Ultra Rare Rust-Free CA 1972 Custom Cruiser. LOADED clamshell wagon. 2 owner

1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Additional Info:

Extremely rare 1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser nine passenger wagon.

***** NOTE: eBay limits me to 24 photos here. They have made it impossible to share more than 24 images images with you. I have uploaded many detailed images and copies of documents to Photo Bucket. However I cannot link them here. So you will need to message me through eBay with your email address so that I can send the photo bucket info. Or you can call/text me at 206-948-5222. Sorry for the hassle. ******

(To those of you eBay sightseers I apologize for the lengthy auction description, just skip to the photos. For those of you considering spending thousands of dollars on a car based on an auction description I have tried to provide as much information as possible.)

Are you looking for a unique big block muscle car? Something different than the proverbial Chevelle, Mustang, or Camaro?

Want to show up at the kid’s soccer games in the coolest car on the planet? No mini-van or crummy Explorer here..... we are talking the ORIGINAL SUV! The family truckster! A super-luxury Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser! Can you fit a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood flat in the back of your pick-up or SUV? You can in the Custom Cruiser, AND close the tailgate!!!

This fabulous car is not for the faint of heart, or for folks who want to be inconspicuous. This car stops traffic where ever it goes. Pulling into any car show or Friday night cruise-in all eyes immediately go to this wagon! The long low silhouette is underscored by the elegant rear fender skirts and finned rear quarters. The Custom Cruiser was the most luxurious and elegant looking of the GM clamshell wagons, it was the closest thing to having a factory Cadillac wagon.

While cream-puff Cadillacs and Lincolns show up all the time, nice full size 70s wagons are a rarity. Most people who bought luxury cars took care of them and garaged them. Wagons were purchased by big families for utilitarian pursuits.....hauling kids to baseball practice, camping with the girl scouts, weekend homeowner projects. After years of abuse by Mom and the kids they were either passed on to teenage drivers or construction folks who finished them off. Survivor wagons are few and far between and exceedingly hard to find. When is the last time you saw one of these? The Oldsmobile clamshells were the lowest production of the GM clamshells and early examples (71-73) almost never become available. This is a rare opportunity.

This is an original dry rust-free California wagon with 109,718 honest original documented miles. I purchased this car from S. Keels the daughter of the original owner, Lawrence Keels, in October 2012. It wears its original 1972 issued California blue/yellow plates (and original dealer license frames!); CA registration is current and requires no emissions testing in CA. The car is physically located in Seattle, WA (car is registered to my home in CA). Clear CA title in my name is in my possession.

Lawrence Keels was a Supervisor of Industrial Engineering at GM. He purchased this car through GMs employee discount program. He took delivery on Aug. 16, 1972 at Century Oldsmobile in Van Nuys, CA.

The car is finished in Oldsmobile “Pinehurst Green” with Dark Green interior. It is LOADED; equipped with the following options:

· Power Windows

· Power door locks

· Power Tailgate and Power Rear Window

· Air Conditioning

· Six way Power Bench Seat

· Forward facing third row seat

· Tilt Steering Wheel

· Cruise Control – works too!

· Electric Clock

· Remote Control Driver's side Mirror

· Passenger’s side Mirror

· Super rare factory door mounted thermometer (in front of side mirror)

· Front and Rear Bumper Guards

· Factory Chrome Roof Rack

· Carpeted load floor

· Tinted glass – all windows

· Deluxe Seat belts

· Stereo radio (now replaced)

· Convenience Group

The powerful 455 V8 / 4 barrel /dual exhaust runs and drives great (much more power than my 1976 Buick clamshell). The transmission shifts smooth (900 miles since a complete overhaul). The brakes stop on a dime. The car gives an incredible smooth ride...the long wheelbase and even weight distribution make this car a joy to drive. No doubt the car is huge, but driving and handling is a breeze.

Condition

Exterior: The exterior is 100% original from the factory, there are no signs of collision repair or paint work ever. The exterior chrome and stainless trim is very nice and original. The tires have 1,000 miles on them. The undercarriage and frame are exceptionally solid and rust free (a benefit of a garaged life in CA and Seattle). Photos of the rear side windows are included to show that there is no rust in this common problem area. I have also included photos of the underside of the spare tire well which is rust free – very rare on these cars, as well as the rocker panel areas and door jambs.

Interior: The interior of this car is very nice and clean. The car is a NINE passenger wagon. The dash, headliner, door panels, original carpet, and cargo area are all great. There is some splitting at the seams on the driver’s seat, and one small split on back seat (correct NOS vinyl is available through SMS in Oregon – details/samples included in the sale). The third seat is mint. Note the armrests/door panels on this car. They are the full width, top of the line, Olds 98 armrests with full chrome console style. These were only offered on the 98s, no 88 was equipped with them. They are very rare, only some of the Custom Cruisers had them. Even Buick never offered the deluxe door panels/full armrests that were on the Electra series in their Estate Wagons. These Custom Cruisers were truly the most luxurious full size wagons available!

Mechanical: I intended to keep this car forever so I approached it with an open check book. I have receipts for way over $7000 of work done to it in the last 1000 miles (summary below). This car is in EXCELLENT mechanical condition. The car starts right up first time, every time. The 455 V8 is powerful, smooth, and idles nicely. This is the last year before these cars got loaded up with emissions equipment and down tuned to squeeze gas mileage. LOTS of power and torque here. The transmission shifts smoothly. The brakes are firm and the car stops just fine. The ride is very smooth. I would not hesitate to drive this car cross country (if you can afford the fuel costs!).

