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1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
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E-mail Me ===>>> wiseguy2@netzero.net |
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I finally decided to build a web page dedicated to my 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
My interest in Cutlass’ starts with the first driveable car I owned as a teenager. I say Driveable as my actual first car was a 1939 Oldsmobile 2 Door Coupe. This was given to me as a non-rolling chassis by my Uncle when I was 15. I worked on that car for sometime. First getting the wheels to turn (The brake drums were so rusted they wouldn’t budge). I made a few repairs and cleaned it up. When I inspected the frame I learned that the money I had earmarked for this car would never be enough. So, under the advisement of my father sold the car for $500.00. Not a bad profit for a 15 year old. The next vehicle I purchased was a 1970 Cutlass S for $875.00. I was 16, Summer of 1981. It was Gold with a 2 barrell 350 Rocket. Probably the strongest 2 barrell 350 I’ve ever known. (Sorry 4-bolt Chevy lovers.) This all stock Cutlass S actually beat a 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix with a “built” 327. Or so the owner of that car bragged. I actually raced him twice as he couldn’t believe that my ‘Stock’ Cutlass beat him. That Cutlass unfortunately met its fate one dark night on a dirt road. While trying to outrun and hide from a Plymouth Road Runner looking for it’s next race victim. I turned off the lights and sped down a curving gravel road. Funny thing about the difference between a paved road and a dirt one. It seems that while L-60’s on the back and G-60’s on the front make for sure footed pavement traction, they are just useless on gravel. It was like driving on marbles. As I slipped from the road, I could only hope I wouldn’t hit a ... You guessed it, TREE. Luckily neither my passenger nor myself were injured (seatbelts save lives). The car however did not fare as well. Cracked up the hood, grill and most of the front clip. I owned it for about 6 months. This car was actually rebuilt and later sold for $800.00. My father and I took a 1971 Cutlass that had been rear-ended. We took the 2 cars and made one. Wish I had pictures to document it but... The next car was a 1973 Cutlass Supreme that I purchased sight unseen for $400.00. It was the winter of 1981. The car was located in Arkansas, setting in a field with a blown motor and weak tranny. When we arrived to pick it up, I was devastated. It was the ugliest car I had ever seen. It was sliver or gray I couldn’t really tell as the paint was so faded and oxidized. The interior was filthy and the front bench was ripped to shreds. The motor, I was later told, was shat as the guy who owned it previous to me had gotten it stuck in a field somehwere and blown it up trying to get out. This was also the explanation as to why the tranny was not in good shape. To make a long story short. I spent a great deal of time and what little money I had and made that car into a great Cutlass. First, we put in a good 350 4 barrel and a descent tranny. Then I put buckets and a console in it. Later, we painted some stripes on it. (Everyone knows Stripes always makes them go faster.) I really learned to love that car. Unfortunately, that car had an untimely passing on a dark rainy night in the fall of 1985. Note to self: always make sure the vehicle you pull out after isn’t pulling a utility trailer. OUCH. I then bought another 1970 Cutlss S. It was Spring 1986. I paid $1500.00 for it. It was the cleanest, nicest Cutlass I’d ever owned (excluding the currnet one). I later sold it as I really had a to have a Pontiac Fiero. I know, reader, you’re cringing now but I had to have it. In the spring of 1991 I bought a 1966 Plymuth Sport Fury in Birmingham, Alabama. I restored this car and it was great fun for my young family. I was never a huge Mopar fan but, this car had great lines that demanded my attention.This link will take you to pictures of the Fury ======> 1966 Sport Fury The next car was a 1989 Cutlass International. It was a great car. Loaded to the gills (including one of the first heads-up-displays GM-Hughes ever offered). This Cutlass had a 3.1 Litre V-6. I sold it to my brother with over 220,000 miles. It was agreat car. Bonnevilles were the next couple of cars. Great to haul around the kids and groceries for this middle aged white guy. However, my 20 year class reunion was a little over a year away and the call of the ever feared mid-life crisis was loud in my ears. I decided that whoever said “You can’t go back” was a fool. I decided to build, to the best of my ability, a replica of the car I drove my senior year in High School. And it had to be done before the Class Reunion. The clock was ticking. I found first a 1974 Supreme on E-bay in Nebraska. I decided if I couldn’t get a 73 then a 74 would have to do. I bought it and brought it back to Michigan in late December 2001. Pictures of the 74==>> 1974 Cutlass Three days after I got home a 73 Cutlass Supreme was listed on E-bay. I talked my lovely wife into letting me buy it. (Note the use of kindly adjectives). All kidding aside, I am blessed with a wife who let’s me indulge in my Toys. I bought it and brought it to Michigan from it’s home in the northern hills of New Jersey. I later sold the 74 for a small profit and dove head first into the 1973. Thanks for indulging me in my story. What follows are pictures and comments on the 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. |
