1970 Vista Refresh
April 9th, 2017, 07:12 PM
#1
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
1970 Vista Refresh
I loved Vista Cruisers from when I was a kid. My girlfriend (now my wife) knew that and found a nice 1970 for sale in Van Nuys CA and bought it for me from the original owners. That was over 30 years ago.
They used it to tow their boat to Lake Mead every summer. It was in decent shape with only the usual small dents from the shopping mall wars. The only rust I knew of was from their parking with the tailgate window open. The bottom of the spare tire well was held together with dental casting material (the original owner had a dental business).
The 455 never had the power I expected, so my first foray into the Visa improvement business fifteen years ago was an engine rebuild and a transmission change to a Viper 6-speed.
With that weight over the rear wheels, a 4.10 axle, and 2.66 first gear it feels like a 12-second car at launch (it would probably run mid-13s).
My current project is to get the body and interior done in the original Bamboo and dark saddle.
When prepping for paint, there were a few perforations in the channels for the rear side windows but the windshield channel looked factory fresh. A friend rebuilt the spare well and used POR 15 to seal the perforations in the channels. There was a quarter-sized hole below the right taillight, hidden by the bumper upright but no other surprises.
I'll post pictures as it progresses from paint to upholstery.
They used it to tow their boat to Lake Mead every summer. It was in decent shape with only the usual small dents from the shopping mall wars. The only rust I knew of was from their parking with the tailgate window open. The bottom of the spare tire well was held together with dental casting material (the original owner had a dental business).
The 455 never had the power I expected, so my first foray into the Visa improvement business fifteen years ago was an engine rebuild and a transmission change to a Viper 6-speed.
With that weight over the rear wheels, a 4.10 axle, and 2.66 first gear it feels like a 12-second car at launch (it would probably run mid-13s).
My current project is to get the body and interior done in the original Bamboo and dark saddle.
When prepping for paint, there were a few perforations in the channels for the rear side windows but the windshield channel looked factory fresh. A friend rebuilt the spare well and used POR 15 to seal the perforations in the channels. There was a quarter-sized hole below the right taillight, hidden by the bumper upright but no other surprises.
I'll post pictures as it progresses from paint to upholstery.
Last edited by VC455; April 11th, 2017 at 06:55 PM.
. Here we go.. You are speaking my language. Looking forward to your progress.. I totally understand your extended progress timeline as well!,
April 14th, 2017, 05:31 PM
#6
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
The next post shows two pictures from last week after the jambs were painted.
In picture 1 you can see my bud holding up a strip against the body. Those of you familiar with Cutlass wagons will recognize it as a cosmetic cover the factory screwed on to hide the ugly seam Fisher left between two panels.
On my wagon, the matching RH strip was broken in three pieces; one piece was missing.
I had the painter weld up the screw holes, continuously weld the seam (to keep it from moving and spoiling the finished product), cover with filler, and paint.
In picture 2 you can see the finished product. Viola! No more ugly, broken, discolored plastic strips. It looks more like a modern car would be finished.
In picture 1 you can see my bud holding up a strip against the body. Those of you familiar with Cutlass wagons will recognize it as a cosmetic cover the factory screwed on to hide the ugly seam Fisher left between two panels.
On my wagon, the matching RH strip was broken in three pieces; one piece was missing.
I had the painter weld up the screw holes, continuously weld the seam (to keep it from moving and spoiling the finished product), cover with filler, and paint.
In picture 2 you can see the finished product. Viola! No more ugly, broken, discolored plastic strips. It looks more like a modern car would be finished.
Last edited by VC455; April 15th, 2017 at 06:56 AM.
April 15th, 2017, 06:57 AM
#7
Gary
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
April 28th, 2017, 03:18 PM
#9
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Epoxy primer, sanded, three color coats, two clear coats, sanded, stripes, five more clear coats.
All this on a Thornton hood that the painter said was, out of the box, a perfect fit to the body panels. All he had to do to it was degrease and sand before painting.
Next will be sanding sufficient to eliminate the slight difference in paint thickness over the stripes. When that is done, you won't be able to feel the stripes.
