Rare 400: 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
Enthusiasts with a family often face limited choices when searching for a classic to park in their garage. A Station Wagon is the obvious candidate, but locating a vehicle that stands apart from the crowd can be challenging. That’s where this 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser might be an ideal choice. It presents exceptionally well and features plenty of interior space and seating, although the rare and optional V8 occupying its engine bay could be the star of the show. The seller uses this Wagon regularly but is ready to send this gem to a new home. They have listed the Vista Cruiser here on eBay in Mill Valley, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $10,100, with plenty of time for interested parties to stake their claim.
Oldsmobile introduced the Vista Cruiser to its model range in 1964, with the raised rear roof section and additional glass as its defining feature. The First Generation remained on sale until 1967, with this car rolling off the line during the final year. The seller purchased this Olds from the estate of a genuine Vista Cruiser enthusiast. They had amassed an enormous collection of sales brochures and dealer documentation, which the seller includes in the sale. The exterior wears subtle Provincial White with faux woodgrain on the lower panels. The Wagon presents exceptionally well for its age, with no significant faults or defects. The seller admits that a close inspection reveals minor chips, marks, and one small bubble, but the overall impression is positive for a survivor-grade car. They supply underside shots that confirm the vehicle is rust-free and the trim is in excellent condition. The previous owner added aftermarket window tinting, which the seller describes as showing deterioration. They recommend removal, and performing that task in a home workshop is not difficult. The roof glass isn’t cracked or damaged, and the chrome roof rack increases this Wagon’s versatility.
Older family Wagons often look care-worn, but that is an occupational hazard. Upholstered surfaces suffer at the hands of young feet and sticky fingers, while the cargo area is typically marked and scarred by loose items. This Olds has avoided most of those pitfalls, with its Burgundy vinyl trim and upholstery in good order. A set of Vista Cruiser mats protect the carpet, and the dash and pad are free from sun damage. Enthusiasts with a young family will appreciate the versatility of the third-row, making this Wagon a genuine eight-seater. Second-row occupants benefit from the optional sunvisors to reduce glare from the roof glass, and the first owner splashed plenty of cash to increase occupant comfort. All windows are power operated, while the Olds also features air conditioning, a power front seat, a remote driver’s mirror, a factory tachometer, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio. The only functional issue noted is an inoperative back window on the passenger side. The switch is missing on that door, but locating a replacement shouldn’t be an obstacle.
Lifting the hood reveals what sets this Vista Cruiser apart from the opposition. The “default” engine was the 330ci V8, which delivered between 250hp and 320hp, depending on the version chosen. However, there was an alternative that few considered. The L66 version of the 400ci powerplant was a rare but excellent choice, which is what graces this classic’s engine bay. It is teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The L66 specifications don’t make it a genuine muscle motor, with 300hp available under the driver’s right foot. However, Oldsmobile performed a few changes to increase the engine’s versatility. By raising the compression and changing the camshaft, it churns out 425 ft/lbs of torque at 2,600 rpm. That makes it ideal for rapid overtaking on the open road, but it is an effective weapon in heavy commuter traffic. Another innovative feature is the Climate Combustion Control, which delivers air to the carburetor at a constant temperature. It helps to maintain carburetor tuning and overall performance consistency under all weather conditions. Potential buyers will welcome the news that the engine and transmission have only clocked 10,000 miles on a complete rebuild. The seller uses the Wagon weekly and says it runs and drives perfectly. If a family summer vacation is on your radar, this could be the ideal vehicle to transform that dream into reality.
There’s much to like about this 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and very little justifying criticism. The bidding has been subdued, but a few people may have tested the water before launching a full-scale assault during the auction’s final minutes. I expect the price to climb above $20,000 comfortably, but how much depends on how serious potential buyers are. The optional engine could make a huge difference, but is that enough for you to pursue it further?
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Comments
Nicely loaded, clean as a whistle, and the optional 400V8? What’s not to like here Vista Cruiser fans? If the back seat/cargo area looks as nice as what I see of the front seat, This one will probably be gone before Friday. `67 is not my favorite year for GM mid-sizers, but I would be wrong if I said this one doesn’t trip my trigger. A set of proper-era whitewalls with those wire wheelcovers, and I’d be off to the car shows! GLWTA!
