Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

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Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

Manufacturer	Oldsmobile
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1971–1992
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States
Class	Full-size
Body style(s)	4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout

Oldsmobile used the Custom Cruiser name on their large rear-wheel drive station wagons from 1971 to 1992. The Custom Cruiser wagon used the same B-body platform as the Chevrolet Caprice, and Buick Roadmaster wagons.

First generation (1971–1976)

First generation

Production	1971–1976
Platform	C-body
Engine(s)	400 in³ V8 455 in³ V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
Related	Cadillac Calais Oldsmobile 98 Pontiac Safari

The first generation Custom Cruiser first appeared in 1971 based upon the C platform. It could seat up to 8 people, and it also featured an innovative electrically operated tailgate that went down into the floor of the car, while the rear window went into the roof. The first generation lasted until 1976.

Oldsmobile's 455 in³ (7.4 L) V8 engine was standard.

Second generation (1977–1990)

Second generation

Production	1977–1990
Platform	B-body
Engine(s)	307 in³ V8 350 in³ V8 350 in³ diesel V8 403 in³ V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic 4-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
Wheelbase	115.9 in (2944 mm)
Length	220.3 in (5596 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2027 mm)
Height	58.5 in (1486 mm)
Related	Buick Electra Estate Chevrolet Caprice Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Pontiac Safari

The second generation Custom Cruiser appeared in 1977 based upon the B platform. The second generation was smaller and lighter than the previous generation, and still able to seat up to 8 people. The electrically operated tailgate was replaced by a conventional three-way tailgate.

The new 1977 Custom Cruisers came with a standard 350 in³ (5.7 L) V8. Oldsmobile's 403 in³ (6.6 L) V8 was optional through 1979. In 1978, the 350 in³ diesel V8 became available; it would remain an option through 1985, after which it was discontinued. 1980 saw the introduction of the 307 in³ V8, becoming standard equipment. The gasoline 350 would remain as an option through 1980, but was dropped thereafter.

The Custom Cruiser was slightly restyled in 1980 with a lower front fascia. The doors and window mechanisms were also redesigned to be lighter. On the sides, the woodgrained panels no longer followed the curves of the wheel wells, but were positioned higher on the body sides to give a straighter, sleeker look; however it should be noted that not all Custom Cruisers were equipped with woodgrained panels. 1980 saw the last restyling of the second generation Custom Cruisers. By 1988, the Custom Cruiser became Oldsmobile's last rear-wheel drive car.

Minor mechanical changes were made between 1980 and 1990. The new E4ME electronic carburetor which used GM's CCC (Computer Command Control) system was introduced in 1980 for models sold in California. In 1981, all Custom Cruisers used the E4ME with the CCC system, although Canadian emission cars continued to use the mechanical M4ME carburetor until 1986. Also new in 1981 was GM's new Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R automatic transmission with overdrive. This transmission was equipped with a lock-up torque converter and a 0.67:1 overdrive ratio. With the new transmission, the Custom Cruiser could be equipped with a numerically higher rear axle ratio for better performance, while offering improved fuel economy with the overdrive range. 1985 saw major changes to the 5.0 L (307 CID) V8 engine's cylinder head design. Introduced were new "swirl port" heads, which improved driveability and low-end torque. These new heads also featured very small intake ports, which reduced the higher RPM power and performance significantly. Along with the new heads, roller lifters replaced flat lifters.

The second generation continued on until 1990, having become a stand-alone model by that point—the 88 and 98, very similar to the Custom Cruiser until after 1984, were downsized in 1985 and 1986 and became entirely different cars. In 1990, the second generation's last year, a historic event occurred—the Oldsmobile 'Rocket' V8, having been a unique Olds-designed engine around in some form since the 1950s, was dropped. From then on, Oldsmobile never again had an engine unique to the division.

Third generation (1991–1992)

Third generation

Production	1991–1992
Platform	B-body
Engine(s)	5.0 L V8 5.7 L V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
Wheelbase	115.9 in (2944 mm)
Length	217.5 in (5525 mm)
Width	79.7 in (2024 mm)
Height	60.3 in (1532 mm)
Related	Buick Roadmaster Estate Chevrolet Caprice

The Custom Cruiser was completely redesigned for 1991. . The Olds 307 was replaced by a 5.0 L, (305 in³) Chevrolet V8 engine. This engine was equipped with throttle body fuel injection and was rated at 170 hp (127 kW) The new Chevrolet engine offered an increase in performance as well as improved fuel economy. Also new for 1991 the Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R was replaced by the 4L60.

Sales did improve over the 1990 model year, with some 7,663 Custom Cruisers sold for the 1991 model run. Sales slipped to just over 4,300 in 1992, however, and Oldsmobile discontinued production. The 1992 model year offered a 5.7 L (350 in³) Chevrolet V8. This engine was also equipped with throttle body fuel injection and was rated at 180 hp (134 kW), and 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) of torque compared to the standard 305's 170 hp (127 kW) and 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) of torque.

After the discontinuing of the Custom Cruiser's siblings, the Chevrolet Caprice and Buick Roadmaster in 1996, along with the Cadillac Fleetwood, the GM factory in Arlington, Texas was converted for use building the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and later, the Cadillac Escalade.

Production figures

1971 Total: 13,981

• Two-seat (six-passenger): 4,049
• Three-seat (nine-passenger): 9,932

1972 Total: 24,994

• Two-seat: 6,907
• Three-seat: 18,087

1973 Total: 38,921

• Two-seat, plain body: 5,275
• Two-seat, woodgrained body: 7,142
• Three-seat, plain body: 7,341
• Three-seat, woodgrained body: 19,163

1974 Total: 15,916

• Two-seat, plain body: 1,481
• Two-seat, woodgrained body: 2,960
• Three-seat, plain body: 2,528
• Three-seat, woodgrained body: 8,947

1975 Total: 16,068

• Two-seat, plain body: 1,458
• Two-seat, woodgrained body: 2,837
• Three-seat, plain body: 2,315
• Three-seat, woodgrained body: 9,458

1976 Total: 22,316

• Two-seat, plain body: 2,572
• Two-seat, woodgrained body: 3,849
• Three-seat, plain body: 3,626
• Three-seat, woodgrained body: 12,269

1977 Total: 32,827

• No breakdown of the number of two- and three-seat models produced is given in Oldsmobile's production figures for the Custom Cruiser from 1977 on.

1978 Total: 34,491

1979 Total: 36,648

1980 Total: 17,067

1981 Total: 18,956

1982 Total: 19,367

1983 Total: 25,243

1984 Total: 34,061

1985 Total: 22,889

1986 Total: 21,073

1987 Total: 17,742

1988 Total: 11,114

1989 Total: 8,929

1990 Total: 3,890

1991 Total: 7,663

1992 Total: 4,347

Engines for United States models

NOTE All engines, including 1971 are listed in SAE net brake horsepower.

References

• Flammang, James & Ron Kowalke (1999). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976–1999, Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-755-0. 
• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975, Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3. 
• Gunnell, John (2003). The Standard Catalog of V-8 Engines 1906–2002, Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87349-446-6. 

• Oldsmobile Club of America