One of the most successful cars to ever emerge from Oldsmobile was the Cutlass – and especially the Cutlass Supreme. As a mid-size automobile, its popularity took off with the generation built from 1968-72. That would include this 1972 convertible that the seller describes as a Cutlass S, but sources seem to think that if you wanted a drop-top, it would have to be a Cutlass Supreme (no VIN provided to verify). Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this Cutlass is available here on eBay where bidders have raised the ante to $12,900.
Assuming it’s a Cutlass Supreme, this convertible would have been one of 11,571 built in 1972 (1970-72 production was even for those three years. As the story goes, the previous owner kept it in a garage for 15 years without using it. Since he was selling his property, the said owner decided to get it running again to sell and took it to a shop that replaced the radiator and fuel pump and put in a new battery. It’s seen about 100 miles of asphalt since then.
That’s not where the work stopped. The car has a new power-operated convertible top and glass rear window, plus the carpeting looks new. But the paint, possibly original, is old, faded, and worn, and the seller believes the sheet metal to be what the car was born with. There is some rust starting to form behind each of the four wheels. The windshield is cracked, so that will need replacing as do the window regulators for both quarter glass panels.
An oddity with the Olds is the tire sizes. While they hold air, they’re old and need replacing, but are of varying widths. The rears are wider than the fronts and the spare doesn’t match with either size. The car left the factory with air conditioning, but the belt has been removed so it’s not known whether the system works. The Oldsmobile has a 350 cubic-inch “Rocket” V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor which may be running a little rich. Though the odometer reads 18,000, the seller is sure it’s 118,000.
The seller has several other project cars and he’s more interested in Triumphs than GM iron, so he’s decided to leave it to someone else to restore this Cutlass. Besides the issues mentioned, there are a few lesser problems, like the bench seat glider which is stubborn on one side, and a non-working cassette player. Depending on which online resale guide you check, the ’72 Cutlass convertible is a $20-40,000 car, so condition and originality will be key in determining what this car might be worth when restored.
Seeing as the convertible was based solely on the Supreme, this car is clearly a Cutlass Supreme.
I had a 72 Cutlass Convertable that was a 442 with a actual 4 speed with swivel buckets and 455 4bl ~ I had the 442 hood and duel exhaust ( true duel exhaust) I never checked the vin as I bought it in 1982 for $2500.00 And had a new clutch ,new tires and brakes and drove it like I stole it for 2 years before it was stolen and totalled 2 blocks from my house one night at 3am when the driver hit the nitrous not knowing what the switch was for and tried to take a hard right turn at est.72 mph 🤬 I would definitely have another if the price was right and I had a indoor place to keep it !
Definitely a supreme. Cutlass S had wood only around gauges. Silly way of knowing but it’s true.
Obviously a supreme. Says so on the glovebox
It’s nice that the interior looks redone, but the incorrect door panels and rear side panels look out of place. Definitely not an improvement over the original wood grained inserts.
I can’t believe it does not have bucket seats with console, but it’s still an over the top beautiful car.
I know, buckets and console really dress these up. On the other hand, I’ve seen plenty of 442 convertibles with a bench seat, too.