70 vista cruiser

Hello all, I am looking at a 70 Vista Cruiser, and I have noticed that the tailgate, does not have ant chrome trim or wood grain on it. Did the flat top Olds wagons come like this? Maybe it was hit at one time or was rusted out? Any ideas? I have tried to find pictures but, Have not had any luck so I figured I would ask the experts. Thanks and Happy New Years

 

I remember these wagons with wood on the tailgate.

 

My wifes cousin is the one who actually pointed it out to me, he said it looked just like his wagon but with out the chrome and wood grain on the tailgate??

 

Hey Motomike we used to be neighbors, I used to live in Fayetteville when I worked for the airline.

 

Cool, Fayetteville is not far at all, which carrier? The VC had a thin chrome trim around the wood btw. I believe a script "VistaCruiser" badge was on the lower part of the gate also.

 

Northwest airlines, I started in ATL in 1990 until 1997, then moved back to AZ.

 

Here's a link to a 70 Cutlass wagon tailgate pic to answer your question:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107011@N08/3501203595/in/photostream/

 

That looks just like it, so I guess for what ever reason it has a flat top tailgate on a Vista Cruiser. Thanks for finding that picture. I won't let that deture me from getting the car if I can.

 

You could not get the woodgrain on a plain 'flattop' Cutlass wagon '68-'72.

 

The tailgate could be off any GM a body wagon without woodgrain.
There should be two cast metal chromed pieces for the ends and the stainless pieces top and bottom. You would have to get those from a parts car, Fusicks's reproduces the Vista Cruiser script along with a few other Vista parts now.
The lettering for the tailgate has a slight curve in it so it lays flat, the fender script won't work.