Getting back at the Vista Cruiser Wagon finally and it time to start getting this car stripped down to the main shell so the rust repairs and body work can be started.
My brother was a helicopter mechanic, in the industry for 40 years and rebuilt several helicopters. Some after being wrecked, pretty much just like you are doing with this car. Stripped down to the bare structure, some of that also had to be replaced, then built back up to ready to fly and certified for flight. He often told me that, "the time to reassemble the machine was inversely proportional to the time taken to disassemble the aircraft." When you pointed out the bagged and tagged parts it reminded me of him and his theory on jobs like he did and you are doing. He was also very smart, just like you.
Many years ago I built a Vista Cruiser Mild built 455 turbo 400 trans 3.42 ratio posi rear. It’s one of those never should have sold it cars. Wish I could get it back 👍
Awesome project ahead. A full restoration. I thought Crusty would have been finished first. I will be watching from beginning to end on the wagon . Keep up the great work
I remember riding in the third seat of my father's 73 Chevy Caprice Estate wagon with the wood paneling sticker on the sides on vacations. It rode great and you had a great view of things. It was a comfortable ride. His had the hideaway tailgate which was great. This one is going to be a nice one when it's done. You gave us some great tips and what to do. Take care and give Peanut a pat on the back for me.
What do you mean "not much in the way of tips" ? the advice to keep lists, notes and tagged bags of fixings is worth its weight in gold! Congratulations on getting all those windows out in one piece. Another great video, thank you Tony.
To think I drove this Vista Cruiser brand new back in the day. It was the envy of our neighborhood and Dad got it as a company car! It was gold/gold which was the ladies choice for kitchen appliances at the time. The roof glass was just a monumental design for a family hauler compared to the steel boxes of other wagons! The Ford Country Squire was the gold standard wagon back then.
Wow my 65 buick gs convertible about the same thing from California with title floors are great rear body mounts gone no paint like your videos of the buick last year luckily got complete trunk pan nothing else available be watching this build for tips 🎉
I see you have a special tool for the trim removal, it would have been nice to see how it works as trim clips are sometimes tricky. I can't wait to see this car done. Good luck!!
Glad to see the wagon back! My first car was a Vista Cruiser exactly like that one! Same color and all! Brings back memories! I can not wait to see the end result! I wished I could come up and help you on it!
A Great Video Especially for Some who has never been there before, so they have an Ideal what to expect. Just because a Vehicle is Complete and a Driver doesn't mean that you won't run into Rot or Parts that are so bad that they need to be Replaced. Also all the Parts and Keeping Track of them too. Thanks for Sharing
That butyl ribbon seal, was always crap (although it was easy to install a window with) It always dried out and leaked, leaving you with a rusty mess to deal with. "Ask me how I know".🤣🤣🤣 In fairness, I don't think they expected folks to still be driving them 10 yrs later (let alone 50). Big Job, but the Right Guy is on it. 💪💪💪 Stick Around....
Ohhh Fitzee! I have torn down a fair number of cars but this one looks like a LOT of work! Oh well, one piece at a time and you’ll get it done. I was waiting for this project. It’ll be a work you’ll be proud of. Cheers
Having done a number of restoration im glad your emphasis is on bagging and tagging etc I usually have stackable boxes handy and a pad,put stuff in the boxes with a list and mark the outside with a general description
Wow that will be some job to fit all those pieces back together. Brings back memories for me.When I was in University back in the 60s I worked at a hotel and drove one of these to pick up and deliver people to the airport. Drove the lady staff home late at night when the pub closed. Very smooth and quiet ride. Good luck Tony. I think this is a going to be a memorable job!
You have got your hands on this one with all the rust and making the trunk floor pans good note an marking and bagging labeling and listing all of em looking forward for your videos on this one thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍
You are going to have a huge job just sourcing the parts. Hopefully you have the owner helping with that. If you are going to change the interior color then that green headliner will have to go. I don’t think that headliner will be as big a challenge as you might think. Repairing all those window channels seems like a more daunting challenge to me. Anyway I’m looking forward to watching you tackle this project.😊
It is a job to tear down something like that and a huge mess once it's done but organizing the parts will definitely help the reassembly go smoother, nice work Tony this one is about the get interesting, might check with soft seal or OPG about the rubber kit's, ohhh,, steel rubber products is another great source
IMO that is a super candidate for a restoration. That fellow is very astute in deciding to contract the job to you. You would be excellent value for money. BTW face it, gone this far, the headliner gotta come down.
I knew after watching two of his videos when he had 13,000 subscribers that he would be the only guy to bring this car back to life the way it needed to be... He is a true craftsman and artist!
