Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
The Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by Oldsmobile in three generations from 1971 to 1992. The first full-size station wagon produced by Oldsmobile since the 1964 Oldsmobile 88 Fiesta, the Custom Cruiser was produced exclusively on the General Motors B platform as a five-door station wagon. The nameplate was first used by Oldsmobile from 1940 to 1947, denoting the top trim level of its C-body model line. 451,819 Custom Cruisers were sold over the years.
Through its entire production run, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was the counterpart to various Buick, Pontiac, and Chevrolet station wagons. Within Oldsmobile, the Custom Cruiser shared its trim with either the Oldsmobile Delta 88 or Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight; following the further downsizing of Oldsmobile sedans in 1986, the Custom Cruiser effectively became a stand-alone model line. With the discontinuation of the Cutlass Supreme Classic in 1988, the Custom Cruiser became the sole Oldsmobile sold with rear-wheel drive.
For the 1991 model year, the Custom Cruiser underwent an extensive redesign alongside its Buick and Chevrolet counterparts. Following the 1992 model year, the Custom Cruiser model line was discontinued. In the early 1990s, the Oldsmobile division began to explore station wagon alternatives, introducing both a minivan and a mid-size SUV before 1992. At the end of the 1996 model year, General Motors ended production of Buick Roadmaster and Chevrolet Caprice station wagons, marking the end of full-size station wagon production by American automobile manufacturers until the introduction of the Dodge Magnum in 2005.
First generation (1971–1976)
During the early 1970s, GM returned its mid-price divisions to the full-size station-wagon segment after concentrating wagon production towards Chevrolet and Pontiac. For 1971, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was introduced alongside a redesign of the Buick Estate and Pontiac Safari/Grand Safari. While the Oldsmobile Delta 88 sedan was mechanically related to the Chevrolet Impala/Caprice, General Motors designed the Custom Cruiser slightly separate from the Chevrolet full-size station wagon lines.Using the intermediate-segment Buick Sport Wagon and Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser as a predecessor, GM introduced a forward-facing third seat in a full-size station wagon for the first time. With a total of eight-passenger accommodation, the Custom Cruiser would become among the largest vehicles ever built by Oldsmobile.
Chassis
Technically derived from the GM B-body chassis, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser shares its 127-inch wheelbase with the GM C-body chassis. Shared with the same-generation Oldsmobile Ninety Eight, the 1971-1976 Custom Cruiser is the longest-wheelbase Oldsmobile ever produced by General Motors.In contrast to the rest of the GM B/C/D-platform vehicles of the time, GM 1971-1976 full-size station wagons used a truck-style rear suspension of multi-leaf springs.
At shipping weight, or about curb weight, the three-seat 1974 Custom Cruiser wagons are easily the heaviest Oldsmobiles ever built.
Powertrain
Oldsmobile offered the 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 in various states of tune from 1971 to 1976. A 190 hp 400 cubic-inch Pontiac V8 was offered for 1975. For the entire production of the first-generation Custom Cruiser, the GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic was the sole transmission paired with either engine.Body
As a result of its longer-wheelbase chassis layout, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser effectively existed as a hybrid of the Delta 88 and the Ninety Eight. From the Ninety-Eight, the Custom Cruiser adopted the front fascia and rear quarter panels ; the Custom Cruiser adopted interior trim elements from both the Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight. As with its Buick and Pontiac counterparts, to compete with the Mercury Colony Park and Chrysler Town & Country station wagons, the Custom Cruiser was offered with simulated woodgrain siding, with nearly 80% of buyers ordering the option.Following the exterior of the Ninety-Eight, the Custom Cruiser was given a new front bumper for 1972. For 1973 and 1974, Oldsmobile added 5-mph bumpers to the front and rear, respectively. For 1974, the grille was redesigned.
For 1976, alongside all GM full-size vehicles, the Custom Cruiser saw a redesign of its front fascia. Largely a preview of the 1977 Oldsmobile 98, the fascia was given four square headlights with outboard marker lights.
