Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Second Generation 1968–1972
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
1969 Vista Cruiser
|
|
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1968–1972 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Chevrolet Monte Carlo Chevrolet El Camino Pontiac Grand Prix Pontiac Tempest Oldsmobile Cutlass Buick Special Buick Sport Wagon GMC Sprint |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 350 cu in (5.7 L) Rocket V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Rocket V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8 |
| Transmission | 2-speed automatic 3-speed automatic 4-speed manual 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 121 in (3,073 mm) |
| Length | 218.2 in (5,542 mm) |
| Width | 77.2 in (1,961 mm) |
| Height | 58.6 in (1,488 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,064 lb (1,843 kg) |
A major restyling of the GM A-body car line for 1968 replaced the split skylight with a one-piece unit, and stretched the wheelbase 1" to 121 in (3,073 mm).
From 1968 to 1972, a 350-cubic-inch (5,700 cc; 5.7 L) V8 became standard, with a high-output 400-cubic-inch (6,600 cc; 6.6 L) V8 from the 442 muscle car optional in 1968-69, and a 455-cubic-inch (7,460 cc; 7.46 L) V8 available from 1970 to 1972.
Transmission offerings through the years included one of two automatics—the two-speed Jetaway (1968) or three-speed Turbo Hydramatic (1968–72), or very rarely, a standard three-speed manual with column shift or optional four-speed manual with floor-mounted Hurst shifter.
In 1969, the "Dual-Action" tailgate was introduced as an option on two-row models and standard equipment on three-row.
In 1970, an exterior redesign sharpened edges and curves. Although it closely resembled the 1968-69 models, and is essentially regarded a second-generation car (The GM Skywagon Club recognizes the 1970-72 models as "Generation 2a"), many body parts were no longer interchangeable. The dashboard was also completely redesigned.
For 1971, Oldsmobile brought back the Custom Cruiser wagon on the full-sized 98 C-body chassis, featuring GM's disappearing clamshell tailgate, but the glass-roofed Vista Cruiser continued until 1972.
A small number of 1972 Vista Cruisers were modified by Hurst Performance for support car duties at the 1972 Indianapolis 500, joining the 1972 Hurst/Olds official pace car. Both were equipped with 455-cubic-inch (7,460 cc; 7.46 L) Rocket V8. Two modified Vista Cruisers are known to survive as of 2012, a press car and a medical director's car. As of 2012, the medical director's car is owned by a relative of Ray Harroun, the winner of the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.