1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

- Tennessee Wagon
- 455 V8
- Tone Tone Paint
- Two Way Tailgate
- Original, Survivor Example

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 170 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The performance figures were impressive for its day, with unassuming looks as the cherry on top.” HotCars.com, December 2021

Hagerty provides more VistaCruiser background: “Oldsmobile introduced the second generation Vista Cruiser in 1968 with new sheet metal and a lengthened 121-inch wheelbase that was still based on the stretched Cutlass/F-85 platform of the first generation Vista Cruiser. … the new car's freshened styling featured GM designer Pete Wolenza's trademark sloped skylight 'Vista Roof,' with a single piece of green or mirror-tinted glass replacing the 2-piece affair…. …1970 models sported a subtle but complete restyling that makes them sometimes referred to as 'generation 2A' cars. Minor front fascia changes continued each year until the end of production in 1972.

“The Rocket 350-cid V-8 was standard throughout the second-gen wagon's production run being available until 1970, when a 455-cid option was listed that coincided with that model year's styling makeover. Standard transmission (was) a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic…. A fully collapsible steering column as well as optional shoulder belts and front disc brakes demonstrated GM's heightening safety awareness….”

Offered here is a Tennessee-owned, 455-cubic-inch-V8-powered, 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon in blue-and-white over blue. A true survivor, the car's odometer currently shows 100,875 miles, or just over 2,000 miles per-year on average since new. That very limited mileage is borne out by the car's sound condition throughout, especially inside.

The original exterior paint shows overall fading and minor imperfections from normal use. Paint chips are present, some noticeably repaired, others not. The body sheet metal itself is free of significant dents. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, please be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Cabin glass—including on the wagon's bespoke, tinted-glass roof front-and-side panels—is clear and free of flaws. All chrome has been generally well-maintained: front and rear bumpers, body-side trim, door handles, window surrounds, and wheel-opening trim are all in very good condition with some patina from age. All stock factory badging is in place and correctly mounted; it also shows some patina. The optional fold-down-or-swing-away tailgate operates properly. Aftermarket US Mags® satin-gray-with-polished-rim, 5-spoke, 15-inch wheels in pristine condition are mounted with Galaxy® Radial G/T R1 225/70 raised-white-letter tires.

Inside, the color theme is blue with complementary shades of the color throughout. Original, horizontally pleated blue vinyl covers the front and rear bench seats. Similar coverings with woodgrain, carpeted lower inserts, and chrome trim are in place on the four door-trim panels. Blue carpeting (with blue rubber floor mats in all seating positions) covers the cabin floors including the cargo area and tailgate (also featuring chrome rub strips). A blue headliner shows no damage or looseness. Overall, the car's interior surfaces—including in the rear cargo area—have been extremely well-maintained with few signs of wear or age. A two-spoke, blue, Oldsmobile-branded steering wheel frames a woodgrain-trimmed, 3-opening instrument cluster on the padded, blue-vinyl dash. The original push-button AM radio remains mounted and a NAPA® engine-oil-pressure gauge has been mounted below the dash. Factory air-conditioning vents are located on and below the dashboard. The car is equipped with power steering and power brakes; the shift lever for the automatic transmission is located on the steering column.

Under the hood, the 455-cubic-inch V8 wears an “Oldsmobile 455 Rocket V8” label on its new chrome air-cleaner cover. Valve covers are finned aluminum with “Guardian Marine” lettering. The engine bay is reasonably clean but not detailed. All components—including air conditioning—are properly mounted. There are no obvious modifications from stock. Viewed from below, the chassis is clean, straight, complete, and undamaged. Very little surface rust is present on some untreated metal. A newer side-exiting, dual-exhaust system is a visual focal point.

The car's original identification and build tags remain mounted

While the more than 170 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '71 Vista Cruiser in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

This Oldsmobile VistaCruiser with its big-block 455 is the sort of “loaded” wagon that dad might've driven home from the dealer (“Sir, I recommend the larger engine if you'll be taking vacation road trips….”) to surprise the family. And if that family included an almost-driving-age young adult, at that kid's first opportunity, the car would've acquired things like aftermarket mags, white-letter tires, and side-exiting exhaust, and probably some level of notoriety with the local police.

In other words, a perfect example of a sleeper station wagon.