Absolute stunner!
I love this Gem… look at the paint- beautiful.
I was “wagon master” on the Ford Assembly Line in Louisville in ’78 when the big wagon woodies and LTDs rolled down the line. Would jump in and install the lock mechanism on the rear seats that faced each other.
This is a real beauty, with styling, tachometer and L66 400 !
The condition, history and overall caretaking make this a real winner.
You could spend double the hammer to restore a tired Vista Cruiser or buy one that is original and in beautiful condition. I prefer the 2nd generation for its looks but I would gladly plunk down the money for this one with all the goodies.
Only one thing not to like about station wagons in general and that’s the posers that have wrecked the market by making these lovely land yachts unattainable to those that appreciate them.
Please go back to chasing Chargers and Mustangs and the like and leave the eclectic cars alone. Not everything is meant to be retired from selling.
As a kid, I traveled the country in the back of one of these, fond memories…
Vista Cruisers in 67 were not offered with the L66 400. That engine was only available for the Cutlass Supreme for 1967. No 400’s were put in 67 VC’s or dual exhaust. Someone modified this car at some point. I wonder if the seller confused the 330 engine with the Turbo 400 trans which was available. My 67 had this same 330, turbo 400 and tach setup. Still a cool car though.
Since I am interested in bidding, do you have any reliable links to prove the 400 engine was not available for 67? I don’t mind purchasing a non-numbers matching car but would like some sort of documentation to use for negotiation (if the reserve is not met).
Thank you!
Mick,
I would go to the Classic Olds Forum website
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/
Lots of good info there.
Also, Joe Padavano chimed in below. He’s very knowledgeable.
Here’s comments about the one I sold that he posted good info on.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/cars-sale-10/not-mine-67-wagon-31500-a-166552/
Here is a link to the specifications page from the 1967 Olds SPECS booklet. Note the bottom half of the chart, where it shows the RPO L66 engine as only available in the Cutlass Supreme, and footnote “e” shows that even then it was only with the Turnpike Cruiser package. And before someone tries the “anything was possible” argument, that is always the case for a one-of-none car, and there is never a scrap of actual documentation to back it up.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Oldsmobile/1967%20Oldsmobile/1967-Oldsmobile-SPECS/slides/1967_Oldsmobile_SPECS-15.html
Beautiful looking car. 1967 is my favourite year for the Olds Vista Cruiser. Given its condition, I’d be willing to pay $10k for the car. I can imagine buying it and just enjoying it.
I’d be surprised if the ending bid isn’t double that or close to it. Wagons from this era in good condition are too popular to sell on an auction platform like eBay at a bargain price any longer. Like a lot of cars featured on this site, the current seller is likely the one who got a good price.
Steve R
Anything is possible. I don’t know exactly how much this particular car is worth.
The engine in this car is a 400, but neither that engine nor the red inner fenders were born there. This one-of-none car was assembled from parts. By the way, the L66 motor was a 2bbl that put out less HP than the 4bbl 330 that WAS factory available in the Vista.
I’m not sure about the red inners, but wasn’t the 400 the standard engine on the Turnpike Cruiser option, which the car appears to have?
The Turnpike Cruiser option for 1967 was only available on the Cutlass Supreme, not on the Vista. There was NO 400 engine factory installed in a 1967 Vista. 1968 was the first time you could get the big block in the Vista. Also note that the RPO L66 400 2bbl motor had LESS horsepower than the 4bbl 330 that WAS available in the Vista that year.
Here is an in-period TPC option write-up. The Vista availability is mentioned;
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/almost-forgotten-the-20-mpg-400-cubic-inch-1967-olds-cutlass-turnpike-cruiser/
I have a TPC air cleaner (destined for my ’92 OCC with ’76 Olds 455) that I pulled from a ’67 non-Vista wagon in a Wisconsin boneyard many years ago. It appeared to be original to the car. I took pix of the setup so I could remember how the unique hot-air inlet pipe fit, but they have long since disappeared.
