From Ontario Canada, with a 1972 Vista Cruiser
#1
From Ontario Canada, with a 1972 Vista Cruiser
Hello to all on the Classic Oldsmobile site. I have had a passion for Oldsmobiles as long as I can remember. I had a '70 Vista Cruiser which succumbed to rust, and knew I'd never be happy until another one would come into my life. It did in the way of a '72 offering from California, named 'Sammy' in honor of a cherished departed pet of ours. While rust free, it needed a major restoration, since 2006 this has been an ongoing adventure. It has a 350 engine. The transmission is a 200-R4 that I put together on my own, and the final drive is a 3.73 with an Auburn limited slip. This site is a very nice one informative with genuine in depth thoughts from other members, I am glad I finally joined. With this if I can offer help from my own experiences with the 200-R4 and other things I would be honored to do so. I'm in the process of taking apart a 455 from a 1971 Oldsmobile that will eventually find its way into the Vista Cruiser, and I will be asking the forums for help on things I see in the engine, I'll post pictures if it will not be any bother to the website of this and other subjects relating to the Oldsmobile theme. Thanks in advance, Howie
#2
Welcome to CO
Glad to have you aboard Howie,
Great site for getting help, there are a number of Vista owner here. Which part of the country are you located in? Oh and yes we must see some pictures of your ride.
Great site for getting help, there are a number of Vista owner here. Which part of the country are you located in? Oh and yes we must see some pictures of your ride.
#5
Thank you very much to all for the welcome, as thoughts were indeed correct, this is a genuine group with a real interest in preserving the make and helping others along the way, even welcoming them into the fold for starters. To answer the questions, I am located in the Burlington area of Southern Ontario, about 40 minutes to Toronto one way, 40 minutes to Niagara Falls the other way. There is a plethora of car shows and cruises during the old car driving season in the area, so one gets to meet all sorts of folks in the hobby. I figured out how to use the 'avatar' feature on this forum, at least one picture of the car is showing. I will build up an album to show more. For now, the car can be seen on Car Domain at
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3363986/1972-oldsmobile-vista-cruiser
The car is also featured on a You Tube page called
http://www.youtube.com/spikedpunk
The kindness shown is much appreciated. Regards to all, Howie
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3363986/1972-oldsmobile-vista-cruiser
The car is also featured on a You Tube page called
http://www.youtube.com/spikedpunk
The kindness shown is much appreciated. Regards to all, Howie
#6
#12
#13
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Howie! You have a great looking car. Is that code 36 - Radiant Green?
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.
#14
Gratitude and thanks to all
I have to say, many thanks to all the wonderful replies and welcomes to the forum. After the holidays, or if I get some time in between the activities, festivities, etc, I will begin contacting folks with the car facts, a fellow member was asking for a telephone number, this will all be gotten to. For the meantime I'd like to extend my wishes for all to have a Merry Christmas, Happy New year and a safe journey to and from wherever you may be going. Regards, Howie
#16
Howie! You have a great looking car. Is that code 36 - Radiant Green?
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.
I have been asked if I wanted to sell the car numerous times. If I ever were to, it would be through many strict interviews to be sure the car is going to an Oldsmobile loving family.
The 3.73's work nice with the 200-R4 which has been in the car for several years already. in O/D the final drive ratio drops down to a nice 2.53. So the car has a smart takeoff, and a calm cruise. I still have the 3.08's safely tucked away, they may go back on with the fitment of the 455 in the future, in O/D the overall is 2.09. But even with the 3.73's the engine is doing a lazy 2100 or so RPM close to 70MPH. So it will be seen....Merry Christmas.
#18
Pictures did not post! I am still learning the ins and outs of the forum pages.
Last edited by Vistabrat72; December 24th, 2011 at 09:40 AM. Reason: The pictures did not post, I am still learning the forum page, and how it works!
#19
Thank you Norton. I hope to see many of the local cars on this site at some of the events. And Fort Erie is not that long of a drive - in the summer at least!
