The Vista Cruiser was the cool mid-size station wagon built by Oldsmobile that had the raised rear “Vista” roof and skylights. Production ran in this format from 1964-72 across two generations, designed and trimmed along the lines of the Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme. This 1971 edition has been owned by an elderly gentleman for many years, with much of that time spent inside a storage shed. Located in Wilsey, Kansas, the running condition of the wagon is unknown. It’s available here on craigslist for $6,500 cash money. Our thanks to Gunter Kramer for the tip!
These cruisers were developed at the same time that America’s interstate highway system was expanding, the Oldsmobile’s were a great way for the whole family to enjoy more of the scenery around them while gliding down the road. Second-generation Vista Cruisers were built in 1968-72 and accounted for 166,000 in total sales. Sounds popular to me, which makes me wonder why GM dropped the Vista roof but not the name for 1973-77, the Colonnade era. The 1970-72 versions were mostly unchanged from year to year except for things like the front grille.
We’re not told much about the seller’s car. The sale is being conducted by a third party because the owner is 87 years old and may not have driven in years. The wagon has 127,000 miles, so it was well-used in its day. The car has been in hibernation and the dark photos don’t help interested parties get a feel as to the condition of the car. There is some surface rust, a small dent, and the imitation woodgrain paneling is faded. We don’t even know what’s under the hood, which is likely a Rocket 350 cubic inch V8, the most popular motor in those cars. Is this a project you would pursue?
Well the friend (87 years-old?) did not do the owner any favors with that listing.
Haha! It was lucky the old codger could turn the computer on!
Being 84 I resent that comment. My 88 year wife could also give you some advice but she is busy on her ipad.
So , Bob
Looks like you married a cougar !
Enjoy life
You have it good
And
You are an inspiration to us young folk
(Maybe not that young )
My guess is ; usualyy lists without any pictures
So
In his view , this is a complete listing
White car , 4 wheels, wood paneling !
LOL – not only a terrible ad with nhelpful pictures but the guy’s really asking for it by posting it on CL, as his penance will be to deal with all of the crazy CL’ers who will be calling and offering ridiculous low ball offers and time wasters because the ad sux so bad.
Worse still is Facebook marketplace, with all the scams, shoddy ads, and “Don’t ask me if it’s still available!” rants. It makes CL look professional.
This is one of three full size wagons that the seller has listed simultaneously.
How can you see what other ads they posted on CL? thanks.
Hi PJ, all of the wagons are listed from the same town. You can see the other wagons in the background.
There’s was an elderly couple here in town who I would see from time to time (usually early in the day and regardless of weather) throughout the year going around town in one of these.
Brown with the woodgrain, straight
and untouched showing its age with a little rust. There’s no doubt in my mind that they had been driving it for decades as their daily driver. Hadn’t seen it in about a year and thought maybe the husband (never saw her driving it) had passed or was no longer able to drive.
Then last week I went out to the store and there it was in the parking lot. A little more worn with a dent in the front qtr. Gotta admire those who stick with an old ride and actually drive it.
My parents owned many Oldsmobiles and this was my Dads favorite! Same as this, it was 1968 with bright blue interior white exterior.These wagons make for a nice street-rod and collectible.
I had a VC like this. You could hear the engine sucking up the gasoline. I could barely get from one filling station to the next on a tankful.
So here is my question: why did these have the wood grain on the tail gate, but not down the sides? (realize that you could get wood grain on sides as option) So why did they do just the rear and not leave it the color of the rest of the car? This looks well worn, old and crusty…With the pictures, poor ad, I am not able to see this as worthwhile without a much lower price. YMMV.
Ralph, someone at GM probably thought they could make all of the customers pay for optional wood tape for the sides by putting one piece on the tailgate.
Wood sides were below the belt line and up over the wheel arches. There was a stainless trim separating it from the painted body.
Ralph, The Vista Cruiser’s did have wood grain on the sides. If you retore these cars without the wood grain, you loose half the value according to Hagerty. I have owned Oldsmobile’s since 1969, and I have owned 3 1971 Vista Cruiser’s. I know these cars inside out. The 1970-72 is called Generation 2a. Presently I drive a 71 Vista Cruiser as my daily driver, she’s unrestored and documented, came from Factory with engine code QP-350 4mc-(4 Barrel Carb) dual exhaust and 308.1 posi rear with rear Sway Bar, car was special ordered, AM/FM Radio, Factory 8 Track, 2 rear speakers factory, Roof Rack, Rear Window Air Deflector, 3rd Seat, Clock, Electric rear Window in Dual Tailgate. Mine has 79,000 oridinal miles and still has Factory Ball Joints Upper/Lower both sides. she has a drinking problem, these cars came with 22.5 gallon gas tanks. Mine is Sienna Brown, this car for sale is Cameo White. If you want to see pictures of mine, that’s not for sale, email me. His asking price is to high for the condition and not knowing if it runs. It has a 350 c.i. and at 127,000 miles it is in need of a timing chain, that’s about when they go as they are nylon teeth on a steel gear. Mine is Numbers Matching/Unrestored, factory posi rear in these cars are rare.
trying to sell something with crap pics, really limits your potential buyer. Never ceases to amaze me how they simply cant just push it Outside to get more pics . smh…. wasnt meant to be for me at least.
This car looks like the one in the Disorganized Crime movie, where it started out as dark navy blue and they painted it white.
Also 73 Chevelle wagon $6500 https://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/d/wilsey-1973-chevrolet-chevelle-wagon/7434430757.html
77 Buick wagon $5500 https://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/d/wilsey-1977-buick-estate-wagon-miles/7434423530.html
Looks like the Olds is the only one worth looking at. But rather pricey since there’s no information. They are all overpriced. The other two cars much more so. There are other cars in the shed too.
My first wife’s car was a 1966 Vista Cruiser. She loved that car. I never saw it dirty. A drunk teenager on her way to school one morning totaled the VC while it was parked at the curb. (the curb was totaled also) My wife cried for days over her loss. It had the 330 V8 with the 2 speed automatic. It would get 14 MPG in town and 16 MPG on the highway. (two drivers both had lead feet)
$6500.00 is $6000.00 too much.
442 wagon with a 455 engine!
The local jeweler in town bought a new 67 Vista Cruiser with a factory 4 speed, buckets, console, instrumentation, AM/FM, AC and the Super Stock l wheels in a light blue metallic paint. Always loved that car. I was only 15 when he bought it, but I knew it was something special.
If the owner is 87, I’ll bet the friend who helped him list his cars isn’t far behind! Moving cars around to take pics is easier said than done. It would be worth kicking the tires on it if I lived there. CL is much cheaper to list than getting an ad in the local paper anymore. I like these Vista Cruisers, anybody here ever seen “That ’70’s Show”?