My Dad, like the Dad in Christmas Story, was a Oldsmobile man. We had a '71 Supreme in metallic green. Great looking car, I drove it to college for several years. I lke both rooflines!
The Cutlass Supreme roofline and rear quarter is just absolutely gorgeous. The Cutlass was both a great looking "sporty" muscle car, or an extremely handsome and classy personal luxury car. All of the 68-72 Intermediates from GM were greats, but the Cutlass Supreme was a tour de force in terms of styling.
Adam, Let's face it, the Oldsmobile Cutlass reigned supreme throughout the 1970s. 😉Videos like this will go a long way in reinforcing my already strong bias towards the 1968-1972 Olds Cutlass so please keep these Cutlass videos coming and don't forget about the Cutlass Cruiser wagon.😄On a more rational note, this generation of Cutlass seemed to be the longest lasting car of its era. Only the Valiant and Dart matched the longevity though they were much more spartan in construction . 🤩
I seem to remember a 442 version of this body style which grabbed the attention of those liking the upmarket Cutlass with a sportier look and performance.
@@steveb7310 I am glad to hear we have a former Cutlass Cruiser owner here! Earlier in the year, Adam did a video about the 1971 Olds Custom Cruiser full-size wagon. That video included a brief comparison with that year's Vista Cruiser and Cutlass Cruiser. I am one of many people who had forgotten or never known the Cutlass Cruiser existed as it was so overshadowed by the Vista Cruiser. Since that time I have repeatedly attempted to get Adam to do a full video comparing the A Body Cutlass Cruiser to the more famous Vista Cruiser which had its own platform.
I remember John Beltz because I was your typical teenaged car nut and he was known as the head of Olds in the car magazines, including some interviews. I was a senior in high school when he died of cancer and it was a shock. The original formal-roof Cutlass Supreme was the elegant competitor of the MC and GP; neither Ford nor Chrysler had any equivalent. These fine cars deserved their success through several iterations. Thanks for the great video!
I'm still struggling with the idea that Oldsmobile was so successful for many decades, and was just let go and ignored for 15 or 20 years, and suddenly it completely disappeared. Why did GM let this happen? This was one of their most sought after automobiles. How did Oldsmobile's demise happen and why? Oldsmobile and its customers deserved better.
@@johnlandacre767 Though I've never seen it spelled out, I think that part of the problem with GM was the lack of leaders like John Beltz and John DeLorean, men with vision. Who was in engineering like Ed Cole or the great Charles Kettering, the father of the V-16? GM needed 3 engines in the eighties: a good V8, a good V6, and a good OHC4 or V4. They were seemingly too proud to go purchase current Toyotas or Hondas and learn what they were doing so well. Look what Iacocca did with just the K-Car and a good little in-house 2.2 that became 2.5!
Seeing the formal roof line on that Gold Cutlass Supreme makes me favor this over the standard A body. Really gained an appreciation of this car based on your presentation.
I was never a fan of the arrow-head window treatment of the standard 2 door A-bodies of those years. I recall seeing a lot of those cars on the road with the wipers parked an inch or two above the lip of the hood. I don't know if that was just a malfunction, some kind of aftermarket wiper motor, or GM actually left the self-retracting wipers off of its lower-end model designations, but it looked odd.
I really miss Oldsmobile. Growing up, we had several 98's that were gorgeous, great cars. For starting college, my Dad bought my sister a brand new 1978 Cutlass Supreme Brougham that was loaded and that car was sweet, I was just a teenager without a license then, but that car road so nice and was so quiet. My sister really got a great car. Those Cutlass were so popular by the late 70's, as I remember, it was the Number 1 selling car in the United States for several years (77,78,79 maybe into the early 80's as well)
Also the #1 stolen car for many years - mostly due to parts demand. I guess that is also a compliment to its great execution. Sadly, GM lost its way in the bean-counter era, and the Honda Accord became the most stolen vehicle.
I got a 1970 Cutlass supreme holiday coupe in 1985 with 13K miles on it. Best car I ever owned. The rocket 350 engine was superb. To my eyes, it was better looking than the fastback .
I've owned a 70 Cultass Convertible for 40 years, Thank you for the compliments on the styling. I agree. I used troll the yards for parts and pretty sure I never saw a rim blow horn. That wheel looks like the standard hub blow.......
I own a 71 Cutlass Supreme convertible that I have owned for 25 years. The convertible with the top up also has that formal roof line look of the Supreme coupe. I love that style. I wish GM still made Oldsmobile but I am glad you and I are still keeping Oldsmobile history on the road.
My car was a '70 Cutlass "S." Both the Supreme and the "S" were beautiful cars. There was a little interior/dashboard anomaly, which was shared even in my '70 "98." Above the radio is a little panel, activated be a push button off to the side [as I recall], that when you pressed the button, made the little panel door - as it were - open. On my "98," the little door was to the left of the radio. Behind the door was the front seat ashtray. Great presentation video, as usual!
Patrick Bedard, Car & Driver Magazine, once said, "Ford only knows how to make one car, the Thunderbird". And FoMoCo agreed, responding that it pays to please your customers! The formula was easy: long hood plus a formal roofline equals sales. When Ford designers saw the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix they knew someone at GM got the memo for success. The "personal luxury craze" of the 70's was ON with formal rooflines on everything, leaving the fastback Toronado to switch in 1971 if it wanted to survive. The '73 - '77 Cutlass Supreme Coupe remains my favorite.
Great video Adam. My Aunt had a 72 Cutlass Holiday Coupe, it was Light blue outside and White inside. I remember it drove to smooth and quiet, and it was always cold inside. Sadly she sold it in the late 80's and it disappeared. I really miss that car and my Aunt.
