The Cutlass Supreme began as a personal luxury car in 1966. And went on to become one of the industry’s best-selling cars a few years later. 90% of 1974 Supreme sales were the 2-door coupe, with the rest comprising 4-doors and wagons. The seller’s car is a project, though the photos don’t point to that, as it hasn’t been run in about five years. Needing mechanical and cosmetic attention, this ’74 Olds is available here on craigslist for $3,500 OBO. And it can be found in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Our thanks to Tony Primo for another interesting tip.
All General Motors’ mid-size cars were redesigned in 1973 and adopted “Colonnade” styling. That meant the autos were no longer true hardtops. A fixed “B” pillar was in place, but the doors used frameless glass regardless of body style (convertibles were gone). Buyers must have liked the changes, as nearly a quarter of a million Supremes were built in 1973. Sales fell off about 20% in 1974, but that was when the OPEC oil embargo wreaked havoc on supplies and prices.
The seller’s car is well-used as the odometer reads 86,000 miles, but we’re told on its second time around. A 350 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 is present along with a TH-350 automatic transmission, but are either original to the car? The engine was rebuilt a dozen years ago, and significant bling was added. Mods include dual exhaust, electronic ignition, a 4-barrel carburetor, a hotter camshaft, and headers. But a bad starter has sidelined the car since the COVID days.
Photos of the Olds are in short supply. We don’t know the condition of the interior, and we’re told there is rust in the quarter panels and under the vinyl roof covering. Two sets of rims will come with the car, with the Keystones remaining in place as pictured. The seller doesn’t have time to finish off the car, but sends along some parts to help the buyer do so. Do these Colonnade Supremes float your boat?
Not to nitpick the intro but there were no Cutlass Supreme wagons in ’74, they had their own series names – Cutlass Cruiser and Vista Cruiser.
Didn’t Century’s look identical?
Colonnade Cutlass’s are one of my favorites. Why…. Why….. Why…. Only 4 photos??? Normally I’d desire factory OEM rims, but these work and I’d leave them for a while. I’d love to see more views of the interior and exterior. It could be fun tonget this revived and on the road again.
Compare pic #3 and pic #4. That blingy engine bay is not what’s currently in the car. (Assuming the other 3 pics are current.)
Needs a starter. And probably a battery, carburetor rebuild, fuel tank cleaning, fuel sender, brake system overhaul, tires, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, transmission service, every rubber hose, every belt, every fluid, vacuum leak diagnosis, and….
Most of the time, when there are few pics, there’s a reason. It’s what you can’t see that worries me. I have no idea what the 4th pic represents. Maybe what the engine could look like after a trip to Autozone?
Those engine pics don’t add up. Something’s fishy here. The potential buyer best do some in-depth research on this one. GLTWA.
My parents bought this exact car new in July of 1974 and I still have it today. It was the first new car they ever purchased and it was my mom’s until 1982, when they bought another one. A year later, I turned 16 and was allowed to use it, which I did through high school and college, all the way to now. It has has some restoration and the engine and drive train have been rebuilt. Half of the paint is still original. An Chicago area car and true survivor.
Something does not add up here. Only needs a starter and has been sitting of 5 years.
My guess is that’s the seller’s way of saying “I’m done with this thing.” Knowing what I know about old cars , I would bet everything I have it doesn’t just need a starter
nice 1500.00 olds. a/c ripped out for the chrome package. judging by the lack of pics and the 1 of the engine after the monkey business I would not trust the workmanship. keep the wheels they don’t help the cause. 74 Oldsmobile’s love to rut heavily under those v/tops.
So they SUPPOSEDLY put all this extra bling on the engine and a $50 starter is a bridge too far? Then the lack of pictures and pictures that don’t match… I’ll give a crisp hundred lol
Strange, I didn’t realize a fancy four-door Cutlass Supreme was a “personal luxury car.”
The under hood pic’s do nothing to help the sale.
Hard to believe only 10% of these A bodies were 4-doors and wagons. I recall a lot of 4-doors back then. I had a ’73 Supreme 4-door passed down to me, and I would have loved to have had a 2-door version instead. Alas I sold it after a few years and bought what a I really wanted: A 1970 Cutlass Supreme 2dr. with more power, less weight, and better styling.
I had a 74 442 Brown with white stripes and white swivel bucket seat interior. I didn’t have it long, just wasn’t my kinda car at the time. I was more into small foreign cars at that time.