Found an old cool car

[imjoesnuffy]

A friend of mine recently told me about a car that she has had sitting in a barn for the past ten years. Don't get excited, it's a 71 Olds Vista Cruiser. Big Ol Station Wagon. I have three kids so it would be functional.

Has the following options:
455 (Rocket???)engine, will turn over but not start, ran when it was parked.
12 Bolt rear
400 tranny, she isn't sure about that
Glass top
Power rear window

No items missing at all, every trim piece inside and out is there. Unusual color- Lime green with wood grain??? Paint isn't all that bad of shape, no dents, dings or rust anywhere on the car.

Interior is showing its age, but nothing dramatic, just upholstery. It was my friend's grandfathers and has been sitting, he took really good care of it before he passed. She got it and let her kids drive it for a bit and has since been parked.

I can buy this car for $500 . I know if I stripped it down I could make more than that. Don't have the time or space for stripping it down. Anyway to know what the value of an older car like this might be? Just wondering if anyone knows of any problem areas associated with these cars. Any thoughts??

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Isnt that the same car in the tv show that 70s show:biggrin:

BW

 

[Jbenn911]

That's the car !!! LOL

Probably make more in parts than your 500 investment...Specially if you got that 455 to fire up !!

 

[darkred87T]

Yank out the driveline, scrap the rest of the car and put it in a low mileage similar year Cutlass. :biggrin: Well, that's what I would do but if you think the wagon has functionality as a family car than do the right thing and restore it.

 

[MeanBuicks]

Awesome car! I drive it's grandkid, a 1992 Custom Cruiser and love the ride and functionality. Plenty of seats & room for everything. These full-size wagons will even take 4'x8' sheets of plywood flat in the back. Some pickups can't even do that.

The Vista Cruiser has those neat vista windows too!

 

[chopped39]

You better have a big garage to part that car out. the only thing worth money is probably the motor and trans . I know a guy that would probably buy it because he likes those big cars. he has a buick 74 0r 75 grandville with like 50000 miles on it. bet that car is good on gas:biggrin:

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Funny thing is... she said it all actually got decent mileage

 

[darkred87T]

My brother had a 67 Lemans with a 326 in it. He bought a 72 Bonneville off a guy he worked with and swapped the 400, 400 trans and 4:11 12 bolt into the Lemans. It was wicked fast to about 60MPH but after that....

 

[Grumpy]

I am doin a 200R4 conversion in one now

 

[T-CHRGD]

My Dad had a '72 almost Identical, same color and drivetrain. We used to joke it would pull out just as fast fully loaded and towing a boat, as it would with just the driver. We used to hook a chain to the trailer hitch and pull stumps. I loved that car !! If the rear window works and there isn't much rust, I can't imagine it having many other problems. I don't know if I believe her on the mileage though!

 

[GNTurbo6]

Tell 'em to donate that drive train to my buddy. Sorry about the thumbnail pics, too lazy to resize and reduce file size but you can see the pics at this link:

RedfordCamryFix/Misc Cars - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

250k miles on the stock, unopened motor. Needs a rebuilt for sure.

 

[1ARUNEM]

I'll buy the car and would love to have it. Where are you located?

Thanks..
Warren..

 

[scot w.]

I'll buy it !!

I have a flat top and need a parts car let me know if your intrested in selling it. If you have any plans on fixing one of these things up, good luck! mine has been more expensive than my GN and i never thought that would happen. just the body work alone will break you bank.. let me know if your intrested in selling it.. Scot w.

 

[corsair231]

I could sell it around here easily. I know someone would have some 26"-ers just waiting to go on it.


Seriously, old wagons can be cool. Weigh cost and repairs against how much you like it to decide if it's for you. If it is solid enough you could maybe even turn a decent profit if your willing to wait for the right buyer.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

Think I am gonna go ahead and get it. Park it until I get my GN completed. Completed can be a relative term. At least engine, interior and paint done. Then maybe tackle the wagon.

 

[pontiac6269]

Get it running, clean it up and drive it the way it is. I'd love to find a 68-69 Pontiac Lemans wagon.

Eric

 

[darkred87T]

I didn't know the Vista Cruiser was only a midsized wagon. In that case fix it up and drive it.

 

[6APPEAL]

I've been looking for a 68-72 Buick Wagon since daughter # 2 came along. They are all eithe too far gone or to many $$$$$ for me. I found a nice early 80's Malibu wagon a couple of weeks ago as a roller, but the guy wanted too much and would not come off the price. Can you say turbo conversion? But too many projects now.

I vote fot keeping it and driving the wheels off it! Vista roofs are ultra cool!!
John

 

[salvageV6]

I had 2 Vista Cruisers, 66 was my first car with a 330.

The '72 I had was a 350, very smooth great cars errr wagons.

They haul some pretty big home speakers back there. :biggrin:

That being said I got about 13 mpg with the smaller V8 and my old capacitive discharge ignition on them and a good tune.

Back in the gas crisis days. :frown:

Check the dwell and plugs often too.

I would think the 455 would be 11-12 mpg at best.

 

[imjoesnuffy]

There is a guy that is local to me in KY that has a 68 or 69Chevelle/Malibu wagon for sale for $3500. Appears to be in decent shape. I haven't looked at it closely though.

I've drove by it a hundred times, never really caught my eye until I found out about this wagon. Same size roughly. Huge by Ginormous, to me anyway.