My uncle had a 71 with the 442 hood and bumpers. Black and silver with a black rag top. 455 Olds with a turbo400 auto. 12 bolt chevy posi after the bop rear spit an axle out at high speed. The nights we had in that car, it's a wonder I'm still alive. Miss you uncle Denny.
Ohh Adam I love it love love love these cars and I do love all the Oldsmobiles line up in the 1960s and 70s love them all my favorite cars and Buicks too
Never a big fan of vinyl tops, but no car ever looked better with one than the '70 Cutlass Supreme coupe. The secret was in not taking the vinyl all the way to the edge. It made the Cutlass very distinctive.
Fun fact on the 1970 vs the 1971-72 cutlass hoods. They looked essentially the same but 70's had what I like to refer to as a tooth that was an integral part of the hood (the part that separated the two grills). The 71-72 had this removed and a separate piece was used between the grills. If you've ever worked on a 1970, there's a good chance you banged your head where it projected down... well. at least once, and then you learned. Great cars, great engines and transmissions. They rode great and they handled great...some of the best A-bodies GM made. I had a 71 Cutlass S, I loved that car.
really have to dig that "hood on top of hood" look on the opening shot. The Supreme roof is way better, but that hard top sedan is even better. I remember these were everywhere (for all the good reasons you mention) well into the 1980s. The rocker panel dovetails into the chrome wheel well trim - very nice.
This was the start of one of GMs biggest successes. The '70 was beautiful, but the mid-80's CS Coupe was a best seller, too, and in my view, one of the most handsomely styled mid-size American cars ever produced. I wanted one at the time (1984-1987), but couldn't justify it to be within my budget, optioned as I would have liked. With two kids and a limited budget, I settled for a front drive A-body Buick Century sedan with the smaller v6 for a couple thousand less. I still want an 84 or 85 Cutlass Supreme to this day.
I took my driver's test in my parents 1970 Cutlass F85 in 1981 at age 15.5. Had the 350 4-barrel Quadrajet. That thing would do one-legger burnouts forever. lol. I love these cars. Have been looking for s reasonably priced one to build. I prefer the standard roofline. Love your vids, Adam.
Even the next generation '73 to '77 Cutlass was a huge seller. It was so sad that Oldsmobile would lose its way and go from 1 million units a year to become extinct and cast off. My brother has a beautiful '72 442 convertible with a Cadillac LSA supercharged 6.2 engine - what a hoot to drive!
Just looking at this magnificent design easily explains why the Olds Cutlass continued its successful climb in stratospheric sales. Say whatever you want about those gorgeous, "rocket-pod" taillamps, but they make the car complete. Everwhere you look, you can see how GM could really build a fantastic, near-luxury personal coupe with just formalizing the roof structure. Perfection in my eyes. Plus, who could ever, ever forget the unmistakable Oldsmobile Rocket 350/455 V8's deep metallic rumble that was a symphony to a car lover's ears. My friends and I still to this day admit no other engine besides a Chrysler 440 could make music like that. My mother owned a new, 1968 Olds Cutlass Supreme Town Sedan with the standard, 350 4bbl V8, which produced 310hp on premium. Our little family took many a pleasure trip in that comfortable car with ice-cold air conditioning. We kept it until 1973. It was a beautiful design with a great looking instrument panel. GM really screwed up sacrificing Olds for the stupid Saturn brand.
I actually prefer the Cutlass S coupe roofline, but they are both very attractive automobiles. My high school girlfriend had a 1970 Cutlass S Holiday Coupe in triple green, with a Rocket 350 4 bbl. It ran very well and had plenty of acceleration. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for this video I watch every one you post. The focus on this is the Cutlass Supreme and the one you show here is the SX version and my dad owned one of these and it is a very rare car. My dad bought his from Berejik Oldsmobile in Needham Mass and he also raced and was involved with The Smothers Brothers and in fact Goldie Hawn made the initial call to him for the Smothers Brothers. This SX was very fast and with the handling package was a blast to drive. And the SX came with the dual exhaust cutouts in the bumper just like the 442. My dad unfortunately traded his SX in but it was on a Cutlass Salon also with the 455 and the handling package and I absolutely loved that car. I had to make a difficult decision to either buy it or my mom’s 73 Camaro when they were getting ready to trade them in. I bought the Camaro but I would love to have a Salon. Thanks again for your videos.
That's peak Cutlass styling for me! The '70 is my favourite from this era, although I prefer the 'sportier' roofline. I love the vertical slotted tail lights, didn't like the horizontal theme in '71 as much.
My second car was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible in Seafoam (or Seamist) Silver Green Metallic with a white top and white vinyl interior w/ bucket seats and a woodgrain dash and console, 350 2 bbl, power brakes, steering, windows, and power top w/glass rear window. Loved every minute and wore holes in that top it went up and down so much - I was in my mid 20's in south Florida growing up on the beaches and had some of the best years of my life cruising in my Cutlass, wind in my hair - sun in my face - wastin' away again in Margaritaville... God I miss that car!
@trudygreer2491 Both - good thing that car can't talk 👍😎 ! (Although if it could, it might be able to fill me in on those foggy moments whilst wasted in Margaritaville 🤡)
There was also the 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX, which was the Supreme body with its formal roof-line, with the big 455 and bucket seats and a console. It was the gentleman's defacto 442! Edit: And the Monroney window sticker shown @5:00 lists the XS package with the 455!
Oh yeah! I saw a 1966 Cutlass four door hardtop with all the accessories for sale. Gorgeous. Id also love a 1968 coupe but most that are left are 442 and out of my reach.
The Cutlass was the perfect combo of that mature, sportiness to them. What made the Cutlasses (and all the Olds lines) so perfect?? We keep overlooking the Oldsmobile Rally wheel. On the side shot, where does your eye go to? The Rally wheel. In my opinion, the Rally wheel makes this car what it is.
