Hardtop Sedan (in Baroque Gold) as my first classic, it is my considered opinion that this car looks decent overall and, save for the rusted two-way tailgate, is a worthy candidate for restoration or Pace Car clone.

Comments

  1. Avatar Chebby Member

    This is the exact car Clark Griswold traded in for the Family Truckster.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Russell Glantz Staff

      Wow, I believe you are correct! I hadn’t even thought of that, thanks!

      Like 1
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      It’s similar, but not THE Olds he traded in – remember his got crushed in the seller’s lot… chances are slim it would happen to a Vista today…!

      Like 0
  2. Avatar jean

    that 70’s show

    Like 4
  3. Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

    I think these disappeared right around the time that everyone was suddenly aghast at the thought of kids lying on their backs staring through the skylights on road trips.

    Which is exactly how my sister and I rode the entire way on a road trip to Cape Cod…

    Like 7
    • Avatar Concord_Brian

      And then out came the Ford Taurus wagon with the foldable-rear-facing-trunk-seats from which you can watch death arrive in the form of a screeching vehicle slamming into the back of your car.

      Which is exactly how my sister and I rode the entire way on road trips to grandma’s house in Queens, NY. ;-)

      Like 4
      • Avatar George

        Rear facing seats came out long before then. We had them in our ’69 Kingswood Estate.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Fordguy1972 Member

    I’m sure that there is more rust to take car of other than the tailgate but overall this Vista Cruiser looks complete and unmolested. It seems like everything is there, inside and out though I’m sure restoration of some bits will need to be done.

    I like it and for $3,100 it seem like a good deal. Wagons are getting very popular; and their value is going up every day it seems. After it’s restored, it really should be worth the effort to bring it back.

    Like 7
  5. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    Sweet looking wagon. I can see this being an awesome restoration project if one wanted, or a possible restomod. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought GM discontinued the Vista Cruiser in 1973, four years before George Lucas’ now iconic movie “Star Wars” premiered.

    Like 1
    • Avatar CCFisher

      Nope. 1977 was the final year for Vista Cruiser. For 1973, its distinguishing characteristic was a pop-up sunroof. After that, it had no distinguishing features of note.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Bob McK

        I am sure it will cost a lot to get this tired old girl looking young again.

        Like 1
  6. Avatar Vince

    my wife wanted a Vista Cruiser. I took her to see a 58 Studebaker Scotsman SW I had the owner stick Vista Cruiser script on the fender. It did not go over very well.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Chris

    I own a 72 Cutlass flat roof wagon shorter wheel base than the Vista wagons no glass in roof either. This one looks decent for the money I like it. Here’s a pic of my wagon.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Bruce Fischer

      Here was mine.Bruce.

      Like 3
  8. Avatar Woody

    Yes the Vista-Cruiser is the greatest vacation mobile,cool ride!

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    My favourite years for the Vista Cruiser are 1964-67, and then 1969-72.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar W9BAG

    I’ve always wanted one, but the one I’m looking for is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I want one with all available accessories, bucket seats, 4 speed with console, and of course, a 455 4bbl.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Wrong Way

    I bought one about 15 years ago, paid $300.00 for it. Heck, it would have made this one look really bad. Itwas in great shape comparing the two. How times have changed, quickly I might add.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    I’d want mine with all the accessories available for the time, except the 4-spd on the floor.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Stevie G

    The one Clark Griswold traded in was a 1971. Different grill. His had the dark saddle interior. The one on The 70’s Show was a 1969. All of a sudden I feel like Cliff from Cheers lol.
    This one is bustier than it looks. That woodgrain can really hide rust, but for the price, I would buy it. It is in about the same shape as what they were in 30 years ago in Milwaukee, so all in all it isn’t too terrible. Nice looking interior. If it actually runs & drives safely, bonus!

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Don

    yup! Eric from the 70’s show is looking for his car, but Red has decided to sell it..lol

    Like 0
  15. Avatar George

    I think the 72 was a clamshell back door, not 2 way.

    Like 0
    • Avatar DVSCapri

      George – the V.C,’s never had a clamshell – only the full size cars had them… after 72 it was just the one piece “hatch” type tailgate w/vent windows optional on the side windows… it sucked!!

      Like 1
  16. Avatar Doug B

    Make sure you live in a moderate (cold, cloudy) climate if you want this! Seattle would be perfect. Los Angeles, horrible. With all of that glass, it’s like riding in a convection oven. Trust me, I know!

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Anton N Meyers

    Any idea what its packing under the hood? always thought of what a modern mill/tranny would do there…or maybe a diesel?

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    Although the Vista Cruiser continued after 1972, through the Colonnade style years, I’ve always loved the 1964 through 72 VCs.

    Like 0

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