1969 vista cruiser

[danlonchar]

Hi everyone i just brought home a 69 cruiser for 800 dollars. She has the original title from nebraska and has been moving polebarn to polebarn in michigan for at least 5 years with no one working on her or retitling her. She runs and drives, trans needs some work and needs a water pump but already got that taken care of. There is alot of surface rust and rot in the normal places, what do you expect nebraska and michigan not a easy life on a car. Interior is in great shape and i think she has alot of potential. What do you guys think from the brief description, I plan on getting some pics up soon. This is my first project car plus I am only 18 so that doesnt help LOL. I so far have been able to locate the parts i need but would like to know if anyone has parts for one of these classics or know where i may be able to get parts if needed. Let me know please.


sorry about the other post the computer messed up

[Oldsguy]

Any Oldsmobile that runs is worth $800 as long as you still have some body to work with. A little rust is to be expected, as you said, your winters aren't the kindest. I spent three years in Wisconsin, very similar. Do the road crews use salt in Nebraska?

[joe_padavano]

I agree, sounds like a deal. My very first car was a 1968 VC, so I've always had a soft spot for them. The roof glass is the hard part to find. Good luck.

[Olds64]

My first car was a 75 Chevy that I bought for $750. It was so rotted that you could fit a small dog into the trunk through the fender.

Sounds like a cool car. Post some pics!

[Jamesbo]

Good find. What I have found is most [non Olds nuts] know a Vista Crusier more than any other late 60's car's. They always say, "My mom used to take us to baseball practice in one of those."

[danlonchar]

luckly i do not need any glass for it the last part i need to track down is the window motor for the tail gate and i just spoke to a junk yard in minisota who claims to have one that i plan on ordering, The plan is to remove the original motor and store it while i have another 350 rocket i am gonna build and put in it hopefully getting 400+hp also a stage 2 shift kit in a 400 trans and a set of 4:10 gears with a detroit locker in the rear. Then the body work, i do not want to use bondo what so ever.

Ill get some pics up, i am new to the site and not quite sure how but i will figure it out

[Jamesbo]

Originally Posted by danlonchar

luckly i do not need any glass for it the last part i need to track down is the window motor for the tail gate and i just spoke to a junk yard in minisota who claims to have one that i plan on ordering, The plan is to remove the original motor and store it while i have another 350 rocket i am gonna build and put in it hopefully getting 400+hp also a stage 2 shift kit in a 400 trans and a set of 4:10 gears with a detroit locker in the rear. Then the body work, i do not want to use bondo what so ever.

Ill get some pics up, i am new to the site and not quite sure how but i will figure it out

[Lady72nRob71]

Welcome aboard!
Nice find on the Vista - looks like a great project ahead of you - lots of potential! Nice plans for the engine - what a street sleeper.

Geez, I wish I had one of those when I was 18! All I got was a hand-me-down Pinto...
Buy a service and body manual and use the internet - you will get lots of help from these and learn a lot in the process. For new parts, look up Fusick's, The Parts Place, OPG, Kanter, Year One, or Paddocks. Many parts will be available, though some Vista body parts are harder to find.

I hope to find a VC some day that I can use as a daily driver - I like the style and utility they offer.
Keep us posted on your progress!

Oh - to add pictures, use the "post reply" button (not quick reply) and click the button for "manage attachments". Follow the instructions and you can post pictures. Or, use photbucket or flickr or one of those sites (like I do) and just post the link in your message.

[Jamesbo]

It took me a good deal of searching before I figured out that Vistas need a vented gas cap. If you have pressure on the gas cap when you open it, it could harm the gas tank.Be sure and check yours. Due to EPA regualtions you might have to send me a private message as to how to fix the problem.

I love my 69 Vista, It has 3rd seat, air shocks, 455, tilt wheel, a/c, bucket seats, center consol, tic toc tach 15" SSII Wheels, am/fm and is a blast to curise around. I'll try to take a few pic this weekend.

Carpe Diem.

[danlonchar]

my cap isnt vented and i tried to send you a private message but it said you did not allow it jamesbo. I only have 2 seats not the third row but not a big deal, i love mine, for a classic i am glad i found it.

[Jamesbo]

Huh, I think I fixed it try again

[Jamesbo]

Check out the 70 Vista under "cars for sale" and you'll see what I was talking about in the private message I sent you. The wheels really add alot to a wagon.

[Olds64]

Dan, if you have an old window motor you could always remove it and have it rewound. This might be cheaper than buying a replacement. There are generally a few electric motor shops in the yellow pages that can easily rebuild a window motor, starter, or alternator.

