Oldsmobile introduced the Cutlass Supreme in 1966 as a personal luxury car based on the existing mid-size platform. Over the next 20 years, it would become one of Olds’ best-selling cars and a leader in its market niche. We’re told this one from 1971 runs well, but has some cosmetic issues to overcome, hence the $2,900 price tag here on craigslist. It looks like it’s tucked away in a side or back yard in Huntington Station, New York. Our thanks to Rocco B. for another vintage tip!
The seller doesn’t identify this Olds as a Cutlass Supreme, but the formal roofline suggests that it is. A regular Cutlass coupe used a fastback roof. More than 81,000 Supremes were built in 1971, of which three-quarters were the formal 2-door hardtop. A 350 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 was standard, and we assume that’s under the hood of this Oldsmobile instead of the optional 455. After 1971, the serious detuning of American cars would begin in earnest.
This Cutlass is described as being in fair condition, and that could be a little optimistic. We’re told it has “little rust for its age,” but the back half of the car looks to be worse than the front. The paint back there is past its prime, and we wonder if the rear quarter panels have more corrosion to be addressed than we can see. At 79,000 miles, the interior is very dirty, and a thorough cleaning may or may not help.
On the plus side, the engine and automatic transmission are said to be up to the job, and the Olds sports new tires all around, easily a $500 expense. If you’re looking for a project to restore, at least the seller isn’t asking a King’s Ransom for the Cutlass.
Wish it was closer, it would be a “sold” Cutlass.
It looks like it was originally lime green judging from the jambs.The body gaps look pretty good with the exception of the hood – and looks like a little tweaking would sort that. It has Chevy style mirrors and is missing all of the belt trim for a 71 Supreme. Other than that, for less than 3k, if it runs, drives and stops on its own power, it could be a good deal pending the extent of the rust. Looks like numerous alterations in the engine compartment, including the heads, so who knows…a couple missing items would seem doubtful it is an SX, but a transplanted 455 is possible. The easiest way to tell, besides looking up the block casting number, is to measure the width of the intake, 350 is around 12 inches and a 455 is about 14 inches.
She was somebody’s hot rod, a long time ago. BTW, at least with your new “like” feature behind the paywall? We won’t have to keep asking why we can’t get that button to work.
The aftermarket parts are worth a significant fraction of the asking price. The underside photos in the CL ad and the rust belt location don’t bode well, however. What’s under the repaint?
Those front seat stains looks like he ate a lot of big macs with biggie fries and a coke…but good luck on the sale.
$2900 and runs? Aluminum heads and intake, headers, B&M cast aluminum transmission pan all add to the intrigue. When the electric fuel pump was installed, someone took the time to build a debris shield to protect it from road debris. I’m not a fan of the Supreme roofline for a modified car, the “S” roofline is better suited for that. This car, if it runs, doesn’t smoke or make any concerning noises, and moves into gear, I think would make a good gamble at that price. A good wash, clean up, removing the fake braided AN style hose covers, you could have something…
This has the pea green interior that replaced the more attractive emerald green of 1970.
I’m wondering why the Air Conditioner Compressor was removed along with the rest of the components. My 70 Oldsmobile Cutlass C/S has factory A/C .which I need the brackets for it had the Axial Long Compressor