#20
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Thanks for asking Allan. I am not sure what the code is, it is not the original color to the car,
The 3.73's work nice with the 200-R4 which has been in the car for several years already. in O/D the final drive ratio drops down to a nice 2.53. So the car has a smart takeoff, and a calm cruise. I still have the 3.08's safely tucked away, they may go back on with the fitment of the 455 in the future, in O/D the overall is 2.09. But even with the 3.73's the engine is doing a lazy 2100 or so RPM close to 70MPH. So it will be seen....Merry Christmas.
The 3.73's work nice with the 200-R4 which has been in the car for several years already. in O/D the final drive ratio drops down to a nice 2.53. So the car has a smart takeoff, and a calm cruise. I still have the 3.08's safely tucked away, they may go back on with the fitment of the 455 in the future, in O/D the overall is 2.09. But even with the 3.73's the engine is doing a lazy 2100 or so RPM close to 70MPH. So it will be seen....Merry Christmas.
re: gears? If you put in a 455 and want to go with something less agressive than 3:73's I have a set of 3:42s I'm not going to use. I was torn between 3:08, 3:23 and 3:42's for my car. 3:23 and 3:08 are great for a 350/350 combo. But I was upgrading to a 455 (don't ask) and got a set of 3:42's. Unless I find another good 455 block - they aren't going to get used.
3:08's are nice ratios that offer good performance and better fuel economy. I found that with my car being vintage and not a DD, I don't worry too much about how much fuel it's using compared to newer cars. I only put on about 500 miles in the last 2 years.
#21
Allan thanks for the offer. The offer of the 3.42's is an option, maybe a nice compromise between the 3.08 gear set I have stored away versus the 3.73's on the car. I will see how all fits together one the engine is fitted in, probably some time from now. The 3.08's would be very nice in the car too, the 455 will be able to loaf along with those. Choices, choices! Ha-ha! I'll have to squeeze around the front of the car, take of the cover, open the hood and get the paint code. I do know it was gold originally, there is a spot under a rear fender I kep but clear coated to show folks, like a fossil, what was there. I can get to that and grab a picture!
#23
#25
I think I finally 'got it' on how to upload pictures onto the forum thanks to the helpful input read posted by other members. I'll try and start with these, hopefully they work! If they do, more stuff on the story of 'Sammy' will be shown in pictures. Regards, Howie
#27
Thank you very much. Blair is a big part of why Sammy is in my life now. I would not have him if not for Blair. Blair's recognition and persona is very proudly placed on the car and would be no other way. The friend who printed the permanent decal (the one seen in this picture was a print on paper) made me several more, and they are tucked away. If you or anybody else would like one then by all means come forward and ask. Howie
#28
Nice looking car and sharp color combo. Videos show even more. The woodgrain looks great with this shade. "Green n brown can't bring a frown"....
Uh, oh.....
Howie! You have a great looking car. Is that code 36 - Radiant Green?
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
#29
Thank you Rob! The videos help to bring the '72 to life. The wood grain is semi-gloss with an actual pattern to it, and is darker then stock, working in harmony with the car. Only green and the car would have been overwhelming in my own opinion. Mother Nature had it right with the colors, mothers are always right, I should have never doubted in the first place... More movies/videos of the car will be happening as the adventures continue!
#30
Included are more pictures of 'Sammy' to help encourage others to keep up with their own Oldsmobile projects. All mechanical work save for the differential gear swap to date has been done in my single-car garage. The yuk picture of the engine compartment as the car was obtained plus dust of body work. A picture of the car just about ready for painting, taken in February of 2008, the car painted late March 2008, and march 2009 with some stuff, but still not much overall as to what is done now, to the engine so the hood could at least be opened not with shame. I will dig up pictures of the car as first seen, and I have pictures of the present engine compartment somewhere, or I can snap a few more tomorrow.
