The intermediate-sized Oldsmobile Cutlass was a sales juggernaut during the decade of the 1970’s. Even with all of the headwinds facing the auto industry back then (the oil crisis and government-mandated safety and emission standards for starters), the Cutlass sold close to four million units between 1970 and 1979. “Elegance in a trim new size!” is how Oldsmobile positioned its new Cutlass Supreme Holiday Coupe in 1970, claiming “It’s near-limousine luxury that’s trimmed to a lively, quick-handling size.” Here’s a 55-year-old survivor that is said to be all original. Based on the photos, it appears to be in remarkably clean condition. Another shout out to our pal, T.J., for sending this classy Cutlass our way.
No history or background is given on this good-looking Cutlass. In fact, the seller takes the word skimpy to a new level in describing the vehicle: “This car is all original with 80.000 miles ps and pb with ac too much to list.” To me, it’s still an attractive, nicely styled coupe with its more formal notched roofline, vinyl top, pin striping, color-keyed wheels, and a popular color choice: Bamboo. I’m not spotting any red flags on this Cutlass’s exterior. It looks shiny, straight, and solid.
I wish there were more than one photo of the Cutlass’s interior. There’s a shot of the rear seat that lives up to the sales brochure’s description of it being “lavishly upholstered and double-padded for exceptional comfort.” It looks like not many riders have ever sat back there. I’d like to see what the front seats as well as the instrument panel (with Burled-Elm vinyl appliqué) and dash look like. As described briefly in the ad, this Cutlass came from the factory with power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.
Under that Bamboo-painted hood is clean engine bay showcasing a 4-barrel, 350-cubic-inch Rocket V8 that generated 310 horsepower when new. It has 80,000 original miles on it and is mated to an automatic transmission. The seller doesn’t share how the Cutlass runs, drives, or stops, but I’m going to assume that it does all three well. The Cutlass had a large lineup in Oldsmobile’s 1970 sales brochure. Fourteen of the 29 featured Oldsmobiles were Cutlasses – everything from family-friendly station wagons, to performance 4-4-2’s, to luxury in a sensible size in the form of coupes, sedans, and convertibles. You used to see these Cutlass Supremes everywhere back in the day. It’s great to see one that has survived and appears to be in the Time Machine category. It currently calls Benton, South Carolina home as is for sale here on craigslist for an asking price of $24,000. When was the last time you saw one this nice?
Looks like the asking price dropped from $24K to $22K, which seems reasonable for such a nice sourthern car.
Too much to list, you mean too lazy to write a decent ad. I mean why have minimal details, which translates to having to answer a bunch of unnecessary questions.
And no decent interior pictures.
And many of the pictures being essentially the same thing. Maybe he/she thinks the car is so cool that people will be falling all over themselves to get it and a description is unnecessary effort.
Judging by the snap on cap SSIII wheels, the car probably came with wheel covers originally. Someone added the 442 decklid striping (I would assume side pinstriping too) which makes me think it has had a repaint. Pass side mirror is aftermarket. There’s a few things in the engine compartment that are not original, i.e. master and booster. I see flat ridged 1970 fenders, which are worth a mint by themselves, and overall it looks like a well cared for car, but I would not call it “all original” as the seller suggests. Bamboo is an acquired taste color though, which will probably limit potential buyers.
Agree on the striping and wheels . The decklid sticker confirms this wasn’t a “Specialty Wheel” car. Passenger side mirror looks OEM stock to me. The bench seats with cloth inserts might limit the market more than the bamboo paint. I’ve seen lots of badass 442s and Buick GSs in bamboo, and I own a bamboo ’70 convertible that gets lots of positive comments on the color.
Looks like some bubbling under the vinyl top below rear window. Not a bad car all around but yes it is missing more pictures and info probably worth $20,000 to the right person.
Love this,always preferred a formal roof Cutlass to the fastback.The 350-4 is there with the 351 Cleveland 4v and the 340 4bbl as engines that surprised many a big block..great engine in a really cool and classy car.
Agree ThunderRob 👍
310 horse as Ron said. 390ft/lb too 😎
Dr Olds offered a rear gear ⚙️ for everyone. From 2.56 – 3.91.
Cruising 2.73s were standard.
The air cleaner indicates that this car has the RPO L65 2bbl 350 rated at 250 HP. While the 310 HP 4bbl motor was standard equipment in the Supreme for 1970, the 2bbl motor was available for a $33.70 credit. Also, the disc brakes have been added (both the booster and M/C are aftermarket), the overflow tank is aftermarket, the wheels were not body color from the factory (and are likely not original), and I’m willing to bet that’s a repaint. The chrome oil fill cap is not factory, the alternator is a rebuild, the valve covers have been off and apparently repainted, and even the Chassis Service Manual in the photos is a reprint (originals were one volume, not two). No, not that “original” after all.
FYI this is a 2bbl 250-hp car, but the low rpm torque is still plentiful.
i had a 72 supreme in 1983 that was a 1 owner car and the pinstripe is correct and was a factory option. that is a 2bbl air cleaner. the wheels have the bolt on caps whish are correct for 70 but most s/s wheels were painted a charcoal grayish color. body color wheels were offered later. it was most likely a drum brake car and converted to power disc. for the asking price is nice clean cutlass. an in-person inspection will determine if was repainted but i would say that it is factory
BTW Ken, as an owner of 70 442 Indy pace car and rallye 350 SS111’s were also around in 1970.Other comments were correct, need more interior shots.Nice looking supreme from what I can see though
Having owned a ’70 Caprice coupe in Gobi Beige with a gold vinyl roof, the bamboo certainly works for me and the contrasting black vinyl roof makes the formal roof ( which I also like given my Caprice ) look even more classy.
Couple of guys on here are sharp eyed know the details of this car and to share the knowledge.
Along with others, it’s incumbent to show pics of the dash, trunk, and underside and more info on the drive train.
If it all checks out, great car for 20k.
This is exactly like mine except my top goes down.
One benefit of the 2bbl engine is the 9:1 compression ratio vs the 10.25:1 compression ratio of the 4-bbl 350. Runs well alternating tanks of regular and mid-grade gasoline. Even with the likely 2.56:1 rear end ratio, this car will “light ‘em up” with ease from a standing start and have great throttle response.