The Cutlass nameplate first described a sports coupe concept way back in 1954. Oldsmobile equipped the car with a louvered backlight, swivel seats, a vertical dash, and finned fiberglass bodywork sitting on a 110-inch wheelbase. The car was displayed at GM’s Motorama, a show that was meant to tease the public with coming attractions. Many years later, the concept was diluted into a large-ish compact in Oldsmobile’s entry-level lineup, looking quite conventional indeed. After its introduction, the Cutlass evolved into an intermediate by 1964, eventually spawning the 4-4-2 muscle car in 1968. By the mid-1960s, Olds was upscaling its trim levels, leading to the Cutlass Supreme which became a best-seller in the 1970s. Here on eBay is a one-family owned 1974 Cutlass Supreme, displaying only 33,000 miles believed to be the total from new. In classic black on black, with very few flaws, this car is likely worth every penny of the $19,995 buy-it-now price, but if you’re feeling miserly, you can make an offer. The car can be driven home from Columbus, Ohio.
The Malaise Era was creeping into every nook and cranny by about 1973, and the Cutlass’s 350 cu. in. V8 didn’t escape its pernicious paws. During the 1960s, your average 350 found resting in the engine bay of a 4-4-2 was variously equipped with Ram Air, improved camshafts and valves, and race-tuned carbs, producing over 300 hp. Of course, the Cutlass never benefited from that kind of oomph. But by 1971, emissions controls and, notably, skyrocketing insurance costs, had conspired to clip the horsepower from a variety of engines. In 1974, the same 350 with its four-barrel managed only 180 hp. This car has a three-speed automatic. Some receipts are supplied with the sale. The underside is about as clean as the engine bay. The air conditioning unit is present but does not blow cold. You can’t see it in this photo, but the factory underhood insulation is still intact.
Take a gander at the label on the seat belt. Holy cow, did anyone ever buckle up? The rest of the cosmetics are excellent as well, from the faux woodgrain to the aluminum sills. The seats are embossed with something that looks like your grandma’s doilies – wait, do we even have doilies anymore or are they extinct? Anyway, the courtesy lights work, the headliner is perfect, and the seller will supply the original owner’s manual.
Coupled with the Malaise Era was the Safety Obsession. That ushered in 5 mph bumpers, ride and headlight height concerns, and the demise of the pillarless hardtop – a sad day for sure. As a substitute, we began to see roofs like this one, with more structure and opera windows to compensate for the missing greenhouse. The seller’s description calls out the now-driver-quality factory paint and wear on some rubber items but the chrome bits look great. A quick scan of competing offerings sets this example up favorably price-wise. If you hanker for a vintage American luxo-barge, this Cutlass might be the ticket.
I love these, probably because my first car was a ’74 Salon. Interesting options…most Supremes were column-shifted with front bench. This one also has crank windows, which I haven’t seen often. GLWTA!
My first car was a 75 Cutlass Salon 2 dr. which was unusual. I got it used and had it for about 3 years til 1981 or 82. Don’t remember exactly, but it was a great car I loved it.
Nice..car too bad it’s not a 442 cutlass..black and the roof looks great..I have drove these..they were great cars to drive on interstates..rj
Loved the salon those big high back buckets.
Automotive writers should be compelled to prove they understand the difference between SAE Gross hp and SAE Net hp ratings. One measures the engine sitting on a stand, and the other at the drive wheels after all the power losses through the drive train. That 300 hp would have been gross hp, the 180 would be net. Apples and oranges. There’s no formula to convert the two ad every vehicle is different, but that 300 gross was probably about 230 net. Still better, yes. But the shock effect the writer aims for is considerably diminished by truth.
You are absolutely right, I didn’t mention that, and I should have. Thanks for the correction. BHP, SAE net and SAE gross are often not distinguished well enough for the reader.
Also, the 4-4-2 was really a muscle car and it was common in the day for the same engine – both here and abroad – to be enhanced for performance cars while the regular consumer got a “dumbed-down” version of the motor with fuel efficiency emphasized. Technically, they aren’t comparable.
