Vehicle Description
Almost everyone says they want a Chevelle, but the cars we have the
most difficulty keeping in stock are under $40k muscle cars like
this very solid 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Tribute. Dressed in
classic high-impact colors and offering up a fantastic blend of
vintage performance and luxury, it's no surprise that these muscle
car Cuttys are gaining traction as some of the best collector cars
to own. But bonafide 'car guys' aren't the only ones taking more
notice, as surging sales of vintage Cutlass' are proof that they're
fully entrenched as favorites for regular guys that want something
cooler than just another Chevelle.
While all the A-bodies shared some underpinnings, somehow the Olds
got the most dramatic sheetmetal, with that seductive kick-up
behind the doors and a dynamic sweeping front end. Originally Code
65 Flame Orange (a mix of orange and red), the shade it now wears
is a brighter red, one that turns heads and certainly helps
emphasize the car's finer points, because as we all know, it's
nearly impossible to hide bad bodywork under bright paint. The work
was finished a few years back and shows some signs of use, but
still looks great today, making this the kind of car that stands
out without making a spectacle of itself. Instead, onlookers will
surely appreciate the great shine of the finish, the painted-on
black 442 hood stripes on the Ram Air hood, and the slick hardtop
roof that wasn't subdued in the factory by a vinyl top. Twin
grilles up front have an intricate egg crate pattern, a theme that
is echoed in the taillight lenses, the big 442 deck lid spoiler
looks primed for battle, and all the correct 442 badges have been
installed where they belong, so despite this being a tribute, this
Olds looks just about the way GM intended. Fore and aft are bright
442 bumpers, with dual trumpet exhaust tips poking out of the rear
to complete the killer look.
Oldsmobiles always looked like luxury cars inside, where black
vinyl bucket seats and woodgrain trim add to the upscale atmosphere
inside this Cutty. The upholstery is almost certainly original and
even though it shows signs of use the seats have held up well,
which is thanks to a combination of durable materials and excellent
care throughout the years. The carpets are fresher pieces that are
unfaded, and the wood applique on the dash, door panels, and
backseat side panels add a touch of sophistication to this muscle
car's cabin. Sure, you could opt for a restoration inside and the
cost wouldn't be exorbitant by any means (Oldsmobile parts are
easily sourced these days thanks to the popularity of these cars),
but a few replacement parts and a deep cleaning would bring things
up a notch as well. This car was born with factory air, and
although most of the system components were removed years ago, all
the dash plumbing and stock gauges are still in place, so switching
back would be much easier and cheaper than starting from scratch.
The story's the same for the missing original radio, where the
factory dash slot is just begging for one of those cool Retro-Sound
units to slide right in and provide the tunes. All the factory
gauges are inside their proper bezels and present well, and the
four-spoke Olds steering wheel looks right in place atop the
factory column. Splitting the front buckets is a factory middle
console that is also adorned with wood grain applique, and it
houses the shifter for the TH350 automatic transmission below. Open
the spacious trunk out back and you'll see that the space could
easily handle just about any cross-country trip.
Power comes from a stout 455 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8 under the
hood, which wasn't what this particular Cutty was born with (it was
born with a 350 4-barrel), but this big block was easily THE motor
to have if you wanted to plant big power. Presented just like the
factory would've intended, it's wearing Oldsmobile Gold paint and a
few correct maintenance parts, it's a fun, reliable, and torquey
powerplant that suits this coupe quite well. The car has been
sitting in the garage for a while so it could use a tune-up before
it goes on an extended drive, but after a routine service she
should be able to eat up lots of miles with ease. The engine bay is
very solid, anchored by that awesome Olds air cleaner you see
incorporated for high-end streetrod builds these days, and it
includes a 4-barrel carburetor and Ram Air intake up top for
optimum air flow into the big block. Options include power steering
and power front disc brakes, and the engine burbles through stock
exhaust manifolds that feed a dual exhaust and factory-style
chambered mufflers. It's linked to a quick-shifting TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission and a heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end, so the
powertrain is reliable and durable. The floors are very original
but solid, there are two big sway bars fore and aft, and the car
sits on stock mag wheels with 245/60/14 white-letter performance
radials that complete the look.
This '72 Olds Cutlass 442 Tribute offers a lot of bang for the
buck, 455 big block V8 performance, and a look that will get
attention everywhere it goes, all for the fraction of the price of
a real 442. What's not to love? Call today!