We finished what we set out to do, to document the rise and fall of the Cutlass. Well, there is of course still a postscript or two to the Cutlass story, but it looks like someone else will get to tell that sad tale. So now that we’ve covered twelve RWD Cutlasses, which specific one would grace your driveway if you could step into the time machine and be handed a blank pre-paid Oldsmobile order form?
This rather uncommon 1970 Rallye 350 (curious spelling) is something you’d probably never encounter on the street again. But not quite the thing for me.
I’m a sucker for the early ones, and that aluminum V8. How about a white ’62 coupe, with the 185 hp four barrel version and the four speed stick. And manual steering too.
But then a 1964 4-4-2 four-door sedan with red-wall tires has a certain pull too, due to its extreme rarity. Or perhaps…Never mind; your turn.
Is the Vista Cruiser fair game (Cutlass wagon)?
Found a ’72 listed online last year, with the Rocket 455 (factory 4bbl) and 4 speed. Had the W30 hood added…sharp looker.
Couldn’t see dropping $15k on it tho.
I would love to have either an ’85 or ’86 Supreme Brougham coupe, in either dark blue or burgundy with matching velour interior, Astro roof, 5.0 engine, FE2 suspension, super stock wheels, gauge package and the Delco UX1 stereo, and full power accessories.
Of course if I could have it equipped with an LT1…… 🙂
1969 coupe in white with blacked out grill and black vinyl interior, but with Booster shocks to raise the too low profile and tighten the handling.
And the rocket rumble of course…that sound that compels you to turn off the music and listen, when stopped at a light.
The white 62 looks nice is that the Buick/Rover engine? if so lots of tuning potential
Yes sir, that is indeed the same engine.
Not exactly. The Olds Rockette had the same basic block as the Buick, but different heads, with an extra head bolt per cylinder. It was a bit heavier (on the order of 30 pounds), and slightly more powerful. I think its architecture subsequently became the basis of the cast iron Olds small block, introduced in 1964.
The Rover is based on the Buick version, not the Olds, and it, too, ended up with various changes. One of the major alterations was that the block was redesigned for sand casting; the GM engines had a die cast block.
Make mine the ’62 also….And ateupwithmotor is correct about the changes, but I might add that the Rover sand cast blocks use a pressed in cylinder sleeve with no shoulder to lock them in, and when overheated the sleeve will drop down and get whacked by the connecting rod. A friend of mine is co-owner of a large engine rebuilding shop in Portland, and is set up to install sleeves with flanged tops, and does all the local dealers blocks. And the later Rovers also had cross-bolted main caps too.
Yes, you’re of course correct about the heads…guess the word “engine” does mean more than just the block!
Amazing how Olds did their own heads just to make the engine seem more like an “Olds Rocket” engine, and Buick did their own heads to seemingly make it more resemble a “Nailhead” (which, I am to understand, it was not).
Even more amazing is how – on the same basic platform – Buick also offered a lumpy V6 that was a V8 minus two cylinders, Pontiac offered a lumpy four that was half a V8 AND a rear transaxle, and the Corvair…well, no sense in going there!
It’s probably no surprise that GM went to a larger, body-on-frame A-platform and fairly ordinary drivetrains. In addition to being a better competitor for the popular Ford Fairlane of the time, supposedly the BOF version was much less expensive to build. And as was pointed out in CC a few weeks ago, this same frame was so good that it lived on in GM’s downsized B- and C-platforms for the 1977 model year.
The ’64 4-4-2 sedan with the 4-speed stick is extremely tempting. I’m a sucker for fast four doors.
It would be the original. I’m a sucker for ’60s cars; and I like the style Olds had at that point in their evolution. The aluminum V8 would be a plus, also…why, in this era where we need to reduce weight, we haven’t figured out how to mass-produce aluminum engines to a price point, ridding our cars of that enormous iron lump…is beyond me.
The 1972 era brings back memories…they were ubiquitous in my neck of the woods. But the styling, while not bad, doesn’t trip my trigger. It would have to be the original.
These 215 V8’s were born about 20-25 years too early…could you imagine a 82 FWD Century or Cutlass with one?
Jetfire just on name alone.
Although I prefer Buicks over Oldsmobiles but I was given the choice of any of the many variations of the Cutlass I’d say it’s a tough call between a 70-72 W30 or just a 4bbl 350 Convertible.
Rallye was how many mfgs spelled it back then, IH had a Rallye package for the Scout II Chrysler called their styled steel wheels Rallye wheels.
And the use of the spelling Rallye continues today, last night I saw and add touting leases on the Dodge Charger Rallye.
