Let’s start this piece honestly: if this car had a price tag, I’d be spending money right freaking now. I’m not brand specific, but you do not have to work to convince me that most any Oldsmobile wearing the Cutlass nameplate isn’t worth at least a few minutes of my time. For almost forty years, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile’s golden egg. From the early days where it was meant to compete against cars like the Valiant and the Falcon to the musclecars, the 1970s golden child and the posh G-body, the RWD Cutlass is a sure bet for happiness so long as it’s complete and more-or-less intact. I’ve had three Cutlasses in my history, all early G-body cars, but I also have history with a 1972 Cutlass Supreme. I stripped it because I was paid to. The engine and some other bits went under a 1950 Olds Holiday coupe, the rest was scrapped because it wasn’t a “good” Cutlass. My ass. That car was a stomper and with a couple days of cleaning, would’ve been amazing.
So, to Kevin’s latest machine…the gold Cutlass S that has been hidden in a storage unit for decades. It’s not a perfect find, but compared to his list of revivals (flooded Pontiac, flooded Ford, numerous rust-bucket Fords, vermin-filled Fiat and more) this one is a gem. From where we sit, it’s a bath and some underhood time away from being a sweet cruiser. Okay, that’s a bit too optimistic. There is some mild rust issues, and the quarters need to be replaced, but that interior is solid and the Rocket 350 won’t disappoint…if it’ll turn over. Will it turn over? Please let it turn over. It’s hot as balls outside and a metal storage unit isn’t helping matters any.
Dead ringer (except interior) of my car I bought 23 years ago. Mine doesn’t look like this now, but this brought back memories of when I bought mine…except for the annoying girl.