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Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
1965 Vista Cruiser
Overview
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile (General Motors)
Model years	1964–1977
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	Station Wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	A-body
Chassis	body on frame
Related	(station wagons) Chevrolet Chevelle Greenbrier Pontiac Tempest Custom Safari Buick Sport Wagon (coupes & sedans) Oldsmobile Cutlass Chevrolet Chevelle Pontiac Tempest Buick Skylark
Chronology
Successor	Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser

The Vista Cruiser Series is a station wagon manufactured and marketed by Oldsmobile over three generations from 1964 to 1977.

The first and second generation Vista Cruisers are noted for their fixed-glass, roof-mounted skylights over the second-row seating with sun visors for the second row passengers, a raised roof behind the skylight and lateral glass panels over the rear cargo area along the raised roof, and access to the third row of forward-facing passenger seating was accomplished by a second row split bench seat that retracted forward.

Sharing its bodystyle with the Buick Sport Wagon, Pontiac Tempest Safari and Chevrolet Chevelle Greenbrier, the Vista Cruiser was introduced on February 4, 1964, as a 1964 model, based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass/F-85 Series. The skylight roof panel was only shared with the Buick Sport Wagon and was not available on the Chevrolet Chevelle or Pontiac Tempest station wagons. Prior to the 1973 model year the Vista Cruiser utilized a wheelbase which was 5 inches (127 mm) longer than that of the Cutlass/F-85 sedan.

Subsequent Oldsmobile mid-size wagons featured a skylight as did the 1991–92 full-size Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon and the 1991–96 Buick Roadmaster Estate.

Reminiscent of earlier models, the third generation Vista Cruiser (1973–1977) featured optional rear-facing third row seating, while incorporating a single flat venting moonroof over the front row seating.

First generation (1964–1967)

Model Number VC
1965 Vista Cruiser
Overview
Model years	1964–1967
Assembly	Lansing, Michigan South Gate, California Atlanta, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Arlington, Texas Linden, New Jersey
Body and chassis
Platform	GM A-body
Related	Buick Sport Wagon Pontiac Tempest Safari Chevrolet Chevelle Greenbrier
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.7 L) Buick V6 250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet Straight-six engine 330 cu in (5.4 L) Rocket V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Oldsmobile V8
Transmission	2-speed Jetaway automatic 3-speed Roto Hydramatic 4-speed manual 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	208 in (5,283 mm)
Width	73.6 in (1,869 mm)
Curb weight	3,405 lb (1,544 kg)

The first-generation Vista Cruiser pioneered a standard raised roof with split skylight that began over the second-row seating, with lateral glass panels over the rear cargo area that was earlier introduced in 1954 on the GMC Scenicruiser Bus. Sun visors for second row passengers, with a third row of forward-facing passenger seating were available as an option. Access to the third row was gained by a split-folding second row seat that could be retracted forward.

The Vista Cruiser was available as the standard or Custom trim package, and included as standard equipment a coil spring suspension, three-speed manual transmission, self-adjusting brakes with an air scoop, and an aluminized exhaust. Cloth or "Morocceen" vinyl upholstery was offered. Optional equipment included power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, power adjustable front bench seat, two-tone paint, a choice of radios, engines and transmissions, cruise control, and a limited slip differential. The listed retail price before options was $3,122 ($30,671 in 2023 dollars ).

In 1964, the Vista Cruiser was one of three station wagons offered by Oldsmobile, the others being the F-85 station wagon which shared the "A" platform intermediates, and the full-sized GM B platform Dynamic 88 Fiesta.

From 1965 Oldsmobile discontinued the full-sized Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 wagon, making the Vista Cruiser the division's longer model; the shorter-wheelbase F-85 station wagon became the entry-level trim package of the Vista Cruiser and was not offered the raised roof skylights.

Engines in the Vista Cruiser paralleled other Olds intermediates, with a 330 cu in (5.4 L) Rocket V8 offered from 1964 to 1967 producing from 210 to 320 horsepower (160 to 240 kW) depending on year and carburetion. For 1964, Buick's 225 cu in (3.7 L) V6 was the standard engine.

Transmission included the two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission and two rarely equipped manual transmissions, a three-speed column shift and a four-speed floor shift.

Beginning in 1966 it revived the long-standing tradition offering optional simulated woodgrain using DI-NOC vinyl wrap appearance.

Second generation (1968–1972)

Model Number VC
1969 Vista Cruiser
Overview
Model years	1968–1972
Assembly	Lansing, Michigan South Gate, California Atlanta, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Arlington, Texas Linden, New Jersey Framingham, Massachusetts Fremont, California Oshawa, Ontario
Body and chassis
Platform	GM A-body
Related	Buick Sport Wagon Pontiac Tempest Safari Chevrolet Chevelle Greenbrier
Powertrain
Engine	350 cu in (5.7 L) Rocket V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Rocket V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission	2-speed Jetaway automatic 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic 4-speed manual 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121 in (3,073 mm)
Length	218.2 in (5,542 mm)
Width	77.2 in (1,961 mm)
Height	58.6 in (1,488 mm)
Curb weight	4,064 lb (1,843 kg)

A major restyling of the GM A-body car line for 1968 replaced the split skylight with a one-piece unit, and stretched the wheelbase to 121 in (3,073 mm).

From 1968 to 1972, a 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 became standard, with a high-output 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 from the 442 muscle car optional in 1968-69, and a 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 available from 1970 to 1972.