Thanks fitzee, this series will be helpfull for me i think. The beaumont i have has been partially stripped down by the previous owner, but i'm looking forward to getting started. Shop is finally done.
Been waiting for this restoration glad your gonna take us through this whole restoration looking forward to it, Tony. Hope it goes well for ya, .you've got a fair amount of work ahead of ya. cheers bud,.
I'm super interested in this build. My family had a few of these cars when I was a kid. I always loved them. I hope you make a ton of videos on this car. And do them often!
You've sure got a job ahead of you with this one. Something to keep you busy for the winter. Hopefully you still have time to work on Crusty. I'm interested to see how you tackle rebuilding this Corolla into a supercar that almost looks standard. The big giveaway is the back wheels and tires. Hope you manage to get it registered. If not, pop across the border into the US, they register anything with wheels down there.
You'll have to work on getting that hedliner out, or it will be toast when you start welding. That wagon will make a lot of intersting videos. Hope you're keeping warm.
Bagging and tagging is a must, but I've found that after 8 months or 8 years the marking somehow disappears. Just a paper tag inside the bag helps. Old file folders, poster board, what ever seems to last a lot longer.
It’s amazing how many factory installed rust traps are in cars. Here In Australia, the first few models of Holden (GM) Monaro’s (our version of the Camaro), would rust in the rear quarter, where the factory fitted sound deadener would get wet; Ford Falcon’s had a “step” near the door hinge pillar, where the rear of the front fender bolted on would collect debris, and rust; various Chrysler vehicles would rust out where the steering box mounted to the body - I had one that had no rust there, it had a power steering leak!🤣
What Tony didn't show in the video was the previous owner attached some of it with wood screws 🤦♂️ It was pretty well trashed! This car is going to have the 442 look so fortunately, no side trim is needed.
I think most kids that grew up in the 60's and 70's have some sort of memorable experience with a station wagon. I don't know about Canada but for the States that would be true. The Vista Cruisers had such nice styling. I hope that the owner goes for a 442 look. If it were me, I'd want a 4-speed in it! Surprising how much dirt and rust was hiding behind the chrome.
I think you may be a busy boy for quiet a while, love your approach to this monumental chore. Keep on getting after it my friend. I'm 77 years old and am still building a 1929 chevrolet truck with my 13 year old granson and I can sure tell the energy is wanning. Good luck on this one !
I can't think of a more complicated car to restore than that one, I hope he is a very good friend or you are getting 100k for it. I would do a Hurst/Olds white & gold paint scheme on it. Sadly the headliner will have to come out, and it will probably disintegrate when you touch it, have an upholstery guy do it. Great car, will be worth the work.
Fitzee’s chop shop 🤣 That’s a cool machine Fitzee I’m digging it I absolutely love wagons I’d drive the tyres off it 👌 looking forward to this project gonna be cool 👍
ALRIGHT the vista cruiser is back, my dad had one of those it was a 66 or 67 I honestly don’t remember whether it was a Olds or the Buick version, but my sister and I thought it was sooo cool to be able to look up and see the sky through the top . After checking out the F-100 that you done a full restoration on a few years back, you are definitely the man for the job.
That is a big car for one man to work on, but you are the man. I have been waiting for you to work on this hefty gal. Always enjoy your videos, very educational.
I'm concerned it is dried out to the point that when I disturb it it will tear. Right now to the repairs the roof rust it is above the liner and most likely will catch fire!
@@fitzeesfabrications Nothing a spray bottle of water can't take care of before welding in that area? And if you can, use panel adhesive to glue in new patches close to the headliner, no welding required.😎👍
26:25 - OPGI sells the pan but is $500 and the shipping and import fees to Canada would almost double that price. So glad you are handy with metal fabrication ❤
that was a great starting episode Tony, the plan attack of a restoration, it will be so interesting to follow, and watch you to see what it takes to restore a car...👍🏼
This one is going to keep you busy for a very long time. That would be nice to be able to chemically dip that and get rid of all the rust and paint but I know you don't like to work that way. That's some job you got in front of you
There is nowhere within a 1000 miles where that work could be done. Would make like easier. I put them on a rotisserie and sent them out and had all the none flat panels sand blasted
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As a kid I thought wagons were hideous, but now that I’m an old fart I just love them! I would absolutely cruise that thing around 👍
Me to brother can’t pass an old wagon without stopping for a good look 🤣 glad I’m not the only one 👍
My brother was a helicopter mechanic, in the industry for 40 years and rebuilt several helicopters. Some after being wrecked, pretty much just like you are doing with this car. Stripped down to the bare structure, some of that also had to be replaced, then built back up to ready to fly and certified for flight. He often told me that, "the time to reassemble the machine was inversely proportional to the time taken to disassemble the aircraft." When you pointed out the bagged and tagged parts it reminded me of him and his theory on jobs like he did and you are doing. He was also very smart, just like you.