Those color keyed Oldsmobile rally wheels were sharp, and it seemed most Cutlasses I saw at the time had them over the standard hub cap. Buicks rally wheels were also nice and I owned several Buicks that had them.
In the Early 80’s, Dad & I test drove 70 or 71 with a 455 for a whole tire burning weekend! A buddy of his owned a car lot. It was so cool to see my Dad grinning & laughing like the hot rodder he was until I born & ruined it all haha! He gave up his 60 Vette after driving newborn me home from the hospital in 1967! Still the most unbelievable part is that his buddy that owned the car lot was born without arms & did everything with his feet! I met him for the first time that weekend! True story, no embellishment whatsoever, just great memories!
I never owned an Olds. My uncle had several and my dad's last car was a 78 Olds Cutlass Supreme. I always loved the way the painted the rally wheels the same color as the car.
Had a 72 Supreme Sports Coupe and a 69 442 convertible. Best vehicles I ever owned. As a youngster I succumbed to the 2nd “gas crisis” in 79 and traded the Cutlass for a new garbage Rabbit. Worst vehicle I ever owned. Dad had a gorgeous green over woodgrain Vista Cruiser. Also a winner. That’s the one I wish I had.
I had the same car...I bought it for $500 in 1984. One of my favorite cars ever. Great styling, and handling - with disc brakes. That 350 - 4 bbl did very well for a low compression engine - so smooth! I recall it would hit 128 mph on the highway.
Definitely one of my fav Oldsmobiles. 70/71/72 cutlass supreme is so beautiful. Never cared much for the normal cutlass s but the supreme makes me wanna buy one
Always liked these as a kid. Had a hot wheels Cutlass fastback in yellow that I took to school a lot. I always REALLY liked the Supreme with the formal/notchback roofline a lot more even than the fastback. Great looking car.
Yes these were! My great aunt bought one in ‘72 - yellow with white full vinyl roof and white interior, Olds 350R 4 bbl, a/t, P/s, pdl a fantastic Oldsmobile!
A high school buddy had the S with a 455 and it was really nice! Great ride and handling. Very comfortable car. I dad a Roadrunner and this car out classed that in every way!
Thanks Adam for covering the Cutlass so well... my father was a Cutlass man from the start, buying a '65, a '74, an '85, and finally a '94 (that one was an 88 Royale) all from Black Cadillac Olds in Greensboro, NC. The switch to the FWD platform for the Cutlass in '88 was a real turn off for him as well as many others, and went for the 88 for his next car, which was a very good car as well.
I currently have a 1970 S Holiday Coupe/fastback in Bamboo Yellow with a 350 2bbl engine. Bought it from our neighbors in the late 80's and have done a complete firewall to front bumper frame off restoration. What struck me about the car was the slanted belt line: draw a line from the top front edge of the door and follow the door 's top edge line which slopes down from the front towards the rear. In cars today and for many years, this line is now either level or sloped the opposite way: slope is lowest at the front and highest at the rear. I guess you call this the 'belt line slope'? I like it in these old Cutlass'. Also nice is the front fender rake line which gradually slopes down from the front bumper to the beginning of the door. As this 'rake line' I call it moves from the front to the back, it allows for the power dome shape of the hood to get enhanced. What a truly artful design. However elegant this hood design was, one major boo boo was leaving that front center piece affixed to the hood so that when you raised the hood to do any kind of maintenance you would inevitably hit your forehead to this center piece no matter how careful you were!--this was changed in later model years.
I never recognized the differences in that generation of Cutlass coupes. The Supreme's rear quarter panel top stays flat and the S has an arching rear quarter panel and flared arches on the fender sides. Very nice to see the differences!
The MC and GP were slightly larger cars. The Luxury LeMans had some fine points, but the Cutlass Supreme was the most cheeky, highly styled offering on the base intermediate coupe platform. They were head turners. We were a little disappointed in how the '73 Cutlass just didn't have that togetherness of the previous model.
Honestly, the Cutlass Supreme with the formal roof is a severely underrated design. I know it was popular and sold a lot, but one doesn't often hear it referenced in the pantheon of great American designs. Frankly, I think it's even better looking than the first gen Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevy Monte Carlo. I think the straight on rear view is just as fine as the fastback look, and overall it's even better. (both are great, I'd be happy to own either)
These early SX models were basically the Turnpike Cruiser option from 68 & 69 with the big block and a 2-bbl carb. Later in the model year they dropped the 2-bbl and replaced with the 4-bbl version which I believe was the 455 in the 88. No matter which 455, these SX cars are rare today. Not many were made when new so I would think not many survive today.
That roof line is so sweet looking . I actually prefer the 442 of this period in the convertible over the sleeker hardtop / pillar coup . I started high school in 78 and my neighbor had a buddy with a 71 442 455 convertible. Awesome looking car .
I owned a '70 Cutlass Supreme in the late '70's...the same color as the featured car. It was not an SX but was unusually optioned by the original owner from whom I bought it from. It had the 350 two barrel carb, manual drum brakes, no A/C, buckets, console with a heavy duty three speed manual. He pulled his fishing boat with it. It was one of my favorite cars. It was involved in a collision and I decided not to repair it. I regret not doing so. I would get people asking if it was for sale a lot! As stated the Cutlass Supreme SX was offered with the 455 two barrel. It had the heavy duty suspension and frame as the 442. In '67 there was an option called the turnpike cruiser package offered on the Cutlass Supreme. It also had the heavy duty suspension from the 442 and a 400 two barrel. The later SX replaced the earlier turnpike cruiser package. It was set up to get better mileage on the interstate as it also used different rear end ratios than the 442.
