Former Pace Car: 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Before Oldsmobile had to start advertising that their cars weren’t something only your father would drive, they actually made some pretty cool cars that could hold their own through the muscle car years. Case in point is this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible, one of only 159 built as a parade car for the 1970 Indianapolis 500, and for sale here on Craigslist for $14,000 in Pigeon Forge, TN. Thanks to Scott M. for the submission!
1970 would mark the first time in ten years that Oldsmobile would pace the Indy 500. According to documentation provided by the seller from the GM Heritage Center, this car was number 112 of 159 made to be at the race either as an actual pace car or as a parade car. The seller claims this was a parade car, and that seems likely, as all of the cars that actually paced the race have been accounted for. Still, I think that makes it pretty special, at least more so than the 979 replicas that GM sold to the public that year.
The original engine in this car should have been a 455, Oldsmobile’s biggest offering at the time. Based on the provided engine photo and the overall condition of the car, it’s probably safe to assume that a rebuild will be needed. In good condition, though, the engine should provide more than enough power to get this Cutlass moving down the road.
The one interior photo provides some hope that restoring this car won’t be too impossible an undertaking. While plenty of dirt is present, the interior looks to be relatively complete and undamaged. The provided shots of the underside of the car only show small areas, but they at least don’t show any major causes for concern. At the $14,000 asking price, the seller expects that a potential buyer will see value in the car’s history. I’d want to independently verify the car’s history and get a full inspection before taking the plunge, but if this car is as described, it would make a great driver and be an interesting piece of automotive history.
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Comments
Ad is gone
Its back up in indianapolis, same ad, different link. I think barnfinds.com sent some much traffic to the ad, they may have thought it was spam. Goes to show how many people are on Barnfinds.com, great site!!
testing, testing,,,
Nice story but it’s a cutlass not a 442 and it was a parade car and not a Pace car so the 14 k in that condition doesn’t seem to make sense. I wish him luck in getting his price but not from this guy.
Looking at the right front fender and the holes for the trim tag – the upper right hole would indicate that “442” was originally fastened there, not the script “Cutlass”.
I suspect this is a 442 given the hood & air cleaner setup.
Wow Pigeon Forge is 10 minutes from me!Bruce.
Ad flagged for removal. Something sounds suspicious. Why would it be flagged…? My mind is reeling. Nice looking car. Could be, but…not.
It was glagged because someone that was wanting the car contacted the owner and then continued to flag ad to eliminate competition.
An actual “Pace Car” or one of the back-ups is one thing, but a ‘parade car’ where Indy 500 races is concerned doesn’t mean a whole lot. I’m baffled as to why this isn’t a 442, and why it has the 455 Hi-Po/automatic? Why not just make the parade cars all 442’s? Doesn’t make alot of sense. And being #112 of 159 built only means this car followed the option list of the other cars. PLENTY of `70 Cutlass Supremes were built that year, and with the 455. IMHO, the price is a bit much given what it is and its condition.
There is a significant difference between an Indy Pace Festival/Parade Car and a dealer replica. Some is nostalgia and a lot more is in the production numbers. Try to find any real 1971 (Indy) Dodge Challengers. I would love to! What makes the prospect of saving or restoring any car is a choice and the individual will determine what means a whole lot. There are no guarantees in what the market will bear. Labor of Love.
For some reason I seem to remember the Lace Cars being Hurst Oldmobiles (white and Gold ). Am I thinking of something else ??
They were in 1972.
This tell’s it pretty well ,
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/car-of-the-week/car-week-1970-oldsmobile-cutlass-indy-500-pace-car
Actually the Cutlass replicas all had the 350 engine in them and only the 442 cars had the 455.
Its a 1970 INDY PACE CAR FESTIVAL PARADE CAR. It has the original motor which was a Rocket 350, not a 455. Letter from GM Heritage Collection documents this car was at the Indy 500 Track used as a parade and dignitary car during the month of May 1970. Car number 112 of 159. Only 83 Cutlass Supreme Pace Car Convertibles were used at the track in the pre-race parade. The Mecum auction at Indy last week sold a Cutlass Pace Car CLONE for 53,900, it was lot number T-65.
There’s a easy $1500$ hood
…and a $500 air cleaner.
A high school friend’s mother had one of these that we took on a ski trip to northern Michigan. It was a 350 automatic with the black & red stripe package but none of the “pace car” graphics. It had the Rally II wheels, bucket seats, console, and air conditioning. As I recall it was a beautiful car. The 350 was more than adequate though a 455 would be necessary to be truly badass.
These cars were part of the reason that the Cutlass became the best-selling car in the mid ’70’s. The market seems to be edging up for this era of Oldsmobile, especially the intermediates.
This one needs a complete restoration.