Chassis

The Custom Cruiser (and its Buick and Pontiac counterparts) used the GM B-body chassis, extended to the 127-inch wheelbase used by the GM C-body platform (used by the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight and Buick Electra). In contrast to GM B/C/D-platform vehicles of the time, GM 1971–1976 full-size station wagons used a rear suspension of multi-leaf rear springs (in line with the C/K trucks of the time).

At 5,161 lb (2,341 kg) shipping weight (5,186 lb (2,352 kg) with woodgrain), or about 5,400 lb (2,400 kg) curb weight, the three-seat 1974 Custom Cruiser wagons are the heaviest Oldsmobiles ever built. Along with similar versions of the Buick Estate, the model line also serves as the heaviest sedan-based GM vehicle ever produced. The Custom Cruiser used the longest wheelbase in its segment, besting all Chrysler wagons (124 inches), the AMC Ambassador (122 inches), and Ford/Mercury wagons (121 inches), shorter only than the 1973 redesign of the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban (129.5 inches).

Powertrain

Oldsmobile offered the 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 in various states of tune from 1971 until 1976 (the "Rocket" brand itself was discontinued in 1975). A 190 hp 400 cubic-inch Pontiac V8 was offered for 1975.

From 1971 to 1976, the model line was offered solely with the GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission.

1971–1976 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser powertrain details
Engine name	Configuration	Year(s) produced	Output (SAE net)		Carburetor	Transmission
			Power	Torque
Oldsmobile Rocket V8	7.5 L (455 cu in) OHV 16V V8	1971	185 hp (138 kW)	355 lb⋅ft (481 N⋅m)	2bbl	THM 400 3-speed automatic
		1971–1973	225 hp (168 kW)	360 lb⋅ft (488 N⋅m)	4bbl
		1972	250 hp (186 kW)	370 lb⋅ft (502 N⋅m)
		1973	210 hp (157 kW)	350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m)
		1974	275 hp (205 kW)	395 lb⋅ft (536 N⋅m)
Pontiac V8	6.6 L (400 cu in) OHV 16V V8	1975	190 hp (142 kW)	350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m)
Oldsmobile V8	7.5 L (455 cu in) OHV 16V V8	1975–1976

1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

Body

While sharing its roofline and doors with its divisional counterparts, the body of the Custom Cruiser was styled as a hybrid of the B-body Delta 88 and the C-body Ninety-Eight, using components from both model lines. From the Ninety-Eight, the Custom Cruiser shared its front fascia and rear quarter panels (and front fender skirts); the interior adopted trim elements from both the Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight.

In line with the Vista Cruiser, simulated woodgrain trim was offered as an option, with nearly 80% of buyers selecting the feature.

During its production, the Custom Cruiser followed the exterior design of Ninety-Eight, receiving a new front bumper for 1972; front and rear 5-mph bumpers were adding during 1973 and 1974, respectively. For 1974, the grille underwent a redesign.

For 1976, the Custom Cruiser received a second revision. Largely a preview of the 1977 Oldsmobile 98, the fascia was given four square headlights with outboard marker lights.

1975 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

Clamshell tailgate design

1975 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, clamshell tailgate closed

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 retracted 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 of the 19-foot long station wagons in tight parking spaces. Heavy and complex, the system was not included in the 1977 redesign of the model line. Over one foot shorter and over 1,000 pounds lighter overall, the new body was designed with a two-way tailgate (a design first developed by Ford).

Production Figures

Note: 1971–1976 model years are the only production figures that Oldsmobile broke down specifically by body configuration (i.e., woodgrain, two-row or three-row seating)

Chassis

The second-generation Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (as with all full-size GM station wagons) 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 (and all B-platform sedans). In the redesign, the Custom Cruiser shed 14 inches in length, 11 inches of wheelbase, and up to 900 pounds of curb weight (though becoming taller). Though sharing its wheelbase with the intermediate Vista Cruiser (and nearly 200 pounds lighter) prior to its 1978 replacement, the Custom Cruiser remained in the full-size segment, as its body was several inches wider and taller.

Body

1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, rear

Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser configured without wood trim

In contrast to the 1971–1976 Custom Cruiser (a hybrid of the Delta 88 and the Ninety-Eight), 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.

Though interior space was reduced only marginally through the downsizing, the full-size Custom Cruiser and the intermediate Vista Cruiser/Cutlass Supreme wagon switched places as the longest Oldsmobile wagon; this lasted only for 1977, as GM intermediates underwent their own downsizing for 1978.

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 (with the rear window glass retracted). 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 (as were all full-size GM station wagons).

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 until 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 to 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

• 
  1977 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

Chassis

The 1991 and 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is based upon the GM B platform, carrying over the 116-inch wheelbase from the previous generation. Primarily through the addition of safety equipment upgrades, the redesign of the Custom Cruiser added nearly 100 pounds of weight to the vehicle (though nearly 650 pounds lighter than a 1976 counterpart).

Following the 1992 discontinuation of the Custom Cruiser, the Buick Roadmaster Estate and Chevrolet Caprice Estate were produced with no major changes (to the B-body platform) through their 1996 discontinuation, outside of the 1994 replacement of the L05 V8 with the LT1 V8 for 1994.

Body

Rear view, 1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

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 body-color split grille was derived nearly entirely from the Chevrolet Caprice, with a fixed second-row skylight shared with the Roadmaster Estate. Though actually 2.8 inches shorter (and 1.8 inches taller) than the previous generation, the low-skirted rear fender wells made the car appear much lower and longer than it was.

In a major break from both its predecessor and the Caprice/Roadmaster, exterior woodgrain trim was discontinued, instead styled with two-tone paint as standard; wire-style wheelcovers were replaced by aluminum-alloy wheels. In another major change, the use of chrome trim was extensively reduced, with body-color bumper covers integrated into the body. While its aerodynamically curved rear roofline proved beneficial for fuel economy, the design forced the retirement of the three-way tailgate. In place of a liftgate (similar to the smaller Cutlass Cruiser), the body was configured with a hatch-type rear window (adding a rear windscreen wiper) and a two-way tailgate. As all Custom Cruisers were fitted with three-row seating, the cargo area was fitted with pop-out vent windows to aid airflow and ventilation.

Though sharing a nearly identical dashboard design as its divisional counterparts (differing primarily in trim), the Custom Cruiser was fitted with its own seat and wood trim design.^[2] In contrast to its predecessor, the instrument panel was fitted with a full set of analog gauges (matching the Cutlass Supreme, Touring Sedan, and Troféo). Cloth-trim seats were standard, with leather-trim seats offered as an option.^[2] In line with smaller station wagons, a privacy cover was offered as option for the cargo area.^[3]

Production figures