In 1970, the Cutlass Supreme was not yet the sales juggernaut it would soon become, but it might have been the best Cutlass Supreme that Oldsmobile ever made. With a claimed 45,000 miles, original paint, original interior, and no rust, this Sherwood Green Holiday Hardtop has apparently enjoyed climate-controlled storage since new. It has the SX Performance Package (more on that in a minute). Is this the nicest original 1970 Cutlass Supreme in the world? It’s impossible to say, but it has to be in the running. It’s currently here on eBay (located in Illinois), and with five days left in the auction, the high bid is already $12,850 and climbing. Oldsmobile fans, it might be time to rearrange your accounts to make this happen.
A little more on the SX package (thanks to Oldsmobiles Forever): It started out as a rehash of the “Turnpike Cruiser” option of 1967, and with a standard 455 two barrel producing 320 horsepower, it was intended to be the freeway flyer of the Oldsmobile line. With highway gearing, dual exhausts, and a specially-calibrated Turbo 400, it was designed to achieve nearly 20 miles per gallon on the highway; however, the four-barrel 4-4-2 engine was an option, so you could also build a 4-4-2 with the luxury trappings of a Cutlass Supreme. Later in the model year, the standard two-barrel engine was dropped and replaced by the big-car L31 four-barrel 455. In short, the SX always gave you a 455, but there were three of them available throughout the model year. Clear as mud, right?
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t mention which one is under the hood of this car, but it doesn’t really matter, does it.
With a nice spread of fake wood and Oldsmobile’s neat four-spoke “Custom Sport” steering wheel, the Cutlass looks luxuriously sporty. The original buyer of this SX didn’t order the optional console with Hurst Dual-Gate floor shifter, but the bucket seats are a nod to the car’s relaxed-performance intentions.
Like the rest of the car, the interior is nearly mint. I say it often about well-preserved cars, but this is an opportunity to relive 1973 on the used car lot at your Oldsmobile dealer, this well-maintained Cutlass having been traded in on a new Colonnade model. Like the seller says, it’s a time capsule.
It’s almost universally accepted that 1970 was the peak of the muscle car era; while this Cutlass Supreme SX may not be the exact definition of a muscle car, it has some muscle under the hood and one of the best body styles to leave Lansing. If you’re an Oldsmobile guy or gal, it could hardly be better.
Very Impressive! One will probably want to swap those vintage Eagle ST’s out before going far, though.
I was thinking the same thing, Tom. Too many people say, “But look at how much tread is left!” It’s not worth risking a blowout.
Wonder what the date code is on those Goodyears?
My 79 Cutlass was a victim of the “plenty o’ tread left” thinking. Owner #2 (who I bought from) tried driving it home on 20+ year old tires “with plenty of tread”. Right front blew out, slapped hard against the rear wheel well and bent the stainless trim and the metal behind it. There was also some scratching from the steel belts around the wheel well. Could have been much worse, obviously. I found the correct replacement stainless trim, carefully pulled the sheet metal out, and had the paint done. Tires on my “spare” truck (i.e., rarely driven) are approaching 5 years old, so it will probably be time to replace those soon.
This has got to be one of the nicest Cutlass Supremes left. I agree with Aaron, its like walking onto an Olds dealership lot in 1973. This definitely shows careful storage. That interior including the carpet has got to be original. I always thought that The burled walnut on the dash and trim always looked classy to me, even as a little kid with our ’70 Ninety Eight that had a black interior, it just compliments very nicely. I’m sure Scotty is going to agree to that too. I’d be almost afraid to drive this one truth be told, its almost too nice. 1970 I think was the high point for performance, and GM went out with a bang with models like this.
Freeway Flyer 🏁 from Dr Olds.
Just over 3700 pounds,
🏁 500lb/ft from the big 455.
Only the 400 HP 455 had 500lbs of torque in 1970, all the lower horse versions had less.
There is always something unsettling about seeing such a gorgeous car on a snow covered surface. The tire marks tell the story, it’s not going far. How could you possibly compare this to anything today?
I used to drive my ’81 Camaro with those same Eagle ST Tires through New England winters and it did pretty well.
No extra weight added in the trunk.
Wow. This car has it all – the right options, colors and condition. I can’t imagine of it stayed so pristine in Illinois. Bravo to the prior owners.
What a great looking car!