Enjoying this video on a cold Saturday!
Many years ago I built a Vista Cruiser Mild built 455 turbo 400 trans 3.42 ratio posi rear. It’s one of those never should have sold it cars. Wish I could get it back 👍
Awesome project ahead. A full restoration. I thought Crusty would have been finished first. I will be watching from beginning to end on the wagon . Keep up the great work
I bounch from customers cars to mine. Never at the same thing for too long
Quite a project, Fitzee! Someone must REALLY love their wagon...
I can see we are going to get many helpful hints on this restoration. Love the content.🌴😎
I remember riding in the third seat of my father's 73 Chevy Caprice Estate wagon with the wood paneling sticker on the sides on vacations. It rode great and you had a great view of things. It was a comfortable ride. His had the hideaway tailgate which was great. This one is going to be a nice one when it's done. You gave us some great tips and what to do. Take care and give Peanut a pat on the back for me.
Go get it bubba. Cant wait to see this
that's a lucky car to be in your shop
Yes it is!!!
Vista cruiser?! You just got a new Sub 👌 my old man had one when I was a kid and I've been in love with them ever since 💓
Hey Fitzee here in Canada the cars rust from the bottom up and in the southern/coastal states they rust from the top down. It's the salt air.
What do you mean "not much in the way of tips" ? the advice to keep lists, notes and tagged bags of fixings is worth its weight in gold! Congratulations on getting all those windows out in one piece. Another great video, thank you Tony.
To think I drove this Vista Cruiser brand new back in the day. It was the envy of our neighborhood and Dad got it as a company car! It was gold/gold which was the ladies choice for kitchen appliances at the time. The roof glass was just a monumental design for a family hauler compared to the steel boxes of other wagons! The Ford Country Squire was the gold standard wagon back then.
You're now ready to go back in time and work on the assembly line. Pump 20 of these out a day
Weve come a long way fitzee! Youve got 100k more subs, and ive got a rolling chassis again. Thanks aga8n for your tips boy!
Wow my 65 buick gs convertible about the same thing from California with title floors are great rear body mounts gone no paint like your videos of the buick last year luckily got complete trunk pan nothing else available be watching this build for tips 🎉
I see you have a special tool for the trim removal, it would have been nice to see how it works as trim clips are sometimes tricky. I can't wait to see this car done. Good luck!!
I'll show how that works in a future video.
Glad to see the wagon back! My first car was a Vista Cruiser exactly like that one! Same color and all! Brings back memories! I can not wait to see the end result! I wished I could come up and help you on it!
A Great Video Especially for Some who has never been there before, so they have an Ideal what to expect. Just because a Vehicle is Complete and a Driver doesn't mean that you won't run into Rot or Parts that are so bad that they need to be Replaced. Also all the Parts and Keeping Track of them too. Thanks for Sharing
I like the caption of the cat sleeping at the end You know you gotta have a tiger in the house!
That butyl ribbon seal, was always crap (although it was easy to install a window with) It always dried out and leaked, leaving you with a rusty mess to deal with. "Ask me how I know".🤣🤣🤣
In fairness, I don't think they expected folks to still be driving them 10 yrs later (let alone 50).
Big Job, but the Right Guy is on it. 💪💪💪
Stick Around....
Hey Tony. Peanut dead tired from sleeping looks like, you did all the lifting! 👍💪✌
Hello Tony, quite a project, I can't think of anyone better to bring this car back to New condition. Be good and stay safe. 👍
I'm doing exactly this with my 1969 Grand Prix... ill be following along closely 👀
Ohhh Fitzee! I have torn down a fair number of cars but this one looks like a LOT of work! Oh well, one piece at a time and you’ll get it done. I was waiting for this project. It’ll be a work you’ll be proud of. Cheers
What a grand endeavor! The headliner is going to be a bugger!
Having done a number of restoration im glad your emphasis is on bagging and tagging etc I usually have stackable boxes handy and a pad,put stuff in the boxes with a list and mark the outside with a general description
Looking forward to the Edutainment Fitzee …back to iron oxide versus stone🤓👍
I see you have a bodyman's bandaid on your finger. Been there myself. Wrap it up and keep going.😁
oh boy, what a job, looking forward to this 👍👍👍👍👍👍
A Big project, gotta start from the Top and work downward...I have faith in YOU FITZEE 👍
whole lotta window Chanel repair there.