Thats odd, my dads good friend had similar equipment in azure blue...he also towed his boat with it...dad drove it once saying john(the owner) was too cheap to get an auto and power brakes...the color and condition of the car was amazing , but some time in the 90s someone crashed into it as it was parked by the side of the road
The best cutlass was the VISTA CRUISER 😊😊just loved that car and it’s styling with extra glass in the roof ,used to take my First girlfriend out in one !! Such a COMFORTABLE Wagon 👍😅
I've always regarded this generation of GM A platform cars as having top notch build quality and material quality, being not to big but not too small, 5/6 passenger family cars with a usable back seat and trunk. I have to say I prefer the F85 or Cutlass S trimmed sport coupes for this year, as unfortunately vent windows were discontinued on all the GM pillar less hardtops in the 1969 model year. Other than that, I will admit the pointedness of the top of the rear fenders on the Supreme is a tad bit better looking than the standard holiday or sport coupes. I'm a bit biased in that I own a 1970 Cutlass S sport coupe, although mine only has the regular Oldsmobile 350 and Th350.
It was so popular because it was a car that could be optioned to be whatever you wanted it to be. It could be an econocruiser, a luxurious personal car, even a muscle car. And the price was in reach of most anyone.
This were sooo popular back in the day - you either had one or knew someone that had a Cutlass during the '70's. I always thought it odd that they put the "Cutlass" nameplate on the back door (1:00) on the '66 Cutlass instead of behind the front wheel above the molding. Although both are nice, I prefer the rear of formal Cutlass over the fastback (11:13) I think the peaked fenders give it more character - but trust me, I'd gladly take either!
Adam, this video is great! Very interesting. I think 1970 period was one of the best years for design of these vehicles and muscle cars. Nobody ever talks about the 1973 Olds Cutlass. I think the 73 was one of the most beautiful designs of the Cutlass. Could you or do you think the 1973 would be worth a video on? Thanks Adam.
In the late 70s, my girlfriend had a 70 Olds 88 with a 455 2bbl. I kind of sneered at it because of the 2 barrel carb. My mind was changed the instant I drove it! That land yacht was *_fast_* ! Tons of torque, and more than adequate power. I would imagine that the Cutlass in your video is tons of fun, too! I never realized that the Cutlass Supreme coupe had a different roof.
My sister had maybe a 72 cutlass, green, my mom called it her "little green frog". Recently we were laughing about that, my sister (who is about 4'9 and 98lbs) says " it was a 72 Cutlass it was anything but small" PS the blue one at the end was gorgeous!
Hats off to those who keep such fine 50+ year old cars still looking so good.
Isn't that the truth!
@@TomSnyder-gx5ruI think for most the car holds some memories so they really love the car and look after it
I miss Oldsmobile!
Great memories of my dads ‘72 Cutlass S, which I was fortunate to drive for a few years. Awesome style and the power of the Rocket 350 !
My Dad, like the Dad in Christmas Story, was a Oldsmobile man. We had a '71 Supreme in metallic green. Great looking car, I drove it to college for several years. I lke both rooflines!
The Cutlass Supreme roofline and rear quarter is just absolutely gorgeous. The Cutlass was both a great looking "sporty" muscle car, or an extremely handsome and classy personal luxury car. All of the 68-72 Intermediates from GM were greats, but the Cutlass Supreme was a tour de force in terms of styling.
I definitely prefer the Supreme roof line. Looks great!
Adam, Let's face it, the Oldsmobile Cutlass reigned supreme throughout the 1970s. 😉Videos like this will go a long way in reinforcing my already strong bias towards the 1968-1972 Olds Cutlass so please keep these Cutlass videos coming and don't forget about the Cutlass Cruiser wagon.😄On a more rational note, this generation of Cutlass seemed to be the longest lasting car of its era. Only the Valiant and Dart matched the longevity though they were much more spartan in construction . 🤩
I seem to remember a 442 version of this body style which grabbed the attention of those liking the upmarket Cutlass with a sportier look and performance.
I’m with you bro. My first car was a 1971 Cutlass wagon. Plain Jane 350 2 barrel. It even had a crank rear window.
Even well into the mid 80s it was a best seller
@@steveb7310 I am glad to hear we have a former Cutlass Cruiser owner here! Earlier in the year, Adam did a video about the 1971 Olds Custom Cruiser full-size wagon. That video included a brief comparison with that year's Vista Cruiser and Cutlass Cruiser. I am one of many people who had forgotten or never known the Cutlass Cruiser existed as it was so overshadowed by the Vista Cruiser. Since that time I have repeatedly attempted to get Adam to do a full video comparing the A Body Cutlass Cruiser to the more famous Vista Cruiser which had its own platform.
Everything sold well 68-72.
Best cars ever produced,hands down.
I remember John Beltz because I was your typical teenaged car nut and he was known as the head of Olds in the car magazines, including some interviews. I was a senior in high school when he died of cancer and it was a shock. The original formal-roof Cutlass Supreme was the elegant competitor of the MC and GP; neither Ford nor Chrysler had any equivalent. These fine cars deserved their success through several iterations. Thanks for the great video!
I'm still struggling with the idea that Oldsmobile was so successful for many decades, and was just let go and ignored for 15 or 20 years, and suddenly it completely disappeared. Why did GM let this happen? This was one of their most sought after automobiles. How did Oldsmobile's demise happen and why? Oldsmobile and its customers deserved better.
@@johnlandacre767 Though I've never seen it spelled out, I think that part of the problem with GM was the lack of leaders like John Beltz and John DeLorean, men with vision. Who was in engineering like Ed Cole or the great Charles Kettering, the father of the V-16? GM needed 3 engines in the eighties: a good V8, a good V6, and a good OHC4 or V4. They were seemingly too proud to go purchase current Toyotas or Hondas and learn what they were doing so well. Look what Iacocca did with just the K-Car and a good little in-house 2.2 that became 2.5!
