Well-Maintained Driver: 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass S

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Even in base form, the 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass was a sporty-looking car on the outside, with its sculpted quarter panels and sloped roofline in the rear, but buying a Cutlass S model took it up a notch by adding louvered hood grilles and a few more cool trim items, such as this one for sale here on Craigslist is wearing.  It’s in nice driving condition and is located in Churchville, Maryland, where the owner is hoping for $20,000.  Reader Mitchell G. spotted this Olds and sent in the tip, and for that, we’d like to say thank you!

In its earlier days, the car is said to have started out in Virginia, and the seller believes he is owner number four.  The Cutlass is stated to be virtually rust-free with no evidence of any prior accidents or panel replacements, although it did get a new paint job sometime around the mid-nineties which the seller says still has a good shine to it, although there are some scratches and a few chips here and there as this one’s a driver, not a show queen.

Under the hood is still the original 4-Barrel version of the Olds Rocket 350, which is claimed to run well and start right up every time.  There’s no mention of whether or not the small block has even undergone a rebuild, but the seller does assure us it doesn’t smoke or make any knocking sounds.  This one came with A/C from the factory, and though the compressor does come on it’s not currently blowing any cold air.  Some of the recent maintenance includes both a transmission and rear-end fluid change, a cooling system flush, and a complete brake job.

Just about everything inside is either well-preserved or has been redone, with the seat covers and carpeting specifically noted as new.  One thing in there that will need attention is the headliner, but a new one comes with the sale, so if you’ve got the skills to install it things should be looking good overhead in the near future.  The seller says this one’s not going to disappoint, and I like the look and feel of this one quite a bit.  How about you?

Comments

  1. Stan StanMember

    2.56 gear std. Hwy special.
    Dr Olds, as usual offered many choices up to 3.25. Rochester 4 barrel carb and dual exhaust, bet this Oldsmobile sounds great when you’re on the gas.

    Like 8
  2. Poppy

    Lower compression 4bbl that runs fine on 87 octane instead of 93, A/C (get it working), disc brakes, one of the original dual stripe tires still in the trunk. Looks like a nice original car for someone to buy and enjoy as is. Only nit is the asking price is about $5k-$7k too high.

    Like 8
  3. Zen

    He just might get his price, if this car is really as clean as it appears to be. A very nice car in apparently beautiful shape. I’d do dual exhaust, charge the A/C, preserve it and enjoy it for what it is, a really nice driver.

    Like 10
  4. Driveinstile DriveinstileMember

    This is one of my favorites. I always liked the 1970 to 72 Cutlass S over the Supreme. My mom had a burgundy 68 two door hardtop. But I like the rear quarter design a little better on these. It looks like it’s in amazing condition. If it’s a twin stripe whitewall on the spare then it’s ]probably original. Really nice find hope it goes to a good home.

    Like 5
  5. Connecticut mark

    Had same one rocket 350, single exhaust , not a posi, same rust color, I can still smell the interior looking at this one, that one tire burnout could go all the way down the street. Fun car at 18

    Like 3
  6. PL

    Yes, yes, yes. This one checks nearly all our boxes. Talk about a great reliable cruiser you won’t be afraid to drive, here it is. A few day-2 bolt-ons won’t hurt it either. The only thing killing it for us is the location, and the USD.

    Like 3
  7. Guardstang

    I had a 71 Custlass S, same colour exterior and interior. Wish mine was this well optioned

    Like 2
  8. david

    great car but for that kind of money I want a working A/C

    Like 4
  9. ClassicP

    Had a 71’ in 79’ it had 32,000 miles. Silver with black vinyl top and black interior. I was 18 years old when I bought it man the memories. Mine had the magnum 500 wheels but bench seat. Can’t have it all

    Like 4
  10. Nelson C

    What a sweetheart. Bronze was not a high volume color but looks nice with the Bittersweet interior. Seems to be clean as a pin. Can’t find a single reason to not like it.

    Like 1

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