Garage Find Drop Top: 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass
A ’68-’72 Oldsmobile midsize, whether it’s a 442 performance variety or not, is always popular. They were a nice blend of size, styling, features, and price. Today’s find, courtesy of Russell G, is a ’71 Cutlass Supreme convertible that has been garaged for 43 years – and it looks it! Not without a few foibles, this one still looks look an excellent discovery. It’s located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $9,999 with one bid tendered so far.
The Olds’ mid-size line-up was extensive in ’71 with the 442 at the top of the heap and followed by the Cutlass Supreme in two and four-door hardtops, as well as a convertible. Beneath the Supreme was the two-door only Cutlass S, Cutlass two and four-door hardtops followed, and finally, the F-85 four-door sedan bringing up the markers.
This convertible is claimed as a one-owner car but the one-owner is not the seller. It was last on the road in ’78 and it’s showing mileage of 107K miles. While the “Saturn Gold” finish still presents pretty well, there is some rust present on the lower edge of the trunk lid as well as the passenger-side rocker and lower fender leg. The floors are said to be sound but the rear passenger floor will need some patching (underside images reveal the rot so maybe not so sound after all). Of greater concern is this statement, “The very rear of the frame will need some minor repairs for corrosion. The rear cross member will need to be replaced“. It’s hard to get a good look at the convertible top but what can be seen appears to be fair.
Power is provided by a 240 gross HP, 350 CI V8 engine married to a leaky-looking Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. Unfortunately, this one’s a non-runner – no indication if the engine is stuck. This Cutlass is a pretty basic affair, built in the days when that was still possible, it has no A/C or power brake assist – just the basics.
The interior shows as reasonable. While the exterior gold finish and interior parchment (white) combination may be a debatable selection for some, it works together OK. As is often the case, the parchment has yellowed in places but it’s in better shape than I would have thought. The seat backs and armrests are rough but easy to remedy. The driver’s side carpet is worn through to the steel floor but again, a minor issue compared to the needed floor/frame repairs. The dash pad shows as intact and there is an original Delco radio still in place. Best of all, the seating upholstery looks like it could stand a deep cleaning but that’s about it – no noted splits.
Original? You bet, original and untouched, apparently for a long time. The way forward? This Cutlass Supreme ragtop is too nice to modify, I’d recommend a stock restore. There’s not that much, conceptually, that needs to be done since this is an unaltered car but I’ll admit some trepidation regarding the frame issues. Anyway, that’s my take, what’s yours?
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Comments
Where does one begin? Safety first. Assess the frame an the cost to make it safe. If cost is in line, then move tothe drivetrain.
This is a low, strange optioned car. Glad they checked of the console! Factory Stereo was ordered, and tinted glass (not even the windshield) was left off. And that is the low compression 2bbl version of the Olds 350 – for a credit of around $33.00 – about $250 today.
If you have to rebuild the engine (after all the frame work), a 4bbl carb and intake may be a wise move.
Since the car has the body trim down the sides, one could hopefully paint down from them, after the rust repairs.
The trunk lid – that is a tough one. Fix or find. Can you match that Saturn Gold?
The Strato buckets, they should be easier to recondition than the paint! They make reproduction floor mats. Cover that hole!
So – the frame, engine, body, paint and interior. At the minimum – leaving the wheels the same (I know, some Super Stock II or III would look great!) and no engine mods. What is the hypothetical bill? 15K? 20K? You’re got to really ooove this particular one…(and I would)
This was a New York State car, hence the rust issues.It’s still all there minus what the tin worm ate. It would be a great project for those who can fix the corrosion.
Roy Munson.
I can see Roy Munson in KING PIN cruising the Amish country side.
I like the telltale marking/cracking of the whitewall tires from sitting flat for years! The owner traded in a 1968 Cutlass convertible for this car, kind of cool. Original as heck car but this would be a labor of love (and $$), there are certainly better starting points, but there is always that feeling after resurrecting an old car. Still only the one bid. Hopefully the next owner can coax it back to life with minimum effort.
So two weeks ago I bought a 1969 Chevelle Malibu Convertible out of Wisconsin. My floors are remarkably solid, Had a new top installed, It ran and stopped, interior needs new carpet and seat covers, door panels. The Keystone rims and Goodyear ST tires were so dry rotted I was wondering if they were going to explode driving onto the trailer I hauled it home with. I paid a little more for mine that the current bid on this one. I do have surface rust in areas that I hope will scrub out without going all the way through the metal. I did locate new fenders never installed for 125, a better hood, front bumper and nose piece for 200. Now I am looking for a trunk lid. Then I will get some rear wheel arch patches and I will be ready for the sheetmetal repair. Then paint. I already bought Rally rims and BFG’s to put on them. I took down the gas tank, replaced the dry rotted hoses and sending unit seal with a new gas cap. Amazing how much better it runs. Changed the thermostat and housing, added a vacuum line from the distributor to the carb and now I can haul A$$ if I wanna. Came with a 327, Edelbrock Intake and 4 Barrel, 3/4 cam and a stall converter that I am not crazy about yet. It has Headers with two manifold gaskets on each side. I know that is bothering me in the back of my mind. I do smell exhaust fumes when I drive it around. Gotta sort that out.
I think the body and interior on this cutlass look better than my chevelle. But it not running and frame issues make me glad I got the car I did for now. Time will tell though. I think this Cutlass is worth 8K as it sits. Unless a new battery fires it up. Then 9K