The Vista Cruiser was a mid-size station wagon built and sold in the 1960s and 1970s. It differed from other wagons by having its roof raised over the rear passenger and storage areas, complete with skylights. The seller’s 1970 edition is said to be an unfinished project that is short on photos to highlight its pros and cons. Located in Iron River, Michigan, this vintage people mover is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Hat’s off to Tony Primo for another tip for our readers!
Oldsmobile added the Vista Cruiser to the roster when the Cutlass was promoted from a compact to an intermediate in 1964. First and second-generation VCs (1964-67, 1968-72) were treated to this custom roof that was shared with Buick’s Skylark-based Sport Wagon. The addition of the extra small windows probably benefited rear passengers when they were cruising through scenic mountain passes. Vista Cruisers usually outsold “regular” Cutlass wagons, yet the design was dropped in 1973 (though the name carried over through 1977).
The seller doesn’t help his/her case by providing no photos of the interior or engine compartment (those really are a must in selling a car online). We’re told that “many hours and dollars” have been invested in this unfinished business. But what does that consist of other than what may be a new mystery interior? The car is said to be otherwise original at 67,000 miles.
Under the hood is a 350 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 with an automatic transmission. Since it needs a new oil pan, we guess the wagon doesn’t run at the moment. The Olds needs bodywork, per the seller (rust in the front fenders?), though the dark green paint and faux wood paneling looks okay. If you’re nearby, you might want to check it out, but it’s not all that rare since 34,000 were produced in 1970 alone.
Oh no, not going there again, man I felt stupid, Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney stupid. Nelson was kind enough to understand.
As with many of the vehicles that come through here, TV had a huge influence on which we held dear, and the ones that never got that far. That 70s Show, was probably the most spot on rendition of my, and many others late teen years that Hollywood ever created, well, that and American Graffiti, which was a bit before my time. While the “Vista Cruiser” was Erics 1st ride, we all could relate, and mine was a 1958 Volvo, I’m sure you have yours if you’re here.
Again, wonderful cars, REAL cars, the likes we’ll never see again. I’d say here’s you’re chance folks to have a REAL car, but falling on deaf ears I’m afraid.These cars had a very important role in our growing up, enabling us to venture out, much like Eric Foreman did. And the crabby old man back home was the icing on the cake. Sadly, I don’t think any of those actors did much after the show, relaxing on their millions, I suppose, but the Vista Cruiser will chug on for some lucky person,,( crickets). Cash doesn’t talk, it screams, and who knows what they’d take here. The body work is no big deal, but replacing an oil pan, not for anyone with those “home maker tools”, that might possibly be interested. No big deal, you say? Sure, for us, maybe, but for most today that have to rely on a mechanic, good luck finding one, that isn’t booked solid.
Oh, 1 more thing( Columbo), Iron River, Mich., central UP,,do you need to twist my arm any more? Somebody rarely left the UP, der hey, in this and I know why. While I like Colorado for its amenities, I still yearn to “run the clock out” in the UP, der hey, and by golly, it could happen. Like Mike sez, Colorado is busy, always has been, and not going to get any less busy anytime soon, except, for possibly me. I’d go so far as to say I love the UP, der hey. Colorado, meh,,
Yup Howard, the bloom is off the rose in Colorado…too expensive and crowded, even out where we live. Been here since ’68, maybe time to move.
I’m needing a 2nd (3rd) vehicle, torn between another truck and an older s/w like this, or similar. Will be a beater. There’s an ’85 Chev Caprice s/w near us for sale…might be perfect…carry most anything, sleep in it, bug out car when necessary. OK, it’s not this vista cruiser but it’d do although if the cruiser was closer I’d be tempted. These cruisers have so much style and panache, just good down home American vehicles.
Happy 4th to everyone and my gratitude to those of you who have served.
Howard A, did you ever take notice of the Vista Cruiser used on That 70’s Show never had an interior rear view mirror. It’s a gimmick used to provide a clean unobstructed view of the actors during filming. There are numerous other shows and movies where it’s been done, too, but it was so obvious on That 70’s Show.
No windshield at all on Red’s car.
Most of the Hollywood shots that came from the front, the cars had no windshields. Adam-12, Dragnet, Rockford Files, Dukes of Hazzard, all had cameras mounted on the hoods, and to reduce glare, for those shots, they used cars with windshields removed.
In school my friend Ernie’s parents had a ’69 Vista Cruiser. White with blue interior. Replaced it with a ’77 Suburban. Appropriate for pulling his fishing boat. Attending the Oldsmobile Homecoming a few weeks ago i would wager that these were third in attendance behind Cutlass Supremes and 442s.
I remember riding in the back seats of the family Vista Cruiser on family vacations. I also learned to drive in the Vista Cruiser. Great car for family vacations and cruising around town.
Russ, If this was a mid-sized wagon, what was the full size wagon?
The custom cruiser which was based on the 98/88
nice car. i had 5 of these 40yrs ago when they were cheap. c/l will let you put 20 or so pics up. i don’t why the seller didn’t take advantage of that. really need to see what the roof around the glass looks like and the interior. where was all the money spent? the drivers 1/4 panel on the bottom looks pretty scary from what can be seen in the 1 pic. the buy price seems fair considering where these are going but there a lot of unknowns here.
A ’65 VC was for sale recently in Barn Finds locally, so I went to look at it. Driver quality, far from a concours restoration, but it sold for $17k, IIRC. The owner was selling his late father’s family cruiser and had about $17k in repairs in it before he sold it, so he emerged financially unscathed, at least. Selling the family car he grew up in probably left other scars of the emotional kind. This one is the same year as the one on “That ’70’s Show”, so for those who value cars in entertainment, it will be a plus. The car seen on the show was bought by Wilmer Valderrama, who played Fez on the show. He bought the car as it stood, a non-running example, complete with marks for the actors and holes where camera mounts were placed along with the missing windshield, as a souvenir from his first paid acting job that the show represented. Allegedly the producers sold it to him for just $500! Source: IMDB (Trivia).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165598/trivia/?ref_=tt_dyk_trv
Land Rover Discoveries also have a raised rear roof section with windows. I wonder if Rover got the idea from GM.
Only four pictures? Is that it? I would think there’d be more pictures than that.