Junkyard Find: 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Examples of the first-generation GM “Dustbuster” minivan abound at self-service wrecking yards these days, even as they disappear from the street, and every time I pass a Trans Sport or Lumina APV on my way to shoot something older and/or more interesting I say to myself, “I really need to do a Dustbuster Junkyard Find one of these days.” Well, that day has come!
These vans were startlingly weird-looking when they first showed up in 1990, but then we became jaded and the Dustbuster just looked ugly.
We keep hoping to see one of GM’s long-snouted minivans in a 24 Hours of LeMons race, but so far we’ve had just a single post-Dustbuster Montana in a race.
The dash surface of these things was deep enough that you could lose items if they rolled all the way forward to the windshield. I’ve heard that an extra-large pizza box will fit well here.
Many members of the GM V6 family (both 60° and 90° types) were installed here.
Futuristic!
Let’s riiiiiiide!
It’s the King’s ride.
Comments
Join the conversation
I can recall when these vans debut back in late 89 as a 90 model. As a little boy they were actually exciting to see however, my parents refused to look at them as my mother loved the Aerostar and my father was sold on Astro :(.
Truly dreadful. If you ever rode in one, sitting in the middle row of seats there was a droning and ear buffeting sound that was very uncomfortable - it was non-stop and grew worse the longer you rode in the garbage can. I've ridden in station wagons and other minivans and never had such an experience. I'm glad these failed.