Vehicle Description
A lot of hobbyists refer to the mid-1970s as the dark days, but in
a few corners of the industry, real car guys were still building
some pretty nice hardware. Throughout the '70s, the Oldsmobile
Cutlass was consistently a best seller, and this 1975 Cutlass
Hurst/Olds Tribute is proof enough that these cars could be
extremely stylish cars with capable engines and solid performance.
If you haven't driven a '70s Olds Cutlass, you're in for a treat,
as they aren't wallow land barges, nor are they rock-stiff pavement
pounders. Instead, they're surprisingly agile with a big car ride
that manufacturers just can't seem to duplicate today.
With only 37,988 original miles, this Cutlass coupe still rides and
drives like the General intended. That's the factory color, and the
paint is in very good condition, looking even better in person than
it does in photos. While Light Green Metallic may not be everyone's
cup of tea, it really works on this cruiser, especially with the
dark green vinyl top to keep it from being too monochrome. The gold
decals down the flanks, over the louvered hood, and on the tail
panel further break up the light green, and the Hurts/Olds W-30
look is completed with an aggressive rear spoiler. To our eyes,
this presentation is even more striking than bright red or black
might be, and the fact that it's so unusual is definitely a bonus.
Nicely assembled, those big doors open and close easily without
sagging on their hinges or misaligning due to decaying weather
seals. There are no obvious signs of rust or botched repairs in
this car's past either, further evidence of an easy life spent in
Texas with conscientious, caring owners.
Oldsmobile didn't forget that they were a luxury manufacturer in
1975, and the original green, swivel-bucket seat interior of this
Cutlass is beautifully appointed and has been wonderfully
preserved. The high-back bucket seats look appropriate for the low
mileage on the car and are still comfortable and supportive with no
splits or holes. The plush carpet is thick with no discoloration or
fading, and the dash is beautifully preserved with zero cracks,
which is pretty rare for a GM from this era. In this Cutty, the
luxury is tempered with a nice dose of sportiness, including a
center console that features a T-bar automatic shifter and
tachometer, and deep-set round gauges that remind you that this is
a car from the same guys who built the 442. An aftermarket AM/FM
radio still lives in the factory dash slot, and factory A/C vents
now blow upgraded R134a refrigerant throughout the cabin. Overall,
the tidy original condition of this interior suggests that this
Olds was always a member of the family and therefore never
mistreated.
Power comes from Oldsmobile's own, number's matching 350 cubic inch
V8, that is now topped by a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and
Edelbrock intake. These engines were always known to deliver
thousands of miles of trouble-free service with minimal care,
thanks in large part to their low compression ratios and liberal
use of cast iron. It's also interesting to note that stock
cast-iron Olds V-8 cylinder heads of this vintage have a nearly
flat, open combustion chamber that not only made the engine fuel
efficient, but a relatively clean burner as well. Having spent most
of its life in a warm climate, the engine bay is very clean and
shows signs of regular maintenance all highlighted by the bright
blue paint on the block. Most of the original equipment is still
intact, from the hose feeding the air cleaner to the original
exhaust manifolds and factory A/C compressor. The original TH350
automatic transmission has been augmented with a shift kit and
spins a 10-bolt POSI rear-end with 3.73 gears. Power steering
sweetens the driving experience, and the whole show comes to a
quick stop thanks to power front disc brakes. Gold Oldsmobile Super
Stock wheels tie the whole car together and wear 235/70/15
BFGoodrich T/A radials.
Documented with its original owner's manual, original bill of sale,
original build sheet, and several maintenance records, this Olds is
a rare example of a low-mileage car that's been tasteful upgraded
to a slick tribute. Very unique and an absolute blast to drive,
this Cutty won't last long. Call today!