The stripes are a 2017 Infiniti color that was an incredible match to the interior color (Trim Code 9, Dark Brown) except with a nice amount of metal flake that gives it some interest.
All this on a Thornton hood that the painter said was, out of the box, a perfect fit to the body panels. All he had to do to it was degrease and sand before painting.
Next will be sanding sufficient to eliminate the slight difference in paint thickness over the stripes. When that is done, you won't be able to feel the stripes.
The stripes are a 2017 Infiniti color that was an incredible match to the interior color (Trim Code 9, Dark Brown) except with a nice amount of metal flake that gives it some interest.
May 24th, 2017, 05:17 PM
#11
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Last week I traveled a long distance up I-35 to the land ofgreen grass, blue lakes, and constant rain. I visited my Vista!
I met some of the painter's support staff--the glass installer, the trim doctor, and the tire specialist.
I saw the fixed glass and much of the trim being installed. The glass installer got a date-coded windshield (good thing that windshield also fits a 1970 Chevelle 4-door or it wouldn't be available).
I took five sandblasted, painted, and clear-coated SSIII wheels to get new tires installed on them. The tire specialist knew how to black-coat the white letters so that they didn't show from under the car. He found 255/60-15s and 275/60-15s to give the car the right super car look.
The spare tire well in the Vista Cruiser will only accept a tire with tread width under 6" and section width under 9". I found out a 225/70-15 tire is a dimensional and load-bearing match with the original H78-14 and it fit in the spare well very nicely.
Assembly of the interior is next up. A fellow Olds guy with a nice 1972 Cutlass and 1970 Vista Cruiser will be doing that. Assembly will probably be done by end of July latest. Then on the to upholsterer. I don't have a timing estimate from him yet but I've been on his books for 18 months.
Look at those pictures. When it starts to go back together, the progress seems amazingly fast.
I met some of the painter's support staff--the glass installer, the trim doctor, and the tire specialist.
I saw the fixed glass and much of the trim being installed. The glass installer got a date-coded windshield (good thing that windshield also fits a 1970 Chevelle 4-door or it wouldn't be available).
I took five sandblasted, painted, and clear-coated SSIII wheels to get new tires installed on them. The tire specialist knew how to black-coat the white letters so that they didn't show from under the car. He found 255/60-15s and 275/60-15s to give the car the right super car look.
The spare tire well in the Vista Cruiser will only accept a tire with tread width under 6" and section width under 9". I found out a 225/70-15 tire is a dimensional and load-bearing match with the original H78-14 and it fit in the spare well very nicely.
Assembly of the interior is next up. A fellow Olds guy with a nice 1972 Cutlass and 1970 Vista Cruiser will be doing that. Assembly will probably be done by end of July latest. Then on the to upholsterer. I don't have a timing estimate from him yet but I've been on his books for 18 months.
Look at those pictures. When it starts to go back together, the progress seems amazingly fast.
May 25th, 2017, 04:56 AM
#14
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Thanks Matt. Think farther up I-35; think 150 miles from the end of the highway.
That shop is in Anoka Minnesota, which is why I don't get there often.
I've got a group of long-time car buddies there who look after the work for me.
Gary
That shop is in Anoka Minnesota, which is why I don't get there often.
I've got a group of long-time car buddies there who look after the work for me.
Gary
Last edited by VC455; May 25th, 2017 at 05:01 AM.
May 25th, 2017, 04:57 AM
#15
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
The new tires, on blasted and repainted wheels with polished trim, are on the car.
The aluminum trim around the doors is installed.
The aluminum trim around the doors is installed.
Last edited by VC455; May 28th, 2017 at 09:23 AM.
May 25th, 2017, 02:03 PM
#18
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Thanks. The body color is Bamboo Cream, which was used on many of the GM intermediates in the early 1970s. I remember the first Cutlass I saw in that color and I loved it then.
The stripes are a brown metallic chosen so that the base brown matches the interior color. In the closeup, spotlighted picture of the hood stripes, you can see the brown color and the amazing amount of metallic in it.
