This 1984 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is a low mileage survivor, presenting quite well with an exceptionally clean interior and paint that could be mistaken for new. These land barges have been coming back into style as the current trends indicate we’re not likely to see the roads packed with wagons again any time soon, which is truly a shame given their epic road-trip credentials and classic style – not to mention the convenience of acres of space for people and their things. This Oldsmobile appeared at a dealer in Illinois here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $8,987. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ben O. for the find.
This Oldsmobile represents a second-generation edition of the Custom Cruiser, and one of several wagon variants built on the B-Body platform. GM got a lot of mileage out of this design, as the Olds had numerous siblings under the monikers of the Pontiac Safari; Buick LeSabre; and Chevy Caprice. The Caprice was seemingly the most popular variety, with the Pontic, Buick, and Oldsmobile seen less frequently across driveways in suburbia. It didn’t really matter which model you chose, as they all provided acres of space and conservative styling that could be dialed up a notch with woodgrain paneling going down the sides.
Speaking of woodgrain, the interior of this Custom Cruiser is in exceptional condition. The listing reports that it has under 20,000 original miles, and while it can be difficult to verify this claim on older models, the bodywork and interior condition certainly speak to a low mileage specimen. The fake woodgrain trim still presents beautifully, and the seller wisely includes photos of details like the lettering on control stalks still being crystal clear with no signs of wear and tear typically found in higher mileage cars. The velour upholstery also looks quite nice, with no indication that this cabin saw years’ worth of road trips and sticky hands grabbing every exposed surface.
Now, here’s where our southern friends always grimace and write-off otherwise fine vehicles. Yes, there’s a lot of surface rust underneath, but almost every vehicle from the snowbelt or other northern states has cosmetic flaws like these. I will say, it’s a bit extreme considering the low mileage and speculating that the wagon didn’t see much use in the last ten years, but it also may have developed this surface-level corrosion within the first few months of being driven in winter. While you’ll want to verify there’s no structural rot to contend with, I wouldn’t be spooked by surface rust – especially if the rest of the car looks every bit of a 20,000 original mile cruiser.
I live in Toronto and have seen plenty of rust. This wagon definitely scares me. It is not even worth half of the asking price with the amount of rust present.
Sprey it with oil, or one of the oil undercoats. We use them every year. I like New England, but they all will penetrate that, no problem. These are great cars. My Dad had one and it was pretty good on gas. Not real fast, but a comfortable and dependable car. What we made best, V-8 rear drive, full frame.
Yeah, I spray my cars every year with Krown Rust Control. The thing with rust is to catch it before it spreads. This is a nice car, just not $9,000 nice.
The rust underneath isn’t that bad. The suspension components have a heavy coating of surface rust, you can easily replace or sand blast those pieces. The frame rails and floor pans don’t look bad, wire brush and coat those with POR15.
Price is a little high. 5-6K seems like a better asking price though.
I think this is the car in a “Chicago Auto Pros” you tube video…impressive wet sand and polish. $6000 would be a deal.
I had an 87 in the same color with the woodgrain. Smooth as silk.
Rust seems awful crusty up front….like it had been exposed to longer term direct contact with H2O due to where it was parked when found. Wonder if it sat on 2 flat front tires?
We had a 79 with 350 Quadrajet and 350 Turbo trans. Bought it in 1987. Wife hauled our three daughters every where. It gave us trouble from time to time. But the engine worked perfect. Then one day in 1993, she said to me She thought trans was acting up. A few days later KABOOM. I managed to get it to a dealer where we traded it on an 87 Caprice Estate with POS 307 Olds engine. It burned more oil than a furnace. After weeks of aggravation the dealer agreed to install a new GM long block. This blue wagon is pretty crusty. I offer $4.200. Not a penny more. Hours of scraping and sanding. I live in the snow filled Pocono Mountains. Up here we use Fluid Film every fall. My four vehicles, all 20 years old, have zero rust. Try it.
My Dad had one of the very same. I took it for a trip (we could sleep in the back easily) and it got a pretty significant door ding.
Hey, I thought – who cares! it is a just a station wagon made for using and gave it back to my Dad – “thanks Dad!”.
Turns out HE cared, a lot. After I had it repaired, I guess I learned a valuable lesson; beauty and love is in the eye of the beholder :)
The condition of the upper driver door panel, driver seat, turn single lever, and woodgrain all seem to confirm that this could be a 20K mile car. I would definitely be concerned with the rust though, as you can see something is going on under the lower tailgate hinge. Also, there is usually a reason for cropped pictures.
I have a 93 gmc 2500 4×4 350 5 spd it has 80,000k or 50,000 miles the body is mint yet frame and other components have surface rust ,not bad but enough to look twice. The cab corners rockers and underneath sheet metal looks like it was built yesterday. The rust on this wagon wouldn’t bother me, structurally I’m sure it’s fine.
Plan on all new brake lines.
Assuming the mileage is correct, then also assume the garage the vehicle was in had high humidity, assume that the car was dripping wet, all the time, for years, for the undercarriage to be this rusty, then I would imagine the engine, engine compartment, all the wiring components and attachments are corroded, then wonder how musty the interior is?, I would say buyer beware. Funny thing, a similar car from the west, such as Colorado, New Mexico, etc with 120,000 or even 220,000 would appear as showroom new underneath as compared with this car.
I know I pinstriped at least a hundred of these beasts for used car dealers over the years. This one looks good, just not $9k good. Probably a trade-in, and I can hear, “Theres no market for these anymore, all I can give you is $1800.”
I’ve probably pinstriped a hundred of these things for used car dealers through the years. This one’s nice, better than most, just not $9000 nice.
I can hear the appraiser at the dealer, “The market for wagons is gone. Sorry, but we want your business. I can go $1000 for the trade.
Another Illinois rust bucket. Too high a price for what it needs. Find one in the South.
Had/have many Olds wagons, box and jellybean. It certainly looks like a legit example.
No engine shot, could be 307 Olds or 305 Chev. Oil stain on front of pan, most likely cause is 307 Olds with intake manifold leak at the front edge, oil escapes, runs down front cover and flows back along pan.
Certainly looks like it was parked on a wet/dirt floor. Agree with planning on replacing all lines before doing any serious driving. The floor under drivers left foot at kickup looks pretty scabby. Usual cause, leaking windshield seal, water runs down firewall behind pad/carpet. Rubber carpet backing prevents it from showing inside, and drying out.
Looks like rear bumper filler is toast, they all are, and there are none.
I agree with George, use “Fluid Film” religiously.
Nice looking up top but scary underneath. It’s not a fully optioned model as there is a photo of the manual window crank. I had two ‘87’s that were fully optioned. Great ride just enough power and super comfortable for long trips. Given the rust. lack of wood grain outside and manual windows and who knows what else it doesn’t have I wouldn’t pay more than $4500.
Two pics of the rusted undercarriage but not one of the interior dash, engine compartment.
Funny but a sad funny is 5 years ago these types of cars were hard to give away let alone get a 10th of the asking price.