Looks like lightning does strike twice! Yesterday, we found this Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, a non-muscle car variant of a muscle car. Today, it’s an Oldsmobile again but this time the previous generation in the form of this 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass. There are similarities but differences too and this example warrants a review. Located in Farmington, Minnesota, this Oldsmobile is available here on craigslist for $9,500. Thanks to local_sheriff for this tip!
Clean is the word that I would use to describe this Cutlass. While the finish is not ocean deep, at least in the images provided, it is still very strong and consistent. It is a beautiful shade of teal blue with, what the seller says is, its original white top that looks like a vinyl covering. We are told NO RUST! and that is a believable claim judging from the few images provided. The stainless steel trim is all there and quite lustrous, it’s lacking in degradation that just seems to happen with age. The Cragar S/S wheels really set this Cutlass off, of course, Cragars set off most cars from this era.
GMs Fisher Body Design Extended C Pillars
As nice as this Cutlass appears, the variety and field of view of the listing images are poor. There are no comprehensive, full exterior coverage photos so I included this image of a ’67 Oldsmobile 442 to illustrate the extended C pillars, what some refer to as a “flying buttress” design. GM’s Fisher Body division incorporated this design into all 1966 and 1967 GM intermediate (Chevelle, LeMans, Cutlass, and Skylark) two-door hardtops. Additionally, some two-door post coupes, or two-door sedans if you prefer, had this styling touch as well. In 1968, an exaggerated version of this design found its way to the Corvette, where it remained through 1977, and Dodge coopted it for the ’68 to ’70 Charger. It is very distinctive!
Under the hood of this Cutlass is a 330 CI V8 engine which should develop 320 gross HP based on the seller’s description of this motor as a four-barrel carburetor equipped version. A two-barrel carburetor, 250 HP version was the standard V8 motor. One thought, and perhaps an Oldsmobile expert can advise, shouldn’t the air clear assembly have been painted red or is black correct? Not stated is how this Cutlass runs and drives but with 97K miles on its odometer, it shouldn’t be much of a worry for a well maintained Oldsmobile engine of this era. The only powertrain drawback to this Cutlass is the “Jetaway” automatic transmission. Also known as a Super Turbine 300, it is a two speed unit with similar, but non-interchangeable architecture, to the Chevrolet Powerglide. It is a perfectly reliable transmission, it just has two speeds instead of the more advantageous three. Power steering? Yes! Power Brakes? no.
The interior’s condition reflects the exterior’s, it is showing very minor age discoloration, which is expected, but it appears to need nothing. One of the strong suits of the Cutlass from this era is the instrument panel. It is simple but effective and attractive at the same time. As with yesterday’s Cutlass Supreme find, this Cutlass also has added auxiliary gauges, almost seems like a coincidence.
The seller claims this Cutlass has been always garaged and has never seen winter – that’s quite a feat if this is a life-long Minnesota resident. But it is a believable claim based on the few images provided. The argument for this Oldsmobile is the same one as yesterday’s Cutlass Supreme, it has all of the style and performance flair of a 442, without the performance price. And let’s face it, with 320 horsepower on tap, this Cutlass will get up and go. Yes, if I wanted an Oldsmobile performance ride, I would seriously consider this example, how about you?
Beautiful car, but the seller isn’t doing himself any favors with the poor photos. Pull it out in the sun, pose it nicely and give shoppers more of the car to see. These photos are horrible; done at night in the garage.
So true! Asking almost $10K, at least represent the car a little better! I do like the color combo though. Dump the 330 and add a 455.
Not to pile on here but amen. At least pull the thing out of the garage so you can get pictures of the whole car, sheesh. I took way better and a lot more photos of my ex-girlfriend’s 2003 Nissan Sentra that we were asking 1,200 for.
I welcome all 67 Cutlass, Cutlass Supreme and 442s. I have owned multiples of each. I still have boxes and shelves of parts if anyone is interested.
Yes, the air cleaner should be red (actually an orange-red)
The 4 barrel 330 is a fun motor and the Jetaway is able to handle enthusiastic driving. If you are any good at tuning you can adjust the throttle and kickdown to hit hard at 25-30mph and chirp the tires. I discovered that accidentally much to my delight.
Paolo; I have no personal experience with the 330 nor do I know anyone who does. I’m just curious – is its behavior similar to the Chev 327, ie torquey yet likes RPM?
Torque to overcome inertia and get a fairly heavy car moving and up to speed with expediency. Sort of like the fat guy who can really dance, You would say something like “He’s light on his feet.””Moves well for a big man.” Think Jackie Gleason.
It is not snappy and rev happy like the small block Chevrolet 283 or 327. I can’t think of someone analogous to a Chevy 327. Dave Chappelle maybe?
Car looks to be in good condition but as others have stated the photos stink!! The trunk photo looks like two different color paint jobs or a bad paint job!! Could just be the photo!! Who can tell???
Put a 455 in it wtf. The 330 is a great motor. Leave it all original. Why would you mess with it. My only wonder is how is the rust? Minesota is no place to normally buy a car from, for the rust issues. Beautiful car love the color.
I had forgotten how beautiful these are. Looks like it is in good condition. This may be a good value.
got a 66 conv a few yrs ago 330–4 barrel, auto , had to rebuild the motor couldn’t believe how much power it had after the rebuild,,back when I was a teen I LOOKED AT a 65 330 4 spd ( didn’t buy it tho) the owner said he blew a lot of 327 away,,,more potent than you’d think
It didn’t say “Ultra-High Compression” on the air cleaner lid for no reason. The 330 4barrel has a 10.5:1 compression ratio. That’s plenty high for a daily driven car especially now with limited availability of good high octane gas. The 330 was born when there were more refiners marketing a wider array of fuels.
Are you old enough to remember Sunoco’s “Dial a Gas” stations that offered 8 different grades most notably the awesome Sunoco 260 rated at 102 octane? 102!
Have fun with your 66. I had a 67 Cutlass Supreme convertible with the 4barrel 330. I got it for my wife. , a beautiful car for a beautiful woman.Not only was it beautiful, white with a white top, whitewall tires and black interior, it was tough. Olds built them well and took it in stride if you wanted to get frisky. It was so tough that I was able to rebuild it after a San Francisco Muni bus ran a red light and hit it and my wife head on and dragged them half a block.
My wife was badly shaken up, in shock, some whiplash, bruised shoulders and torso, no lacerations or broken bones. Fixing the car was a piece of cake. Human beings require much different diagnostics and repair. Sometimes you can’t see the damage from the outside. It took almost a year before she comfortable behind the wheel. She is back to whipping her weight in wildcats, drinking TNT and smoking dynamite.
Thanks for letting me unpack that here.
My parents bought a new 1967 Cutlass 4 door sedan in this aqua color, with the 330 (2 bbl I’m sure) and the automatic. I learned to drive on that car, and it had very nice power. I really liked that car and sure wish they hadn’t traded it in on a gutless 1974 Plymouth Valiant slant 6.
I think this is a great example here especially with the 4 bbl. I hope nobody puts a 455 in this, even if that’s also very nice.