Newby, 1971 Oldsmobile custom cruiser

Hi Everyone. I am Martin, 36 years ols, and live in The Netherlands. Its the country below the sea level, windmills, high gas prices, and a well known redlight district in Amsterdam. Ok, then you know that. What do I have in my garage is a 1971 Oldsmobile custom cruiser. The cruiser is in good condition, and is being used fur fun drives, car meetings, and the antique radio meetings. The car has an easy life. The car is used, the paint is fair to bad, however, being original, ok to me. Woodgrain, little faded, ok to me. Interior is nice, no rips, the plastic pieces are a little weathered in the California sun, ok to me. This car is mostly original, rust free. I am very happy with it. I bought the car 2 years ago, and some already know me.

How I found it







The story is that I wanted a classic American station wagon. I wanted to buy the car, and make a trip from L.A to Bend, OR. I first wanted a 1977-86 Oldsmobile Custom cruiser. I like to have one with all the buttons. Didn´t find any. Then I run into this wagon on craigslist L.A. In the first, it was too expensive for me, but I REALY liked this car. He send me 7 photo´s. Watched it for 2 months. Then I decided to give the guy an offer, and see. He took the offer. I had a friend who picked up the car, and had it technically fixed. The car had been sitting for a few years. Since I wanted to take a big trip, everything got taken care, starting with a full service. New timing, tires, waterpump, and rebuild carburettor, and many more small things. In all I went 3 times over my budged, but it was well worth it. Car drives like a dream. When I flew in, I was picked up in my own car. WOW.

The place that fixed up my car



Later I found out the 71is very special, and not found often. My car has all the right options for being a real wagon. Third seat, roofrack, woodgrain. Optical, it has tintes windows and nice color 6767 Sienna metalic paint. Conveniance, powerwindows, power tailgate, clock, carpeted cargo area. It does not have a tilt steering, strange.

The story is that the first owner ordered the car new at Bill Romel Olds in Redondo beach. Retail price $4659
Distination 265
Total options $1324 (more on that later)
Total $6249
At the time he was an engineer, and often worked home. He had an wife, and three kids. They took road trips in the weekends. As his career got better, he started to drive Cadillacs. The station was kept as handy to have. Everybody told him to sell the old wagon, he hold on to it. It was parked in the garage. Then the kids moves out, and the wive passed away. Then around 2005 or so, he got sick, and had to sell the cars. He didn´t want to sell the cruiser. When he passed away, the kids took the car, and let it sit outside... Then they decided to sell. I think the car has sat outside in LA for a year, and that went fast, paint, and interior had a hard time. The car had water leaks by the windows and tailgate. He put around 116 K-mile on the car. He kept te car in good condition, had the front seat reupholstered, and had the front suspension rebuild. The car sat 300 yards from the reach in the garage all its live.

More later. Then I will list my adventures in the USA, how I imported the car into the Netherlands, and how I converted it to LPG



Around my house






As you can see there is some light damage to the side. At some point... there is only light demage, why they painted it, I don´t know. It is ok to me. I am not in for awards, this car is about fun, and driving, not on money, awards and so on.



For now, this is it. Till next time

 

Great Olds and great story! There are some real die-hard American car fans on the other side of the pond and it takes a lot of money and effort to own one. Cool!

 

welcome aboard, Martin.

Was nice to meet you last Sunday at KC...was there with the green 71 Electra parked next to your 71 CC.

 

Welcome Clamshell Cruiser. I agree that is a great story and great pictures of a great wagon! I am with you it looks nice as is.

 

Welcome to the Forum Martin!!! Love the wagon!

 

Welcome aboard! Love your wagon! Thought I noticed a furry buddy in one of those pics....

 

Welcome to the nut house. GREAT story about the Cruiser. It is really nice to see an old wagon that is loved and used and shows it. Anyone can, with enough money, have a wagon that looks like new. You only find a survivor like this once in the life of any car. Keep up the good work maintaining her. Hope we see you around here for many years.

 

Welcome to the madness Martin! Cool pics for an opening post. What kind of radio is that in the wagon? Is it factory? and for opening post rating.

 

Cool car, a true "land yacht".

Did your dog travel with you??

 

Welcome

Great introduction and nice wagon. I like your attitude.

 

I like that copper color on your clamshell. Welcome!

 

Welcome and very nice wagon Martin!

 

Welcome to the forum, Martin.
Your Olds looks nice, and about as good as what you could expect of a Southern California vehicle that hasn't received the best of protection from the elements.

Spent some time living in the south bay area of Southern California, from 1974 until 1980 or so, and I don't remember a Bill Romel Oldsmobile in the area, so by then the dealership could have changed names (which happens a lot in the business here...)

Glad you joined up. Feel free to jump in on our discussions.

Marshall

 

Hi guys, thanks for the reactions. Today, I went to a cruise in the Netherlands.



There were many more old station wagons. There were 3 more clamshells. 2 for sale.

I always bring my furry friend. I also took her across the pond, and showed her how it is done in the states. I present the dog





The car was originaly equiped with an AM radio. The original owner had another unit installed, Jetsound. AM FM stereo cassette. Works good. It has some woodgrain cover, and blends in nice on the dash. I still have the AM radio. Since there are nu fun radio stations on the AM, I keep the other. I replaced the broken front speakers with full rangers, and sound good.

I will take a foto later of some ducumentation. The car had licence plate holders of Romel Olds.

 

Great looking wagon. The '71 & '72 Olds CC's were the nicest looking clamshells, imo. Not just the outside, but the 'command-center' dash was an eye pleaser for me too. I'd own one today if I thought I could make it go... & still get mid-teens mileage. But, they are big machines, and would take an LS1 or 2 setup to do it. Have you had it weighed, by any chance?