Owning a vehicle that allows the entire family to experience the classic motoring experience offers a wonderful bonding opportunity, and this 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is ideal for that role. It presents superbly, and its third-row seating provides accommodation for eight people. It would be perfect for a cross-country adventure or a spot of relaxed weekend touring. It is spotless, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Lake Forest, California. The bidding has raced beyond the reserve and sits at $9,700. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this beauty.

Oldsmobile introduced its Second Generation Vista Cruiser in 1968, with the vehicle remaining in production for five model years. Sales volumes were healthy, with this ’72 Vista 1-of-21,340 sold in an eight-seat configuration. Its panels wear attractive Butternut paint, contrasted by vinyl faux woodgrain trim. The paint shines impressively, but the underside shots tell this classic’s story. They reveal only the occasional spot of dry surface corrosion, confirming this classic is rust-free. The panels show no signs of dings or dents, and the trim is as impressive as the paint. The Vista Cruiser’s defining characteristic is the roof’s glass panels. These provide a light and airy feel inside, avoiding a potentially claustrophobic experience for rear-seat passengers. The glass looks perfect, and the wagon rolls on a spotless set of 14″ x 7″ Super Stock III wheels.

Classic station wagons are prone to the wear and tear inflicted by young families during daily use, leaving upholstery and carpet tired. This Vista Cruiser avoided that fate, with its Dark Brown vinyl upholstery looking perfect. We only receive brief glimpses of the vulnerable rear cargo area, and these show promise of continuing excellent presentation. The carpet, headliner, dash, and woodgrain trim look spot-on. The back seat sunvisors are intact, and this wagon offers the versatility of third-row seating. That makes it perfect for long journeys with large families, with the factory air conditioning and AM/FM radio helping increase the enjoyment.

Powering this Vista Cruiser is a 350ci V8 producing 160hp. A three-speed Hydramatic transmission feeds those ponies to the rear wheels, with the original owner adding power assistance for the steering and brakes. The company aimed to provide owners with a practical family wagon, and performance was a secondary consideration in an era of tightening emission regulations. That made the ¼-mile ET of 18.5 seconds pretty irrelevant to most buyers. However, the wagon’s ability to cruise on the open road at freeway speeds while consuming fuel at around 15mpg won it many admirers planning long journeys. The seller supplies no information on how well this Vista Cruiser runs or drives or whether there are any mechanical needs. The engine bay presentation is as impressive as the rest of the vehicle, holding the promise that it could be a turnkey classic needing nothing.

I am a late convert to classic station wagons. I once believed people bought them as a necessity rather than by choice. When I received my first wagon as a company car, I did so somewhat begrudgingly. However, I quickly realized the attraction of these vehicles and the versatility they offered. Buying a new full-size station wagon today is impossible unless you focus on European models. SUVs and people carriers have supplanted the wagon, and there is no evidence manufacturers plan to reintroduce this lost breed. That makes vehicles like this 1972 Vista Cruiser relevant to some enthusiasts because they offer a viable alternative to SUVs. This Olds may consume more fuel than the new alternative, but the purchase price is likely considerably lower. If you earmark some of that extra cash towards fuel costs, this classic makes perfect sense. Does that thought tempt you to pursue it further?