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1970 Olds Cutlass 3- Seat Vista Cruiser Station Wagon
Quick Description
This is the finest example of a classic Olds Cutlass Vista Cruiser wagon that you will ever have the opportunity to buy! I have owned and loved this car for 18 years.
It has A/C, PS, PB, Dual Action Tailgate, PTailgate Window, PW, PDL,
Tilt, and a whole lot more! If you want the complete description, check
below or See More Photos Here
Complete Description: I have tried to provide all the detail I can think of regarding the car and why it is for sale.
* VIN: 348650M313977
* Paint: Code 63 (Desert Sand)
* Interior Trim: Code 309 (Saddle)
* Original numbers matching 350 Cubic Inch, 4 barrel carburetor V-8; 310 HP
* Original Factory Options:
A/C
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Dual Action tailgate
Power Tail Gate Window
* Correct 1970 Cutlass Factory Options Installed By Current Owner:
Power Windows,
Power Door Locks,
Tilt Steering column
Sports steering wheel
Front bucket seats (not available from factory on wagons),
Note: Original power bench seat, in storage, goes with car when sold
Floor console with Dual Gate Hurst "His-Hers" shifter, (not available from
factory on wagons),
Rally Pac instrument cluster,
Rear anti sway bar from 442 model
Cruise Control (not working)
Dual rear radio speakers
* Non-Factory Additions:
1975 vintage Olds Super Sport II wheels (15 " x 7 ")
Air shocks in rear
Frame mounted tow bar
Halogen sealed beam headlamps
Custom AutoSound Model USA-2 Stereo radio with cassette tape player and plug-in for iPod MP3 Music Player (radio fits original openings)
* Other than the items mention, everything about the car is very original. Car has not had "kludge" mechanical or electrical work done on it.
* Very fine example of a nearly extinct classic vehicle. I belong to the Oldsmobile Club of America. Although I have never attended one of their national meets, I am sure that nice examples of Vista Cruisers appear as show cars, but in my many years of keeping an eye peeled as I travel across the USA, I have never seen a nicer example than this car. This is not a show car, but an exceptionally nice car with everything working properly (except the original style cruise control). With the factory style bucket seats and console with His-Hers Dual Gate shifter, this is a Sports Wagon configuration that Olds should have offered in 1970. I really doubt if a nicer example of a classic Vista Cruiser exists that is road worthy, completely reliable and totally functional. The car looks and runs like a car that is 1 or 2 years old.
* Everything, except original style cruise control, works well. Everything is adjusted to proper factory specs; no "kludges". No surprises.
* The car is amazingly solid and there are no rattles in it. This car is an extremely rare example of "old Detroit" that looks great and has properly adjusted and operating at it finest. Smooth and quiet.
* This car is an attention getter and a great nostalgia arouser, giving rise to many "at the gas pump" conversations.
* For sale by owner of last 18 years who meticulously maintained this car as an ongoing hobby for proud use in routine outings, but not daily transportation.
Mechanical/Electrical Status
* "Tic-Toc" tachometer in Rally Pac gauge works well; quartz conversion in clock keeps perfect time.
* Heater/Defroster/AC work fine on all fan speeds.
* Wipers and windshield washers work fine.
* Ball joints and control arm bushings replaced in late 1990s; front end suspension is tight and car is in excellent front end alignment. Shock absorbers are in good condition. Steering gear is tight and leak free.
* Car is totally reliable; can and has been driven long distances at will; 15-17 mpg on Interstate.
* Car has original engine. As unbelievable as it may seem, it has never been torn down (except for two cam gear/chain replacements) and yet easily goes between 3000 mile oil changes without needing oil addition. Oil and filter routinely changed every 3000 miles using Castrol until switching to Mobil 1 about 3 years ago. Engine does not smoke; it runs smoothly and quietly. Not a hint of hydraulic lifter noise. The automatic choke and all other adjustments on the "correct number" Rochester 4 barrel carburetor are "right on" factory settings and this is easily appreciated on cold starts
etc. The
engine still has great oil pressure. Even hot in summer with
air
running, it idles at about 25-30 psi and it quickly reaches max pressure,
55-60 psi, just cruising around town.
* Alternator, distributor, voltage regulator and starter motor have been replaced. Original alternator and distributor are available and will go with car when sold. A solid state voltage regulator is on the car.
