1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Description

You don't have to be an Oldsmobile fan to think this triple-black 1972 Cutlass convertible is awesome. For many, the Oldsmobile A-body got everything just right and if you want V8 fun in the sun, this heavily documented Rocket is pretty hard to beat. Plus as an Olds, it's full of goodies like ice cold A/C and a power top so you really don't have any excuse not to love it.

It's got the same proportions as a Chevelle, but somehow this Cutlass looks more dramatic, don't you think? Maybe it's the kick-up behind the doors or the way the front fenders gently arc towards the doors, but it definitely has the right look. The big performance wars were over by 1972, but the good looks remain and these cars remain severely under-valued compared to their siblings and it's hard to understand why. Thanks to a lot of work just a few years ago, the brilliant black paint looks fantastic with only a few very minor signs of use here and there. It's quite appropriate and looks sporty without being overly aggressive, which isn't the Oldsmobile way. Contrasting white pinstripes accent those deeply contoured fender lines and a black rub strip is stylish as well as functional. The '72s had slightly finer egg crate grills, blacked-out bezels around the headlights that really help it look great, and this one gleams under the lights in a way that very few other cars can match. You're starting to see why we like this car so much, aren't you?

Bucket seats in an Olds are a relatively rare find, and with a console between them this car goes from pleasant ragtop to must-have fun. The seat covers, carpets, and dash pad are probably not original and are in great condition and the door panels are holding up well, and a sporty 4-spoke steering wheel helps with the attitude inside (the original wheel is included with the car). The instrument panel has three round pods that cover the basics and as I said, this one has power windows and functioning factory A/C for those days when the sun isn't shining but it's still hot. There's a newer AM/FM/cassette stereo radio in the center of the dash surrounded by factory woodgraining, which warms things up a bit inside. A black power top with glass rear window seals up well and the trunk features a matching fifth wheel and a reproduction mat to make it look right.

It would be a mistake to underestimate the Rocket 350 under the hood, which looks almost showroom fresh. It runs superbly thanks to a fresh rebuild on the Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel carb, a new fuel pump, and a tune-up. Other goodies include new valve cover gaskets, new hoses, and a new A6 A/C compressor with R12 refrigerant inside. It runs great and has plenty of low-end torque to make it quick around town, but with the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and highway-friendly gears out back, it's also a great open-road cruiser. Original exhaust manifolds look good and there's a reproduction dual exhaust system with that characteristic Oldsmobile sound. Color-matched Rally II wheels are always the best choice on a vintage Cutlass, with these wearing 14-inch white-letter radials with plenty of life left in them.

Look this car over carefully, then examine the price, because this is heck of a lot of top-down fun for the money. Sooner or later, everyone is going to catch on to how awesome these Oldsmobiles are, and you'll be ahead of the game. Call today!