Seeing the formal roof line on that Gold Cutlass Supreme makes me favor this over the standard A body. Really gained an appreciation of this car based on your presentation.
I was never a fan of the arrow-head window treatment of the standard 2 door A-bodies of those years. I recall seeing a lot of those cars on the road with the wipers parked an inch or two above the lip of the hood. I don't know if that was just a malfunction, some kind of aftermarket wiper motor, or GM actually left the self-retracting wipers off of its lower-end model designations, but it looked odd.
I really miss Oldsmobile. Growing up, we had several 98's that were gorgeous, great cars. For starting college, my Dad bought my sister a brand new 1978 Cutlass Supreme Brougham that was loaded and that car was sweet, I was just a teenager without a license then, but that car road so nice and was so quiet. My sister really got a great car. Those Cutlass were so popular by the late 70's, as I remember, it was the Number 1 selling car in the United States for several years (77,78,79 maybe into the early 80's as well)
Beautiful’78 Cutlass, rivaled only by the Buick Regal Limited, in terms of luxury.
@@thomastoler2397 Yes, those Buicks Limited trims were really nice !
Also the #1 stolen car for many years - mostly due to parts demand. I guess that is also a compliment to its great execution. Sadly, GM lost its way in the bean-counter era, and the Honda Accord became the most stolen vehicle.
I got a 1970 Cutlass supreme holiday coupe in 1985 with 13K miles on it. Best car I ever owned. The rocket 350 engine was superb. To my eyes, it was better looking than the fastback .
I've owned a 70 Cultass Convertible for 40 years, Thank you for the compliments on the styling. I agree. I used troll the yards for parts and pretty sure I never saw a rim blow horn. That wheel looks like the standard hub blow.......
I own a 71 Cutlass Supreme convertible that I have owned for 25 years. The convertible with the top up also has that formal roof line look of the Supreme coupe. I love that style. I wish GM still made Oldsmobile but I am glad you and I are still keeping Oldsmobile history on the road.
My car was a '70 Cutlass "S." Both the Supreme and the "S" were beautiful cars. There was a little interior/dashboard anomaly, which was shared even in my '70 "98." Above the radio is a little panel, activated be a push button off to the side [as I recall], that when you pressed the button, made the little panel door - as it were - open. On my "98," the little door was to the left of the radio. Behind the door was the front seat ashtray. Great presentation video, as usual!
Patrick Bedard, Car & Driver Magazine, once said, "Ford only knows how to make one car, the Thunderbird". And FoMoCo agreed, responding that it pays to please your customers! The formula was easy: long hood plus a formal roofline equals sales. When Ford designers saw the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix they knew someone at GM got the memo for success. The "personal luxury craze" of the 70's was ON with formal rooflines on everything, leaving the fastback Toronado to switch in 1971 if it wanted to survive. The '73 - '77 Cutlass Supreme Coupe remains my favorite.
Brilliantly designed and executed. What a gorgeous car at a reasonable price point!
I like both. I’d forgotten about the Supreme version. The build quality on these was exceptional as I recall.
Always loved these cars. What a fantastic presentation. Learned a lot. This channel is such a gem, thank you.
👏👏👏👏
Great video Adam. My Aunt had a 72 Cutlass Holiday Coupe, it was Light blue outside and White inside. I remember it drove to smooth and quiet, and it was always cold inside. Sadly she sold it in the late 80's and it disappeared. I really miss that car and my Aunt.
Honestly, it just simply look beautiful. It was perfectly proportioned and gave very good value.
My uncle had a 71 with the 442 hood and bumpers. Black and silver with a black rag top. 455 Olds with a turbo400 auto. 12 bolt chevy posi after the bop rear spit an axle out at high speed. The nights we had in that car, it's a wonder I'm still alive. Miss you uncle Denny.
These early to mid 1970's Oldsmobile's were Classics.
Mom had a 72 Cutlass. 350. It would move! Didn't like the front end of the 73 model and in 72. Oldsmobile didn't offer a 6 cylinder on any car.
Ohh Adam I love it love love love these cars and I do love all the Oldsmobiles line up in the 1960s and 70s love them all my favorite cars and Buicks too
STILL A BEAUTIFUL CAR.
'70 HAD MY FAVORITE TAIL LIGHTS OF THE "FASTBACK" ERA CUTLASS.
Love the ‘77 version of the Supreme…that waterfall grill is iconic.
Oldsmobile's styling trend at the time could be called simple elegance. The 1970 Cutlass personified that in spades!
1970 Cutlass 442 in Gold with black stripes. Perfection.
I had a 71 SX 455 back in the early 80’s. One of my favorite cars.
A bodes of this era are solid Gold!
Never a big fan of vinyl tops, but no car ever looked better with one than the '70 Cutlass Supreme coupe. The secret was in not taking the vinyl all the way to the edge. It made the Cutlass very distinctive.
Fun fact on the 1970 vs the 1971-72 cutlass hoods. They looked essentially the same but 70's had what I like to refer to as a tooth that was an integral part of the hood (the part that separated the two grills). The 71-72 had this removed and a separate piece was used between the grills. If you've ever worked on a 1970, there's a good chance you banged your head where it projected down... well. at least once, and then you learned. Great cars, great engines and transmissions. They rode great and they handled great...some of the best A-bodies GM made. I had a 71 Cutlass S, I loved that car.
Love seeing these on the road restored back to original! Brings back memories….
really have to dig that "hood on top of hood" look on the opening shot. The Supreme roof is way better, but that hard top sedan is even better. I remember these were everywhere (for all the good reasons you mention) well into the 1980s. The rocker panel dovetails into the chrome wheel well trim - very nice.
