Yesterday we reviewed a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais “International” edition and today, we’re going to wind it back a bit to the Colonnade years (’73-’77) with this very green ’73 Cutlass S. It was this generation, the ’76 in particular, that became America’s best selling car. The Colonnades, in spite of their sales records, often stir pro and con debates – likely because they directly followed the uber-popular ’68-’72 model run, and those today are where the money is. Don S. found this 61K mile subject for us, it’s located in Hagerstown, Maryland and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $23,500.
In 1973, the Cutlass S was a two-door “hard top coupe” only model. It was bested by the Cutlass Salon and Supreme but resided a notch above the standard Cutlass. Sales certainly weren’t a problem as 77K found new owners. The seller states that he’s handling the sale for the second owner who has had it in his possession for fourteen years and it only traveled 1,200 miles in all of those years! The original Emerald Green finish has nicely survived the test of time and still looks fairly strong with just a bit of noticeable fade. There is no sign of rust or crash damage and I would suggest that Oldsmobile did a much better job of incorporating the new for ’73, five MPH federally mandated front bumper that Chevrolet did with their similar Chevelle. Always a nice find is Oldsmobile’s color-keyed Super Stock wheels – they add just the right amount of pizazz to an otherwise staid exterior.
Under the vented hood is a 180 net HP “Rocket 350” CI V8 engine doing its rocket thing via a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. It’s been 50 years since I spent a lot of the time under the hood of new ’73 Chevies and I remember the engine compartments from that era being more crowded with emission control “stuff” than is apparent here – this engine room actually looks pretty stripped-down. The seller mentions, “New parts installed: radiator, water pump, battery, exhaust, and rear air shocks” (that explains the “California” rake).
The interior is an interesting study as it is equipped with bucket seats but no center console. And those seats are wearing some cheap-looking seat covers which makes one wonder what may be lurking underneath. Well, the documentation spills the beans, the seats aren’t original and they’re upholstered in white so that explains the covers – the bench seat is included in the sale. Another swap is the four-spoke steering wheel – a signature Oldsmobile item, and yes, the original is included too. This is a non-A/C equipped car and the documentation states that it originally hailed from Idaho so I guess the original owner didn’t feel that it was necessary.
As Colonnade cars go, this ’73 Cutlass S is a nice, clean non-performance example. Still, $23,500 worth of nice and clean? I’m not feeling it, how about you?
Nice looking Cutlass. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the ‘73-74 model years of the big three automakers relied on a lot of imported steel. This resulted in those years rusting early and often. That’s why you don’t see many survivors of that era.
That’s how I always understood it too. Steel was from Japan and they were using saltwater in the manufacturing process to meet demand, meaning it was rusting even before it went out the door there. Willing to be stand corrected.
I had a ‘73 Supreme. Triple black.Always preferred that roof over the “s”. The bumpers and taillights still stand out to me 35 years later.
Also at the time, this bad steel was apparently used in any number of applications(not just cars). I’ve been part of replacing pipes for boilers and such that were constructed at that time.
This was the best looking of all the GM Colonnade cars. It is too bad that the American car manufacturers did go to that junk Japanese metal. So many ’70’s cars simply rotted away with normal use. I had a couple of them that did.
Nice cheerful cruiser here. I’d add a good dual exhaust, and a 3.08 gearset ⚙️ w a positraction, and cruise. 😎
Save your money on a posi-track will 3.08 gears. The price seems tall for a non 442 or rare 455 ci, especially with a column shift and bench seats.
You’re not buying the car you’re buying the mileage
Price is firm at 23.5k?! Yeah, good luck with that…I personally like the 73’s but they have a very limited following and trying to find someone to pay upwards of 20k for a colonnade that is neither a H/O or a 442, or a rare 4 speed, and it needs TLC, I am afraid this Olds is priced to keep.
15k at best. Plain Jane. Nice start for a Resto Mod.
