Though Oldsmobile had the 442 to compete in the mid-size muscle car arena of the late 1960s, they added one more product to the mix in 1970. It was the Rallye 350, using a smaller engine than the other autos and bright yellow paint to be sure it stood out. The muscle car market was beginning to change and demand for the model barely topped 3,500 copies, so there would be no 1971 Rallye 350. This example looks to be extremely well-cared for and the word “restoration” appears only once in the seller’s listing. Located in Macomb, Michigan, this attention-getter is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $29,700.
The Rallye 350 should have worked, but it didn’t. The insurance companies were after all the big-block muscle cars, so this Oldsmobile had the 350 instead. And the detuning of engines for lower emissions really didn’t get a foothold until 1971-72. And the 1970s “energy crisis” was three years away. Perhaps the decision to offer the car in only one color (including the bumpers), Sebring Yellow, had something to do with it. Who knows. But this snazzy addition of a muscle car was gone as quickly as it arrived. Just 3,547 copies were made, most of them using the Cutlass “S” hardtop body although some had the pillared coupe body of the F-85. The Rallye 350 was an option on either one.
This car is characterized as something of a daily driver, although it hardly looks like a machine you would use that for. The seller advises there are nicks and dings in the paint and the interior isn’t perfect, but the photos provided don’t paint that picture. We’re told it’s a real deal Rallye 350, though I’ve yet to run across a clone or tribute of one made out of a standard Cutlass. The tribute money would be better spent replicating a 442.
Under the hood lies a numbers-matching Rocket 350 V8 that with Ram Air induction would have been rated at 310 hp when new. We’re told things there were previously restored, so does that mean the motor was rebuilt (the transmission was) or the engine compartment updated? The indicated mileage of 37,000 speaks to either little use or the odometer has turned over. The brakes, exhaust, and some suspension components are new to the Oldsmobile. This all adds up to a seldom-seen performance car the seller says you could drive anywhere and it certainly should impress everyone at Cars & Coffee.
I Really like it! I know the seller said that it isn’t perfect, and kudos to him for offering it up. Passenger rocker panel doesn’t look quite right, and neither does the front bumper. Bumper looks like it was hit, or installed too high. Maybe it’s just me……..
It’s not just you. Those Cutlass cars with those bumper you would see bowed like that alot if they ever got towed. Those wide straps would bow those bumpers every time. It was really noticable with the chrome bumpers. They seriously needed some braces the engineers obviously forgot.
Paging Dr. Oldsmobile!
Looks pretty nice…The 350 (310hp) in the Rallye 350 was actually available in any Cutlass or F-85… it’s often confused with the W31 350 (325hp) Either way- Great handling and very strong runners.
Its a stout motor, have one in my 69 Cutlass S. But 2.73 gears make it better on the highway. Not fast off the line, but bury the throttle at 60 and you’re in triple digits awful quickly, quick enough that you better be aware of the limitations of 4 drum brakes.
I thought by 1969, they had front disk, but maybe it was optional.
It was a cheaper alternative to the 442.
I have a 1970 Oldsmobile F85-W31. I’ve owned it over 50 years. All numbers matching. 350 cu. In. Th 350 JO transmission. W-27 complete rear ( not just the plate) factory 3:91 rear . Nut and bolt restoration 2 years ago. I Asiatic turquoise with black stripes. No air, no power steering, no power brakes. 12.5 /110 miles an hour in the quarter mile . The car never disappoints!
Asiatic turquoise? Reef Turquoise or Agean Aqua.
The local credit union had one as a repo back in ‘72. Could have been bought for $700.00. Dad nixed that idea. Lol
Yell !!700 I just bet..a credit union.this is the best one I’ve read here..
There’s a guy that owns 3 of these and brings them out to local car shows. Funny to see 3 identical cars like this lined up in a row!
My 8 year old gearhead self tried to talk my aunt into buying one of these when she was looking to trade her F85 convertible in. She always took me riding in her car when she was running errands and took me to C&O Motors in Charleston WVa to look at a new Cutlass. C&O had 20-30 of these across the front row of the dealership, what a eye full ! She like them too, except for the bumpers, if they were chrome I think she would have bought one. She ordered a sky blue with dark blue top and bucket seat interior Cutlass which was a beautiful car.
These cars scream late 1960’s. Would love to own one, and they’re a bargain. 90% of those hoods aren’t original, most 442’s had the double hump regular hood, the oai hoods are correct and cool on this yellow beauty.
Good pictures underneath, looks like a clean car.
The 350/310hp gets a little boost in these with duals and the oai, plus good gearing.
“scream late 60’s” ? I guess so by 1970.
Always loved this vintage of Cutlass.
4spd stick to stir these 350ci Olds is what the Dr. ordered.
Nice car but yellow is horrible. Kids crie when it passes them buy thinking they missed the school bus..
Dumb.
I wonder why they never fix the nose piece on the hood. I see a lot of olds with it kinked in.
The Olds is nice. The yellow I can’t take. When it goes through the neighborhood kids thinks it’s the school bus an cries cause it passed them up…
Many guys bought these thinking it was a W31, none were. I was a street racer and raced one in 71 with my 69 W31. I beat it by about 4 or 5 car lengths in the quarter. Both cars were automatics. They were kinda kool I have to admit, just a little over priced when you figure you could buy a standard Cutlass with same drivetrain for a little more than a grand less.
Oldsmobile’s best kept secret.
The seller states this car has a 12 bolt W27 rear end, which it should, but the Oldsmobile 12 bolt rear end is completely different compared to the well known and desirable Chevrolet 12 bolt. I also highly doubt that this car has the W27 rear end option, they were the incredibly rare all aluminum center section, and if you could find one, be prepared to pony up $20k for one! This car likely has the aluminum W27 rear cover, which has been in reproduction for many years. The W27 aluminum axle was only available in 1970, dropped as an option starting in 1971, but the cover was available as an option. By 1972 the cover option was dropped. A real W27 rear is basically un-obtanium.
Looking at the pictures shows that it has neither the W27 third member nor the W27 differential cover. Olds “O” type rears are a ten bolt ring gear. People confuse the 12 bolts on the differential cover as an indication of it being a 12 bolt rear, which is false. Both front fenders have been replaced, note the crumple ridges where the hood sits when closed, which did not become production until 1971. Replacements had the ridges.
My Dad had a 70s Cutlass Supreme. It had the 350 Rocket. Burgundy with a black vinyl top. He bought it brand new off the show room floor 1970. Nice car!