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My Dad's Vista Cruiser has been sitting in a detached garage since 1991, last titled in 1989. It was a well done show car at one time. My Dad has been gone for 13 years now, and my Mom has finally agreed that something should be done with Dad's old cars. My goal for this year was to just push it out an wash it up, scrub the mildew from vinyl interior areas, and make a quick assessment of the over all condition. The car is amazingly solid from a body/frame persective, with the exception of the tailgate....it is toast due to a garage roof leak for god knows how many years. So in I will be searching for a tailgate.
Last edited by lucky131969; Nov 8, 2025 at 09:32 AM.
Congratulations. That is a beautiful car. Nice that it's finally getting some care.
Too bad about the roof leak. Check if any water got into the rear floor area. That happened to mine and the rear floor pan was "thin" and the spare tire well was nearly gone.
Yes, it must have been well-taken care of--it even appears to have the original master cylinder.
What is the insignia below the Vista callouts on the fenders? And what is the intake arrangement?
Wow, that car cleaned up nicely and that dual carb setup suggests more goodies inside the engine. Good luck with your endeavors and hope you find the parts you need.
Congratulations. That is a beautiful car. Nice that it's finally getting some care.
Too bad about the roof leak. Check if any water got into the rear floor area. That happened to mine and the rear floor pan was "thin" and the spare tire well was nearly gone.
Yes, it must have been well-taken care of--it even appears to have the original master cylinder.
What is the insignia below the Vista callouts on the fenders? And what is the intake arrangement?
I should have been more clear. The garage roof was leaking/dripping on the tailgate, not the actual roof of the car. So the rusted out the tailgate, window mechanism, etc. That is an SX badge under the Vista Cruiser. You would be surprised how many guys would tell him at car shows that they used to have a Vista Cruiser SX.
I came to your dads place think it was on Rt 30 for a flywheel 30 plus years ago and remember that car.His grocery getter he called it.
It’s interesting how something so simple stays with us. I can’t remember what I had for dinner last week, but I vividly remember similar (seemingly insignificant) experiences a lifetime ago. Funny how our minds work..
Any updated pics? I used to put Gran Sport emblems on my Buick wagons and would get the same type of responses, people saying they had one or look at that rare GS wagon. Good times.
Any updated pics? I used to put Gran Sport emblems on my Buick wagons and would get the same type of responses, people saying they had one or look at that rare GS wagon. Good times.
Not yet. I finished the year up procuring a nice tailgate from California. Once the weather breaks, I'll start the laborious process of prepping the engine/drivetrain for it's first start in 30+ years.