The stripes are a brown metallic chosen so that the base brown matches the interior color. In the closeup, spotlighted picture of the hood stripes, you can see the brown color and the amazing amount of metallic in it.
June 25th, 2017, 07:24 PM
#20
Gary
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Assembly is coming along slowly but should be done in a week.
The latest problem was with the air deflector. Three people failed to remove the deflector-to-base screws. The painter tack welded 1/4 inch nuts on the screws. One came out; three twisted off. He went to his neighbor's machine shop, drilled out the screws, pressed in heavy-wall brass tube, and then drilled and tapped for the correct size screws. I love it when people do the kind of quality work you would do yourself.
Interior plastic pieces are being painted this week (CA cars can get sun damage, especially non-black pieces).
I found the last stainless trim piece and mounting brackets (for around the tailgate window); it should be shipped by Wednesday. Then they can install the tailgate.
Its getting closer to the upholsterer's shop every day!
The latest problem was with the air deflector. Three people failed to remove the deflector-to-base screws. The painter tack welded 1/4 inch nuts on the screws. One came out; three twisted off. He went to his neighbor's machine shop, drilled out the screws, pressed in heavy-wall brass tube, and then drilled and tapped for the correct size screws. I love it when people do the kind of quality work you would do yourself.
Interior plastic pieces are being painted this week (CA cars can get sun damage, especially non-black pieces).
I found the last stainless trim piece and mounting brackets (for around the tailgate window); it should be shipped by Wednesday. Then they can install the tailgate.
Its getting closer to the upholsterer's shop every day!
July 11th, 2017, 05:52 PM
#23
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Here are some current pictures.
The mechanical assembly is close to being done. Waiting for a tailgate emblem and waiting for the inside plastic trim pieces to dry.
The stainless and aluminum pieces look great. I got a primo replacement tailgate top trim from Trent (thanks Trent). It's been polished and there is no waviness like the first piece that a different polisher bungled..
The air deflector turned out fantastic after all the screw-removal drama--it was a junkyard addition 30 years ago and had multiple coats of Bamboo.
The 1970 sport mirrors look great, I've had those for 20 years--just waiting for this day.
Gaps are good, even the front-door to front fender to rocker panel fit looks spot on. The fenders are NOS 1971 and the fender brackets had to be cut off and rewelded in the correct position to allow this fit.
The Thornton hood is a gem. Much better fit than an OEM hood, The slight droop at the front versus the fenders is because the stops aren't adjusted yet.
The problem area is the fit of the front bumper where it matches to the indent in the fender. It is a bumper issue, not an alignment problem. I wasn't prepared for this because this is an NOS bumper. Unfortunately I never thought to test fit it before chroming. Does anyone have any information on known problems with NOS bumpers, or experience with fixing this mismatch?
I expect it to go to the upholsterer by the end of the month.
The mechanical assembly is close to being done. Waiting for a tailgate emblem and waiting for the inside plastic trim pieces to dry.
The stainless and aluminum pieces look great. I got a primo replacement tailgate top trim from Trent (thanks Trent). It's been polished and there is no waviness like the first piece that a different polisher bungled..
The air deflector turned out fantastic after all the screw-removal drama--it was a junkyard addition 30 years ago and had multiple coats of Bamboo.
The 1970 sport mirrors look great, I've had those for 20 years--just waiting for this day.
Gaps are good, even the front-door to front fender to rocker panel fit looks spot on. The fenders are NOS 1971 and the fender brackets had to be cut off and rewelded in the correct position to allow this fit.
The Thornton hood is a gem. Much better fit than an OEM hood, The slight droop at the front versus the fenders is because the stops aren't adjusted yet.
The problem area is the fit of the front bumper where it matches to the indent in the fender. It is a bumper issue, not an alignment problem. I wasn't prepared for this because this is an NOS bumper. Unfortunately I never thought to test fit it before chroming. Does anyone have any information on known problems with NOS bumpers, or experience with fixing this mismatch?
I expect it to go to the upholsterer by the end of the month.
July 13th, 2017, 08:37 AM
#25
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Tailgate is on and polished stainless trim is now around the tailgate window.
