455/4-Speed Barn Find: 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2

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Colonnade styling was all the rage at GM dealers back in 1973, with several of the brand’s popular models getting a fresh new body, which included the Oldsmobile Cutlass.  Some great news was that the 4-4-2 package could still be had on the Olds, with this one here on Craigslist offering the best possible drivetrain you could get for the period.  This 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 is in Ione, Washington, and comes with what sounds like a reasonable asking price of $15,000.  Barn Finds reader Scott Cavalier spotted this one and sent it our way, and we’d like to thank him for providing the excellent tip here!

Engine availability began with the 350 V8, but for buyers who thought a small block wouldn’t do, the larger 455 also remained an option.  Those who chose the automatic transmission got a 250-horsepower big block, but customers wanting 3 pedals drove away with the L77 under the hood, adding an extra 20 HP to the 455 along with a 4-speed manual transmission.  This one is a such equipped example, with the seller telling us that just over 200 with the 455/4-speed combo were produced.  It’s also stated as a barn find, but the engine is said to have fired right up after a new battery was installed, even with 25-year-old gas still in the tank.

There’s no word on whether this 4-4-2 has ever had bodywork, or if any of the paint is original.  However, at some point, a hood tach was added and the rear bumper turned black, with both being pretty cool mods if you’re not a stickler for originality.  Of all the fourth-generation bodies, 1973 is a personal favorite, as I really like the front grille and the sunken taillights in the back.  The seller says the car is very solid and has little rust, so if the future owner decides to respray the outside, there may not be all that much panel preparation needed before it’s ready for a fresh coat.

The interior consists of a combination of black and white components, with the buckets featuring that neat swivel capability.  The seats could use some new upholstery, but the dash doesn’t appear to have any obvious cracks, although the radio is missing.  It’s also a plus to find that this one’s equipped with factory A/C, even though there’s no belt present to run the compressor, so it’ll need some attention before any cool air comes out of those vents.  With the 455, 4-speed, rarity, and solidness, I’m not finding $15k an unfair price to consider paying here.  What are your thoughts on this 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2?

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Comments

  1. Mike76

    If a true V code car, very rare is right. I actually think the seller is overestimating the amount made. I believe it was under one hundred – 95 to be exact.Too bad about that monstrosity of a hood tach but considering all of the other work that is needed, not a huge issue. If it still has the original drive train, it’s definitely a car worthy of preserving. As a note to the author, L75 should be the engine option, not L77.

    Like 4
    • Mike StephensAuthor

      Great to have another Mike here! Maybe I’m mistaken, but I thought the L75 was the engine for the 250 HP U-Code with the automatic, and the L77 was the V-Code for the 270-horse 4-speed cars. It’s hard to find an agreed-upon production number, but the seller includes a YouTube video link in his ad, showing a different V-Code 1973 Cutlass 442. I watched it earlier today and Jeff Schwartz, owner of Schwartz Performance in Woodstock, IL, mentions the number of 228 made, but I don’t know where he got this information. Does anyone here know for sure a specific number?

      Like 2
      • 73-77 Olds guy

        That figure you mentioned is another made up number. 2460 Cutlasses came with the M20 4spd. Of that 1567 of them went into the G37 body. Of these numbers Olds put out, nobody knows breakdown of M20 w/350 or 455. Another figure got said of how many 442s had the M20 but I don’t talk about bc that’s another figure questionable and not substantiated today. The L75 + M20 is the v-code car we talk about and they are not L77. Only the non-AC H/O was designated the L77 and the number Olds said of 95 would be that vehicle only.

        Like 0
    • 73-77 Olds guy

      The 95 figure was put out by Olds long ago which so many people have construed and misinterpreted that figure. It’s how many G37 body had L77 which only one car had that which is the non-AC H/O. The M20 cars with 455 are still designated an L75. Both are 270 hp V-codes though.

      Like 0
  2. Dave

    This was the last year for a true 442 with a 4 speed. A 4 speed in any colonnade body raises the cool factor immensely.

    I spellchecked my comment so angliagt can relax now.

    Like 11
  3. Stan Stan 🏁Member

    Muncie 4sp. 3.23 gear ⚙️ 455 wow 👌

    Like 9
  4. ACZ

    A truly fun car with the right number of pedals and mounds of torque.

    Like 3
  5. Matt C

    I I had a 77 cutlass with 5 speed. It had the 260 engine. Anyone know how many were made. It was not a fast car.

    Like 1
  6. Nelson C

    Very special car here. You know they’re out there as few and far between as they were. I think it’s decently appointed. Having air in a go-fast car was just becoming more common fifty years ago. This is a restoration candidate for sure.

    Like 1
  7. Curvette

    Would love to restore this and park it next to our 73 454 Corvette convertible. Two big block bruisers built just before the first oil embargo and gas crisis.

    Like 2
  8. OhNoMrBill

    I had a 1972 Cutlass 442 with a 455 and a 4-speed. My 455 had 310 hp. It ran on low lead / no lead. AMOCO white gas was the best!! After a spirited run down the Interstate highway, those tailpipes would be white on the inside. It was a great car and I hated to sell it, but when someone offers you stupid money for it repeatedly you let it go. It had well over 100,000 miles on it but was well cared for.

    Like 1
    • ClassicP

      Yes sir that’s all my dad used was Amoco in his Riviera and he asked his mechanic to change the plugs but he said it would be a waste money they didn’t need changed even at 30,000 miles. 30,000 miles in those days plug change was a must.

      Like 0
  9. Evan

    As a former long-time student of all things Colonnade, I can tell you that a 4-speed in ANY A-body was exceptionally rare. I have never seen one in an Oldsmobile, even in pictures, until today.

    And to be fair, even the 3-speed (column shift) was almost as rare. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a 3-speed manual A-body that wasn’t a Chevy, although it was listed as the base transmission across the board.

    Like 2
  10. Sailbad_the_Sinner

    Twenty-five year old gas wouldn’t even be in liquid form. Gimme a break…

    Like 0
  11. George Mattar

    Yes. They are rare and V in the VIN is what you want to see. I drove two 73 455 stick cars while I was the editor of Hemmings Muscle Machines. This was in 2006. One was blue original owner in Fairport, NY. I am a Colonnade fan and have owned five if them. That blue car was a 7,000 mile original. Once behind the wheel, I didn’t want to get out of it. The 73 to 77 Cutlass is far superior to the 68 to 72 model. The other 73 I drove for a magazine article in Ohio. Black over red buckets. Just beautiful. The agreed upon number of these built is low. I believe below 200. This black one is a bit rough, especially in the corners of the trunk channel.

    Like 2
    • Curvette

      George, what is this car worth restored original condition 2?

      Like 1
  12. Steve

    73 is much better looking than the 74-75’s with their huge bumpers. This one could be a pretty cool restoration.

    Like 4
  13. Steve H

    Shouldn’t this have the louvered hood?

    Like 1
    • Nelson C

      Probably was switched when the tach appeared.

      Like 1

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