Raised Roof Wagon: 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
The Vista Cruiser was an upscale mid-size station wagon built by Oldsmobile from 1964-77. Earlier models are known for their fixed-glass, roof-mounted skylights over the second-row seating with sun visors for those passengers, plus a raised roof behind the skylight and lateral glass panels over the rear cargo area. This 1970 edition was parked more than 40 years ago and hasn’t moved on its own power since. It will need a lot of work to be viable again, but these were some of the coolest wagons ever. Located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, this Olds is available here on craigslist for $4,500 OBO. Thanks, Russ Glantz, for this find.
Based on the Olds Cutlass/F-85, the Vista Cruiser was a mid-year model, like the companion Buick Sport Wagon which shared the same body. Through 1972, these wagons rode on a wheelbase that was five inches longer than the sedans. The second-generation versions (1968-72) were the most popular, as was also the case with the Cutlass. In 1970, Oldsmobile built more than 34,000 Vista Cruisers, its second-best year throughout the nameplate’s lengthy run.
A 1970 Vista Cruiser had a minor role in the 1983 Chevy Chase movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation. Clark Griswold traded one in on the infamous Wagon Queen Family Truckster after which the Oldsmobile was flattened to a pulp. The seller’s wagon hasn’t suffered that fate but was parked in the 1970s and largely forgotten about. We don’t know why it quit running, but there is evidence of dried rusty water all over the engine compartment suggesting it may have overheated.
This non-running wagon is powered by an Olds Rocket 350 V8 and automatic transmission, the most common pairing in these products. This is a project car that likely has rust in key areas as some of the tires have been flat, exposing the car to the ground underneath. However, the all-important skyline windows are in good condition as well as intact; replacing those might be tricky. This is a 5-passenger wagon meaning there was no third seat. Bring a trailer with you along with the money and the seller will hand over the wagon and its title.
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Comments
Gosh, I know the wagons are bringing strong money these days, but this project seems hard to justify without knowing how the underside looks. I would definitely assume the worst, though. I would expect the engine is seized also.
Still a cool wagon.
A buddy of mines dad used to buy these in the 80s cheap and paint them up black lacquer with Crager ss rims and all they would sell like hot cakes!! The ones with the 455 were very cool!
I had a ’66 Vista Cruiser and even though it was a coastal Florida rust bucket that car was a tank. It never let me down with the 330ci Rocket, started every time and would run freeway speed all day long and the one year we spent in Detroit never got stuck in any snow. I sold it back in Florida for 200 bucks, a 12 ga shotgun, and I got to keep the battery which was a loaner
I had a 66 Vista Cruiser also and you are right, it WAS a tank! Mine did not have third row seating so there was a good sized compartment under the cargo floor. In the winter I filled that with sand bags and with snow tires I could go anywhere. Never got stuck. The downside was it got 10 mpg. But gas was .36/gal so who cared?
Yea this Vista Cruiser does remind me of the old family truckster in the Lampoon movie. Must have watched it at least 5 times. Question to the car guys among us. How many of you were sad to see what they did to that mint Cruiser? That irked me! It’s not like I cried when Lassie died but definitely sad nonetheless.
I thought it was a shame that they crushed the vista cruiser, too, but if you watch closely, you can tell that the nice car wasn’t crushed. It’s a different car altogether that gets flattened. And a much rougher car than the one “Clark” drove in.
Really? See, this is why I’m losing interest, how can you feature a Vista Cruiser, and not mention one of the best shows of all time, “That 70’s Show”,,duma$$, :), it was the star of the show. BTW, it’s probably no surprise, my old man was Red Forman to a T.
It’s a SIX passenger wagon, not five. That’s a full bench in the front. The rust on the load floor suggests that this car suffers from the unfortunately all-too-common pinchweld rust around the roof windows. My 64 Vista from Reno has the same problem. Fun fact: the two row and three row Vistas have different VINs.
I had one of these, the exact color in the 80s. Loved it, even though it guzzled gas!
My father bought a used 1966 Buick wagon the exact same color green, used to leak water from the Vista cruiser glass in the roof. Cool car though
This car is in Pa, Nuff Said About Rust
We had the students work on one of these, exact car, in our high school auto shop. The woman PE teacher that owned it was a class act. She gave us a bottle of whiskey in thanks.
Lovely looking car. If only more pics were posted on Craigslist. Assuming all parts are available, This would make an awesome restoration project.
You know what happens when you ASS-U-ME, right? Mechanical parts are available. The only sheet metal is what is common with the 442. Vista interior parts are hard to find and the back doors are unique to the Vista.
I bought this car. It’s been inside since 1980. It was a great deal. No rust in the floor at all! Two little spots on the whole car. It had a spot on the fender and rear lower quarter. It only saw ten years on the road. I had it running the second day I had it.
This was a true barn find. I even have full documentation going back to 1975. I could not be happier. The interior cleaned up great. The only thing the interior needs is new carpet.
I can’t wait to get this car back on the road. I’ve been looking for one of these for about five years and couldn’t find a good one at a descent price. This one was worth it.
Jason: Congratulations and thanks for posting an update.
It sounds like you got a great wagon there, and I bet it will be gorgeous once it’s all sorted out.
I love hearing success stories like these, it just makes the whole post better.
Enjoy that great wagon, Jason!