This was the start of one of GMs biggest successes. The '70 was beautiful, but the mid-80's CS Coupe was a best seller, too, and in my view, one of the most handsomely styled mid-size American cars ever produced. I wanted one at the time (1984-1987), but couldn't justify it to be within my budget, optioned as I would have liked. With two kids and a limited budget, I settled for a front drive A-body Buick Century sedan with the smaller v6 for a couple thousand less. I still want an 84 or 85 Cutlass Supreme to this day.
Just the right size, great balance of luxury, power, speed & reliability. Hot rodders and Grandpas fit very well into a Cutlass.
I took my driver's test in my parents 1970 Cutlass F85 in 1981 at age 15.5. Had the 350 4-barrel Quadrajet. That thing would do one-legger burnouts forever. lol. I love these cars. Have been looking for s reasonably priced one to build. I prefer the standard roofline. Love your vids, Adam.
Even the next generation '73 to '77 Cutlass was a huge seller. It was so sad that Oldsmobile would lose its way and go from 1 million units a year to become extinct and cast off. My brother has a beautiful '72 442 convertible with a Cadillac LSA supercharged 6.2 engine - what a hoot to drive!
Those wonderful colors! Will we ever see them again?
Great question, these days the automotive palette is inspired by mud puddles.
Thank you for making this video. I have always had a soft spot for the Cutlass Supreme and the SX with that roofline = such a nice looking car!!!
Just looking at this magnificent design easily explains why the Olds Cutlass continued its successful climb in stratospheric sales. Say whatever you want about those gorgeous, "rocket-pod" taillamps, but they make the car complete. Everwhere you look, you can see how GM could really build a fantastic, near-luxury personal coupe with just formalizing the roof structure. Perfection in my eyes.
Plus, who could ever, ever forget the unmistakable Oldsmobile Rocket 350/455 V8's deep metallic rumble that was a symphony to a car lover's ears. My friends and I still to this day admit no other engine besides a Chrysler 440 could make music like that.
My mother owned a new, 1968 Olds Cutlass Supreme Town Sedan with the standard, 350 4bbl V8, which produced 310hp on premium. Our little family took many a pleasure trip in that comfortable car with ice-cold air conditioning. We kept it until 1973. It was a beautiful design with a great looking instrument panel.
GM really screwed up sacrificing Olds for the stupid Saturn brand.
Very recognizable car for those of us who grew up in the 70's
I actually prefer the Cutlass S coupe roofline, but they are both very attractive automobiles. My high school girlfriend had a 1970 Cutlass S Holiday Coupe in triple green, with a Rocket 350 4 bbl. It ran very well and had plenty of acceleration. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for this video I watch every one you post. The focus on this is the Cutlass Supreme and the one you show here is the SX version and my dad owned one of these and it is a very rare car. My dad bought his from Berejik Oldsmobile in Needham Mass and he also raced and was involved with The Smothers Brothers and in fact Goldie Hawn made the initial call to him for the Smothers Brothers. This SX was very fast and with the handling package was a blast to drive. And the SX came with the dual exhaust cutouts in the bumper just like the 442. My dad unfortunately traded his SX in but it was on a Cutlass Salon also with the 455 and the handling package and I absolutely loved that car. I had to make a difficult decision to either buy it or my mom’s 73 Camaro when they were getting ready to trade them in. I bought the Camaro but I would love to have a Salon. Thanks again for your videos.
That's peak Cutlass styling for me! The '70 is my favourite from this era, although I prefer the 'sportier' roofline. I love the vertical slotted tail lights, didn't like the horizontal theme in '71 as much.
I agree, the taillights on the '70 Cutlass were the best out of the three from '70-'72!
My second car was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible in Seafoam (or Seamist) Silver Green Metallic with a white top and white vinyl interior w/ bucket seats and a woodgrain dash and console, 350 2 bbl, power brakes, steering, windows, and power top w/glass rear window. Loved every minute and wore holes in that top it went up and down so much - I was in my mid 20's in south Florida growing up on the beaches and had some of the best years of my life cruising in my Cutlass,
wind in my hair - sun in my face - wastin' away again in Margaritaville...
God I miss that car!
As a Wisconsinite that sounds like heaven 😊
You miss just the car, or the good times IN the car?!?
@trudygreer2491 Both - good thing that car can't talk 👍😎 ! (Although if it could, it might be able to fill me in on those foggy moments whilst wasted in Margaritaville 🤡)
@@alfredkane3353 It's probably cowering away under a tarp, back of someone's barn, hoping and praying to be left alone and safe in the dark...!
I'd day that the 1968 Cutlass was one of the most well executed designs, ever.
There was also the 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX, which was the Supreme body with its formal roof-line, with the big 455 and bucket seats and a console. It was the gentleman's defacto 442!
Edit: And the Monroney window sticker shown @5:00 lists the XS package with the 455!
Taller gearing…..an interstate love song
@@silvernail6 I believe 2.73:1 or 3.08:1 was as sporting/numerically-high as it got on these.
It is a SX. Correct.
I had a '70 SX. 455 2 barrel, TH400, and 2.56:1 rear end.
Oh yeah! I saw a 1966 Cutlass four door hardtop with all the accessories for sale. Gorgeous. Id also love a 1968 coupe but most that are left are 442 and out of my reach.
Yep Adam, the '70 Olds Cutlass Supreme was outstanding value and had awesome styling and appeal to the masses. Cheers fm Damo. 😀👏
Few are left because everyone drove them until they wore out. A GREAT car.
that gold SX is gorgeous. Super lux looking interior...the Silverstone details on the dash look super
The Cutlass was the perfect combo of that mature, sportiness to them. What made the Cutlasses (and all the Olds lines) so perfect?? We keep overlooking the Oldsmobile Rally wheel. On the side shot, where does your eye go to? The Rally wheel. In my opinion, the Rally wheel makes this car what it is.
