The folks from Lansing certainly built some nice cars, didn’t they? The Cutlass Supreme was their fancy intermediate, and in 1971 when this convertible emerged from the Oldsmobile plant, it was on the cusp of becoming America’s favorite car. The owner of this beautiful Lime Mist convertible says that it’s an “unmolested survivor car, rust free with original sheet metal” and 70,963 miles on the odometer. With Super Stock II wheels (a $73.72 option) and a complementary dark green convertible top, it looks like it might be worth its $37,900 asking price. Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J., who found it on craigslist in Tucson, Arizona, and sent it our way.
The Cutlass Supreme came standard with a 350-cubic-inch Olds small block; this one is the 260-horsepower (that was the gross horsepower rating, the net rating was 180) four-barrel, which is backed by a Turbo 350. The dealer specification guide said that the four-barrel engine was standard in the Supreme (as of December 1970), and the two-barrel was a credit option (-$33.70). A 2.56:1 axle ratio was standard for both, so this convertible will be a quiet cruiser out on the two-lane highways where you live. If the 70,000-mile claim is accurate, this robust 350 should last forever. The seller does mention that the air conditioning doesn’t work, which will be first on the list if the new buyer lives in Arizona where this car is located.
At first glance, it appears that the driver’s seat doesn’t match the rest of the nearly pristine interior, but that is an optical illusion; there is a temporary seat cover to protect what may be the original upholstery. The bucket seats are listed as standard on the Supreme, as is the wood grain vinyl instrument panel trim, but this car also has a console and floor shift for the automatic. I know that green is a polarizing color on old cars, but I fall firmly in the pro-green camp; in fact, it’s completely possible that this would be the exact car I’d order if I were alive in 1971 and wandered into the Oldsmobile showroom.
Finding an unattractive 1970-72 General Motors A-Body is akin to throwing a rock in a forest and not hitting a tree – it’s almost impossible. Was the Oldsmobile the best of the bunch? Those from Lansing sure think so, and if you’re inclined to agree with them, you’ll have a hard time finding a nicer example of a Cutlass Supreme Convertible.
One word……. Stunning!!!! Ok, more words absolutely beautiful. Inside and out. I agree with you Aaron, greens like this look great and in my opinion are very period correct. It may not appeal to everyone, but its just beautiful, the body and interior look tremendous.
Beautiful Olds first thing to do.. fix AC and put on dual exhaust and that’s it. Enjoy driving around in Harriman state NY park when the leave change color with the top down. Drive up to Warwick NY with the wife to catch a movie at the Drive-in! Yes we still have one. But one problem… the price is high. Yes i know it Beautiful looking but 70,000 I feel $29,500 is with in reach. I probably get comments on this.🙄
Before ditching the single exhaust. confirm it’s not original to the car. With 70k miles and AZ life, it could have the original exhaust still. My GA bought ’70 Cutlass with 110K miles still does.
How lucky you are to still have a Drive-in. My wife and i both grew up on long island and started dating in 1975 and have so many memories going to the Drive-in we had a few back then. There was one that had a playground for kids and some parents would bring their kids already in their pajamas . They always had two movies playing back then good times by the 80s they were all gone. A shame they are just a memory now and something my kids never had the chance to see. Thanks for reminding me of good times past and i rambled on a little bit here.
It’s nice, but for $37,900 it should be perfect, fix the AC. There is a lot of competition in its price range, especially heading into the fall when the market for classic cars is slow.
Steve R
SSII wheels, they’re painted argent grey. SSIII wheels are painted body color. Just an FYI for the author. I am not crazy about the aftermarket ding molding, but hopefully it’s stuck on, not riveted with clips. Other than that, as long as one does not mind green, it looks like a pretty clean Olds. Personally, I like green, but I will admit, green interior would not be my first choice. I think green interiors is where the polarization comes in as I’ve seen many people say they won’t buy a car with green interior.
Thanks, Mike. I didn’t zoom in when I looked at the wheels and they looked green to me, but you are absolutely right. I’ll take out the extra I. :)
The question is, why didn’t they order the IIIs? I think it would have looked better.
Body side moldings were a factory option. Not saying that the one on this car are factory, just that they could be. I agree the pea green vinyl is an interesting choice. Not sure it continued into ’72.
i had 2 71 convets with this same ugly green interior back in the 80s. seems they were popular back in the day. nice car but everything should work for the price are asking. this is a lot of green. i would change the seats out to white to break things up
I believe Body side moldings were standard on 70&71 Supremes
Not standard, but factory options. I think they were all black (or maybe white too) initially, then they started offering color-keyed moldings to complement the paint colors.
My Dads 1970 Pontiac Le Mans Sport have the body side mouldings and that are riveted on.
Friend had a ’76 Cutlass this same color only with a black interior. Was a better combo than green/green I think. I do like the green exterior though, quite striking.
I guess it isn’t easy being green whether a frog or a green interior. As usual I am the outlier of most of the preferences expressed by the BF community. Dare I say that I would prefer blackwalls on this car? I can accept the raised white letters on this Olds, however. GLWTS.