Reader Josh Fullenwider had his BangShift alarm go off when he saw this Craigslist post for a 1972 Olds Vista Cruiser the likes of which the world has never seen before. We’re not kidding, this baby is a huge purple tribute to the concept of “dare to be different”. From the paint that may have been a good idea sometime in the middle 1990s to the wheels which may have been a good idea when Miami Vice was peaking in popularity to the engine, which is located where the third row seat would have been when the car was stock, there’s nothing “normal” about this classic wagon. The question then becomes, is it really cool or just way too over the top. Additionally, can stuff be fixed to make it cool? Maybe ditch the Barney purple paint and swap the wheels out for something different? The headers through the back window have to stay though. Removing them would be against all that is right and good with the world.
Here’s the text of the Craigslist post, lest it be removed:
This car is for someone who has everything and is looking for some wow factor. Take it to a car show and watch everyone crowd around it. One of a kind !! 455 ci engine from a 70’s toronado. Edelbrak performance manifold. RV cam and full roller rocker arms. Drag boat headers out the back window. Wheelie bars for show. 4 wheel disc brakes. Paint is magenta with blue flames.Ram air scoop on the roof. Sell or trade for 60’s car. Need to be a seasoned driver to drive.
About the “seasoned driver” comment. We believe the seller and not because we think that the car is so blindingly fast and no average man or woman could handle it. More the fact that the weight bias of the thing must be so wonky that trying to drive it like a “normal” car would get your wrecked in a hurry. That’s just a guess on our part.
We’d paint this baby back to factory, work on the suspension and then set about scaring old ladies in 50 states along with several Canadian provinces. Truth.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS AND THE CL AD LINK TO THIS WILD WAGON –
CLICK HERE for the Craigslist ad selling this crazy rear engine 1972 Olds wagon
If that 455 put out any kind of power He needs those wheelie bars to keep his nose down.
I don’t car for the rear mounted engine and boat headers. If the engine was up front and the car had a different paint job it could rock.
+1
that RV cam should really improve the mileage.
I’m disappointed in the wheelie bars being for show :'( That would be the first thing to remedy, a more rowdy Olds engine.
I just wonder how much it would take to make it do wheelies down a quarter mile? Or will it do it now if you take off the wheelie bars? Weight bias should be correct already. Probably would need more HP and some rollover protection.
I am always leery when I see pictures from five years ago. I know, many are technologically challenged and cannot set the date (much like these things they used to have, called VCRs), but I still wonder.
The real question here being ;
Why ?
Better question: Why not?
I’d give it a repaint, a less dated interior and wheels, slap a blower on the 455 and put the wheelie bars to work. Bet you would never have to worry about seeing somebody else on the road in the same car as you
Oh hell yeah!!!
remember Chevanado Nomad??
that the exact thing that spurs on bad ass cars!! good for the builder! All of the things on that car are cool in their own way, maybe some things don’t go together but all that work is impressive!
That car should do wheelies!
those flames on the sides look like the kids puked their blue Slurpees down the door – yer right: paint it back factory with the ‘Grizwald’ type wood grain trim on the sides!
I Like it… Not so much the paint but that is the builders choice. An 8-71 blower with two huge carburetors and Ram-Air would help it both in looks and speed.
I would love to drive it down the track or to the street races.