1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible

Description

There's still a lot more bang for your buck with an Oldsmobile, as this 1971 Cutlass convertible so ably demonstrates. There's a healthy 350 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.

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 Code 75 Matador Red paint is bright and distinctive, and it grabs your attention without resorting to stripes and spoilers to do it. The paint could easily be original to this Cutty, or at the very least a much older respray, but it still looks right and has a nice, honest shine that looks great from just a couple steps away. Upon closer examination there are certainly signs of use and age, but this droptop was always meant to be a driver, and despite some of those imperfections, it still looks racy in that red finish. It's clean and simple, which is how most of the cars were delivered when new, and we like the relatively unadorned look, which is a nice contrast to most of the other cars of the period, particularly the more luxurious Oldsmobiles. Nice chrome bumpers, a pair of grilles in good shape, and familiar two-element taillights give this Olds a familiar look that will never go out of style, and the lower body molding and wheel arch trim that runs from end-to-end breaks up the red paint just enough to make things interesting.

The handsome white interior looks very nicely preserved 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 likely original and showing some wear 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 as well, and they're surprisingly well preserved, and the gauges with their brushed stainless faces are in good order as well. Options include factory A/C (which still works!), seatbelts up front, and both power steering and power brakes. An AM/FM radio lives in the dash, although it's due for replacement just to make your cruising a bit more entertaining. A snug-fitting white power convertible top looks like it's rarely seen the elements, and it includes a glass rear window, which is always nice. Out back, the trunk is a bit dirty, but a durable mat and what may even be the original spare tire and jack set are included.

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 your big block aspirations pretty quickly. Very stock and very original, it's a bit grungy, but it runs great and this is one place some simple elbow grease would really add value. This is likely the car's original engine and they 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, too. A single exhaust system makes a hushed yet distinctly Oldsmobile sound that's quite pleasing and white Rallye wheels and 215/75/14 Hankook whitewall radials really add a sporty look.

For a nice summer cruiser, this Cutlass's combination of performance, looks, and price are going to be very hard to beat. Add a little weekend detailing fun and you can have an awesome car for not a lot of cash. Call today!