As mentioned, I acquired the car in Oct. 2012 with 108,600 miles on it. The car now has 109,718. I have had the following items addressed since:

At 108,709 miles on 12-12-2012 - S. Keels got the car from her Dad in 1995 with only 68,000 miles on it. She immediately set it up to tow a small travel trailer. The tow hitch was added and headers replaced the factory exhaust manifolds. By the time I got it the exhaust leak from the headers was ridiculously noisy. So I purchased new correct 455 HIGH PERFORMANCE silver ceramic coated exhaust manifolds ($530 for the parts alone) and I had the following done:

· Remove headers and replace exhaust manifolds.

· Replaced valve cover gaskets

· Original starter sent out and rebuilt (not off the shelf replacement from parts store)

· Full tune up to include distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs,

· Lube, Oil and filter

· Upper and lower tailgate assemblies lubricated

At 108,738 on 03-21-2013 - four new Coker American Classic tires mounted. Alignment done.

At 108,795 on 5-09-2013 - I had an upgraded alternator, alternator regulator, and belt replaced.

At 108,804 on 5-30-2013 - a complete overhaul of original transmission (not a rebuilt exchange)

At 109,000 in Jan – 2017 - original Quadra jet Carb rebuilt, two new mufflers, new fuel filter and lines.

Compression test on 4-08-2016 showed 125 -130 lbs. in all 8 cylinders.

The windows, seat, headlights, cruise control, and wipers all work. The Air Conditioning blows but not cold. The heater/defrost works great. The power tailgate and rear window have been lubricated and both work fine from both the dash switches and rear key switch. The radio is not original.

***** NOTE: eBay limits me to 24 photos here. They have made it impossible to share more than 24 images images with you. I have uploaded many detailed images and copies of documents to Photo Bucket. However I cannot link them here. So you will need to message me through eBay with your email address so that I can send the photo bucket info. Or you can call/text me at 206-948-5222. Sorry for the hassle. ******

Documentation: This car is one of the most heavily documented cars I have ever owned. It comes with STACKS of service receipts, sales documentation, communications from Oldsmobile, etc. Some of these include (see photos):

· The original purchase order from Century Oldsmobile dated 8/16/1972.

· The original GM Employees Purchase Plan document showing a 40% (!) discount (executive)

· The 1972 Oldsmobile Pre-Delivery Service & Adjustment Check Sheet – with matching VIN – dated May 31, 1972

· Original letter from JC Schultz, Los Angeles Zone Manager for Oldsmobile thanking Mr. Keels for his purchase and including his Protect-O-Plate and Maintenance schedule. Original Oldsmobile Division envelope (postmarked Oct 13, ’72 in Lansing, MI). Note VIN number on letter matches all other documentation – original to THIS car.

· An original recall notice from Oldsmobile Division from 1973 advising of a steering coupling shield that needed to be added. Mr. Keels hand written note on the letter indicates he had the recall repair done on May 31, 1973.

· The original build sheet – mint condition.

· Original Oldsmobile full line Deluxe brochure

· Original Oldsmobile color brochure

· And more…

I have just under $14,000 invested in this car (full documentation in a binder included with sale); the reserve is set at less than half that amount.I had every intention of keeping this car forever and approached it with an open check book. However, in 2016 I came across a 1976 Buick Estate in showroom condition and bought it. It has taken me nearly two years to decide if I want to part with the ‘72 Olds and the truth is I really don’t. However, I have ten cars and limited storage in Seattle so I am offering it up here. I do not expect to get back what I have invested in it. However,I am not interested in giving it away. If it comes down to that I will store it away for another year and do the paint and 'wood' at that time. It will be a high teen$$$ car at that point (Hagerty insurance has it valued on my policy at $16,000 today). If you want an exceptional, straight, rust free, fully documented, and loaded original CA Custom Cruiser this is your chance.

Clear California title in my name in hand, car is located in Seattle, 98116.

I have included lots of large photos for your review. You can click on any of the photos and save them to your own computer which will allow you to view them even larger for details. Thank you and Happy Bidding

The car is 46 years old, so obviously it is sold as is, with no warranty expressed or implied. I have tried to describe the car in the best detail possible, but I may have missed something important to you. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have BEFORE bidding.

A $500 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is due within 24 hours of the end of the auction. The balance is due within 7 days of the end of the auction. Wire transfer for the balance is preferred. Cashiers or personal check is okay, but verification of clearance will delay the release of the car. I am happy to work with your shipper once the car is paid for and I can provide indoor storage for the car up to 30 days after the end of the auction. I reserve the right to cancel all bids and end the auction early for local sale. I am happy to work with International buyers. Please keep in mind car will need to be paid in full and clearance of payment will need to be verified prior to the car being released for transport.

I have had the same eBay id for 20 YEARS!; my feedback speaks for itself. Additionally, you will note the check symbol next to my id. My identity information has been checked and verified through eBay’s third-party screening system. I have sold a number of cars over the years and every buyer has been very happy with their purchase. You can buy with confidence.

On May-21-18 at 05:35:04 PDT, seller added the following information:

There are additional photos and documents available athttp://s279.photobucket.com/user/choust1/library/