[Jamesbo]

Here are some pics of my 69 Vista


Trying tp do this stuff on a computer makes me feel old and stupid. I'm so old, I can remember when "party" was a noun.
OOOOOOOOOOOOPs got one of the wrong car, sorry..

Now I have two of the wrong car, I give up, but the first four are the Vista,

Oh, that's right the H/O is part of my signature Duh!

[Pfiffle]

That is one organized garage jamsbo! We deal with alot of rust up here in Jersey danlonchar. My first car, if you lifted the carpet you would see the road. It was a 1973 Chevelle. Good luck on your project. You came to the right place for info. You'll get straight answers here without the usuall Bull$hit.

[danlonchar]

I do not have the motor unfortunatly, the previous owner took it out to replace it and never put it back so I got to track down a new one, Jamesbo that is one nice vista, hopefully mine will be that nice when i am done

[Olds64]

SWEET!

[Jamesbo]

I have a few extra olds motors, 1 455, 1 350. I will be happy to help you in any way I can [old fat thumbs, deslexia and all]

Good luck, I have found this is the most fun [with your clothes on] that you can have. Olds "Gurus" have have helped me more than I can say, and I would be honored to "pass it on" and help you with your Vista any way I can.

regards

[Jamesbo]

Where ya at? [in the vernacular] i.e. Where do you live? I may be able to help you with an engine for your Vista Cruiser

[danlonchar]

Id love tp put a 455 in it right now i have the original 350 rocket in it, I am in battle creek Michigan, I was talking about the window motor for the tail gate that i needed, but if you are interested in selling that 455 you have let me know where you are located

[danlonchar]

So by any chance does anyone know of where i could get a spare hood for a 69 vista. I want to put the raim air hood scoop from the hurst olds on to my wagon but dont want to chop the original hood

[Jamesbo]

I noticed you've started looking for some Vista parts/pieces in the "parts wanted section." I had good luck with some of the Arizona "junk" yards. Check Hennings adds for their numbers and locations.

IMHO if ya find it, BUY it, even if you don't need it now, you may down the road.

One piece of chrome missing makes a big difference.

Have you taken the time to count how many pieces of chrome are on a Vista? Take off both shoes before ya start.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by danlonchar

So by any chance does anyone know of where i could get a spare hood for a 69 vista. I want to put the raim air hood scoop from the hurst olds on to my wagon but dont want to chop the original hood

You actually need the hood from a 442 or Cutlass 2 dr. The Vista used the same flat hood as the 4 dr cars and the H/O scoop won't fit. Good used is your only choice, unless you want an aftermarket fiberglass hood. Dick Miller sells these.

[danlonchar]

yeah, i dont know, right now moneys tight and just had more stuff happen so i am gonna have to put the car on hold So right now i dont know

[danlonchar]

So are the hoods from the 69 cutlass the same as the Vista cruiser, I swear picture wise they look identical, i dont know anyone around here that has a 69 cutlas i could look at so i am basing my comparison off pictures, and my hood looks the same as the cutlass?

[Jamesbo]

Go to 69olds.com and click on "stripes specs". It shows a close up of a 69 442 hood with the center valley depression.Also notice the fake vents toward the rear of the hood.Or just scroll up and look at the pic of my 442 blue convertible.

The VC hood is flatter in the center.

For lack of a better description the 69 H/O scoop is "U" shapped.The 69 HO hood scoop sits over this valley or center depression in the rear and on top of the higher flat areas of the hood in the front.

If memory searves me correctly the 69 Cutlas has the same center depression but not the fake vents at the rear.

Sorry it's a little hard to explain. But One picture .......

[danlonchar]

alright so if that is the case on the hoods do you know if the cutlass or 442 hood would fit on the vista with out modifications?

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by danlonchar

alright so if that is the case on the hoods do you know if the cutlass or 442 hood would fit on the vista with out modifications?

Yes, a 69 Cutlass S/442 "double hump" hood bolts right on to a Vista (or any other 69 Cutlii).

[danlonchar]

thanks joes i guess i will be on a look out for one of those hoods, how do you guys feel about fiberglass hoods?

[Aron Nance]

Danlonchar: Go for it with the VC. There will be TONS of work (after you get all the mechanicals done) as in the body work. Been there, done that. Body work/paint alone took right at 5 years (not full time), but well worth it. Have a really fun driver now - '68 Flat Top Wagon painted to look like a '68 Hurst/Olds.