Vintage Wagon?

Kinja'd!!! "reydelaplaya" (reydelaplaya)
08/30/2015 at 23:16 • Filed to: None

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Ok folks, got a jalop question for ya.

If this gorgeous beauty right here was available near you, and the price was right for a runner, could you justify it taking a rather large portion of your driveway?

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It’s a 1975 Olds Vista Cruiser, with (sit down for this part) a 455ci Rocket V8 (wiki says 275-400hp).

Now you guys helped me out last year (thank you!) about this time when I was debating the ‘91 Celica convertible, which has been my ultra-dependable daily driver for the last year (pic in my avatar).

The only reason I’m considering this one is that I want a long-haul cruiser for trips across the island. I don’t want to modify it. I no desire to mess with it at all, really. Just leave it as it is and float along in awesome vintage station wagon goodness.

Ok, maybe glasspacks, but that’s it! LOL

Your thoughts?


DISCUSSION (14)


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:20

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My dad apparently grew up in my grandmother’s Vista Cruiser, so we’ve always wanted one back in the family. Hers was a ‘67 though, so we’d try to find one closer to that year. Still, a cool car.


Kinja'd!!! Jedidiah > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:24

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This is a smogger so you’re going to have the lower end of the horsepower spectrum, probably even less accounting for ring wear and age.

It should have stump pulling torque, but this is one of the heaviest — if not the heaviest — station wagons ever made

I’ve had incredible luck with Oldsmobiles — most of the problem parts are GM corporate parts: blower motor, wiper/washer motor, and the heater core are what come to mind.

This is build off the olds 98, which rides on the c-body and unlike the b-body parts can be expensive and hard to find

Do not expect the air conditioning (if it even has it) to cool off that massive cabin


Kinja'd!!! reydelaplaya > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/30/2015 at 23:31

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Sounds like I’ve got one ‘yay’ so far.

Good, good. Thank you.

There’s just something about big old SWs that I like. Especially from late 60s thru the 70s. No modern SUV has that style.


Kinja'd!!! DisplacementForDayz, ironically lusts after a Honda Grom > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:33

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Yes, everyone will love you and your wheeled boat that can seat as many people as a short bus.


Kinja'd!!! XJDano > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:33

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As for your questions yes I’d get it. It would take up 1/3 of my driveway, I’d be ok with that even if it was only used on occasion.

Side pipes.


Kinja'd!!! smobgirl > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:37

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We had TWO Vista Cruisers when I was a kid (only two kids at that time, but it hauled scout troops well). Great cars and pretty indestructible if you stay away from the skylight models (I want to say we had a ‘72 and a newer one, but I can't quite remember). I think dad still has ours; they’ve been sitting since the early 90s and one will still start.


Kinja'd!!! JGrabowMSt > reydelaplaya
08/30/2015 at 23:43

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Yes, buy it, yes leave it as-is. Love it like your first born, and post pictures every Wednesday.


Kinja'd!!! reydelaplaya > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 00:07

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You know, the guy’s got it listed as a 1975 Vista, but I actually get a pic match on a 1974 Custom Cruiser. It’s those little tail fins. Hmmm?

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Kinja'd!!! smobgirl > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 00:09

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Side note of sorts, that’s where “smobgirl” came from. If you take a couple little kids to a junkyard that sorts by make and let them entertain themselves in the Oldsmobile section, you end up with kids that think someone made cars named “smob” and “Oldsmob.” We used to collect badges that littered the ground because they were free.


Kinja'd!!! Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 00:52

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The Vista Cruiser is the greatest of all wagons. You want to get the glasspacks though, they sound great on that engine. It is the same one my ‘74 Delta 88 had. Yu’ll get ablout the same gas mileage if you just pour the gas on the ground or in the tank. It will ride like a dream, however it has the turning radius of an aircraft carrier. Enjoy. Call me when you get sick of it though, I need a beast like that to haul stuff.


Kinja'd!!! someassemblyrequired > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 01:00

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455 will be strangled, and mileage measured in gallons per mile, but as long as you keep it full of friends it’s envionmentally freindly. Looks to be a custom cruiser, as I think there was no Vista Cruiser until 76-77 (and it was an A-body). However that’s a good thing as you don’t have to worry about the skylight leaking.

Buy it and have a ton of fun.


Kinja'd!!! AMC/Renauledge > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 03:33

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That’s not a Vista Cruiser. It’s an Olds Custom Cruiser. The ‘75 Vista Cruiser was the midsize A-body wagon.


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 07:08

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Abso-freaking-lutely!


Kinja'd!!! Slave2anMG > reydelaplaya
08/31/2015 at 09:17

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FFS buy it now. Because clamshell tailgate.