Blue on Blue Wagon: 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser – Sold?

Aug 2021 | Craigslist ClassiFINDS, Wagon Wednesday

September 21, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Oldsmobile “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The landscape for land yacht station wagons has held steady over the years, with an appreciation for the precursor to the SUV craze growing but not to the point of being unobtainable. This 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was originally listed in August 2021 on Craigslist in Durham, North Carolina, with over 160,000 miles but still presenting well, and an asking price of the best offer over $4,500.   Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his Custom Cruiser priced fairly between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $7,800 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $5,000  If you are serious about buying this big body long roof, you can start the conversation by emailing the seller here.  When you do, please remember to mention you saw his wagon featured here on GuysWithRides.com.

The General Motors B-body lineup is one of the more storied ones in recent memory, seemingly finding favor with enthusiasts across the age spectrum. Baby boomers love them because they grew up riding in similar vehicles and likely owned one when their own children were young. Gen Xers love them because they have those same memories, and now have some expendable cash to put towards buying one for purely nostalgic reasons. Throw in the fact that the whole lineup of rebadged wagons from the likes of Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Buick could be had with LT1 power and its legend only continues to grow. The Custom Cruiser was short-lived in comparison to its Caprice sibling in terms of production time and was also the last rear-wheel-drive Oldsmobile model sold in the U.S. End of an era, indeed.

The MotorWeek Retro Review Channel provides this 1991 GM model overview video.  Jump to the two-minute mark to watch the testers thrash a similar 1991 Custom Cruiser on a race track!

The seller’s description is a bit messy, with the curious list price as being anything over $4,500, or at least the best offer over that price. This is a bit of a red flag for me, personally, in terms of how long it will take to actually acquire any car you’re interested in, with a “best and final” approach to a selling price. The Oldsmobile version of the B-body estate came with a unique nose panel, which looks to be in good shape here. The seller notes it is well optioned and that flaws are minimal, including an inoperable tachometer (potentially just a bad ground) and a noisy air conditioning blower fan. The leather seating surfaces look to be in great shape despite having 160,000 miles on the clock, and the rear-facing third-row seat looks largely unused. Good luck with the purchase if you decide to take this Custom Cruiser for an epic road trip!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser for sale at best offer over $4500. Good condition. Never wrecked. 166K miles. Last of the big, rear-drive V8 station wagons. Now that these are becoming collectible, I would get more at auction, but don’t have the time. Hagerty shows $4300 for #4″Fair” and $7600 for #3 Good. NADA shows Average Retail: $4525, High Retail $6425. All available options. Tach does not work. AC blower fan noisy/rubbing (just started). Otherwise, everything works. Factory Service Manual and original owners manuals. 2-way tailgate. Newish AC compressor/rebuild. New ball joints and tires. Lifetime starter. Air shocks on the rear. Leather in good condition, no rips or tears. Alloy wheels. Well-maintained and reliable. Mobil 1 synthetic oil for the last 20 years. 4’x8′ cargo area in the back with the seats folded.

Do you have an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!

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