#32
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#33
Oh no Rob! Perhaps I did not state it properly: The wood grain IS adhesive vinyl, and very thick at that, way more so then the original, so it was anything but easy to apply it. It had to be heated, stretched, curved over the many compound curved and pointy spots on the car. I can and will in the not too distant future take pictures of the stuff, I have quite a bit left over. The hardest spot to do on the car? Believe it or not, it was the tailgate!
#34
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
The wood grain IS adhesive vinyl, and very thick at that, way more so then the original, so it was anything but easy to apply it. It had to be heated, stretched, curved over the many compound curved and pointy spots on the car. I can and will in the not too distant future take pictures of the stuff, I have quite a bit left over. The hardest spot to do on the car? Believe it or not, it was the tailgate!
#35
Nice.
Curious, what is the process/requirements to get those 'historic' plates?
I am looking at getting 1972 'YOM' plates or the 'historic' ones eventually. I could never find any mention on the MTO site about 'historic' plates though.
Curious, what is the process/requirements to get those 'historic' plates?
I am looking at getting 1972 'YOM' plates or the 'historic' ones eventually. I could never find any mention on the MTO site about 'historic' plates though.
#36
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
oldzy - here are a few links I found in your area
http://www.yomplates.ca/
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...icle/yom.shtml
http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/yom_plates.htm
Here in AB, I just had to take the 72 plates to the motor vehicle registry. They stamped them legit, and double registered them to my 'antique' plate registration for a one time fee of around 45 bucks IIRC. Took all of 15 minutes.
From what I've seen on the web, Ont MOT is screwing you guys royally...in turnaround time and pricing
http://www.yomplates.ca/
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...icle/yom.shtml
http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/yom_plates.htm
Here in AB, I just had to take the 72 plates to the motor vehicle registry. They stamped them legit, and double registered them to my 'antique' plate registration for a one time fee of around 45 bucks IIRC. Took all of 15 minutes.
From what I've seen on the web, Ont MOT is screwing you guys royally...in turnaround time and pricing
#37
I have historic plates on my Cutlass, just went to the Ministry and told them I wanted historic plates. $18. later I had them. And their $18 a year.
For YOM plates you phone the MTO. give them the plate number, and they check the number to see that its not in use on a newer plate. I believe they treat these the same as personalized plates,and charge $200 to register them to your car and then you pay the same every year that a sticker would cost.
#38
Thanks. $18/yr is not bad at all. I did find a site though that mentioned only for parades, cars shows, getting repair work done, and 'testing'. Perhaps I will fall into the 'testing' category. After all... I will likely be 'testing' quite a bit after a frame-off resto.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of a plate with '1972' at the top. I have not found a really nice pair to my liking though.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of a plate with '1972' at the top. I have not found a really nice pair to my liking though.
#39
Thanks. $18/yr is not bad at all. I did find a site though that mentioned only for parades, cars shows, getting repair work done, and 'testing'. Perhaps I will fall into the 'testing' category. After all... I will likely be 'testing' quite a bit after a frame-off resto.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of a plate with '1972' at the top. I have not found a really nice pair to my liking though.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of a plate with '1972' at the top. I have not found a really nice pair to my liking though.
If you decide to buy 1972 plates, make sure you run the plate number through the ministry before you buy them, to be sure the number can be registered. I bought a real nice pair for my 71 wiyhout running them through the ministry. Turns out they cant be used. Now they are only garage art.
#40
Howie! You have a great looking car. Is that code 36 - Radiant Green?
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.
That saves you from one of the VC predators on this site (ha ha) We have a guy who is almost desperate for a 69-72 VC. Lessee now, 69-72? Thats You! Vista Cruiser? That's You!! Turnkey condition? THATS YOU!!! No rust? You are batting 1000 so far. 350 engine?? HOLY SOCKS that YOU TOO!!!!
Green Paint. THAT's YOU!!!! Oh, did I mention he doesn't want GREEN??
Personally I love the color on that car. Kinda curious though, why put in 3:73's if you're hooking up a 200R4? I would have stayed with something like 3:08's if you're looking for something to drive around with decent mileage...the 200R4 is pretty decent OD and will pull nicely off the line too.