1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Description

There's still a lot more bang for your buck with an Oldsmobile, as this 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible so ably demonstrates. There's a small block V8 under the hood, incredible styling that neatly bridges sporty and luxurious, and a long list of features that make it an awesome choice over a more common (and expensive) Chevelle convertible.

How can you not love the way this car looks? If you've outgrown your boy-racer image, this Olds neatly captures top-down fun in a sporting A-body without going over the top with it. The gorgeous medium blue paint is bright and distinctive, and it grabs your attention without shouting about it. Two-stage urethane paint certainly makes for an impressive shine and the steel underneath is in above-average condition and really looks crisp under the icy blue finish. White stripes give it a racy look that's certainly appropriate and they've been buried under the clear coat so the final surface is smooth and glossy, not to mention easy to maintain. Nice chrome bumpers, blacked-out grilles, and familiar two-element taillights give this Olds a familiar look that will never go out of style.

The handsome white on blue interior looks crisp and fresh and offers a great complement to the bodywork without adding another color to the mix. It's standard Oldsmobile fare, which means a bit of luxury to go with your muscle, and it's particularly effective here. The seat covers are brilliantly white and the rest of the interior is nicely maintained so you can cruise without worries. The woodgrained appliques on the dash and door panels are likely original and perhaps showing some very minor signs of age, but the gauges are bright and crisp and there are recent seat belts at all five positions. Auxiliary gauges have been slotted neatly under the dash, since Olds didn't give you much beyond the basics, and goodies like factory A/C are very welcome. A powerful AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo lives in the dash, powering a subwoofer in the trunk, plus a CD changer that's momentarily disconnected simply because with iPods, there's not much need anymore. A snug-fitting white top is probably a few years old, but includes a glass rear window, which is always nice. And despite the stereo gear, there's also a matching fifth wheel and tire in the trunk, along with a jack assembly and correct mats.

Oldsmobile's 350 cubic inch "Rocket" V8 shared only its displacement with Chevy's small block, but it has a distinctly different personality. With a very precise-sounding mechanical whir, it rumbles to life easily and idles happily without complaint and with a broad torque curve, you'll forget about you big block aspirations pretty quickly. Finished with a chrome open-element air cleaner and matching valve covers, plus some corporate blue engine enamel, it has a well-cared-for appearance that suits this car just fine. New equipment includes the power brake booster and an upgrade to R134a refrigerant for the A/C system (it should probably be checked), and these engines have proven to be as durable as anything of the period. Backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic and a 10-bolt rear end, the powertrain is rugged and easy to service. Flowmaster mufflers produce a distinctly Oldsmobile sound that's quite pleasing and those color-matched Rally II wheels are some of the most attractive ever fitted to an A-body. With fat 225/70/14 BFG radials, it definitely has a performance stance.

For a nice summer cruiser, this Cutlass's combination of performance, looks, and price are going to be very hard to beat. Call today!