1976 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/oldsmobile/custom-cruiser/2191106.html

 

That sure is a pretty Olds.

 

Sure looks good but the options seem strange, a/c, cruise, roof rack and power tailgate but no third seat or power windows.
I wouldn't have hacked up the middle console either for the double din unless I had a spare unit.

 

What are these 2000 and up after-market add-ons?



Nice, I get to see the extent of the early headrest. Doesn't seem like it goes that far.

Transmission: Manual.

Someone goofed.

Hopefully they don't start the auction too low.

 

Another victim of “Happy hands at home syndrome”. I agree with you Fullsizelover. I hope that the dash isn’t all hacked up with those must have accessories. I’m pulling the stereo CD player out of my car today and putting in a 1971 Ford Philco am radio. Instead of making a ‘76 a 2006, I’m gonna make a 2011 a 1971.

 

Think 8-track!
Or maybe Highway Hi-Fi.

 

A few comments about the comments in the ad:

It's a somewhat common misconception, but the '71 to '76 Custom Cruisers were built on the C-body (Ninety-Eight) platform, not on the B-body (Delta 88) platform. He does have the dimensions correct. For 1976, the B-body Delta 88 had a 124-inch wheelbase and was 226.7 inches long. The 98 (and Custom Cruiser) rode on a 127-inch wheelbase, the Custom Cruiser was, as he says, 231 inches long, while the 98 was even longer at 232.2 inches. The curb weight of the 2-seat wagon was 5,118 lbs. I'm not sure what weight he is quoting there.

 

He didn't just hack up the middle part of the dash to make room for the radio. He had to also move two switches, the power rear window and power tailgate switches, to a panel under the dash. Those are supposed to be located, along with the rear defogger switch if that car has that option, under the radio in the center of the dash. I've pointed to those switches in this photo, and I've also pointed to the right side of the dash, which looks to be a mess. The entire dash on this car is so messed up that, the more I think about it, the more I wouldn't want this car.


As far as options, it also does not have power locks, and we can't tell about rear defog as he never shows the car with the back window down. From his photo of the speedometer, we can see that the car does not have a trip odometer, "economy" gauge, or speed sentinel. The front seat, second seat, and cargo areas look very nice. The exterior looks great as well. It's the hacked-up dash that gets me. Why do that?

Here's a photo of the center dash area on my car, a '78 Toronado, which has the same dash as this car. My car, of course, doesn't have the tailgate or rear window switches, but it does have rear defogger, and you can see that switch and where it and the window and tailgate switches would go.

 

The other thing I noticed was the drivers side door panel. It seems kinda puckered, and what happened to the remote LH mirror? That, with the weather strip and wind lace 26,000 miles seems like it may be a bit iffy. Totally not related but as I am typing this I’m watching Mannix. Criminals Ski-daddled in a ‘69 olive green Monaco wagon w/wood of course. Guy got shot and picked up in a ‘69 Pontiac ambulance Longroofs EVERYWHERE!

 

At least the passenger quarter has been painted, spare tire well is blue. And the antenna on that quarter isn't stock.

 

As far as the door panel, you're talking about what's circled below? I wouldn't necessarily attach much significance to that. I had a ' 73 Custom Cruiser, and the door panel was similar. The fit and finish on the door trim was not all that great to start with, and after so many years, the vinyl fabric can shrink a bit.

All that holds that upper door panel in place are the two screws you see on either end towards the bottom and two screws under the escutcheons on either end of the pull strap. Otherwise, the lip at the top of the panel tucks under a flap running along the top of the door. Over time, the panel can start rattling no matter how tight the screws are.

You're right about the mirror. That's not a remote-control mirror, and the adjustment lever is missing. The passenger and driver's side mirrors do match.

 

Anyone who values originality will pass on this one. That would include me.

 

No clutch.