Clamshell tailgate design
Along with all other 1971-1976 General Motors full-size station wagons built on the B-platform, first-generation Custom Cruiser wagons feature a "clamshell" tailgate design. A two-piece tailgate configuration, the tailgate slid into a recess under the cargo floor while the rear glass window slid up into the roof; the design operated either manually or with optional power assist.The first powered tailgate in automotive history, the powered option ultimately became standard, as the manual tailgate required a degree of effort to lift out of storage. The system was operated from either an instrument panel switch or by key on the rear quarter panel. The clamshell tailgate, was intended to aid the loading the long station wagons in tight parking spaces. Heavy and complex, the system was not included in the 1977 full-sized station wagons ; instead, GM developed its own two-way tailgate.
Production Figures
Note: 1971-1976 model years are the only production figures that Oldsmobile broke down specifically by body configuration| Year | Total | Notes |
| 1971 | 13,981 | Two-row: 4,049 Three-row: 9,932 |
| 1972 | 24,994 | Two-row: 6,907 Three-row: 18,087 |
| 1973 | 38,921 | Two-row, painted: 5,275 Two-row, woodgrain: 7,142 Three-row, painted: 7, 341 Three-row, woodgrain: 19,163 |
| 1974 | 15,916 | Two-row, painted: 1,481 Two-row, woodgrain: 2,960 Three-row, painted: 2,528 Three-row, woodgrain: 8,947 |
| 1975 | 16,068 | Two-row, painted: 1,458 Two-row, woodgrain: 2,837 Three-row, painted: 2,315 Three-row, woodgrain: 9,458 |
| 1976 | 22,316 | Two-row, painted: 2,572 Two-row, woodgrain: 3,849 Three-row, painted: 3,626 Three-row, woodgrain: 12,269 |
Second generation (1977–1990)
For the 1977 model year, as part of a downsizing of the entire GM full-size range, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was redesigned, becoming a direct counterpart of the Delta 88 sedan. While interior space was reduced only marginally, its exterior footprint saw extensive change, with the full-size Custom Cruiser and the intermediate Vista Cruiser/Cutlass Supreme wagon briefly switching places as the longest Oldsmobile station wagon.As with the previous generation, the Custom Cruiser shared its body with the Buick Estate, Chevrolet Impala wagon/Caprice Estate, and Pontiac Safari. Following the exit of Chrysler from the segment after the 1977 model year, the Custom Cruiser primarily competed against the Ford LTD Country Squire and Mercury Colony Park, which remained in production through 1991.
Following the 1985 model year, GM shifted Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac versions of the B-body sedans to the front-wheel drive H-platform with a further round of downsizing, with station wagons becoming distinct model lines on the B platform.
Chassis
The second-generation Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is based on the GM B-platform. As part of the GM downsizing, station wagons were consolidated upon a common 115.9 inch wheelbase shared with wagons of all three mid-price divisions and Chevrolet. In the redesign, the Custom Cruiser shed 14 inches in length, 11 inches of wheelbase, and up to 900 pounds of curb weight. Though sharing its wheelbase with the intermediate Vista Cruiser prior to its 1978 downsizing/replacement, the Custom Cruiser remained in the full-size segment, as its body was several inches wider and taller.As Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac full-size sedans were downsized further to the front-wheel drive C-body and H-body platforms in the mid-1980s, after 1986, the rear-wheel drive B-platform remained solely for the Chevrolet Caprice and Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac station wagons.
Powertrain
At its 1977 launch, the second-generation Custom Cruiser was offered with two engines, a 170 hp 350 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8, with a 185 hp 403 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8 as an option. For 1979, both engines were detuned: the 350 was detuned to 160 hp and the 403 offered 175 hp. After 1980, both the 350 and the 403 were replaced by the 307.For 1980, Oldsmobile introduced its third V8 engine for the B-platform, the 307. Initially producing 150 hp, the 307 was detuned to 140 hp for 1981. For 1985, new "swirl port" cylinder heads were given to the 307. While engine horsepower was not increased, the design increased torque and driveability; at the expense of high RPM power and performance, the heads featured relatively small intake ports. Along with the new cylinder heads, roller lifters replaced flat lifters.