In the case of the rear gate the term you are looking for is road hugging weight.
An absolute tremendous amount of work for one man. you're amazing, Mr. Fitzee! We very much enjoy your content down here in Pennsylvania!
Wow. That's a real project. Be a interesting project to watch ..ty so much for sharing. Have a great day .
Wow Fitzee that's a big project there! You got a good jump on it for 3 days already. Catch ya next time brother. 😉✌
Wow that will be some job to fit all those pieces back together. Brings back memories for me.When I was in University back in the 60s I worked at a hotel and drove one of these to pick up and deliver people to the airport. Drove the lady staff home late at night when the pub closed. Very smooth and quiet ride. Good luck Tony. I think this is a going to be a memorable job!
I'm nowadays afraid for so much work, impressed
Oh we're committed now! Great stuff, I've been waiting for this one! 👍👍
You have got your hands on this one with all the rust and making the trunk floor pans good note an marking and bagging labeling and listing all of em looking forward for your videos on this one thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍
Soon another piece of Art from The Fitz Meister. Stay safe Tony.😊
The wagon is in a very good shape considering its age 👏🏽👏🏽😮
Love that Cutlas wagon! Look forward to the build! Very partial to wagons! Mines an 84 Custom Cruiser :)
You are going to have a huge job just sourcing the parts. Hopefully you have the owner helping with that. If you are going to change the interior color then that green headliner will have to go. I don’t think that headliner will be as big a challenge as you might think. Repairing all those window channels seems like a more daunting challenge to me. Anyway I’m looking forward to watching you tackle this project.😊
Always learn something from your videos. Great job!!
It is a job to tear down something like that and a huge mess once it's done but organizing the parts will definitely help the reassembly go smoother, nice work Tony this one is about the get interesting, might check with soft seal or OPG about the rubber kit's, ohhh,, steel rubber products is another great source
Really looking forward to seeing all of the videos for this project.
IMO that is a super candidate for a restoration. That fellow is very astute in deciding to contract the job to you. You would be excellent value for money. BTW face it, gone this far, the headliner gotta come down.
I knew after watching two of his videos when he had 13,000 subscribers that he would be the only guy to bring this car back to life the way it needed to be... He is a true craftsman and artist!
Thanks Tony for showing what needs to be done. I'm hooked - again. Can't wait to see the progress.
Can't wait for the next ep, cheers!
Make no mistake. It was a nine passenger.
You must have never been the child tossed in the back!
O yeah I remember! I was😎
I went from Newfoundland to Ohio out in the back of a wagon when i was a kid.. oh I know. Lol
Thanks fitzee, this series will be helpfull for me i think. The beaumont i have has been partially stripped down by the previous owner, but i'm looking forward to getting started. Shop is finally done.
Don’t worry about the headliner, there easy to replace and the owner wants to change the color anyway.👍🏿
It will be so gratifying to see this car painted inside and out, the way it should've been when it was made new.
good video and yes tear down and making the first lists is a lot of work but it is so important.
Been waiting for this restoration glad your gonna take us through this whole restoration looking forward to it, Tony. Hope it goes well for ya, .you've got a fair amount of work ahead of ya. cheers bud,.
Such a cool car!
General Motors (or any other builder)didnt expect someone to be rebuilding any of these cars 50 years later. Keep up the great work, Tony!!
Mammoth task there Fitzee, I’ll follow with interest.!!
These things are tanks. I had a friend that had a brown one with the rocket 350. I wish I could find one to restore. They have such a nice look.
I'm super interested in this build. My family had a few of these cars when I was a kid. I always loved them. I hope you make a ton of videos on this car. And do them often!
Alright a great car to save love the old wagons
thanks for the vid
You've sure got a job ahead of you with this one. Something to keep you busy for the winter. Hopefully you still have time to work on Crusty. I'm interested to see how you tackle rebuilding this Corolla into a supercar that almost looks standard. The big giveaway is the back wheels and tires. Hope you manage to get it registered. If not, pop across the border into the US, they register anything with wheels down there.
Vista Cruiser. What a beauty.
Tbis'll be a good one. Thanks for saving her.
You'll have to work on getting that hedliner out, or it will be toast when you start welding.
That wagon will make a lot of intersting videos.
Hope you're keeping warm.
Thanks for bringing back the wagon....those were great vehicles a life time ago...thanks
Pace yourself! It’s easy to get burned out! Looking forward to the journey! It will be mint when finished!
True , but he's very experienced i think its under control.
I've wondered about this vehicle. The customer's car/restoration. I would have guessed a couple of years since you introduced it.
Yes she's quite the unit you have some work ahead of you sir Tony.All the best thank you for sharing well done
This is going to be a super cool restore!
