Highly Optioned: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible

Although the seller’s photos aren’t the greatest on the planet, they paint a fairly positive picture of this 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible. It is an essentially solid project candidate featuring a V8 under the hood and an interior loaded with desirable options. Breathing new life into the motor will be as easy as dropping in a battery, while the buyer could address its corrosion issues at their leisure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Olds listed here on eBay near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The seller set their BIN at $14,900 with the option to make an offer.

Oldsmobile released its Third Generation Cutlass range in 1968, but only made minor cosmetic changes when this Cutlass S Convertible rolled off the line the following year. This classic is a mystery machine, leaving us to piece together its relative worth as a project candidate from a series of pretty ordinary images. The seller describes the paint shade as “Beige,” though it appears to be pretty close to Palomino Gold. However, that is probably irrelevant, because its weathered state means that the buyer will probably consult the Cowl Tag to determine the correct color as part of their restoration. A Black power top provides a classy contrast and is said to work correctly. That brings us to the subject of rust, with the listing suggesting that the news is generally positive. The seller states that the floors, trunk pan, and rails are rock-solid. They identify this spot in the driver’s side rear quarter panel as the worst issue. I can see a couple of other small spots, but if that is accurate, returning the car to a rust-free state shouldn’t be difficult. The Rally wheels are in good condition, and the glass is clear.

The interior is this Convertible’s undoubted star. The first owner loaded it with air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, a power trunk release, a tilt wheel, and a pushbutton radio. That should make life aboard this classic very comfortable, regardless of whether the top is raised or lowered. The Black vinyl on the lower driver’s door trim has pulled away, and it is unclear whether it could be successfully stretched and glued back into place. The front seat appears to have a developing seam separation, but that is as bad as it gets. The remaining upholstered surfaces are in good condition, the carpet should present nicely following a deep clean, while the dash and pad appear perfect. The seller supplies no mechanical specifications beyond the fact that this Olds features a 350ci V8, an automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Therefore, we are flying blind on the question of power and torque figures. The V8 should produce at least 250hp and 355 ft/lbs, although those figures could climb as high as 310hp and 390 ft/lbs. The seller states that the Cutlass hasn’t run for a couple of months, but believes that installing a new battery is all that is required for the engine to roar into life. Whether the vehicle is genuinely roadworthy is unclear, but I would have the car thoroughly inspected before hitting the road in earnest.

The relative lack of penetrating rust could make this 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible an ideal project candidate for enthusiasts with DIY leanings. If the underside is as solid as the seller indicates, it could be a real winner that someone could return to its former glory without spending a fortune. The seller’s images leave us wanting more, while little things like inflating the passenger-side front tire would have helped it to make a more positive impression. Have you seen enough to tempt you to negotiate an in-person inspection, or does this Olds have too many questions hanging over its head?