Muscle car fans of all ages would love to own one of Oldsmobile’s heavy hitters of 1969, such as the white and gold Hurst/Olds or a W-31 Cutlass with its frenetic 350 small block. Less well-known are the grocery getters of the A-Body platform (aside from maybe the Vista Cruiser), cars such as this Cutlass four-door “Holiday” hardtop. It wasn’t a big seller when new (only 7,046 units were built with a V8), but it really looks nice on its longer 116-inch wheelbase. With one repaint in Meadow Green, this clean Cutlass is ready for the road after a significant amount of mechanical work. Originally from Oklahoma, this Cutlass now calls Endicott, New York, its home, and our friend T.J. found it on craigslist.
The most significant mechanical work can be found under the hood; the owner says that the “Rocket” 350 was rebuilt five years ago with “NOS GM-US Made parts.” Without the ability to lift the air cleaner, I’ll assume that this is the 250-horsepower, 9:1 compression version of the venerable small block. There’s also a new radiator, and with any luck, the household sponge keeping the upper radiator hose from rubbing on the fan shroud will come with the car. If not, those are easily found at the local grocery store. The brakes been rebuilt as well, although the power brake booster looks original. The air conditioning, as usual, “needs a charge,” but the engine “runs strong.”
The interior looks like it’s in nice, mostly original condition. The seller has installed a new carpet that doesn’t show up in the photograph above, and they also mention that there’s a little “sunburn on rear shelf and seatback.” If you hang out on enough internet car forums, you’ll find that green is an unpopular color, both inside and out. Maybe I’m wired differently, but I love the various greens of the late-’60s and early-’70s; I wouldn’t want this Cutlass any other way. Let’s face it, the air conditioning will need more than just a charge, but once it’s working, this would be an excellent cruiser. These mid-level V8/automatic cars always carried a tall axle ratio, so relaxed cruising at legal expressway speeds will be as easy today as it was in 1969. GM knew how to build a quality mid-size car.
So how much will it take to get into this handsome and somewhat uncommon four-door Cutlass? The seller has reduced the price from $16,500 to $11,500 because they’ve retired and are moving. This is where old car ownership becomes less satisfying. The seller claims that the price is firm because they’ve invested over $25,000 into the car, but any owner and fan of off-the-beaten-path machines (author raises hand) knows from experience that nobody cares how much money you’ve put into the thing – what it’s worth is what it’s worth. So what’s it worth? What would be the right price to put this nice Cutlass into your garage? Tell us your opinion in the comments.
I just said this on the Buick Sedan post, it must be GM Intermediates from the 60’s week here on Barnfinds. This is great. I’ll admit, I’m more in favor of the 4 door hardtop than the pillared sedan. I appreciate that the owner sunk some serious money into this Cutlass, and it shows, but I totally agree with Adam, its worth what its worth now, which may not be good news for the seller. But lets face it, if people were in the old car hobby to make money, there wouldn’t really be a hobby, hobbys cost money, not necessarily make money for us.
This is a gem of a Cutlass and hope it goes to a good new home.
Youngsters that may have never been in a V8 powered cloud mobile ☁️ like these beauties, can’t appreciate how effortlessly they motor about. Not fast, just easy, and comfortable. Totally relaxed driving 😌
There was some guy on this forum who said he had bought and sold 100 collectible cars and made money on every one. I sincerely doubt it, sooner or later you’re going to have to sink more money into a car than originally expected, I don’t care how good of an “eye” you think you have.
350 rocket ,even the 2bl. will burn the right rear as long as you keep it matted to the floor..
Full frame not unibody like some of the mopar and ford competitors and all coil spring suspension with a 4 link rear axle. Full frame means you can install a frame hitch and have a strong tow rating. Can easily add boxed control arms and rear sway bar. Any chevelle suspension and steering parts will work for upgrades. For a real sleeper, a 403 6.6 liter trans am engine is a direct bolt in. Comfortable smooth ride and great lines. I own a 68 442 and these 68 and 69’s look great with wider 60 series tires under the factory fender flares. Lucky buyer who gets this ride.
I don’t see enough gain with the 403 to be worthwhile. The rebuilt 350 should have plenty of torque to satisfy ones need for performance. The object of this isn’t to be a ‘light to light’ monster.
This car has been on classicoldsmobile.com for a long time. You can find it in the “used cars” section. For me, all of the nice cars like this one are always 500-1,000+ miles away. I guess someone’s trying to say, “you sold yours, you’re done!”
Get the a/c fixed, clean up the engine compartment, & show it. Probably get some local awards because these hardtops are hard to find.
The A body 4 dr hardtops look soooooo much better than the 4 dr sedans.
Duals for the V8 burble, some modest suspension/brake/ steering upgrades.
And a set of Olds SS wheels!
I remember these well.I worked for Cadillac Oldsmobile in the late 70’s to mid 80’s.I opened my repair shop in 85.These mid size GM cars we’re definitely a very good value for the money.Reliable transportation and easy to maintain and repair.Life was soooooo much simpler!! These cars of today are ridiculous anymore.Ungodly expensive and expensive to repair.Been in the repair business since 74 with first gas crunch.Remember OPEC??