For 1980 in California-market examples, Oldsmobile introduced a new E4ME electronic carburetor, using CCC ; in 1981, the 4-barrel carburetor was adopted in all 50 states, replacing the previous mechanical M4ME version. In Canada, E4ME was not adopted until 1986.
1977-1990 Custom Cruisers were fitted with two different automatic transmissions. From 1977 to 1980, the 3-speed THM200 was the sole transmission. From 1981 to 1990, the THM200-4R 4-speed automatic with overdrive was added, as GM added a lock-up torque converter and a 0.67:1 overdrive ratio. With the overdrive transmission, the Custom Cruiser drive with a numerically higher rear axle ratio for better performance, while offering improved fuel economy with the overdrive range
In its final year of production, the second-generation Custom Cruiser marked the end of the Oldsmobile-produced V8. Shifting from its long-running practice of each division developing its own engines, during the 1980s, GM consolidated V8 production in non-Cadillac full-size cars towards Chevrolet and Oldsmobile, with the latter division developing diesel engines. Towards the end of the decade, GM phased out the Oldsmobile V8 family, as the 307 was the final engine produced by the company without fuel injection. After 1990, Oldsmobile would never again have a division-produced engine; the only GM division-unique engine family developed since 1990 is the now-defunct Cadillac Northstar.
Oldsmobile diesel V8
For 1978, Oldsmobile introduced its first diesel engine, a naturally aspirated 120 hp 350 cubic-inch V8. For 1980, the V8 was retuned to 105 hp, remaining an option through 1985.Body
In contrast to the 1971-1976 Custom Cruiser, Oldsmobile styled the 1977 Custom Cruiser as a station wagon version of the Delta 88, adopting its front fascia entirely. To distinguish itself from its nearly identical Buick, Chevrolet, and Pontiac counterparts, the Custom Cruiser was given its simulated wood design, with wood following the curve of the wheel wells.In a major departure from the 2-piece "clamshell" tailgate of its predecessor, the Custom Cruiser was fitted with a two-way tailgate; similar to configurations offered by Ford and Chrysler, the two-way tailgate opened to the side as a door or hinged down as a tailgate. The third-row seat made its return, allowing for 8-passenger seating; to allow for production commonality on a single wheelbase, the Custom Cruiser was produced with a rear-facing third row seat.
Alongside all B-platform station wagons and sedans, the Custom Cruiser saw an exterior update for 1980, with wagons receiving a new front fascia. To aid aerodynamics and fuel economy the grille and front fascia were redesigned, with the headlamps mounted closer to the front bumpers. Similar to the other B-body Oldsmobile's, the Custom Cruiser gained wraparound front marker lights. In a minor change, the design of the simulated woodgrain adopted the common layout used by Buick and Chevrolet, joining the headlamps and taillamps.
From 1980 to 1990, the exterior and interior of the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser saw almost no visible change, besides a small front fascia swap in 1985. Instead of the split-grille style from 1980-1984, the Custom Cruiser was now fitted with a single, wider grille. Along with the wider grille came a sharper header panel, instead of curving off on the edge. In 1986, the rear tailgate saw the addition of a federally mandated third brake light. In 1989, the seat belts in the B-body lineup were modified to meet federal safety standards. The rear outboard seats were fitted with shoulder belts and as the platform was not designed for airbags, the front shoulder belts were shifted from the B-pillar to the front doors for 1990, allowing the seat belts to remain buckled at all times.
