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I thought I should share some pictures with you. My last trip to Texas had a surprise for me: I really wasnt in to buying a car, but that awesome Vista Cruiser just called my name:
"Please take me home, Johann..."
I couldnt resist, its totally rust free, drives excellent and the interior looks like new.
Love them roof windows, are they called moon roof?
Last edited by mechano; December 3rd, 2016 at 05:21 AM.
Reason: misspelling
Thanks to everybody! Cant wait to get it over the ocean. Irt will be at least end of January before it will reach cold Germany...
There it will join my Dads 1961 Cadillac Sedan De Ville, he bought it new in ´61, ever since in family hands, just Dad, Mom and me...
They both passed away, but the Cad will go to my daughter....
Those chrome wheels with the silver paint look great and I like the redline. Original wheels were likely 14" and the tires would have been 225 75 14. 14 inch tires are hard to come by. I had some luck with Coopers and Hercules tires after other tire makes stopped that size. It is very common now to use 15" wheels because the tires are easier to get. I know of people using 225 70 15 tires on the later Vistas without rubbing on the inner fenders. I think the earlier body might be harder to fit much bigger tires and the front are usually more of an issue with clearance. A little lift in the rears and you are good to go. That is a beautiful wagon and hope you enjoy it for many years. I had a 65 Vista and enjoyed it for about 12 years. Coker based in Tennessee makes all kinds of tires to order but they are expensive. They now make radilals that look like bias ply tires for origionality sake. Best Regards, Trent in Los Angeles
Last edited by vistacruiser1971; April 25th, 2017 at 05:07 PM.
Vista Cruiser, in the background our 500 yo castle Johannisburg
Thanks for the compliments, i finally got it converted to German specs and on the road with a nice registration plate :-): MIL-VC65H >>> Miltenberg, Vista Cruiser 65 Historic Vehicule
I hav 15x7 with 225/70R15 up front and 15x8 with 275/60R15 Goodyear redlines. I had to install Delco Air shocks to lift up teh rear a little, because with 5 people and baggage on board it was scratching the tires.
Love that Station, it catches moe attention than all the porsches and Ferraris over here. Could have sold it for double the price i paid.... but I will keep it..
Glad to hear you are on the road. Yes, I have fun with my Vistas and they are interesting wagons for sure. Young people that have never seen one really like the style. It is great you are showing American design over the ocean. What was needed to make it meet German specs? Best Regards, Trent in Los Angeles
i had to change the Sealed Beams to H4 Design Euro-spec lights. I am using Osram Night Breaker Bulbs, and it is a big difference to the old sealed beams. You can really see at night
Then i had to built in a emergency flasher, that flashes over the brake light.
In Europe, the flahers cant stop when you apply the brakes.
The yellow park signals up front needed to be white.
I had to hammer the VIN on to the right front frame.
The tires had to bear a Euro-stamping.
Thanks for all the compliments.
Yeah, the old cruiser is a real head turner. Gets more attention than all the Camaros and Mustangs together.
Somebody had a good sense of design, when he added the red pinstripes and redwall tires to the silver cruiser. Cant thank that guy/woman, because i dont know who picked the scheme.
I´ll take it around Europe, because it even has enough space to sleep two. We have an air matress that fits it perfectly.
That thread really did not help with tire size information. I guessed right on the tire size on this one. I wonder if hes running 15x8's with 4.5 Backspacing. Only reason I ask is I just picked up a 65 Vista Cruiser and I have the exact same tires leftover from a 67 Chevelle. Getting ready to pull the trigger on the 15x8's with 4.5 Backspacing.
Thank you very much for doing that. I have the exact same tires laying around from my 67 Chevelle. I will be buying the same wheels from Coker Tire and I will have the gold twin to your wagon. I love the silver/redline combo on yours. It is stunning.
Originally Posted by mechano
you dont have to convert you car/truck to amber/orange turn signals on the rear if the car is pre -70
@Obop: I pulled a rim and measured the backspace for you: Yes, they have 4.5
Here is the goldie twin you requested. Still has bias ply tires that have been mounted since the 1970's. That is why wheels/tires are my first order of business.
Originally Posted by mechano
no problem, just a few minutes work.
If we dont help eachother, who does???
December 3rd, 2016, 05:19 AM
Nice car. You should return the favor and send over a German car.