Having had a 76 Cutlass Salon that i bought in fall of 85 underneath unseen trusting a used car dealer that was also family i attest that rust was very present underneath as per Fred Flinstone option and rear fenders. My first car and boy did i like it, console, a/c and power windows oh yes leaking windshield option also. It finally died in spring of 86 when the frame cracked at the a-arms. But i loved it. Lesson learned, never buy a used car from a family member
These were never meant to have impact bumpers in their first year. The 69 -70 GM strike pushed these back a year. This is why 72 A-bodies look almost exactly like ’71s and the new F-cars used to be referred to as 70 1/2s. The Cutlass would have been even more attractive with the smaller front bumper and the frenched in taillamps. The Buick would have been a looker, too
Another tidbit. If those are white bucket seats they would have been the “wet-look” vinyl that resembled patten leather with reverseable center cushions in vinyl or cloth. Center console was a separate option.
Bought a ’73 Cutlass Supreme Burgundy with landau vinyl roof in ’78, right after they had dragged it out of the body shop filled with bondo,,,let the air out of the front right tire and found a salesman. The car need cleaned and had a flat tire, talked him down from $2,400 to $1,600 and drove it for six months before trading for a ’74 Audi LS100…car was front heavy and handled like a brick but would cruise 75 all day long in a straight line…
Hello all. This is actually my car. I have been a fan of the 73 since owning one in high school 1980. Since mid 90s I have hoarded any cars , parts etc I could get..I recently sold 3 running cars that were in need of restoration. I have dismantled several other to keep the best parts. I have a garage full of everything from body panels, interior that I have been selling, some are nos GM parts. Due to diagnosis of lung cancer I am cleaning out . My nefew listed my prized 73 on Facebook for me Due to I don’t have Facebook. The paint IS factory original and no signs of any repair as was assured me by original owner. Yes, I agree these early GM were prone to rust, my reason for dismantled a few. This car has been taken care of since new and 50 years later it shows.
Sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis. Prayers for your comfort and recovery.
How about the Chevy trucks around this time the doors fenders and quarters rusted out in no time there wasn’t a non rusted truck anywhere except for out west
My stepfather bought a new 1973 like this except it was dark metallic blue outside with white interior and automatic console on the floor, I can still remember the new car smell, Prayers for your health!
Somebody was very conservative with options, but car looks straight and I don’t see rust. In Facebook description it says he put in rear air springs – not sure why, but they can be removed. Color is a little strange, but it is what it is. I’d never change a factory color. Seats need to be recover as they’re something other than the black of he rear seats. Not bad. Not sure on the price, just got to see what they’re going for. The 73 is the best looking imo. I had a 75 Salon and 77 Supreme. They ride and drive REALLY nice 🙂
Me again. My car. No center console due to it was built with a bench seat which I have and easily put back in. I had planned to have buckets recovered. I put a price on it that would allow for negotiating. 50 year old GM survivor. Contact me for information or pictures.
Boy if Dave kindig could see the stanz on this car?
Huh?
I owned a 1974 that I previously mentioned. There were good cars.
I just remembered that I had a 1976 for a brief period of time.
It was light silver with a white vinyl top. It looked totally anemic in those factory colors. I repainted it a slightly darker grey and had someone install a burgandy landau vinyl top.
It looked so much better, although it is difficult to change a factory color.
This vehicle might be a good candidate to do a color change on and lower the rear end back to factory height?
Also, i would reupholster the original bench seat and use it. I would put a landau top on it just because most vehicles had one in those days.
This is a good looking vehicle, but i would give it a face lift.
Just my oponion!
They are just air shocks on the rear. Can be set anywhere you like.
The bumpers on the ’73s look sooooo much better than the ’74s.
THESE ARE MY FAVORITE RIMS OUT OF ALL RIMS EVER MADE. I HAVE A SET OF 15-INCH ONES WITH 3 SETS OF SENTER CAPS AND MORE. The 15 INCH RIM ARE THE HARD ONE TO FIND.
The ’73’s look SICK with the right stance, wheels and the front bumper removed.
I have a ’73 442 that I found in a field beside an abandoned barn in northern Maine. Located the owner and bought it ultimately for $1,000-. Was gonna trade a non running Yamaha ’87 V-Max but decided to keep the bike. The 442 still runs but needs mucho work. Always liked the looks. Didn’t know about the rust issues. Sits in my garage for the last ten years beside Mr Max.
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