Performance Sport Cruiser

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

1964-1967

First generation

Model year(s)

19641967

Engine(s)

330 in Rocket V8

Transmission(s)

2-speed automatic

3-speed automatic

4-speed manual

3-speed manual

Wheelbase

120 in (3048 mm)

Buick Special

Buick Sport Wagon

Chevrolet Chevelle

Oldsmobile Cutlass

Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac Tempest

The first-generation Vista Cruiser offered a split skylight over the second row of seats.

In 1964, the Vista Cruiser was one of three station wagons offered by Oldsmobile, the others being the F-85 built on the same wheelbase as other F-85/Cutlass intermediates and the full-sized Dynamic 88 Fiesta.

From 1965 to 1970, the Vista Cruiser became the division's largest wagon as Olds did not offer a station wagon in the full-sized 88 series and the intermediate F-85/Cutlass were also offered during each of those years on the shorter wheelbase.

Engine offerings in the Vista Cruiser paralleled other Olds intermediates with a 330 cubic-inch V8 offered from 1964 to 1967 with horsepower ratings from 210 to 320 depending on year and carburetion.

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

1968-1972

Second generation

Model year(s)

19681972

Engine(s)

350 in Rocket V8

400 in Rocket V8

455 in Rocket V8

Transmission(s)

2-speed automatic

3-speed automatic

4-speed manual

3-speed manual

Wheelbase

121 in (3073 mm)

Buick Special

Buick Sport Wagon

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Oldsmobile Cutlass

Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac Tempest

A major restyling of the GM A-body car line for 1968 replaced the split skylight with a one-piece skylight, and stretched the wheelbase from 120" to 121".

From 1968 to 1972, a 350 cubic-inch V8 became standard with a larger 400 cubic-inch V8 from the 442 muscle car optional in 1968-69 and a 455 cubic-inch V8 from the 442 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 first offered, as standard equipment on the three-row models and as optional equipment on the two-row models.

1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

In 1970, a redesign reshaped much of the exterior sheet metal, making the edges and curves sharper. Although it closely resembled the 1968-69 models, and is essentially considered to be a second-generation car, many of the body parts were no longer interchangeable with the earlier second-generation cars. The dashboard was also completely redesigned. (The GM Skywagon Club recognizes the 1970-72 models as "Generation 2a")

For 1971, Olds brought back the full-sized Custom Cruiser wagon on the 98 chassis utilizing GM's disappearing clamshell tailgate, but the glass-roofed Vista Cruiser continued until 1972.

A small number of 1972 Vista Cruisers were modified by Hurst Performance, then based in Warminster Township, Pennsylvania for support car duties at the 1972 Indianapolis 500 and equipped with 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8s along with the official pace car, a 1972 Hurst/Olds, also powered by a 455 V8. Two are known to exist as of 2009, a press car and a medical director's car.

1973-77

Third generation

Model year(s)

19731977

Engine(s)

350 in Rocket V8

403 in Rocket V8 (1977)

455 in Rocket V8 (1973-76)

Transmission(s)

3-speed automatic

Wheelbase

116 in (2946 mm)

Buick Century

Chevrolet Chevelle

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Oldsmobile Cutlass

Pontiac Grand Prix

Although the roof glass was substituted for an optional pop-up front-row sunroof and the wheelbase was shortened to the same 116-inch (2,946 mm)-length as Cutlass sedans for the 1973 model year when the Cutlass and other GM intermediates were completely restyled, the Vista Cruiser name continued for five more model years as an elevated trim level of the Cutlass Supreme station wagon until the Cutlass Cruiser was introduced for the 1978 model year. Engine offerings during this period included a standard 350 cubic-inch Rocket V8 or optional 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 through 1976, which was replaced by a 403 cubic-inch Rocket V8 in 1977. The three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment on Vista Cruisers during the 1973-77 period.

Pop culture

A second-generation 1969 Vista Cruiser was Eric Forman's car on That '70s Show. It was later sold to Wilmer Valderrama, the actor who played Fez, for $500 USD when the show ended in 2006.

At the beginning of National Lampoon's Vacation the car that gets crushed is a 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.

Matchbox has just released a second generation '71 Vista Cruiser in their 2009 1-100 diecast vehicle range.

A second generation Vista Cruiser is driven by Peter Bishop in the TV series Fringe.

External links

Oldsmobile Club of America

GM Skywagon Club

Television and movie appearances

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Oldsmobile (Category Vehicles)

Cars

40 53 66 88 98 442 Achieva Alero Aurora Curved Dash Custom Cruiser Cutlass Cutlass Calais Cutlass Ciera Cutlass Cruiser Cutlass Supreme F-85 Firenza Intrigue Limited Touring Omega Series 60 Series 70 Oldsmobile Series 90 Starfire Toronado Vista Cruiser

Minivans / SUVs

Bravada Silhouette

Concepts and Prototypes

F-88 (1954) Golden Rocket (1956) Aerotech I (1987) Aerotech II (1989) Tube Car (1989) Aerotech III (1989) [removed]1990) Antares (1995) Alero Alpha (1997) Recon (1999) Profile (2000) O4 (2001)