1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 Tribute

Description

Is there some kind of support group for guys who love the Oldsmobile A-bodies too much? Because after you see this wonderful 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 tribute, you'll probably agree that Olds got it right with this one. Sporty, elegant, and quick, it's the perfect combination of features for a guy who doesn't want the same-old Chevelle that everyone else has.

Oldsmobile had trouble selling the Rallye 350s when they were new, but the look is so awesome today that someone went to great lengths to re-create it here. The vivid yellow paint works extremely well on the chiseled Oldsmobile's sheetmetal, looking quite forward-thinking for 1970 but also fashionable in 2017. Cool, right? Even better, the hood wears steel scoops, not fiberglass, and a correct Rallye 350 decal kit was installed to add some aggression. Out back there's a 442-style wing, plus body-colored bumpers, sport mirrors, and a blacked-out grille to really make it stand out. The paint and bodywork are only about a year old, so it's in fantastic condition, and if you look closely, you'll note that the bumpers have been tucked in a little closer to the body to make it look sleek, smooth, and potent. Tribute cars are all about getting the look just right, and this car nails it, although experts are going to be surprised by how much better this one looks than a stocker.

It still looks and feels like a proper luxury car inside, where black bench seats add to the upscale atmosphere. The upholstery is in excellent condition, which is thanks to a combination of durable materials and excellent care since it was restored a few months ago. The seat covers and carpets are brand new, while the rest is nice original stuff, so it all has an appropriate look. The factory gauges still monitor the basics, but a set of Auto Meter auxiliary dials live under the dash to keep a closer eye on the warmed-over 350 up front. The three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in leather, so it's a bit more substantial in your hands and the burled walnut dash still shows well. And believe it or not, even the original AM radio is still in the dash, although it's due for an upgrade in a car of this quality. Open the trunk and you'll find a nicely finished storage bay with a new mat that looks right.

Guys who know Oldsmobiles know that Olds' 350 inch small block is as durable as a block of granite and makes great torque that its siblings over at Chevy and Pontiac can only envy. With a unique sound, it fires easily and the upgraded camshaft inside offers a slightly lumpy idle that hints of performance to come. It's not terribly radical, featuring a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, a chrome air cleaner, aluminum intake, and new ignition components, and today looks very much like it would have back in 1970. It's backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic and a set of highway-friendly gears in the 10-bolt rear, so it just loafs along at highway speeds, making it the ideal car for long road trips. The front suspension is augmented with a set of 2-inch drop spindles that give it that wicked stance and there's a disc brake at all four corners, something that original Rallye 350 owners probably wish for. A dual exhaust system sounds great without being annoying and it sits on cool alloys with staggered 245/45/17 front and giant 305/45/18 rear Nitto performance tires.

Handsome, fun to drive, and documented with receipts, this muscular Olds offers the smart hobbyist an easy way into an exclusive club. Is it any wonder why we love cars like this so much? Call today!