Painter (Tim) said the replacement trim piece below the tailgate window looks perfect.
I can now see what a masterful job Tim did on the body at the curves above the rear window. These are the areas where Fisher put their lead seams. There is normally an ugly gap between body and trim at those places. Also that body surface is usually debossed from too much grinding. Not any more!
After owning Vista Cruisers for almost 40 years, I never realized until these pictures how the claret color of the tailgate emblem ties in with the color of the taillights. I suppose those long-ago designers are all dead men now, but my thanks go out to them wherever they are for a detail well done.
One picture shows the interior trim pieces with adhesion promoter on, prepped for color coat. You can see sun damage on two of them (light cocoa color).
Waiting for Einstyn to deliver the long and short tread plates that go on top of bumper at either side of the inset step.
Painter (Tim) said the replacement trim piece below the tailgate window looks perfect.
I can now see what a masterful job Tim did on the body at the curves above the rear window. These are the areas where Fisher put their lead seams. There is normally an ugly gap between body and trim at those places. Also that body surface is usually debossed from too much grinding. Not any more!
After owning Vista Cruisers for almost 40 years, I never realized until these pictures how the claret color of the tailgate emblem ties in with the color of the taillights. I suppose those long-ago designers are all dead men now, but my thanks go out to them wherever they are for a detail well done.
One picture shows the interior trim pieces with adhesion promoter on, prepped for color coat. You can see sun damage on two of them (light cocoa color).
Waiting for Einstyn to deliver the long and short tread plates that go on top of bumper at either side of the inset step.
July 13th, 2017, 12:21 PM
#26
Old School Olds
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Marble Falls TX
Posts: 8,940
Nice, nice, nice. Looking forward to going cruising together one of these days soon. Hopefully, Lone star and his W-30, maybe Tim and Dane with their 69's and which ever ride Ali wants to pull out of his stable. 
Last edited by tru-blue 442; July 14th, 2017 at 03:51 AM.
July 14th, 2017, 02:28 AM
#27
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago suburbs, Finland
Posts: 1,882
That looks absolutely fantastic!
Great that someone is restoring stw's too, and not the usual special-models or 2dr's.
Good luck with end of your assembly, waiting to see it finished.
Great that someone is restoring stw's too, and not the usual special-models or 2dr's.
Good luck with end of your assembly, waiting to see it finished.
July 30th, 2017, 04:16 PM
#29
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
The Vista got to see daylight at 6 am today and I have attached some pictures. The house and shop behind the car belong to the painter. I was hoping for full sun pictures, but these are the best for now.
Maybe I'll see better pictures on Tuesday when it is being loaded on the hauler for the trip to the upholstery shop. I want someone to get a shot of the stripes in sunlight.
The wheels didn't come out SSII color but they certainly are flashy. The spare well should be flat black (picture 4) but I recall the painter didn't see the original well because one of my friends had welded in a new one before the painter saw it.
Those two things are easy enough to fix once it's home.
Maybe I'll see better pictures on Tuesday when it is being loaded on the hauler for the trip to the upholstery shop. I want someone to get a shot of the stripes in sunlight.
The wheels didn't come out SSII color but they certainly are flashy. The spare well should be flat black (picture 4) but I recall the painter didn't see the original well because one of my friends had welded in a new one before the painter saw it.
Those two things are easy enough to fix once it's home.
July 31st, 2017, 06:39 AM
#32
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Adam, Heath, Tom, all--thanks for your compliments and your ongoing encouragement.
There are two material advantages of a long time-line:
There are two material advantages of a long time-line:
- You can pay for the work out of your monthly checks instead of needing a home equity loan.
- No worries about the filler or primer shrinking and showing sanding marks though the finish--the long curing time makes sure those potential defects never show.
July 31st, 2017, 06:20 PM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Aledo, Texas
Posts: 2,386
I feel your pain, I started my project in 2001. We made the final payment on the paint/trim today. Once we return it home I still have to wire it and pay for interior. I suppose the extended time frame is the price you pay for having exactly what you want. I love the subtlety of your build, it makes me feel as though mine is obnoxious and overstated..
