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[img alt="I have been a Ford Mustang guy my whole life but always loved the Vista Cruiser. So as I slip into retirement, I bought one to have fun with!. She is a 70 model with a 455 and a 4 barrel....though the intake says Edelbrock so I am guessing that is an aftermarket . Paint is also not right as I have found a few spots where the original light blue is apparent. So much to do so little time! This forum is amazing! I am sure I will have loads of questions.
Looking forward to learning from"]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/classicoldsmobile.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/pxl_20250207_202519052_bd1d1c2203003c8a0ef87682a40 5e20ebf7c2bac.jpg[/img] I have been a Ford Mustang guy my whole life but always loved the Vista Cruiser. So as I slip into retirement, I bought one to have fun with!. She is a 70 model with a 455 and a 4 barrel....though the intake says Edelbrock so I am guessing that is an aftermarket . Paint is also not right as I have found a few spots where the original light blue is apparent. So much to do so little time! This forum is amazing! I am sure I will have loads of questions. Looking forward to learning from
Last edited by Hollyerjb; Feb 9, 2025 at 03:41 AM.
Reason: Dont see the picture?
And a concurrent welcome from a fellow Vista Cruiser lover with a similar L31 455. My first VC was the Azure Blue that may be peeking from beneath your current color.
If that's the case you will see paint code 20 on the Cowl Tag.
Hi Gary. I found a bit of Azure Blue underneath the fuel cap cover. But my paint code says 19....which I think is "Ebony Black" and I have also found some of that back aft on the starboard side near the bumper.
Your VC has apparently had many incarnations. The current one is beautiful!
I obviously favor the absence of wood grain.
People estimate that there are probably only a few hundred left of each model. They were family cars, used in the shopping mall wars and then crushed. No one preserved them like with Cutlasses and 442s.
I'm the second owner of mine; it had 100k miles. But it had been serviced at the dealer in LA and no one had "improved it." I got to do that.
One thing I have noted is that my tailgate only swings open like a door...not (also) like a tail gate. The Body tag would imply that it had a two way tail gate (vice one way)...assuming i got the translation correct (ST70 34866LAN364840) I think the 866 is a two way gate. It has the hold back cable for the fold down, tucked into the port side in amongst the hinges....but no center latch release inside (though I have not taken off the inside trim panel to see if it is just covered over) and no hinges on the port side gate area. My thought is that they might have gooned up the original tail gate and replaced it.
Does anyone know if the tailgates were completely separate part numbers? Can a 1 way gate be converted to a two way gate? I note that the hinges for swing open are available on line occasionally. Can the gates be converted or are they two different styles and I need to look for a two way gate?
Thanks in advance for any knowledge out there in this regard.
Your VC has apparently had many incarnations. The current one is beautiful!
I obviously favor the absence of wood grain.
People estimate that there are probably only a few hundred left of each model. They were family cars, used in the shopping mall wars and then crushed. No one preserved them like with Cutlasses and 442s.
I'm the second owner of mine; it had 100k miles. But it had been serviced at the dealer in LA and no one had "improved it." I got to do that.
Gary
Gary,
I like her without the wood grain also...though both have the same beautiful lines. The "improvement" for me will be mostly interior comfort things (maybe bucket seats? things like that) and I hope to find a luggage rack for the top that I can install.
Looking forward to just getting her cleaned up and the paint repaired as possible. Keeping the Candy apple red for now.
r/jb
The Drop or Swing Tailgate is option C28 for Station Wagons and Vista Cruisers. So, it was only installed on cars where it was specifically ordered.
Your tailgate is a different part number but you can replace it with a Drop or Swing.
Thanks!! I will start looking for a C28 Drop/Swing tailgate. I had been hoping that the tailgate could be modified....doesn't sound like it can. // This is the cable tucked into the port side hinge area I mentioned. I think it is only used on the Drop gate right?
Last edited by Hollyerjb; Feb 12, 2025 at 08:43 AM.
Reason: adding picture
The fact that you have the cable is puzzling. And your picture shows the tailgate swinging.
I should have realized that, because your initial post said the drop handle wasn't present. But I guess that took a while to register with me.
Post a picture of the center top of the tailgate (where the drop handle should be).
The only tailgate that swings is the C28.
Maybe we can figure it out.
My Cowl tag (Body tag) says the Build code is "34866" (see pictures). The "code breaker" i found on line says that translates to a "3 seat dual action TG". So I think the car had it....but it has either been changed out (some time ago) or the hinges were removed so it only swings now....? Wondering if I can put the hinges back and make it work?
I "think" your car was originally black...I'll have to go back to double-check. The 4866 series/model is interesting as well (to me). Seems the only documentation I see is 4865 for the VC. I learn something new all the time.
I "think" your car was originally black...I'll have to go back to double-check. The 4866 series/model is interesting as well (to me). Seems the only documentation I see is 4865 for the VC. I learn something new all the time.