* Car does not leak oil or fluids. No embarrassing drips or puddles.
* Car has standard exhaust system which is in excellent condition. No leaks or noises.
* Original Turbo 350 transmission overhauled in Oct 2001
* Brakes in excellent condition (original factory disc fronts and large drum rears). New rotors installed and rear drums reconditioned in 1997; Performance Friction pads; pads & linings only about 30-40% worn. No brake pedal pulsation; strong, smooth stopping.
* Original rear end runs quietly.
* New 4-row radiator installed in July 03.
*A/C: New GM evaporator core installed in 11/97; compressor seals and O-rings have been replaced; blows cold; system charged with Freon 12; six 12 ounce cans of Freon to go with car when sold (for installation by authorized technician)
* Speedometer was changed out before I got the car, so I don't actually
know the exact mileage, but it is definitely over $100k miles, however the miles on the car are irrelevant considering the high level of TLC, parts replacement, adjustments etc she has received.
* Items such as heater/AC blower motor, heater and radiator hoses, power steering hoses, radio speakers, wheel bearings and seals (to name a few for example) have always been routinely replaced to assure trouble free operation. I value, very highly, having my older cars work as if they were new.
* A Note on Engine Compartment and Car Underside: As is evident in the engine compartment photo, there has never been an attempt to detail the area. It is cleaned periodically and is free of significant grease and grime deposits. It is not a show car engine compartment. But, on the other side of the coin, no spray paint bombs have ever been aimed at this virgin territory. What is shown is the way the General built it 35 years ago. The engine compartment is original. No cannibalized wire harnesses etc. It is all there and all working. Similarly, the underside of the car has never been detailed.
Exterior Status
* Car received relatively minor sheet metal damage on left rear quarter section in early 1990s. Rather than attempting to straighten sheet metal, another quarter panel from a donor car was professionally installed. Only evidence of this repair is a small weld bead that can be seen on the interior on the inside of left rear pillar. See photos.
* Car was totally stripped to bare metal everywhere and repainted in early 1990s using good epoxy primer and correct acrylic lacquer color. POR-15 rust inhibiting paint was applied to bare metal in rust prone areas, including under floor rear storage compartment. Rear side quarter and top glass were removed, metal lips bead blasted and POR-15 paint applied to lips prevent future rust/corrosion. There is not a hint of rust around the glass. Try to find that in another example of this rare car! Exterior color was sanded down (nearly totally removed to the primer) and repainted again in 2/04 with Dupont Acrylic Lacquer (purchased in mid-1990s) in correct factory Code 63 color. Top coat is 80% clear/20% color; paint wet sanded with 1500 grit paper and highly buffed. Very smooth and glossy.
* Vinyl simulated wood appliqués have been replaced with correct 1970 material located long ago at swap meet. I have applied it using techniques to preserve the rare material, so there are places where two smaller pieces have been overlapped slightly rather than destroying a large portion of a single piece of the rare material. This is not noticeable unless a person were to apply a very critical eye up close.
* I have some of this original appliqué left. There is enough to perhaps do at least another front fender or one of the rear quarter panels. Maybe twice that if a person is willing to conserve by overlapping pieces slightly. This material will stay with the car when sold.
* Car still has all original window glass as proven by date codes.
* Michelin P225/75R15 radial tires; approximately 6/32" to 7/32" tread remaining.
* Following exterior items were replaced in last 5-7 years
* New GM outside door handles and window belt seals on doors
* Rechromed tailgate handle
* New tailgate window belt rubber seal
* New GM electric window key switch in tail gate (keyed for original key)
* Rear bumper rechromed and new GM front bumper
* New left front door weatherstrip (new right front weatherstrip in box to go with car when sold.)
Interior Status
* New GM ignition switch (keyed for original key) about 5 years ago
* Front bucket seats are recovered with correct reproduction covers in correct material and color in early 1999 (purchased from Fusick Automotive, an Olds specialist). Rear seats recovered in correct vinyl. Third seat has original factory covering; no tears or stains; a little on dry side but very serviceable and very nicely original.
* Rear headliner also replaced with correct reproduction in early 1999; new front headliner still in box goes with car when sold.
* New carpet set installed in mid 1990s; still looks excellent.