Those color keyed Oldsmobile rally wheels were sharp, and it seemed most Cutlasses I saw at the time had them over the standard hub cap. Buicks rally wheels were also nice and I owned several Buicks that had them.
Absolutely gorgeous piece of mobile sculpture! I've always thought that the standard Cutlass looked just a bit "tail heavy" in comparison.
I had a 70 and it was a fantastic car!
The blue on that last car perfect!
In the Early 80’s, Dad & I test drove 70 or 71 with a 455 for a whole tire burning weekend! A buddy of his owned a car lot. It was so cool to see my Dad grinning & laughing like the hot rodder he was until I born & ruined it all haha!
He gave up his 60 Vette after driving newborn me home from the hospital in 1967! Still the most unbelievable part is that his buddy that owned the car lot was born without arms & did everything with his feet! I met him for the first time that weekend! True story, no embellishment whatsoever, just great memories!
I was born in 67 and owned a 71 SX 455 in the early 80’s.
I never owned an Olds. My uncle had several and my dad's last car was a 78 Olds Cutlass Supreme. I always loved the way the painted the rally wheels the same color as the car.
Gorgeous. Perfect sculpture.
I had a 1985 Cutlass. Loved it
I remember as a kid those late early 70s Cutlass' were everywhere. Those were really nice cars.
By my recollection, the Cutlass of this generation generally outlasted its contemporaries.
Another great video and history lesson!
Great video, as always. I miss the Olds brand. We had a 1972 Cutlass that was defiled over many Chicago winters. Thanks for sharing, Adam!
Had a 72 Supreme Sports Coupe and a 69 442 convertible. Best vehicles I ever owned. As a youngster I succumbed to the 2nd “gas crisis” in 79 and traded the Cutlass for a new garbage Rabbit. Worst vehicle I ever owned. Dad had a gorgeous green over woodgrain
Vista Cruiser. Also a winner. That’s the one I wish I had.
👍👍👍
My first car was a 72 Cutlass Supreme. Same gold color, 350 Rocket with Quadrojet. Loved that car. Thank you for the video
I had the same car...I bought it for $500 in 1984. One of my favorite cars ever. Great styling, and handling - with disc brakes. That 350 - 4 bbl did very well for a low compression engine - so smooth! I recall it would hit 128 mph on the highway.
Definitely one of my fav Oldsmobiles. 70/71/72 cutlass supreme is so beautiful. Never cared much for the normal cutlass s but the supreme makes me wanna buy one
Always liked these as a kid. Had a hot wheels Cutlass fastback in yellow that I took to school a lot.
I always REALLY liked the Supreme with the formal/notchback roofline a lot more even than the fastback. Great looking car.
My first car was a 71 Cutlass Supreme 350 rocket 2 barrel. It was a great looking and performing vehicle.
The 2 Barrel engines did very well, almost better throttle response than Q jet, just less top end thrust.
Great content Adam, your attention to detail and fact is second to none!!!~~
A great summary of this model and its impact on the Cutlass line, Adam. There were particularly popular here in California at the time.
Yes these were! My great aunt bought one in ‘72 - yellow with white full vinyl roof and white interior, Olds 350R 4 bbl, a/t, P/s, pdl a fantastic Oldsmobile!
1970 Cutlass is one of the cars I really would like to own and now I want it even more!!!
Nice car. That blue one is particularly sweet, IMO.
A high school buddy had the S with a 455 and it was really nice! Great ride and handling. Very comfortable car. I dad a Roadrunner and this car out classed that in every way!
I had this car in 1990. bought it for $700 as my first car when I was 16. four friend could fit in the trunk to sneak into the drive in theater.
Thanks Adam for covering the Cutlass so well... my father was a Cutlass man from the start, buying a '65, a '74, an '85, and finally a '94 (that one was an 88 Royale) all from Black Cadillac Olds in Greensboro, NC. The switch to the FWD platform for the Cutlass in '88 was a real turn off for him as well as many others, and went for the 88 for his next car, which was a very good car as well.
I currently have a 1970 S Holiday Coupe/fastback in Bamboo Yellow with a 350 2bbl engine. Bought it from our neighbors in the late 80's and have done a complete firewall to front bumper frame off restoration. What struck me about the car was the slanted belt line: draw a line from the top front edge of the door and follow the door 's top edge line which slopes down from the front towards the rear. In cars today and for many years, this line is now either level or sloped the opposite way: slope is lowest at the front and highest at the rear. I guess you call this the 'belt line slope'? I like it in these old Cutlass'. Also nice is the front fender rake line which gradually slopes down from the front bumper to the beginning of the door. As this 'rake line' I call it moves from the front to the back, it allows for the power dome shape of the hood to get enhanced. What a truly artful design. However elegant this hood design was, one major boo boo was leaving that front center piece affixed to the hood so that when you raised the hood to do any kind of maintenance you would inevitably hit your forehead to this center piece no matter how careful you were!--this was changed in later model years.
To me the 66 Cutlass was a beautiful car. As a kid I thought it had everything.
I never recognized the differences in that generation of Cutlass coupes. The Supreme's rear quarter panel top stays flat and the S has an arching rear quarter panel and flared arches on the fender sides. Very nice to see the differences!
I had a 71 Cutlass Supreme 350 before buying my 70 Cuda. It was a sweet car, very smooth ride, comfortable, spacious. Very underrated.
Race you in my '72 350 4 bbl! Fast and utterly reliable except for the rust after 7 years. Par for the course, in those days.