Right...I agree that "19" is ebony Black. and as the previous pic shows...I did find some black paint near the back bumper where the red had chipped off.
The "Body by Fischer" code breaker (for the "Custom Vista Cruiser" indicates that the "70-34865" was the "3 seat TG" and the "70-34866" was the "3 seat dual action TG" The 4855/4865 that you mention is the Oldsmobile Sales Code (as you show in the customer sheet)
02A = 1st week February (Build Date)
19 -- 19 is lower Ebony Black/Upper Ebony Black
Trim 300 is Interior Option Black Vinyl Bench Seat
Agreed on all. And the Black vinyl interior is still in her...only a small tear on the pilot side seat and a couple small tears in the head liner. Back seats look like no on ever had any fun in them!!
Right...I agree that "19" is ebony Black. and as the previous pic shows...I did find some black paint near the back bumper where the red had chipped off.
The "Body by Fischer" code breaker (for the "Custom Vista Cruiser" indicates that the "70-34865" was the "3 seat TG" and the "70-34866" was the "3 seat dual action TG" The 4855/4865 that you mention is the Oldsmobile Sales Code (as you show in the customer sheet)
Understand the image you supplied and reference to 70-34866. I've just not seen it anywhere. Curious where you found that reference for my own edification, really. Leading "3" = GM Oldsmobile Division.
Understand the image you supplied and reference to 70-34866. I've just not seen it anywhere. Curious where you found that reference for my own edification, really. Leading "3" = GM Oldsmobile Division.
Hahahaha. Well believe it or not, it was a google search that referenced back to this site!! "ClassicOldsmobile.com" into the Forum somewhere. Not exactly where in the Forum it found it.
I'm certainly not discounting anything you're saying & I'm only curious. Like most, everyone attempts to find "GM" authorized documentation. Regarding my own documentation I gather it from the PIM &/or the CSM - this info is contained in the foreword first 9-10 pages of each manual. Here's the 1970 PIM documentation. I don't have a 1970 CSM. Again, I'm only curious, even more so now, since Gary's lists the C48 as an "option" (which makes sense), just wondering about that series/model code 4866...does that in itself explain (possibly) why you have the Drop-Down cable maybe? I don't know...interesting though (to me).
Last edited by Vintage Chief; Feb 12, 2025 at 04:00 PM.
Hahahaha. Well believe it or not, it was a google search that referenced back to this site!! "ClassicOldsmobile.com" into the Forum somewhere. Not exactly where in the Forum it found it.
Joe posted the table. It would be hard to argue about its authenticity w/ Joe, so I generally would say Joe is correct. He got it from some book though, I just have never found that table. That's cool (but rather odd to be honest) - must be some late BREAKING NEWS service bulletin?
EDIT: I don't have the 1970 CSM & it may well be contained in the CSM.
Last edited by Vintage Chief; Feb 12, 2025 at 03:22 PM.
I'm certainly not discounting anything you're saying & I'm only curious. Like most, everyone attempts to find "GM" authorized documentation. Regarding my own documentation I gather it from the PIM &/or the CSM - this info is contained in the foreword first 9-10 pages of each manual. Here's the 1970 PIM documentation. I don't have a 1970 PIM. Again, I'm only curious, even more so now, since Gary's lists the C48 as an "option" (which makes sense), just wondering about that series/model code 4866...does that in itself explain (possibly) why you have the Drop-Down cable maybe? I don't know...interesting though (to me).
Hummmm. I think the only thing I see that may indicate the difference (and it shows in the google shot i sent) is that this page is "GM" and not "Body by Fischer". Perhaps the Lansing plant that placed the tag use their own system because they build more than one type body for GM? I have been a Ford guy my whole life, my oldest Ford is a 29 A model..."Murray Body"....no Fischer. I do not really know the GM methodologies from years gone by.
My VIN is Olds (GM) and it seems to conform to this VIN format above....but the Body tag not so much
Dollars-To-Donuts Joe eventually finds this discussion (thread) & clarifies for us.
Since the VC is a modestly less sold (in total) Oldsmobile series/model, I'd be curious if you have (yet) determined if the engine and/or transmission are original/native to its assembly, IOW, is the engine &/or transmission (matching numbers) original to the vehicle? You know where to find that information? If not, we can assist (if you're curious).
Dollars-To-Donuts Joe eventually finds this discussion (thread) & clarifies for us.
Since the VC is a modestly less sold (in total) Oldsmobile series/model, I'd be curious if you have (yet) determined if the engine and/or transmission are original/native to its assembly, IOW, is the engine &/or transmission (matching numbers) original to the vehicle? You know where to find that information? If not, we can assist (if you're curious).
YES!! I am totally curious! I do not know where to look for the engine and tranny build codes, nor how to tell if they are the original that came with the vehicle. Finding them is on my list. Help/guidance is always appreciated.
