Funky Fabric: 1965 Oldsmobile F-85 Vista Cruiser – SOLD!

December 29, 2021 Update – The seller posted a new Craigslist ad after a nearly one-month hiatus, however, the new listing now reads “Sale Pending” with a revised asking price of $12,500.

November 30, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” until we come across an updated listing.

Aside from classic Woodys, no other car screams “Station Wagon” better than an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. Add a great color combination, a more colorful interior than the original Morrokide, top it with two surfboards and you have a wagon we want to add to our garage right now.  That’s the way we feel about this 1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Clairemont, California (San Diego) where the seller reports having twin babies means this car sits currently.

A three-row nine-passenger model featuring a newer paint job and interior refresh, the seller has their 1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser priced to sell at $13,500.  Comparing that price against the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the private seller has their vintage Olds priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $9,900 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $15,900. and its #1 “ Similarly, the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool as a second data point confirms this private seller has Vista Cruiser priced between the #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $9,200 and the #3 “Good” appraisal of $18,200.

Launched for the 1964 model year, Oldsmobile’s first-generation Vista Cruiser pioneered the use of a raised roof with a split skylight that began over the second-row seating, with lateral glass panels over the rear cargo area. Sun visors for the glass came standard for second-row passengers. To facilitate an optional, forward-facing, third-row bench seat, Oldsmobile stretched the Vista Cruiser’s wheelbase nearly half a foot to 120 inches.  Vista Cruisers also featured an elevated roof over the rear seat and cargo area and glass skylights over the rear seating area, which consisted of a transverse, two-piece skylight over the second seat and small longitudinal skylights directly over the rear cargo-area windows.  With sun glare a concern, the second-row seats also featured standard sun visors.  From 1965 to 1970 Oldsmobile dropped the full-sized 88 wagons, making the Vista Cruiser the division’s largest.  The shorter-wheelbase F-85/Cutlass wagon remained the entry-level offering.  Vista Cruisers such as the example presented here come equipped with Olsmobile’s 330 cubic inch “Jetfire” V8 mated to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

Here’s a great commercial posted on the Osborn Tramain YouTube Channel focused on the ’65 Vista Cruiser:

If you’re looking for a tastefully updated Vista Cruiser to cruise in rather than a show car, this may be the station wagon for you.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1965 Oldsmobile Vista cruiser F-85 Original California Car. Newer interior and paint! 3-row seating. 330 Jet Fire V8 runs smooth! New front + rear shocks, New plugs, and wires with distributor cap. The new car cover goes with it! Has original roof rack. Surfboards go with the car! Have twin babies so the car sits. My loss your gain-call.“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser?  Comment below and let us know!