For Sale: 1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser in Lakeland, Florida

Just arrived, this is a true three owner example of the top of the line, full size Oldsmobile station wagon. The innovative clamshell tailgate wagons are highly sought after and not many survived. Many people have never seen one of these wagons or even know they existed. I grew up car shopping every year with my father. As a senior in high school, my last car shopping trips with him were in 1972/73. He had a 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon, the first car I learned to drive. In 1972, I remember looking at these amazing wagons on one of our last trips, just amazed by their size and innovative tail gate. I sold this beauty in February 2015 to the President of the Florida Olds Club and his wife. They drove the car to Wisconsin and picked up first place in their class. They have enjoyed the car and just traded it for another rare Olds, hoping to take first place again. These woodgrained wagons are part of American automotive history and are destined to increase in value as we boomers relive our childhood. See this text history info posted in Wikipedia The first generation Custom Cruiser first appeared in 1971 based on the C platform-B platform. With a wheelbase of 127.0 in (3,226 mm) these were the first Oldsmobile station wagons ever to be built on Oldsmobile's largest chassis. The 1971-76 GM full-size bodies, at 64.3" front shoulder room and 63.4" rear shoulder room set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel drive models of the early to mid 1990s. The station wagon could seat up to 8 forward-facing people. The Custom Cruiser shared Oldsmobile 98's exterior styling, in particular the 98's distinctive front fascia and rear quarter panels complete with fender skirts. Approximately 80% came with exterior vinyl woodgrained applique. Interior styling took elements from both the Delta 88 and the 98. The Custom Cruiser wagons, as did other GM full-sized wagons during these years, used a unique rear suspension with multi-leaf springs instead of the coil springs used on other full-sized Oldsmobiles, and other full-sized GM cars. The Custom Cruiser wagons also featured a new clamshell tailgate design where the rear power-operated glass slid up into the roof as the tailgate (manually or with power assist), slid into a recess under the cargo floor. The power tailgate, the first in station wagon history, ultimately supplanted the manual tailgate, which required marked effort to lift from storage. It was operated by switches on the instrument panel or a key switch on the rear quarter panel. The Clamshell system, heavy and complex, made it easier to load and unload the extremely long wagons in tight spaces. At 5,161 lb (2,341 kg) shipping weight (5,186 lb (2,352 kg) with woodgrain), or about 5,400 lb (2,400 kg) curb weight, the three-seat 1974 Custom Cruiser wagons are easily the heaviest Oldsmobiles ever built. For those of you that follow me, you know I love Oldsmobiles and this car will not disappoint. Now it is ready for it new owner. Sold new to Arthur Scott of Worthington, Ohio Chesrown Oldsmobile on July 23, 1973. After about five years, he relocated his family to Oregon. Not long after arriving, this beauty was stored, remaining in storage for many, many years. Owner #2 from Virginia purchased the car from Art's family in 2013 and brought it back to the east coast. We purchased the car this year and we are completing the refresh, including a new dual stage repaint. New dual stage repaint in the factory Dark Red Metallic. Excellent dark woodgrain and roof luggage rack. Factory Cranberry vinyl three seat, eight passenger interior in excellent condition. Factory door panels, dash, carpet, & headliner all in excellent condition. What a cruiser !! Ice cold factory air conditioning Famous factory 455 V-8 and four barrel carb Automatic transmission and all the luxury options this top of the line model carries as standard equipment. BOLD FACT: THE ULTIMATE OLDSMOBILE LUXURY STATION WAGON RUST FREE - THREE OWNER - LOW MILE SURVIVOR FACTS: • 100% laser straight, rust free body panels • Excellent brand new dual stage repaint in Dark Red Metallic • Woodgrain option and roof luggage rack • Famous, innovative clamshell tailgate working perfectly • Mint factory Red vinyl interior and carpet • Excellent dash & door panels • Third seat, eight passenger option • Great chrome and soft trim throughout • Original 455 V-8 engine - four barrel carb • Factory automatic transmission • Cold factory air conditioning • Power steering, brakes, seat, windows & locks • Perfect dash with woodgrain inserts • Original AM/FM stereo & factory clock • Factory wheel covers & newer whitewall radial tires Check out our full inventory at www.MJCClassicCars.com