The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was the car of the 1970s as far as I’m concerned. It was a sales success, it was cleanly designed, and it was plush without being overstuffed with brougham-like appointments. While the Colonnade body car was the sales success, cars like the 1972 Cutlass Supreme set the way for Olds for the next few years. A 442 it is not, but would we rock it? Yes we would. It has plenty to like: the solid Olds look from front to back, the Oldsmobile rally wheels, the Rocket 350 and automatic trans with my favorite factory shifter ever installed, the sumptuous-looking brown leather interior. Color is a preference and while we aren’t fans of vinyl tops on cars, at least it isn’t one of those thick, fluffy padded roof deals.
We occasionally hear something along the lines about how if someone who wasn’t around in the 1970s had actually seen the cars that were on the road back then, they would have a different view of the cars of the era. It wasn’t all Hemi-powered this and 427-powered that, neon paint and cheater exhausts everywhere. The more mundane stuff was the normal, but what was memorable was that even the mundane stuff, like this Cutlass, was still pretty awesome in it’s own right and didn’t require much, if anything, to be great.
So why feature this Olds, besides the fact that it’s in the realm of affordability and looks ready for Power Tour? A guilty conscience. I’m responsible for parting one of these about ten years ago. The car only had a little fender rust in the back of the left fender and needed some prettying up, but the Rocket 350 was still more than ready to go fry some tires off and the interior was still mint. Unfortunately, the car became an engine donor for an Oldsmobile Holiday Coupe hot rod that never got finished and the rest of the useable parts of the car were put on eBay. Don’t let another clean Cutlass go away. Find one, buy it, and fall in love with it like millions of people did when they first came out.
eBay Link: 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
the colors are not great but man is it nice. I’ve always liked these, good lines. You don’t see them often. They look real nice done up….I;d drive the ugly off this one and not give a rats ass…..
It would be tempting. Too bad the auction ended yesterday.
I used to own one of these in the late 70’s – early 80’s. Your description nailed it perfectly. Not a muscle car but a very cool cruiser. “Rocket” 350? Hardly, but was a perfect car for a mid 20’s guy with a history of too many tickets and accidents in muscle cars! Brings back good memories but I would still rather have one with a 455.