Pardon my dumbness, but what does GLWTA stand for? Thanks!
Good luck with the auction. Or another common one, GLWS, good luck with sale.
Good Luck With The Auction.
Not quite. SAE net is still at the flywheel. RWHP is at the rear wheels. Net or DIN HP figures are the only ones I trust, too many HP figures were cooked up by the advertising people.
Your 300 gross to 230 Net would be pretty close.
Good Luck with The Auction
Cool 😎 Cutlass
First year fir 442 was 1964 NOT 1968 and no 442 in the 60’s ever had a 350 cu in engine in it
This has nothing to do with this particular car being really nice but if you are going to state facts they should be correct?
I did not say the first year for the 4-4-2 was 1964. And the 350 WAS found in the 1969 4-4-2 see here:
https://oldsmobilesforever.com/442%20History.htm#:~:text=1969%20Oldsmobile%204%2D4%2D2&text=This%20was%20joined%20by%20the,carb%2C%20valves%2C%20and%20camshaft.
It was called the W-31 and it was juiced by a special cam, carbs, and so forth.
Nah, manners not necessary here, right? If you were wrong, you know, it’s a matter of CRITICAL importance to be right when publicizing such things in THIS public forum. Misleading people with incorrect facts can have far reaching implications, the likes of which we rarely see in the Northern Hemisphere!
That was a 🤣🤣 btw
You are 100% wrong Michelle. There was no 350 in any 1969 442, or any other 442 until after 1971. The W-31 was NOT a 442!
The market obviously disagrees with you on the price. Despite your push – there has been no sale thus far, and there probably won’t be at the asking price. We don’t need your gratuitous editorializing – just stick to factual dialog. If you need to moon, please do it in private.
400ci engine
4 on the floor
2 wheel drive
442
400
4 on the floor
2 means dual exhaust
Wrong again
4 : 4 barrel carb
4: 4 speed transmission
2: dual exhaust
I had a 1974 Cutlass. I sold it after driving it for a few years, then after a year or so went by, I bought it back.
I eventually sold it again. I thought I could wear it out, but that never happened!
One of the most reliable vehicles that I ever owned!
This is a nice Cutlass.
Just my oponion!
There is the right answer. (The ’64 model was 330 cid)
My brother had a 73 cutlass Supreme.
It was a bench seat model with a factory 4 speed. Never saw another one like it. Great running car. Like a rocket seld on rails!
Wrong, wrong again. In 64 it stood for 4 speed, 4 barrel and dual exhaust as 64’s are 330ci. In 65 with the addition of not only the 400ci, a 2 speed automatic was offered. Then on it would stand for 400, 4 bbl and dual exhaust. By the time a 71 with a 350 came along in 72 as a std engine, I don’t believe the 442 designation was really relevant any longer.
Yup, a good price for this. These are very desirable an especially in this condition.
I’ve got a few. All need work. Some have rust issues. ’73 442 350 AT still runs. ’73 Cutlass Supreme parts car currently with a 455 block no transmission but has a posi-traction axle. ’75 442 455 AT rust bucket runs. Sweet dreams.
400 ci.
4 barrel carb
Duel exhaust
No matter what 442 stood for there was never. 350 in it in the 70’s started with a 330 in 64 and went to 400 a 350 did not come in a 442 until 72
Should have have written never a 350 in. 442 in the 60’s like Michele said in the write up
Smart looking Colonnade. They’re growing on me, but I still prefer the previous models.
Tuck the bumpers and paint the lower section black.
I see your source but I believe it is incorrect w31 was not available on 442 in 69 according to every 442 forum I have seen I had a 1969 442 convertible back in the mid 70’s I went back and reread your write up and it says 442 was spawned in 1968 however 442 was around since 64
Makes no difference to the write up on the cutlass which is otherwise a good write up on a very nice car. Not 19k nice but definitely one of the nicest colonnade