Production figures
Third generation (1991–1992)
For the 1991 model year, General Motors redesigned its B-body model lines for the first time since 1977. While chassis underpinnings remained largely the same, the Custom Cruiser saw its most extensive revisions to both the body and interior in 13 years. To bring the model line into the 1990s, the Custom Cruiser received functional upgrades such as anti-lock brakes, a driver-side airbag, and fuel-injected engines.Following the retirement of the Pontiac Safari full-size wagon after the 1989 model year, the third-generation Custom Cruiser was marketed between the Chevrolet Caprice Estate and the Buick Roadmaster Estate. In contrast to Buick, Oldsmobile did not market a sedan version of the B-body.
Sold only in the United States, the 1991 Custom Cruiser improved its sales over 1990 nearly two-to-one, slightly outselling the Buick Roadmaster ; the model line also outsold the combined sales of the Ford LTD Country Squire and Mercury Colony Park. For 1992, the Custom Cruiser declined closer to 1990 sales, leading Oldsmobile to discontinue the model line for 1993.
The final Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was assembled on June 5, 1992, and was the final Oldsmobile car produced with rear-wheel drive. The model line is also the final Oldsmobile produced exclusively with a 3-passenger front bench seat; all subsequent vehicles produced by the division were sold with 2-passenger front seating as standard or as an option. In place of the Custom Cruiser, Oldsmobile concentrated on the Bravada SUV and Silhouette minivan; until its 1996 discontinuation, the Buick Roadmaster Estate was marketed as a functional replacement for the Custom Cruiser.
Chassis
The 1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is based upon the GM B-platform. Sharing its wheelbase with the 1977-1990 B-platform, the third-generation Custom Cruiser and its counterparts are largely re-bodied versions of their predecessors. Primarily through the addition of additional safety equipment, the redesign of the Custom Cruiser added nearly 100 pounds of weight to the vehicle.As Oldsmobile marketed the B-body exclusively as a station wagon, the closest sedan equivalent to the Custom Cruiser was the front-wheel drive Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan, nearly 12 inches shorter in length, 5 inches shorter in wheelbase, 4 inches narrower, 5 inches lower, and approximately 740 pounds lighter.
Following the 1992 discontinuation of the Custom Cruiser, the Buick Roadmaster Estate and Chevrolet Caprice Estate were produced with no major changes through their 1996 discontinuation, outside of the 1994 replacement of the L05 V8 with the LT1 V8 for 1994.
Powertrain
As part of the redesign of the GM B platform for 1991, Oldsmobile and Buick retired their divisional engines in favor of the Chevrolet small-block V8. The Oldsmobile 307 was replaced by a 5.0L V8. Along with an increase of 30 hp, the engine was fuel-injected. A 180 hp 5.7L V8 offered was offered as an option for 1992. Both engines were paired with the Hydramatic 4L60 4-speed overdrive automatic.Body
As with the previous generation, the Custom Cruiser shared nearly its entire body with its Chevrolet and Buick counterparts, sharing design features from both model lines. The use of chrome was visibly reduced, with plastic-covered 5-mph bumpers replacing the previous steel bumpers. Shared with the Buick Roadmaster Estate, the Custom Cruiser was fitted with a fixed second-row skylight allowing for a slightly raised rear roofline ; the body-color split grille derived much of its design from the Chevrolet Caprice.To distinguish the Custom Cruiser from its Buick and Chevrolet counterparts, the model line was fitted with standard two-tone paint, replacing woodgrain exterior trim, along with alloy wheels. While sharing its dashboard and interior elements with the Roadmaster, the Custom Cruiser was fitted with its own seat and wood trim design; cloth-trim seats were standard and leather-trim seats were an option. In contrast to its predecessors, the Custom Cruiser was given an instrument panel with full instrumentation, including tachometer, oil pressure, voltage, and coolant temperature. The rear tailgate underwent a redesign in its configuration, with the retractable rear window replaced by an upper hatch. In line with the mid-size Cutlass Cruiser/Buick Century station wagons, the Custom Cruiser offered pop-out vent windows in the cargo area to aid airflow and ventilation.
In line with the preceding two generations, the Custom Cruiser was offered with a rear-facing third-row seat, increasing capacity from six to eight.