Transmission offerings through the years included one of two automatics—the two-speed Jetaway (1968) or three-speed Turbo Hydramatic (1968–72), or very rarely, a standard three-speed manual with column shift or optional four-speed manual with floor-mounted Hurst shifter.

In 1969, the "Dual-Action" tailgate was introduced as an option on two-row models and standard equipment on three-row.

In 1970, an exterior redesign sharpened edges and curves. Although it closely resembled the 1968-69 models, and is essentially regarded a second-generation car (The GM Skywagon Club recognizes the 1970-72 models as "Generation 2a"), many body parts were no longer interchangeable. The dashboard was also completely redesigned.

For 1971, Oldsmobile brought back the Custom Cruiser wagon on the full-sized 127.0 in (3,226 mm) wheelbase 98 C-body chassis, featuring GM's disappearing clamshell tailgate, but the glass-roofed Vista Cruiser continued until 1972. Buyers who chose the top level Custom Cruiser received 79.5 in (2,019 mm) width for 1971–75, and 80.0 in (2,032 mm) for 1976.

A small number of 1972 Vista Cruisers were modified by Hurst Performance for support car duties at the 1972 Indianapolis 500, joining the 1972 Hurst/Olds official pace car. Both were equipped with 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8. Two modified Vista Cruisers are known to survive as of 2012, a press car and a medical director's car. As of 2012, the medical director's car is owned by a relative of Ray Harroun, the winner of the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

Third generation (1973–1977)

Model Number VC
1976-1977 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
Overview
Model years	1973–1977
Assembly	Lansing, Michigan South Gate, California Atlanta, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Arlington, Texas Linden, New Jersey Framingham, Massachusetts Fremont, California Oshawa, Ontario
Body and chassis
Platform	GM A-body
Related	Buick Century Estate Pontiac Grand LeMans Safari Chevrolet Malibu Estate
Powertrain
Engine	350 cu in (5.7 L) Rocket V8 403 cu in (6.6 L) Rocket V8 (1977) 455-cubic-inch (7.5 L) Rocket V8 (1973–76)
Transmission	3-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116 in (2,946 mm)
Length	211 in (5,359 mm)
Width	76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	58.6 in (1,488 mm)
Curb weight	4,392 lb (1,992 kg)

For 1973, the GM A-body intermediate platform was completely redesigned and the separate wheelbase used by the Vista Cruiser and Buick Sport Wagon eliminated; all A-body wagons were now built on the 116-inch sedan wheelbase. While its Buick counterpart was replaced with the Buick Century Estate station wagon, the Vista Cruiser was the woodgrained version, and the new Cutlass Supreme Cruiser joined the station wagon list for 1974. Despite the shortened wheelbase, three-row seating returned, with the third row facing rearward. The "Dual-Action" tailgate was replaced by a one-piece hatchback with a fixed rear window that did not retract into the door.

The model's distinctive skylights gave way to "Colonnade" styling, which partially offset the loss with frameless door glass that increased side window area, and was essentially a "pillared hardtop". A pop-up sunroof over the front seats was optional.

A 350 cubic-inch Rocket V8 was standard, with a 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 optional through 1976, replaced the following year by a 403 cubic-inch Rocket V8. The three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment on Vista Cruisers from 1973–77.

In popular culture

A 1969 Vista Cruiser was a key component of That 70s Show, with the pilot of the series revolving around Red Forman's decision to pass the car down to his son, Eric Forman. The car would remain a fixture through the series' eight-season run, with many key scenes occurring on or in the car. In 2016, Rod Authority named Eric's Vista Cruiser #22 on their list of the 50 greatest television automobiles.

In the 2019 horror film The Curse of La Llorona, a blue with side woody trim first generation Vista Cruiser is featured as the family's car.

• An early 1970s model is used when Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) trades it in for a new car in the movie National Lampoon's Vacation.

References

1. ^ Gunnell, John, ed. (1995). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. Kraus Publications. pp. 481–518. ISBN 0-87341-204-4.
2. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
3. Garage Girl (30 September 2016). "Top 50 TV Cars of All Time". rodauthority.com. Power Automedia. Retrieved 12 April 2020.

General

• Gunnell, John (2005). American Cars of the 1960s. Krause Publications. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-89689-131-9.

External links

• Oldsmobile Club of America
• Television and movie appearances

v t e Oldsmobile vehicles
A division of General Motors, 1908–2004
Production models (by year of introduction)	1900s Curved Dash (Model 6C / Model B / Model F / Model R / Straight Dash) Model A Model D Model M Model S Model X Model Z Series 20 1910s Light Eight Limited Model 42 Model 43 Series 22 Series 28 Series 40 Six 1920s F-Series Model 30 1930s L-Series Series 60 Series 70 1940s 88 1950s 98 Starfire 1960s Cutlass 442 Supreme Hurst/Olds Jetstar I Vista Cruiser Toronado 1970s Omega Custom Cruiser 1980s Cutlass Calais Cutlass Ciera Firenza Touring Sedan 1990s Achieva Alero Aurora Bravada Intrigue Silhouette
Concept models	F-88 (1954) Golden Rocket (1956) Aerotech I (1987) Tube Car (1989) Aerotech III (1989) Expression (1990) Antares (1995) Alero Alpha (1997) Recon (1999) Profile (2000) O4 (2001)
Related brands	Viking
Category Commons

• Oldsmobile vehicles
• Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
• Mid-size cars
• Station wagons
• 1960s cars
• 1970s cars