YES!! I am totally curious! I do not know where to look for the engine and tranny build codes, nor how to tell if they are the original that came with the vehicle. Finding them is on my list. Help/guidance is always appreciated.
Here are several images to assist in validating numbers matching (born with engine &/or transmission) areas of the vehicle.
We refer to these as the VIN Derivative number; you can call them whatever you like, but you'll readily see the number is derived from the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the dashboard. They began implementing this VIN Derivative (1968? can't recall) as a method to validate theft &/or non-original engine(s)/transmission(s).
Follow the diagrams, if you have questions ask. The engine VIN Derivative is stamped on a block pad located just forward of cyl. no. 1. Transmission VIN Derivative is stamped just above the rail on the transmission. Questions - ask.
Awesome!! Thanks Norm! I get back to The Republic Friday afternoon. I will get these checked out then or Saturday AM. Appreciate the help. I will let you know what the matching looks like.
Look at the back bumper. If it has a step cutout in it near the right side, the bumper bar is p/n 404473, which is the C28-compatible bumper. The bumper for the standard tailgate, p/n 404399, does not have this cutout. If you see the step, C28 was installed at some time.
The step cutout contains the pivot for the drop function.
See the small figure on the upper right of this page from page 14 106 in the 1970 Product Information Manual (PIM) to identify what this looks like:
The discussion about style number 34865 v. 34866 makes sense when looking at my Broadcast Card, shown below. The Broadcast Card had to include every option on the new car order that would affect how Fisher prepped the body it sent to assembly. The option codes on the card don't show C28. The only way Fisher would have known which tailgate and rear bumper bar to install would be from the style number 34866.
Gary
Look at the back bumper. If it has a step cutout in it near the right side, the bumper bar is p/n 404473, which is the C28-compatible bumper. The bumper for the standard tailgate, p/n 404399, does not have this cutout. If you see the step, C28 was installed at some time.
The step cutout contains the pivot for the drop function.
See the small figure on the upper right of this page from page 14 106 in the 1970 Product Information Manual (PIM) to identify what this looks like:
The discussion about style number 34865 v. 34866 makes sense when looking at my Broadcast Card, shown below. The Broadcast Card had to include every option on the new car order that would affect how Fisher prepped the body it sent to assembly. The option codes on the card don't show C28. The only way Fisher would have known which tailgate and rear bumper bar to install would be from the style number 34866.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks. I do have the step cutout in the bumper. The "filler piece" is attached to the tailgate. So I am guessing that the tailgate was changed out at some point in the car's life. Putting on a non-dual action tailgate. If the tailgate does not contain the various structural things to be able to modify it to a Dual Action, I will need to start my search for a dual action tailgate. But I think that first I will remove the interior upholstery from the tailgate and see what it has going on.
r/jb
Last edited by Hollyerjb; Feb 13, 2025 at 04:46 AM.
Reason: adding info
Well I have not checked the engine block or tranny yet...opting instead to take the "big boss" for a drive in the Vista before it got dark. (Her first outing in one ever....I think she really enjoyed it!....Thank Gosh!! ; )' The serial numbers is a task I will push off til tomorrow or Sunday.
But I did open the tailgate to do more investigating and took a picture of the inside panel, and I do believe that the tail gate can be converted (back?) to a "Dual TG". It appears that the center opening for a hand latch is there. I will take the upholstery off and get some better shots, but I am liking what I have seen so far. I may only be looking for mechanisms, push rods, and latches etc. That would be pretty cool. (I reduced the pixel count on these pics, but they still look ok)
Just discovered this thread. Good looking car. When you pull back the carpet, you may find the handle is still there. The single action gate only folded down, it did not open like a door. Your gate is a dual action gate. Post some pics of the passenger side door jam area (gate and body). There should be a pin on the body and a latch on the door. That latch functions whether the gate is opened like a door or folded down, so it should still be there.
Here are several images to assist in validating numbers matching (born with engine &/or transmission) areas of the vehicle.
We refer to these as the VIN Derivative number; you can call them whatever you like, but you'll readily see the number is derived from the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the dashboard. They began implementing this VIN Derivative (1968? can't recall) as a method to validate theft &/or non-original engine(s)/transmission(s).
Follow the diagrams, if you have questions ask. The engine VIN Derivative is stamped on a block pad located just forward of cyl. no. 1. Transmission VIN Derivative is stamped just above the rail on the transmission. Questions - ask.
They Match!! I am excited. Thanks for the gouge on where to find the Engine and Tranny VINs. Very Helpful.
r/jb
Kinda looks like a "double strike"
[img alt="This one was really clear (after I pulled the Alternator and the Power Steering pump bracket!)
What color did they paint the engines on the 70 455's? "]https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/classicoldsmobile.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/70_oldsvc_enginevin_bc3195c7405bc1b6b901bd26a32dce 1b1d005e01.jpg[/img] This one was really clear (after I pulled the Alternator and the Power Steering pump bracket!) What color did they paint the engines on the 70 455's?