Yes, the CCC air cleaner and hot air inlet system was available on ANY Olds V8 for 1967, not just on the Turnpike Cruiser. Yes, this car MAY have come from the factory with the air cleaner. It did NOT come with the 400 motor, and as you correctly pointed out, the shroud around the exhaust pipe was different for 330 and 400, so it is far more likely that the entire L66 drivetrain was transplanted from a wrecked Turnpike Cruiser.
It put out 290hp to be exact! Hope it has anti-spin differential!
Wagon prices are crazy,but then again old folks here in the retirement community usually want what they paid for a car new.
A 03′ Ford Focus wagon with 36k miles,asking price $ 7,800
That is very cool…. What a sweet ride and in great shape. We had a 66, that was aqua blue. Went cross country in that with 6 of us and a pop-up camper behind us…. Sure, blew a bunch of trailer tires…LOL That was a fun car.
You don’t see many like this. Just beautiful. Red interior with air and power windows. Whew!
Not to mention the power antenna on the left rear quarter panel. Pretty rare for sure!
Love it! 🥰. If I didn’t have my 69 Buick Sportwagon I would certainly take my shots with this one! It looks amazing! Minor tuneup. Or if you are capable rebuild the engine and transmission so you can make it a daily or take it on road trips without any worries! ❤️
I agree. I’d upgrade from the original 2 spd. Powerglide automatic with either a 3 spd. auto or a 4 spd. auto. I’ve never understood why 2 spd. gear ratios. on an automatic were used.
Well, the PG has the least amt of internal power loss of any automatic.
& it’s lightwt – you can carry it around! It was compact enuf to fit in even small cars like Vega. It is the least complex inside. It was cheap to build. & liquid cooled ones in compact cars like Nova are essentially bulletproof. & the trans is still used a lot in drag racing – less lag in shifting. & can be built to handle any motor in front of it.
You want something that’s not only lightweight, but also durable for what you use the wagon for.
The Olds and Buick ST300 shares exactly nothing with a Powerglide except the fact that it has two speeds.
Totally agreed. I was going for a Full rebuild of the 400 and TH400. We hit some issues with the engine in the middle of the project. we figured that for what I want it was best to just do an Engine swap. So we are doing a Hellcat swap( I apologize to the purist I promise I wanted to keep it original).
400s in those years were big blocks. The most notable difference from a 330sb is the width of the intake. This one looks narrow like a 330.
Try pulling up some442 images and see what you think.
Got to the ebay ad. The last photo in the ad shows the block casting number, which is 390925 E. That’s a 1966-67 400 block. Still not factory-installed in this car.
Nice catch on the block number!
Looks like 390926 to me. The chart I found said 400 442/vista. Maybe original after all.
Update.
The 926 block is 68 69.
That would be the longer stroke400.
Try looking at the photo on a real monitor and not your phone. Not only is the number 390925, but you can just make out the letter “E” after the casting number. A G-block would be 396926. Clearly this one is not. In any case, so what? The block is obviously not original to the car in either case, and a G-block would have a VIN derivative stamp proving that it was originally installed in a different car.
Still incorrect. The 1968-69 block is 396926, not 390926. And I don’t know what “book” you are getting your info from, but the Oldsmobile factory documentation from 1967 shows that only 330 motors were offered in the Vista. I posted the link above.
That’s quite a reach for the driver – to the radio – espec the tuning knob!
Maybe the designer had 1 too many too often?
I know white is the new black in vehicle colors but this car looks really washed out in that color with the slab sides and square sixties sheet metal. But, it’s really nice otherwise. Wagons are, were the bomb. That vinyl upholstery looks as good as leather and probably more durable.
I had a 68 Buick Sportwagon with the optional wood grain trim option and the 400 GS 340 HP engine. It didn’t get the play that the Vista cruiser got but was a far more attractive and plush choice.
The 1968 cars were completely different than the 67s and yes, the 400 WAS a factory available option in the 1968 model year. This car is a 67 and the only engine options were 330s.
Regardless of it being a put-together car, I totally like it. With the red inner fenders, I think a set of SSl wheels in 15″ would help it out. Also noticed a 12 bolt rear axle under it… Cool car!