Remembering Oldsmobile

[ClassyEldo]

Here is a link paying homage to an Oldsmobile "great:"

http://www.1975oldsmobileconvertible.com/

These were among the many machines that made GM "king" and the site features an especially beautiful Black with Red Vinyl Interior car having only 530 original miles! The full-sized GM convertibles, through the 1976 Eldorados, were fabulous cars! If only they made something remotely comparable today . . . me thinks they have gone too far astray!

[F14CRAZY]

I have a preference to the Lesabre of that era...

but anyone else here love Vista Cruisers? My dad speaks fondly of the one he had, a '70 I think, but at the RE Olds Transportation museum I got to look at one up close...man those had STYLE. This particular one was a 442...a one-off I think, but they're beautiful

[EPA2]

Originally Posted by ClassyEldo

Here is a link paying homage to an Oldsmobile "great:"

http://www.1975oldsmobileconvertible.com/

These were among the many machines that made GM "king" and the site features an especially beautiful Black with Red Vinyl Interior car having only 530 original miles! The full-sized GM convertibles, through the 1976 Eldorados, were fabulous cars! If only they made something remotely comparable today . . . me thinks they have gone too far astray!

ClassyEldo,

Very well said!

There was something very special about the 1971-1975 GM B-body convertibles. The '75 Delta 88 convertible was one of the best full size convertibles ever made (especially when equipped with a factory Olds 455). I also really like the 1975 Pontiac Gran Ville convertible, 1975 Chevrolet Caprice convertible, and 1975 Buick LeSabre convertible.

Here's a beautiful '75 88 convertible with a great color combo:

[EPA2]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

anyone else here love Vista Cruisers? My dad speaks fondly of the one he had, a '70 I think, but at the RE Olds Transportation museum I got to look at one up close...man those had STYLE. This particular one was a 442...a one-off I think, but they're beautiful

I remember back in the 1970s and 1980s seeing many and riding in a few. It was by far the most sporty station wagon back in the day. Really liked the see-through roof panels.

[ClassyEldo]

Like the Vista Cruiser, there were mid-sized wagons by the other Divisions--the Buick Sport Wagon (with available Vista Roof--and I particularly liked when it featured the curved side molding/wood paneling, because the bigger Buicks had this theme from '67 to '70), LeMans Safari Wagon (available Vista Roof), and the Chevelle Wagons. These wagons were well-built, and practical.

[MCGARRETT]

I dont think that any of the Pontiac wagons had the Vista Roofs, that was an Olds and Buick thing only.

[ClassyEldo]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

I dont think that any of the Pontiac wagons had the Vista Roofs, that was an Olds and Buick thing only.

Thanks for the correction. For some reason, a friend's family's 1972 LeMans Safari Wagon had a leak into the interior compartment--soaking the carpet, etc. I was confused by this childhood memory--(thinking it must have been the roof?)--they got rid of the car soon, even though it was "loaded" with options, out of frustration with the leaks!

This link shows a 1969 Buick Sport Wagon with the Vista Roof feature: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1964-1....htm/printable

I remember thinking that curved fake wood side paneling was a Buick hallmark--mimicing (for me) the curved bodyside molding on the Electras/LeSabres/Wildcats of that era. Interesting details . . . notice the "step" built into the rear bumper, it opened with the tail gate, as part of the chrome bumper! Cool!

[EPA2]

Originally Posted by ClassyEldo

Like the Vista Cruiser, there were mid-sized wagons by the other Divisions--the Buick Sport Wagon (with available Vista Roof--and I particularly liked when it featured the curved side molding/wood paneling, because the bigger Buicks had this theme from '67 to '70), LeMans Safari Wagon (available Vista Roof), and the Chevelle Wagons. These wagons were well-built, and practical.

I saw about 11 years ago an ultra rare 1970 Chevelle Wagon (in a private collection), which was ordered by the original owner from the factory with the Chevelle SS 396 (402) V8, factory dual exhaust, factory 4-speed manual transmission, etc. My theory is that the original owner must of been a guy who wanted a 1970 Chevelle SS but because of a family could not order one, so he did the next best thing he ordered a Chevelle station wagon with all the Chevelle SS goodies.

[EPA2]

Originally Posted by ClassyEldo

Thanks for the correction. For some reason, a friend's family's 1972 LeMans Safari Wagon had a leak into the interior compartment--soaking the carpet, etc. I was confused by this childhood memory--(thinking it must have been the roof?)--they got rid of the car soon, even though it was "loaded" with options, out of frustration with the leaks!

This link shows a 1969 Buick Sport Wagon with the Vista Roof feature: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1964-1....htm/printable

I remember thinking that curved fake wood side paneling was a Buick hallmark--mimicing (for me) the curved bodyside molding on the Electras/LeSabres/Wildcats of that era. Interesting details . . . notice the "step" built into the rear bumper, it opened with the tail gate, as part of the chrome bumper! Cool!

Thanks for posting the link. I Forgot about the bumper step. That was a nice touch.

As a side note, anyone remember the old 1970s era Cadillac station wagons which were done by a few different conversion companies?





..

[F14CRAZY]

Those wagons are awesome, I didn't know of such conversions. I have wondered why there wasn't a Fleetwood wagon in the '90s

[MCGARRETT]

That brown Fleetwood wagon lives around the Daytona area, I have seen it before. Cadillac wagons of that era, or any era are rare, the usually would mate a standard full size GM wagon rear section with a Cadillac sedan body, they were very expensive.

[EPA2]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

That brown Fleetwood wagon lives around the Daytona area, I have seen it before. Cadillac wagons of that era, or any era are rare, the usually would mate a standard full size GM wagon rear section with a Cadillac sedan body, they were very expensive.

Glad to hear the brown Fleetwood wagon in the picture is still around. Appartently

Elvis also had a 1972 Fleetwood wagon conversion, the car is currently for sale for $159K:

http://www.classyauto.com/v/Cadillac...f+2+Made/76278

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

That brown Fleetwood wagon lives around the Daytona area, I have seen it before. Cadillac wagons of that era, or any era are rare, the usually would mate a standard full size GM wagon rear section with a Cadillac sedan body, they were very expensive.

I mentioned the Cadillac-wagon idea to my dad and he figured it was basically a hurse conversion with windows and seats

[442much]

Hello I'm new to this forum but would like to invite anyone in the Pacific Northwest region and Western Provinces to join us at the Rocket Round Up in Olds, Alberta. You could say the show is Held for Ransom It is an Oldsmobile show open to all Oldsmobiles 1897-2004 in the Town of Olds, AB. (60 miles north of Calgary). Hope to see you.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by EPA2

I remember back in the 1970s and 1980s seeing many and riding in a few. It was by far the most sporty station wagon back in the day. Really liked the see-through roof panels.

Glad you put that up - still looks good - even today.

Those ie meaning the '68 -'73s were most definitely some of the best looking and if properly optioned and or modified best running ' wagon ' type vehicles ever done.

I can't remember if it was their first or second wagon project , but C&D did a 'Boss' ? wagon build up that captured the flavor of that fairly well.

On the street with street rubber, a Cutlass Wagon with a 455 would most definitely hook up a whole lot better than a bunch of other stuff - with the extra weight in the rear and consequently off the line could really embarrass a lot of people.

The other thing in a wagon from that time period that could really surprise you were in various Chrysler product - both full size and intermediate.

I preferred how they drove, but the Cutlass Custom Cruisers brought a lot to the party and in the form of the '71 - '73s were really good lookin' for sure - the best by far.