1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible

Nearly 170,000 Cutlass' were produced in 1969 and if you were around at that time, GM's A-body platform was ubiquitous – probably on par with the percentage of SUV's you see on the road today.  While land yachts were still an option from GM, the A-bodies offered a more compact car with all the power and convenience attributes of the bigger cars.  They also served as the platform for the now legendary muscle cars including the Buick GSX, Pontiac GTO, and Oldsmobile 4-4-2. 

For consignment, an A-body convertible that's had the same owner since 1982 who states it's been garage kept since that time.  Based on the condition of the older restoration, we have no doubt about this claim.  It's got the big dog under the hood, the 455 and with the added bonus of being able to drop the top makes this a desirable car that can be driven, shown, cruised or re-restored.  Regardless of your choice it's got plenty of road ahead.  

Exterior
Glade Green, the factory color, covers the car and looks good.  “S” trim level emblems appear on the nose and fenders, the shape of which is repeated on the keyhole surround on the trunk, a nice attention to detail and a bit of an Easter egg.  The grille is comprised of simple vertical blades and the headlights, metal trim, and chrome bumper all look great in the front.  The hood has a slightly raised center rib leading back to two rows of cowl vents cut into the hood, a common feature in GM cars of the era.  The taillights are uniquely Oldsmobile, and some would say look muscular, cut into the rear chrome bumper in a nice styling cue.  The chrome by the way looks great.  The new white canvas top was installed in the mid 90's and it's in great shape but does show some discoloration.  The rear window is glass and is solid.  Oldsmobile Super Stock II wheels in 15-inch format are the shoes this car wears and the “spokes” are painted black.  Staggered width blackwall radials wrap the wheels and give the perfect muscular look.  We note a little bit of checking on the door handles, some painted filler at the rocker panels, a few small bubbles near the bottom, and a chip on the rear deck panel.  There's a small area of heavy rust exposed on the top windshield rail where the weather stripping has eroded away. 

Interior
Parchment colored vinyl door panels carry on a theme of vertical stripes, patterned with subtle diamonds throughout.  The armrest is multi-purpose with the door actuator on one end, the pull handle built in, and for the driver, a handy ash tray for some crossbody ash flicking.  Window cranks appear at the intersection between the light vinyl and black bottom.  Parchment bucket seats with the vertical pattern are in good shape and have substantial headrests.  The back bench is matching of course, and has belts for three occupants.  Our consignor states the interior was redone in the mid 90's and the condition is consistent with a garage-kept car that's been well cared for.  A three-spoke padded steering wheel is aftermarket sits in front of a dashboard that couldn't be more simple.  Three large circle gauges make use of the space by combining functions, fuel level and idiot lights on one, speedometer, odometer, turn indicator, and gear indicator on the next, a clock inside a tachometer on the third.  Brilliant!  A gauge cluster has been attached below the dash for more metered readings, and an aftermarket AM/FM radio is a bit mismatched in the stock location.  The floor-mounted Hurst shifter is highlighted by the raised surround in the factory console which leads back to a locking storage bin.  The loop style black carpet is in good condition and the trunk is relatively clean and contains a full size tire and wheel.  

Drivetrain
A period correct but not original 455ci V8 powers the car and is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor feeding an Edelbrock intake.  All of this power is harnessed by a period-correct 4-speed manual Muncie M20 transmission spinning the energy back to a 12-bolt rear with 3.31 positraction, (no pegleg burnouts!).  To hold your horses, unassisted drum brakes are found aft and rear.  Visually, the engine bay is just above driver quality.  The chrome valve covers are nice and so is the old school Moroso air cleaner lid.  We notice some residual dried liquid on the intake and water pump in an otherwise tidy engine compartment that's easy to access and maintain. 

Undercarriage
Fairly driver quality here with surface rust on usual areas, A arms, driveshaft, headers.  The exhaust flows from headers, connects with an H-pipe, then enters two Flowmaster mufflers which send tailpipes back to terminate just under the bumper.  We note fluid on the transmission, rear diff, and oil plug.  Coil springs are found in the independent front suspension and the rear 4-link.  We note some seam sealer/tar in areas of voids or cracks.  

Drive-Ability
We prod the carb linkage with a push of the gas pedal and crank the big motor on.  She fired up with all the gusto of a 455 and sent a booming reverberations through the exhaust.  Into gear and out of the garage we went and it's clear this lean, green machine wants to go, and so we obliged.  Into second and third we went and the car complied with our call for acceleration.  The buckets are surprisingly good for the era and the ride is pretty smooth.  Back to base as the drum brakes bring the fun to a crawl and then a stop. 

Despite the A-body good looks and staggered tires (275/60/15 rear, 225/60/15 front), this still presents as a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Maybe it's the soft top or the family friendly dark green paint and white interior, but this is a little sleeper with a big powerplant.  But more than that, it's a great cruiser, beach town, cruise night, or summer ice cream runs, this is a great looking car that we would absolutely drive.  But if you wanted to create a winning car show, the bones are all here.  Either way, you'll be a winner with windblown hair! 

336679M263401

3-Oldsmobile
36-Cutlass S V8
67-Convertible
9-1969
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
263401-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 69 33667-1969 Cutlass S Convertible
BDY LAN264234-Lansing Body #
TR 937-Parchment Vinyl
PNT 57A-Glade Green, White Top
01D-4th Week January

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