Car has a 4-bbl on it now. With an early December ’69 build date, if it’s an original 4-bbl car it has the W-32 option. That said, there are some inconsistencies with this car: I’m wondering why an “all original” car has a Cutlass S hood and grilles. The trim tag also shows upper and lower color to be Sherwood Green paint without a black vinyl top. The top is done in the correct factory “halo” effect. I prefer Supremes with vinyl tops, but I’m wondering what the history of this particular car is. I’ve owned a ’70 Supreme with buckets and no console, but that’s got to be a rare choice.
Good catch on the grills and hood. Outside of that and the fact someone was too cheap to check the console box on the option sheet: One great ‘70 CS.
Someone recently pointed out to me cutlass supreme came STANDARD w/Bucket seats but MANY were ordered with a bench configuration instead, hence the bench column configuration, you will see now and then.
Iwould take this all day long over any 442, it’s a beautiful gentlemans muscle car, subtle and powerful…….
Yeah, I’ve heard that buckets were standard and that the bench was a no-cost option. I always assumed you’d get the console with the standard buckets, but that’s where I’m wrong. When I went looking for my first ’70 as a teenager back in the ’80s, I had only seen bench seat cars. When I peered through the window on the used car lot and saw that console, chrome shifter with the woodgrain knob, I HAD to have it! I still remember bringing that car home for the first time.
I’m with you on this body style vs. the fastback. I’ve always wanted a ’70 SX, and this one looks pretty good.
Would sure buy this beauty over that 396 Chevelle.
As of Jan 14 at 3:45 PM EST the bid is up to $33,200!
Unpopular opinion ( I THINK), but that hardtop roofline has such a better profile compared to the fastback 442 version. Love that Sherwood green. My brother in law has a 70 442 in his collection and the sound of that 455 through those trumpet exhaust tips cant be beat
Looks almost exactly like my first Olds, ’70 Supreme, Sherwood green, black vinyl top and green interior, except mine was a bench. Repainting the SSII to the correct argent grey and getting a Supreme grille is easy enough, just too bad about the Cutlass hood. Pretty unusual to see a Supreme originally ordered without a vinyl top. Good luck to the next caretaker.
What a beauty! My dad purchased a new 70 Cutlass SX a year before I was born and upon that event he traded it in for a 71 Vista Cruiser that we had in the family until 1982. His SX was bronze with a black top and interior, auto w/console and SS I rally wheels. He always said that the burble of the 455 exhaust was unique and the best sound around, and I agree. My first car was an 84 Cutlass Supreme in high school, still miss it. The Acura I have now is a sorry comparison. Absolutely love this one, best wishes to the seller and buyer! Great car.
My fav Olds of them all,Olds way of serving up a 442(if optioned right)without the massive insurance charges that were starting against muscle cars..442=ca-ching to the insurance twirly moustache evildoers.
I’d like to see this on Barrett Jackson coming up,it probably would go for 60k!
That would look great at the R.E.Olds museum in Lansing, MI.
Great museum BTW.
Well presented. This is how you pull it out of the garage and into the sun for photos. Thank you.
Beauty of a 70 Olds. The SX is a model that I think will continue to increase in value as more of the collector types learn about it. No telling how many SXs have been made into Hurst clones.
My best friend in high school had a 72 Cutlass Supreme, same roofline, no vinyl top, medium blue (can’t keep all the “official” color names straight), Rocket 350, column shift with bench seat. Loved that car
Ended yesterday.
Another pinnacle of 1970. GM pulled out all the best for the final year before regs got the best of it.
Owner ended the auction – bummer.
A breath of fresh air instead of all the gussied up fake 442s for sale today. The Cutlass SX had low production numbers in contrast to 442s. That carpet looks factory original as it is not “fresh”. Who cares? I’d rather have this instead of any restored car. Just wondering why the power brake booster was painted black and those ugly Atlas heater hoses from the 70s. That may prove this beauty is a legit 45,000 mile car. Love it.
Now this is how you sell a car.
Great pictures with a shiny CLEAN green car juxtaposed against snowy driveway.
The pics really stand out. Very well done.
My grandfather sold me a 1970 sx blue it was a pile I was 16 didn’t know what I had 455, pos rear end, th400 . Wish I still had it a lot of great memories and a lot of blacktop resurfacing, and plenty of donuts. The car was what muscle was all about thanks grandpa!!