The General Motors A-Body offerings got a significant redesign in 1968, including the popular Oldsmobile Cutlass, which featured new sheet metal to kick off its third generation of production. By 1970, the 2-door models came with two different rooflines, including the sporty fastback as seen on this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S here on Craigslist in Burien, Washington. This one’s a project, but it’s got a desirable engine under the hood, and might be worth considering if you’ve got the skills needed to get this Olds back on the road. Curvette, thanks for another excellent tip here!
Unfortunately, this one’s been through the school of hard knocks, beginning when it was parked some 20 years ago after the driver’s door became stuck. The car has been sitting ever since, and at some point, a dishonest gearhead helped themselves to the carburetor. However, there’s still something to get excited about mechanically, as the seller says that’s a 455 in the bay. It’s unknown if the crank will still turn, but even if that’s affirmed, I’m guessing plenty of attention will be needed to get this big block operating properly again.
Before this Cutlass was parked, it made contact with something hard up front, as the bumper, hood, and both grille sections were pushed in and damaged. The owner also mentions that rust has developed in some areas of the body, but thankfully, much of the exterior is described as straight overall. Hopefully, the corrosion here hasn’t eaten so far into the panels that most won’t be salvageable. A repair has already been attempted on the right fender, but it’ll probably need to be redone, or perhaps source a replacement component for this section instead.
The interior undoubtedly looks the part of an auto that’s been neglected for at least two decades, and in addition to a thorough refresh, it will also need new floors installed. However, the trunk pan is reported to be good, but there’s no information given about the condition of the undercarriage. This 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S will require plenty of work, but I’d like to see it saved, whether that means returning this one to stock specs, going the Restomod route, or maybe creating a 4-4-2 clone. How would you envision moving forward here?
4 grand, no title, needs floors… Hmmm…
Too much downside risk with the rust and lack of title. If the title is as easy to get as the seller suggests, he would have done so already. He knows a lack of title will discourage many potential buyers, lowering the amount he can sell it for, if he had a title he could have asked more and never mentioned it on the ad, creating doubt in the minds of interested parties.
Steve R
Exactly, he could ask for a more money with a title so why not aggravate yourself if it’s so easy to do, as he suggests… And, while your at it, grab a carburetor, a gas can, and battery, and turn it over.
Nah to many issues…
Can somebody smarter help me out here? I have a ’70 Olds Toronado with the 455, and the engine pictured here looks like it features the low-rise intake installed on Toro engines (it had to be lower than the one on Cutlasses and the like to accommodate the FWD TH425 transmission tucked underneath). Additionally, the driver-side (I think) valve covers on Cutlasses were notched at the back to accommodate some under-hood equipment or another; these valve covers do not appear to be notched. My guess is the seller offloaded this car’s original engine ages ago and dropped in a junkyard Toro engine at some point to either rebuild or sweeten the sale. I’m grateful if anyone can lend context to my observations here.
Was a beauty in its day…..WAS! ….I don’t see any hope here. Maybe parts?
the ads gone. looking at the pictures here by the looks of that motor and having worked on Oldsmobile’s for 50yrs more than likely it is locked up but still being a 455 its worth about 1500.00 and the wing about 300.00. if other commentors have said they were looking for 4k forget it. no papers 1k parts car
Scary.
Says post has been deleted
The rims are hideous in addition to all the other problems. $2000 beater.
I do not see the oil filler that should be on the left side of the engine as you are looking at it..
A lot more missing than an oil filler
Oil fill on Oldsmobiles are on the front of the engine, not the valve cover.
And the ill fitting grill in the front, looks like it’s from a 68 Delta/Delmont 88.