1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
338655Z127205
Arizona Wagon
1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Wagon
- Arizona Car
- Rear Facing Third Row Seat
- Brand New Interior
- 350 V8
(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1965 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 this vehicle due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 180 photographs, as well as a short startup-and-walk-around video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)
"... fighter-plane roof windows, stretch-out room for the whole crew, and (a) Rocket V8" –Autoweek, January 2020
Oldsmobile's 1965 Vista Cruiser launch advertising hailed: "Now the sky's the limit in station wagons! To call anything as luxurious as the Vista Cruiser a "station wagon" hardly does it justice. Family-room-on-wheels would be more appropriate. There's stretch-out room for the whole crew—even in the forward-facing third seat. Lower the tailgate, and presto—over 100 cubic feet of cargo space that's the next best thing to your own private baggage car. Station wagon. Family wagon. Call it what you will. The only thing that tops Oldsmobile's Vista Cruiser is its distinctive Vista-Roof."
Offered here is an excellent-condition survivor, first-year Vista Cruiser. Arizona-owned for most of its life, the car has had its interior fully renovated, while its exterior has been lovingly maintained. Showing just 79,000 miles on its odometer—fewer than 1,500 miles per year on average—this is a true "time warp" vehicle from the heyday of the American station wagon.
The exterior "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer gold paint is in near-showroom condition. Body panels are dent-free and fit-lines are correct. Chrome trim shows light patina in places while badging and emblems are all in place. Glass—notably including the "roof glass"—is clear and free of cracks or blemishes. Lighting lenses on the quad headlights and the taillights are clear (the right rear taillight needs a new bulb). The car's mag-style wheels with body-color accents and Oldsmobile-logo center caps share a design with those mounted on the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 of the same period. The narrow whitewall tires are period-correct.
Inside, the Vista Cruiser's renovated interior features horizontally pleated, gold-vinyl-with black-accent-trim upholstery, light champagne-colored carpeting, carpeted lower door panels, and a fully carpeted cargo area (all 100 cubic feet of it!) The dashboard's design includes a 120-mph speedometer, factory radio, air conditioning and heat lever controls, air-conditioning vents, and gauges all laid out with an emphasis on horizontal lines. The steering wheel sports the Oldsmobile logo, and the automatic-transmission shifter is column mounted. Owing to the roof glass, the spacious interior has a distinctly airy, open feel.
Under the hood, the 350 cubic-inch "Rocket Fire" V8 shows the gold engine paint of the Oldsmobile Division. All components are properly mounted, and the entire engine bay is nicely detailed. Original data tags are in place. The condition of the car's undercarriage is testimony to the dry Arizona climate. Only minimal surface rust is present. The dual exhaust system is free of damage.
The more than 180 high-definition photographs available on the Garage Kept Motors site, together with the walk-around-and-startup video, faithfully present this '65 Vista Cruiser from every angle, including from underneath. That said, we always encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom by interested parties, or their representatives. We ask only that appointments for such visits be made with us via phone or email in advance. In the same way, we are happy to answer any questions about the car.
Another 1965 Vista Cruiser magazine ad made a persuasive pitch based on the car's space, styling, and power: "You're looking at a wagon that's loaded with convincing reasons to go Olds in a big way!"
True then, and true now.