My first choice would be a 79 H/O in Cameo White/Gold with T-Tops and Lightning stick shifters.
Second would be a 74 H/O W-30 Indy pace car replica (Stickers were optional when you bought the car).
I Second Paul on the 1962, but make mine a Convertible with the Roto Hydramatic. Or swap in one of the later better tuned fuel injected British versions of the Aluminum V8 (probably one of the 4.6 variants from a Range Rover, 225hp Net in a 2800lb car). Dunno if you could find a Automatic that would fit that swap in the original chassis. Second would be a 1963, because I like the miniature Starfire look. #3 would be the 1990 Cutlass Supreme Convertible retrofitted with a Gen III 3800 instead of the original 3.1L V6.
I Will now take note of that… Look for 3800 NOT 3.1 V6 … Thank you for that.
They never had 3800s from the factory, only the 3.1 or 3100 60 degree Chevy V6 (between 135hp and 160hp, they weren’t too lively), The 1993-95 models had the Twin Dual Cam 3.4L V6 available, and most of the later ones came that way.
I prefer the cleaner styling of the 1990-91 Convertibles, and if I can believe W-Body forums a 3800 Swap wouldn’t be difficult at all (I think you can easily fit any non supercharged 3800 in any 1st Gen W body since the Regal had them from the factory, but most likely it would be easiest to transplant the complete drivetrain from a 1995-96 Regal GS for best results).
If a ’62 Jetfire is considered a Cutlass, thats the one. Four-speed, no Roto-Hydramatic, please. A turbocharged aluminum V-8 with alcohol-water injection in a mid/low-priced production car, in 1962? Only at GM back in the “golden era” when the bean counters were kept at bay.
A 68 2dr hardtop, just cause it’s pretty
Got him! But he’s still moving…
I understand that they ring some guy’s bells, but not mine. Each to their own I say. I looked hard at the pictures, read all the articles, but there’s no desire in me for any of them. Perhaps that’s due to an overdose of growing up with and owning utilitarian Australian Holdens and Fords. I just don’t get it, but think its good that some guys do. Someone tried to sell me an ’82 Cutlass back in ’89, but I quickly passed on the deal and bought a 240Z. Still, they are a worthy Curbside Classic.
1968 Hurst/Olds
A few months ago, came across locally on CL, an 8x (the last yr. for RWD – can’t remember), a 4 spd. Could’nt believe they made one. Had to look it up. Yep. And Buick (!), too!. Considered it long And hard, but was in negotiations with another car at the same time. Guy wouldn’t budge on his $3.5k (150+k mi.) so couldn’t pull off a deal. Now, Im in the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” stage of the 5 steps of grieving over a lost car.
’71 W-30 442. Viking blue with white interior.
I’d take a late model Cutlass Supreme with 307 and THM7004R and of course FE3. I always loved the proportions of that car, just like the one in Paul’s CC. That engine/transmission combo works so well and the interiors stand up well, too.
It is also very easy to bolt on an extra 50 emission legal horsepower, too!
Ah, the 1970 Cutlass Rallye 350 – the Hurst/Olds that wasn’t.
Originally conceived to be the 1970 Hurst/Olds, that plan fell apart when GM lifted the 400ci engine restriction for intermediate cars, allowing the 455 to be installed in the 442 from the factory, essentially rendering the primary reason for the Hurst/Olds’ existance irrelevant.
So, the 1970 Hurst/Olds was renamed Rallye 350 and became a ‘budget’ musclecar, instead, designed to appeal to those concerned about high insurance rates with the next-to-weakest Olds V8, the 310hp 4-Bbl 350, as the only available engine. Compared with the big-blocks offerings, particularly when coupled with the wild graphics, hood scoops, rear spoiler, and elastormeric-covered, painted bumpers, performance was merely adequate. At least it had a good suspension package. It was like the Olds version of the GTO Judge without the performance.
It didn’t sell well (lack of advertising for the mid-year model didn’t help) and many sat on dealer’s lots for a long time. Some dealers thought it might have been due to the painted bumpers and a few were swapped for chrome in the same way that a few of the many unsold 1970 Superbirds (mainly in Maryland) had their entire front ends swapped with that of a standard Roadrunner.
What colors other than Yellow were Available,? Yellow Screams TAXI to me, and I have never wanted anything Yellow, SHORT Of a CADILLAC With Yellow Leather. But even then I’d prefer another color.
