I just had to save her..

So I bought a 76 Olds Vista Cruiser . That said I really like the 76/77 Cutlass grill that goes up on the "hood" so to say..

This wagon was on Ebay a while ago but didn't sell. It has some major but very localized rust in the driver side lower q-panel. The car is complete and every things is there, and it comes pretty loaded - PSteering, PBrakes, PWindows, PSeat, Cruise Control, Tilt Wheel -- funny it's a 5p (two rows of seats) just.

It's kind of funny we all want the three row wagons (7/8/9p) but how often do we use it? We are just three in the family and it's seldome if ever we are more than five in the car..

Cheers Dyna

PS: Anybody knows why the downgraded the Vista from a 8p to 7p in 69?
PS: If you want to see how a nice wagon will look like check out this 77 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230296459007

 

Dyna, congratulations on your purchase! It is a nice wagon and from the picture seems pretty decent. Strange that is actually only one spot. I guess that the looooooong waiting now starts, as it will some time before it will be at your place, no? I looked at the link on Ebay and I really like the two deep recessed gauges of which one is a triple one.

 

Thanks.. Yep kind of long wait.. we will not ship until the spring at the earliest. Just nasty to get it home here to the UK in the middle of winter.. -- yep the Cutlass 73-77 are nice cars and the instrument panel is as you say very attractive, the 77 is a bit more square on the passenger side compared to a 75/76. Kind of sad that you can't get the Wagons with pillow seats -- that would make the "pimp" seventies mood even fuller ..

Cheers Dyna

PS: Here is how a 75/76 dash looks like


Her is a link to a very nice 76 Cutlass http://www.steeldreamz.com/Sold%20Vehicles/1976%20CUTLASS%20SUPREME.htm

And if you want that ultimate pillow seats check this one out..


As you can see this is from a 77 ...

The link for this car which is in super condition is here http://www.motortopia.com/cars/3672 -- just check out those pics..

 

Dyna,

Congrats on your purchase!!!! I think you will enjoy the car!!! I drove a beater 77 Buick Centurt Wagon for over 10 years & put almost 180,000 miles on it. Its final total was 294,000. I was trying to get to 300,000 but the gas tank was damaged from road debris. And I just couldn't justify the time & effert to replace it, even if I did have a spare tank. The only major repair I had to do was rebuild the 8 3/4" rear axle. Never had the trans worked on (besides a new rear seal) And only usual wear items on the engine, never had the intake or valve cover off the engine.
The car was rotted out 110,000 miles on it when I traded a gallon of Captain Morgans for it. It had stoped running years before, and they couldn't figure out why, took me 15 minutes to replace the ignition modual on the HEI, and drove it up onto the trailer!!!! Really iritated the seller.
Brownie had the buick 350 T-400 combo with 2.73 gears, and got 19 MPG on the highway!!! I still have alot of spare parts from here if you need anything, rear lift struts ect...

Congrats again!!!

 

Thanks guys.. Funny story how you got it .. Spares are nice!! What comes to mind is the liftgate "door panel" which is sun damaged, the struts are nice since they migth give up when you least expect it. Maybe you can tell me what you have -- just email me on dyn_ares at yahoo dot com


Cheers Dyna

PS: Do you still have her ?? Are the pics resent??

 

No she was parted out last spring, almost 2 years now, but alot of the parts fit my 73 Lemans Safari, so I kept them as spares. The rear hatch panels are almost always sun damaged, and as a matter of fact was missing on Brownie when I got her. I don't know if I have a good spare, I know I have 1 good one for shure that is going on my 4-speed 73.

I will get a list up and e-mail it to you, I know I have good lower door panels in brown & blue, front & rear seats, No 3rd row as she was a base model 2 seat Wgn.
Look for a 1 1/4" Front sway bar from a 79-81 Trans Am, bolts in these cars, along with the Quick ratio steering box. Really did make a huge difference in how she drove. I do miss her, had her before I met my Wife, and she still married me!!! Shes a keeper!!!

 

Ah got you.. Yep kind of figured that with the hatch panels. Though about making a mold and fix it in glass fiber -- should not be to hard. If you have one that is cracked and bad it might still be of interest since it will make the task of the mold a lot easier. If you don't maybe you can help me by taking lots of pictures and measurements.. My panel is there but it's not good, the upper 1/4 is gone.. All other panels are pretty good even the dash ..

Ah, if your seats are on good condition I might be interested in them too ... It's good to know about the sway bar and the steering box, but being on the other side of the pond it's not like you stumble on that sway bar every day.. Does the Camaro one fit too??

Hehe I'm married too and my hubby is still here after I bought it ..

Cheers Dyna

 

Well I will ultimately know that when I see it and drive it in person. However make no mistake it's just a driver. It was cheap and it was pretty loaded, and it was the right year for the 73-77 Cutlass... and even if it has some rust it's good floors (even the rear hidden compartment looks like new) -- so I took a chance -- I have a motto if it's 80% of what you see in the pics and the description of the seller you should be happy ...

Cheers Dyna

 

Does this purchase end your search for a Buick Clamshell?

Congrats..... :2_thumbs_up_-_anima
it will take a few months before we can see some pictures though

 

Nope the search for a Buick clamshell is still on in full force -- hehe it's not exactly the only wagon I have .. I guess I have a serious case of woodgrainolisms

Cheers Dyna

 

Hee Dyna, I think it's time now for a show and tell!

 

What great find, my man. I am impressed. I agree with you the front on those models during that year we're really good looking.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

Hehe -- well will try to gather some pics -- actually don't have a good pic of the 1800ES nor the Mini Clubman Estate.. will gather some pics of my wagons but first tomorrow.. attached my 1995 Roadmaster it's -- not the best pic but it's a very clean wagon with only 50k miles.. (just tripped over from 49k) -- it's fully loaded -- it has lumbar, memory etc.. I'm very happy with it and it's a cream puff ..

Cheers Dyna

 

DYNA ; is the one you bought a "bucket seat/console shift" car??
..if so...dam...thats a cool option!!!!

..."pimp 70's"...i almost spit coffee on the screen