1970 was the high point of the factory supercars, but it was also the first time that you started to hear the rumble of bad weather that was creeping in on all of the fun. No kid with a decent job could go plunk down the cash for a monster engine with bright colors attached without getting slapped with insurance premiums that were beyond stupid in nature…the cars hadn’t changed much, but paying for the insurance on one was suddenly a stratospheric cost that couldn’t be handled. The insurance companies weren’t budging, so for 1970-71 you started to see “junior supercars” appearing…the Ford Maverick Grabber, the Plymouth Duster 340, the Pontiac GT-37 and others either offered all of the looks without the monster mill, or repackaged the idea of a street sweeper into a car that most insurance companies didn’t see as a threat. Look at a basic 1970 Maverick, then park a Grabber next to it. Ok, you made it look racy, but unless you checked the right box and got the 302 V8 in the car, who was the wiser?
Oldsmobile pulled the same trick with the Cutlass. Using the 310-horsepower L74 Oldsmobile 350ci V8 and more Sebring Yellow paint than should have been allowed, option package W-45 was produced: the Rallye 350. In simple terms, the car was dressed up like a 442, complete with the fiberglass hood, rear wing, and rear bumper with the cutouts, was painted monochromatic (the bumpers were urethane-coated), fitted with the FE2 Rallye suspension and dual exhaust, the sport steering wheel and mirrors, and stripes and callouts. The idea was to have a performance appearance look that fit with the wild things that were being cranked out, but with a more “realistic” engine option compared to the big brother 442’s 370-horse, 500 ft/lbs monster 455 cubic incher. Truth be told, a lack of proper sales material and little information in the public’s eye didn’t do the Rallye 350 cars any favors. Painted bumpers weren’t helping, either.

Now, any 1970 Oldsmobile A-body that is moving is worth a few moments of your time and this Rallye 350 is in need of some exercise after sitting in a garage for a few years. It’s no 442 W-30, but you wouldn’t kick it out of your driveway, now would you?

eBay Link: 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350