Sebring Yellow was the only choice. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1970%20Oldsmobile/1970_Oldsmobile_Rallye_350_Folder/1970%20Oldsmobile%20Rallye%20350%20Folder-02-03.html
I could be wrong about this, but I thought the Rallye 350 came with the higher compression 350 from the Cutlass W-31. That engine was rated at 325 hp with an automatic and (I think) 340 hp with the 4-speed.
From what I can gather, the only engine that came from the factory in the Rallye 350 was the 310hp 350. Although it would have seemed more appropriate for the W-31 350 to at least be an option, it wasn’t. I’ve seen claims where the Rallye 350 had the W-31 but, unless it was an aftermarket change, it’s unlikely it came from the dealer that way.
For all intents and purposes, the Rallye 350 was essentially just an appearance package, and little else. Limiting the engine choice to the bottom-rung 310hp 4-Bbl 350, color choice to just the loud Sebring Yellow, little advertisement for a mid-year model, and a price that probably wasn’t too far away from a faster (but not as ostentatious) W-31, well, the Rallye 350 was pretty much doomed from the start. Although not as bad, it was a foreshadowing of the gutless ‘mylar GTs’ to come, like the six-cylinder Volaré Roadrunner and 4-cylinder Mustang II Cobra II.
The Rallye 350 was originally the 1970 Hurst/Olds, but was altered to become an attempt by Oldsmobile to get into the same market of someone looking for the appearance of a GTO Judge or Buick GSX, but with a relatively tame engine to keep the price (and owner’s insurance rates) down. It didn’t work.
The wife fell in love with a 63 convertible at a car show. Less 50s than a 62, but still had dainty little tailfins that were gone in 64. Nice size, too.
As a young child I favored a 63 Turquoise convertible Cutlass that a neighbor had. It looks Fancy from the back in the driveway, for a small car… very mini-98 esque.
Mom went for the Gran Prix, considering the Cutlass far too small.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Olds-442-400-CI-L69-4-SpeedTarget-Red-Holiday-Hdtp-/190558779522?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c5e303882
The `1966 Model year for all GMs holds a special place in my heart….. Toronado, Rivs, Cutlass….. I’d die for this set of wheels in my driveway…….. Judging from ebay the fixed roof version is a more pricey ride.
Unrelated comment here, but what happened to the clue posted a couple of days ago with the red wheel opening/door cutline? I was waiting with bated breath to see what it was, and now the clue is gone and nothing was posted in answer. ????
It was the Olds Aurora. We’ve started culling the clues after the car it relates to has been run, in order to maximize our front page real estate. Sorry; and btw, nobody guessed the Aurora.
OK, well the color was different, and I was expecting something much older than that Aurora to belong to that clue, so I didn’t put them together. It’s a very nicely styled car (although I agree that the 1st gen was better).
What Should one look for if considering… 1990-1995 Cutlass Supreme Convertible, I Mean I want it to be Aqua or Teal… but what year Engine, options should I look for.
I wonder how many of these exist & survive to this day.
SO Short of this Being a gOOd option, I would Like a 1970-72 Supreme Brogham Convertible in a 70s color, Jade Green with White Interior or Orange, Turquoise., Any Purples?
I suppose I’d Prefer a 442 if they were priced equally, but I think the Supreme would represent a relative bargain to the 442.
I Am STILL Patiently waiting for something Paul Niedermeyer said was in the Hopper… TORONADO TROFEO Write Up….
PLEASE Mr. Paul N. if you have the time, I would love to read your take on it!
The 1990-91 ones are cleaner looking(and seem to have held up better in build quality) than the 93-95s. The 3.1L tends to be a reliable, if overtaxed in a 3500lb car, I think the issues with overheating common to the 2.8L version of the same engine were cured, I’d stay away from the 3100 version available in the 94-95 versions. Which should be easy, I think the Cutlass Supreme Convertibles had the highest take rate of the DOHC 3.4 of all W body models by percentage. I would say 75% of the 93-95’s came with it. I think it was a car that people spent more money on LeBarons on but didn’t feel comfortable stretching to say, A 3 Series, a Saab 900 or Audi (90) Cabriolet. They were $24-28K New and never discounted at my Uncles Olds Dealership.
The best production years were 93 and 94, so you’d find the most numerous of them in those years. They seem to go either way around here: either dogged to death or pristine preservation, with few drivers in between. Expect to pay around $2000 for a tired runner, probably $7 or 8K for a real good one:
http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/26599-Convertible-Production-Numbers
Personally mine would be a “Dark Sapphire Blue with Blue Interior” 1991 or a “Light Cloissone Blue” 1995.