August 3rd, 2017, 02:16 PM
#34
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
But it is to laugh... I look at your build and think, maybe mine should be more assertive. But ultimately we create an image of what we feel comfortable with. Particularly when we have so long to think about the direction we want to go. I'm a laid-back guy, so my car is more on the subtle side (can anyone call W-30 stripes subtle?).
If the factory had made performance wagons, there would be color options to suit extroverts and introverts. And I would be happy with any of them.
As it happened, the factory ignored that side of their market and they left it to us to create it to our liking almost 50 years later. As a 1970 article in Car Life said, "...people of high position in Detroit...have the idea that the man who needs to carry a large number of small people has lost his interest in the automobile as entertainment."
During this build, my intent was to make it what I would have wanted in a 1970 wagon, consistent with Oldsmobile's resources and parts bins. The kind of wagon that, when my kids rode in it, they would constantly beg for me to blow someone's doors off.
Last edited by VC455; August 4th, 2017 at 07:01 AM.
August 16th, 2017, 06:13 PM
#35
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
I got a chance this week for one of those rare visits to my car--now in Sean's upholstery shop. The other projects in the shop are awesome cars, so I'm confident in how this will turn out.
The only seat left with factory pattern is the third seat, so Sean will be reproducing that, or a variation, on all three rows.
The time line for completion is October.
I've attached some photos: a nice shot of the car from above, a few closeups of portions of the grille that Tim (the painter) repaired, and a shot of the wheels with the wrong color. The good news is that the wheel color is growing on me, wrong or not!
The problems I noted were with reproduction parts from Fusick. The Olds emblem on horn button is off vertical by about 5°. The raised portion of the hood locks don't line up with the edge of the hood; they are off by about 10°. There are two divots in the chrome trim at the trailing edge of the driver's fender. These correspond with the position of the locating posts on the rear of the piece. The first two problems are especially puzzling because orienting the piece correctly does not add to the cost of manufacture.
The only seat left with factory pattern is the third seat, so Sean will be reproducing that, or a variation, on all three rows.
The time line for completion is October.
I've attached some photos: a nice shot of the car from above, a few closeups of portions of the grille that Tim (the painter) repaired, and a shot of the wheels with the wrong color. The good news is that the wheel color is growing on me, wrong or not!
The problems I noted were with reproduction parts from Fusick. The Olds emblem on horn button is off vertical by about 5°. The raised portion of the hood locks don't line up with the edge of the hood; they are off by about 10°. There are two divots in the chrome trim at the trailing edge of the driver's fender. These correspond with the position of the locating posts on the rear of the piece. The first two problems are especially puzzling because orienting the piece correctly does not add to the cost of manufacture.
Last edited by VC455; August 18th, 2017 at 05:53 AM.
August 29th, 2017, 10:04 AM
#36
Gary
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Attempting to install this reproduction Sport Wheel showed a problem with the hub being broached undersize (100 ft-lb wouldn't pull it on to the steering shaft) and the horn cap is not oriented correctly. The second picture shows the back of a GM Custom Sport horn cap versus the repro cap (GM cap is the brighter one). Note different alignment of logo versus locating tabs.
Has anyone run into similar problems with this item from Fusick?
Has anyone run into similar problems with this item from Fusick?
Last edited by VC455; October 14th, 2017 at 02:09 PM.
October 14th, 2017, 09:50 AM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Aledo, Texas
Posts: 2,386
Everything looks like it is coming together nicely. Regarding your steering hub problem, I've only used factory sport wheels. I've not had any problems with alignment. Is there a bunch of paint on the shaft or inside the hub creating drag? If not, maybe you should give Fusick a call to inquire.
October 14th, 2017, 11:15 AM
#39
Gary
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,069
Your intimation is correct. I had a GM hub and horn button painted and they fit perfectly.
I have problems with three Fusick parts and sent them detailed pictures last week. They have always treated me very well, so I am sure something agreeable will come of it.
I have problems with three Fusick parts and sent them detailed pictures last week. They have always treated me very well, so I am sure something agreeable will come of it.
