Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser: the wagon with skylights

The Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser was a mid-size station wagon sold over three generations from 1964 to 1977. Its first two generations are remembered for a raised roof with fixed skylights over the second-row seats and glass panels along the rear cargo area.

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.

History of the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

1964: skylights over the second row

The Vista Cruiser was introduced on 4 February 1964 as a 1964 model based on the Cutlass and F-85 series, sharing its body style with the Buick Sport Wagon, Pontiac Tempest Safari and Chevrolet Chevelle Greenbrier. Its raised roof with a split skylight over the second row, plus glass panels along the rear cargo area, was shared only with the Buick and was not offered on the Chevrolet or Pontiac wagons. Before 1973 the wagon rode on a wheelbase five inches longer than the Cutlass and F-85 sedan. It came in standard or Custom trim with coil-spring suspension, a three-speed manual gearbox, self-adjusting brakes with an air scoop and an aluminised exhaust, at $3,122 before options. A third row of forward-facing seats was optional, reached by folding the split second row forward. The 330 cu in Rocket V8 was offered from 1964 to 1967 with 210 to 320 hp depending on year and carburation, while a 225 cu in Buick V6 was the standard engine in 1964.

1968–1972: the second generation

From 1968 the 350 cu in V8 became standard, with the 400 cu in high-output engine from the 4-4-2 optional in 1968 and 1969 and a 455 cu in V8 from 1970 to 1972. The restyled A-body replaced the split skylight with a one-piece unit, stretched the wheelbase to 121 inches and recessed the wipers below the bonnet line. An eight-passenger 1968 car listed at $3,508 before options. Standard equipment included a dual-circuit brake master cylinder, hazard lights, a padded dashboard, reversing lights and seat belts, and the options list ran to air conditioning, cruise control, Twilight Sentinel automatic headlights, a roof luggage carrier and an eight-track player. In 1969 the Dual-Action tailgate became optional on two-row cars and standard on three-row cars.

1973–1977: the third generation

The third generation brought a single flat venting moonroof over the front seats and optional rear-facing third-row seating, a different arrangement from the forward-facing bench of the earlier cars. The model was discontinued after 1977. The skylight idea outlived it: a skylight later appeared on the 1991–1992 full-size Custom Cruiser and the 1991–1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate.

Design and features

• Skylight roof: fixed glass panels over the second row and along the raised rear roof.
• Longer wheelbase: five inches more than the Cutlass sedan before 1973.
• Third-row seat: forward-facing in early cars, optional and rear-facing later.
• Dual-Action tailgate: optional from 1969, standard on three-row cars.

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser versions

• First generation (1964–1967): the original skylight wagon with the 330 V8.
• Second generation (1968–1972): one-piece skylight, 350, 400 and 455 V8s.
• Third generation (1973–1977): flat front moonroof and optional rear-facing third row.
• Standard and Custom trims: the two equipment levels of the early cars.

The Vista Cruiser was the mid-size wagon below the Custom Cruiser and was based on the Cutlass. More models are in the Oldsmobile collection.

Video: 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser vs 2012 Ferrari FF

Video by MotorTrend Channel on YouTube.

Sources

• Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, English Wikipedia: generations, roof, engines, equipment