So nice to see all these cool Oldsmobiles finally getting some love. Although it's not a thumping 442 big block, this 1972 Cutlass is an extremely clean, stylish, and downright handsome coupe with Rocket 350 power and a ton of luxury accessories. When was the last time you could get a car that looks this good for so little money? How about never? Code 81 stands for "Bamboo" in Oldsmobile marketing speak, and compared to the high-impact colors on some of the performance models, this lovely Cutlass Supreme coupe stays under the radar with elegance instead of in-your-face bravado. With just a single repaint a few years ago, it has a sincere, original look that we find quite appealing and they painters took no liberties with the finish-no metallics or other tweaks, just the same finish the GM designers insisted on in 1972. The sheetmetal underneath is obviously quite solid and straight, and with the slight kick-up behind the doors, the Cutlass has a unique look that makes it stand out among its corporate cousins. Subtle contrasting pinstripes, including those that emphasize the hood bulges, serve to highlight what is already a very good looking car. The contrasting dark tan vinyl roof only reinforces the low-profile look that makes this car so appealing, and it's in excellent shape with no signs or rust or other trouble underneath. There's a great-looking dark tan interior waiting for you inside, and it shows quite well even after all these years. Like the paint, it's quite likely that it was restored at some point, but then again, maybe not and perhaps it has just been well-maintained all that time. The seats are excellent, front and rear, the door panels are quite nice although they may be the one part of the interior starting to show their age. The dash is filled with crisp gauges with their neat orange-tipped pointers, along with controls for the factory A/C and an original AM radio. Carpets are good, the headliner is taut, and even with the leather wrapper on the steering wheel, it has a good OEM look that completes the interior quite nicely. Even the trunk is highly original with its original mat and a full-sized spare tire that may very well be the original bias-ply donut from 1972. Oldsmobile's Rocket 350 was no slouch, even in 1972 Cutlass Supreme guise. Known for their torquey nature, the gold engine makes great V8 sounds that totally fit the car's luxury/performance mission. The engine bay has been nicely detailed but remains quite stock, from the original air cleaner to the cast iron exhaust manifolds. It's backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic gearbox spinning a 10-bolt rear with gears that let the torque do the work but allow the car to cruise effortlessly on the highway without a lot of fuss. The floors are solid and original and in good condition, again suggesting that this car has always been in a warm climate and has always been well-maintained. And any car looks racy with classic SSII wheels, with these wearing 215/70/15 Uniroyals. More than just a nice old car, these Cutlasses are finally coming into their own as legitimate collector's pieces that drive as great as they look. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Dallas/Fort Worth showroom. For more information, please call (817) 764-8000 or toll free (855) 877-2707.
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