* Original door panels are in exceptional condition with no tears, stains etc. See photos.
* Trim panel on console surrounding the shifter has been replaced with an NOS piece.
* All original seat & shoulder belts remain and they have been carefully cleaned.
* Original dash pad is in excellent condition. No cracks or tears. I have removed the thin plastic trim piece that the factory had glued in the recess on the front edge of this pad and all traces of the factory glue have been removed.
Little Nits & Minor Imperfections Not Observable in Photos
* Original windshield glass has moderate fogging of middle laminate near edges, mainly on left side within about an inch or so of edge. I have never felt it was bad enough to replace an original piece of glass.
* There is a small mar in the surface of the chrome on the left side wrap-around portion of the rear bumper where someone apparently rubbed their vehicle against it in a parking lot. Area affected is about 3/4" wide and about 2 1/2 inches long. This is a surface mar; the chrome surface was not broken through and there is no metal deformation.
* On the flare of the right rear fender opening there is a place about 2 1/2 inches long where the vinyl appliqué has been damaged by coming in light rubbing contact with another vehicle. There is no sheet metal deformation. There is a surface marring of the vinyl right behind the above described area which I assume was caused by the same incident. There is a very slight sheet metal deformation under this latter spot that can be felt but not seen.
* There is a very shallow dent on the left door that cannot be felt but can be seen if the light is reflecting just right. There is a photo taken to try to capture this small nit, but it is very hard to see.
* As noted earlier, there are places where, in the interest of saving the rare original 1970 grain appliqué, that I overlapped two smaller pieces slightly rather than destroying a large piece of material. This is most noticeable on the left quarter panel. As noted earlier, there is enough of this material left to recover this area if a new owner was troubled by it. See photos.
* There is a very small bubble under the paint, about 1/4 inch in diameter, in the narrow strip of paint in the area below the vinyl appliqué on the left rear quarter panel.
* This is not a show car, but an exceptionally nice driver. The paint is plenty good enough to make one proud, but if examined up close, a really snotty judge would find a few minor deducts.
Notes about current owner and why the car is offered for sale.
I am a mechanical engineer as well as a life long car guy with "hands on" skills for working on them myself. I have a body shop in my basement and do my own body and paint work as a life long labor of love. Similarly, I do my own mechanical & electrical work. I have been involved deeply in organizations dedicated to restoring and preserving older cars. Although I have never entered my Vista Cruiser as a show car, I have won many top awards on other cars that I have restored. I have been a fan the 1968-72 series Olds Cutlass since the mid 1970s. I have had three as hobby cars for a long time. This Vista Cruiser is one of them. The Cutlasses are fun to own, very reliable and easy to maintain. They are rugged and undemanding and reproduction items are readily available for them. However, my circumstances have changed such that I cannot drive the cars as often as I would like plus I now have a storage problem. I do not want to see this nice vehicle deteriorating by sitting in outside storage, so after much soul searching, I faced the inevitable that I must finally part with it. My loss will be someone's gain, for sure. My wish is that my Vista Cruiser find a nice home with a discriminating new owner.
Notes about owner and why the car is offered for sale.
I am a mechanical engineer as well as a life long car guy with "hands on" skills for working on them myself. I have a body shop in my basement and do my own body and paint work as a life long labor of love. Similarly, I do my own mechanical & electrical work. I have been involved deeply in organizations dedicated to restoring and preserving older cars. Although I have never entered my Vista Cruiser as a show car, I have won many top awards on other cars that I have restored. I have been a fan the 1968-72 series Olds Cutlass since the mid 1970s. I have had three as hobby cars for a long time.
These three cars, this Vista Cruiser being one of them, were featured in a
dedicated story about my Cutlass collection that appeared in the September
19, 1996 issue of Old Cars Weekly. See photo, this Vista Cruiser is one of them. The Cutlasses are fun to own, very reliable and easy to maintain. They are rugged and undemanding and reproduction items are readily available for them. However, my circumstances have changed such that I cannot drive the cars as often as I would like plus I now have a storage problem. I do not want to see this nice vehicle deteriorating by sitting in outside storage, so after much soul searching, I faced the inevitable that I must finally part with it. My loss will be someone's gain, for sure. My wish is that my Vista Cruiser find a nice home with a discriminating new owner.
See More Photos Here
Vehicle
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