Make mine a ’67, please. I’ve looked at the brochure, and I’d like the 4-4-2 convertible. While I’m at it, might as well specify the optional disc brakes that became available that year, and the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic.
For colors, I’ll take the same combination as my mother’s Cutlass Town Sedan of the same year, which my parents purchased new: White with a red interior.
The ’66 – ’67s never seemed to be as popular as the ’68 – ’72s, but for some reason I prefer the proportions of the longer-wheelbased two-doors. Certainly it must have made some impact on me, as I still remember a car that my family owned when I was between the ages of three and not quite six!
I’m divided on this, but for a very good reason. I like the small, original coupes with the 215 because in 1969, a guy had a perfect gold one for sale and I couldn’t afford it. The other was the 1968 Cutlass 442 – red, black vinyl top, white roll & pleat interior, black stripes, mag wheels, air scoops. Drop. Dead. Beautiful! This was parked outside near a Radio Shack in a shopping center, and every time my buddy and I went to R.S. it was there and all we could do was dream what it must be like to get behind the wheel!
Anything with a 455.
i can rem a red / black 442 68 in our hood… driven by a 30ish jock, ruchio…was so proud of his nice car… at the time, i much favored cadillac or even pontiac styling., (gahdfabid!) With Olds I want the just as cheap Toronado if I am looking for a 2 door luxocoupe.
I just do.
What I do remember about this car and Olds In particular… WAS Our family was big, and No One of Them ever drove an Olds before the 80s… I had a Woman Friend who drove the Ultimate 73 I think Cutlass Supreme in Brown with Beige Landau Roof… It Ran ok, but swerved like a pig that I remember. I Do have many fond memories from those times.
Except Sometimes the tire would break or it wouldnt start, but someone else thankfully could always solve the dilemna, Quiet luckily as well.
I seem to remember that My oldest Sister who could have afforded anything, kept her cutlass Wagon of I dunno… Maybe 74 for Well over the 2 yrs she usually went thru cars. I Drove it in 76 when it was 2 yrs old, it steering like an old wavering barge, the red vinyl was hot, it squeaked… but she Loved it? !!! She eventually Drove a 82 Continental Valentino as I remember it… She Was Even a repeat customer when she adfopted her husbands ex company car another Gucci I think Continental… I Loved Them, But I do Remember the back seat as seeeming cramped and Fox Like… think 82 Granada
Years back my college body shop instructor had a Rallye. I and several other students helped him prep it for paint. In the end, bad blood between him and school administration led to his departure, and I lost touch with him after that.
Oddly enough, someone living a few blocks away from the campus also had one. It was complete and running, but really thrashed.
1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 with every concievable option. Make mine dark cherry and tan two tone and make the interior a deep burgandy.
I would also consider a Quad 442 coupe because they were so rare FWD be damned, make sure mine is a manual trans model.
Ooh, good call on the Quad 442! That was a hot little car back in the day. I almost completely forgot about them.
A 64 convertible for me. White with a blue interior. My parents bought one in 66, the favorite car of my childhood.
You, sir, have good taste.
My parents bought a new 64 Cutlass Holiday hardtop coupe. 330 V8 with the 4 barrel carb. Deep, deep dark green car with matching interior. Buckets, console and a floor shifter that I wished had been hooked to a 4 speed instead of the Jetaway 2 speed auto. Probably the least trouble-prone car from my childhood. I would take it again today, only with air and a 4 speed.
Either a 1967 or 1968 Supreme or 4-4-2 with four-speed would do it for me. I liked the styling of the 67’s better, but loved the interiors of several 68 two-door hardtops I rode in.
A 1988 Cutlass Supreme Classic. Black cherry or navy blue please! I remember when these were new cars, and I thought the ‘aero’ front end of the 1987-88 was really sharp. It made the 1981-86 look old-fashioned to me.
I already had mine. A 1972 442 350/4bbl 340 HP, TH 400, posi with FE3 suspension pkg (I think it was FE3). Aztec Gold exterior, color keyed Rallye wheels, white W-30 stripe package, dual trumpet rear bumper.
Mine did not have the spoiler on back (maybe because it was a small block?), but with the huge white stripes on the gold lacquer, you couldn’t miss this car. Believe me, every stinkin’ Statey in Ohio could see that thing from two miles away…
Black interior with white bucket seats, A/C, power steering & brakes, console, factory AM/FM and the under dash 8-track player that had about 200 watts peak power.
The only thing I couldn’t pass in the early 80’s with that car was a gas station. I would love to have it back.
Additionally, would love to be 19 again, but that’s equally unlikely…