The MC and GP were slightly larger cars. The Luxury LeMans had some fine points, but the Cutlass Supreme was the most cheeky, highly styled offering on the base intermediate coupe platform. They were head turners. We were a little disappointed in how the '73 Cutlass just didn't have that togetherness of the previous model.
Honestly, the Cutlass Supreme with the formal roof is a severely underrated design. I know it was popular and sold a lot, but one doesn't often hear it referenced in the pantheon of great American designs. Frankly, I think it's even better looking than the first gen Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevy Monte Carlo.
I think the straight on rear view is just as fine as the fastback look, and overall it's even better. (both are great, I'd be happy to own either)
That was my Drivers Ed Car.
It was smooth in my book, and with good power.
I did driver's ed in a 1980 Dodge Aspen Coupe, I would say you got the better introduction to driving.
Reminds me of my 73 Buick Skylark vert. So, miss that car!!!~
My parents bought a Cutlass sedan in 1970, I learned driving with it the next year. I large car for Germany roads (I was an Army Brat).
The 79 Cutlass with the 260 V8 was a real barn stormer. Never could keep rear tires on her.
That Cutlass you featured was actually a low production C/S with the SX option. 6404 hardtops produced.
I love the blue Cutlass. Best looking wheels.
These early SX models were basically the Turnpike Cruiser option from 68 & 69 with the big block and a 2-bbl carb. Later in the model year they dropped the 2-bbl and replaced with the 4-bbl version which I believe was the 455 in the 88. No matter which 455, these SX cars are rare today. Not many were made when new so I would think not many survive today.
When I was 16, I bought my 70 SX for $300 and later sold it for $100 after I decided it was too old to keep 😩
My favorite year and body style. Mine was the SX in yellow with black vinyl top. Wish I had kept it!
That roof line is so sweet looking . I actually prefer the 442 of this period in the convertible over the sleeker hardtop / pillar coup . I started high school in 78 and my neighbor had a buddy with a 71 442 455 convertible. Awesome looking car .
I didn’t realize the Cutlass Supreme began in 1966 essentially with the Caprice!
I owned a '70 Cutlass Supreme in the late '70's...the same color as the featured car. It was not an SX but was unusually optioned by the original owner from whom I bought it from. It had the 350 two barrel carb, manual drum brakes, no A/C, buckets, console with a heavy duty three speed manual. He pulled his fishing boat with it. It was one of my favorite cars. It was involved in a collision and I decided not to repair it. I regret not doing so. I would get people asking if it was for sale a lot!
As stated the Cutlass Supreme SX was offered with the 455 two barrel. It had the heavy duty suspension and frame as the 442. In '67 there was an option called the turnpike cruiser package offered on the Cutlass Supreme. It also had the heavy duty suspension from the 442 and a 400 two barrel. The later SX replaced the earlier turnpike cruiser package. It was set up to get better mileage on the interstate as it also used different rear end ratios than the 442.
Thats odd, my dads good friend had similar equipment in azure blue...he also towed his boat with it...dad drove it once saying john(the owner) was too cheap to get an auto and power brakes...the color and condition of the car was amazing , but some time in the 90s someone crashed into it as it was parked by the side of the road
The best cutlass was the VISTA CRUISER 😊😊just loved that car and it’s styling with extra glass in the roof ,used to take my First girlfriend out in one !! Such a COMFORTABLE Wagon 👍😅
I bet it was! 😉🤣
You could "cruise the vista." 😊
I've always regarded this generation of GM A platform cars as having top notch build quality and material quality, being not to big but not too small, 5/6 passenger family cars with a usable back seat and trunk. I have to say I prefer the F85 or Cutlass S trimmed sport coupes for this year, as unfortunately vent windows were discontinued on all the GM pillar less hardtops in the 1969 model year. Other than that, I will admit the pointedness of the top of the rear fenders on the Supreme is a tad bit better looking than the standard holiday or sport coupes. I'm a bit biased in that I own a 1970 Cutlass S sport coupe, although mine only has the regular Oldsmobile 350 and Th350.
It was so popular because it was a car that could be optioned to be whatever you wanted it to be. It could be an econocruiser, a luxurious personal car, even a muscle car. And the price was in reach of most anyone.
Thank you, my favorite model Cutlass
This were sooo popular back in the day - you either had one or knew someone that had a Cutlass during the '70's.
I always thought it odd that they put the "Cutlass" nameplate on the back door (1:00) on the '66 Cutlass instead of behind the front wheel above the molding.
Although both are nice, I prefer the rear of formal Cutlass over the fastback (11:13) I think the peaked fenders give it more character - but trust me, I'd gladly take either!
Outside of the 98 Regency, this is my favorite Olds. I still miss my 1980 Cutlass Supreme Brougham.
Adam, this video is great! Very interesting. I think 1970 period was one of the best years for design of these vehicles and muscle cars. Nobody ever talks about the 1973 Olds Cutlass. I think the 73 was one of the most beautiful designs of the Cutlass. Could you or do you think the 1973 would be worth a video on? Thanks Adam.
Adam owns a 1973 Cutlass and there are several videos about it on this channel.
In the late 70s, my girlfriend had a 70 Olds 88 with a 455 2bbl. I kind of sneered at it because of the 2 barrel carb. My mind was changed the instant I drove it! That land yacht was *_fast_* ! Tons of torque, and more than adequate power. I would imagine that the Cutlass in your video is tons of fun, too! I never realized that the Cutlass Supreme coupe had a different roof.
My sister had maybe a 72 cutlass, green, my mom called it her "little green frog". Recently we were laughing about that, my sister (who is about 4'9 and 98lbs) says " it was a 72 Cutlass it was anything but small" PS the blue one at the end was gorgeous!