Very good a Start Tony should be a good advantage
Very cool, the wagon is that bad for the age it’ll be a cool bunch of videos watching the process and watching Ben’s wagon come together
Bagging and tagging is a must, but I've found that after 8 months or 8 years the marking somehow disappears. Just a paper tag inside the bag helps. Old file folders, poster board, what ever seems to last a lot longer.
i'm sure Tony you could make those plastic trims out of metal , that will look factory perfect ...
Big job on this one. You don't see these cars hardly. Going to enjoy watching this build.
Nice work
And I thought stripping my regular cab F100 was a lot of work! The best lesson so far is " one piece at a time"! Thanks Tony!
This should be a good one 😊
It’s amazing how many factory installed rust traps are in cars. Here In Australia, the first few models of Holden (GM) Monaro’s (our version of the Camaro), would rust in the rear quarter, where the factory fitted sound deadener would get wet; Ford Falcon’s had a “step” near the door hinge pillar, where the rear of the front fender bolted on would collect debris, and rust; various Chrysler vehicles would rust out where the steering box mounted to the body - I had one that had no rust there, it had a power steering leak!🤣
All those early cars before the 70s were all about styling and very little thought put into rust protection.
Not a big fan of side trim, but on this one I would have kept it...
Good video though with good tips as always.
What Tony didn't show in the video was the previous owner attached some of it with wood screws 🤦♂️ It was pretty well trashed! This car is going to have the 442 look so fortunately, no side trim is needed.
Some holes! Very funny😅
I think most kids that grew up in the 60's and 70's have some sort of memorable experience with a station wagon. I don't know about Canada but for the States that would be true. The Vista Cruisers had such nice styling. I hope that the owner goes for a 442 look. If it were me, I'd want a 4-speed in it! Surprising how much dirt and rust was hiding behind the chrome.
I've always wanted to take one of those and make it the W30 model 👌
I think you may be a busy boy for quiet a while, love your approach to this monumental chore. Keep on getting after it my friend. I'm 77 years old and am still building a 1929 chevrolet truck with my 13 year old granson and I can sure tell the energy is wanning. Good luck on this one !
The tips were good, they are going to be good, and this is going to be so helpful wathcing you do this Tony. Thanks!!
Wow thats a huge job. Good luck tony
I can't think of a more complicated car to restore than that one, I hope he is a very good friend or you are getting 100k for it. I would do a Hurst/Olds white & gold paint scheme on it. Sadly the headliner will have to come out, and it will probably disintegrate when you touch it, have an upholstery guy do it. Great car, will be worth the work.
Fitzee’s chop shop 🤣 That’s a cool machine Fitzee I’m digging it I absolutely love wagons I’d drive the tyres off it 👌 looking forward to this project gonna be cool 👍
You're getting your cardio Fitzee!
I love those old Olds- have two Cutlass’s but wouldn’t say no to a Vista Cruiser
ALRIGHT the vista cruiser is back, my dad had one of those it was a 66 or 67 I honestly don’t remember whether it was a Olds or the Buick version, but my sister and I thought it was sooo cool to be able to look up and see the sky through the top . After checking out the F-100 that you done a full restoration on a few years back, you are definitely the man for the job.
There is so much in that car! They are so nice, but that’s a lot of work. I’m glad to see you starting on it, good job
That is a big car for one man to work on, but you are the man. I have been waiting for you to work on this hefty gal. Always enjoy your videos, very educational.
Well I’m overwhelmed…looking forward to watching you put er back together Tony
To save the head liner maybe you can use panal adhesive to attach to roof window rails? That stuff is supposed to be really good......?🤔😎👍
I'm concerned it is dried out to the point that when I disturb it it will tear. Right now to the repairs the roof rust it is above the liner and most likely will catch fire!
@@fitzeesfabrications
Nothing a spray bottle of water can't take care of before welding in that area? And if you can, use panel adhesive to glue in new patches close to the headliner, no welding required.😎👍
26:25 - OPGI sells the pan but is $500 and the shipping and import fees to Canada would almost double that price. So glad you are handy with metal fabrication ❤
500 US too. The shipping would be crazy
that was a great starting episode Tony, the plan attack of a restoration, it will be so interesting to follow, and watch you to see what it takes to restore a car...👍🏼
This one is going to keep you busy for a very long time. That would be nice to be able to chemically dip that and get rid of all the rust and paint but I know you don't like to work that way. That's some job you got in front of you
There is nowhere within a 1000 miles where that work could be done. Would make like easier. I put them on a rotisserie and sent them out and had all the none flat panels sand blasted