It’s by no means a nasty concept to spotlight a automobile that has been surrounded by an enigma. Even as we speak, lovers mistake the Cutlass SX as an insurance-busting efficiency automobile however, when you look into its origins, it’s possible you’ll emerge with a special perspective. For that purpose, our Choose of the Day is a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Solon, Ohio. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

It’s obscure Oldsmobile product planners when there are few paperwork which are out there to the general public, however they appeared to be on a kick for freeway cruisers. Beginning in 1967, Oldsmobile supplied the Turnpike Cruiser, an engine package deal solely out there for the upscale Cutlass Supreme sequence. Commonplace energy was fairly spectacular already — a high-compression 320-horsepower Jetfire Rocket V8 measuring 330cid — however Olds supplied the L66 Turnpike Cruising package deal that included a premium-fuel Rocket 400 V8, two-barrel carburetor, K50 Climatic Combustion Management induction system, 7.75 x 14-inch tires, “heavy-duty chassis objects,” and a couple of.56 gears (with choices as much as 3.08). M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was obligatory. For 1968, the package deal now featured the L65 code and was transferred to the 4-4-2 sequence. This time, the package deal included a regular-fuel, 290-horsepower Rocket 400 with two-barrel carburetor, M40 transmission, and equally lazy gearing. (It’s additionally value noting that the 400 in 1968 was a brand new design not associated to the earlier 400.)

For 1969, Oldsmobile ditched the Turnpike Cruiser concept, however let’s take a look at one other engine for the 4-4-2. Referred to as the W-32, the engine on this package deal was rated at 350 horsepower and was much like the usual engine for the 4-4-2 however featured obligatory M40 transmission, Oldsmobile Air Induction system with scoops positioned beneath the bumper, heavy-duty radiator, and G80 Anti-Spin rear with 3.42 gears. “A honker with tradition,” claimed a interval Oldsmobile advert. Inside advertising and marketing recommended the W32 was created for good, simple efficiency on the freeway and avenue.

Now, mix these latest previous advertising and marketing concepts and also you’ll have the SX package deal, which was launched for the 1970 Cutlass Supreme two-door hardtop and convertible. Since 1966, the Cutlass Supreme had been on the high of the Oldsmobile A-body totem pole however, for 1970 it had been given its personal physique fashion, a formal-roofed hardtop that echoed the personal-luxury aspirations of the all-new Chevrolet Monte Carlo regardless that Oldsmobile had not been granted such a novel mannequin — it was all very intelligent, truly. Commonplace was a 310-horsepower Rocket 350, however non-obligatory was the brand new Y79 SX package deal, which included a high-compression L33 455cid V8, twin exhausts with a notched rear bumper (taken from the 4-4-2’s components bin), M40 transmission, and distinctive ornamentation. The usual engine echoed the previous Turnpike Cruiser: two-barrel carburetor and a couple of.56 gears, with choices as much as 3.23. Horsepower was 320 with 500 lb-ft of torque.

Nevertheless, there was a W32 engine that turned an choice in September 1969. This engine was the identical engine that was normal for the 4-4-2: 365 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. As outfitted, a Cutlass SX was a positive competitor to the Monte Carlos SS 454. Nevertheless, Oldsmobile shuffled the engine choices in February 1970, killing the L33 and introducing the L31 instead. The L33 was a high-compression 455 with a four-barrel carburetor with 365 horsepower, nevertheless it was not a high-performance engine just like the W32. Fairly, the L33 was the V8 utilized in full-size Oldsmobiles and out there within the Vista Cruiser, so horsepower and torque arrived at a decrease a part of the vary; moreover, torque was as much as 510. The L33 and W32 continued to be the one two engines out there with the SX package deal by the top of the mannequin yr. For 1971, the SX package deal solely included a low-compression L32 455 four-barrel with 320 horsepower, after which the package deal was discontinued.

Oldsmobile information are sketchy, however it’s recognized that a minimum of 7,197 vehicles had been constructed with the Y79 package deal. Why sketchy? As a result of manufacturing information go to June 1970, with the ultimate July tally lacking from the GM Heritage Middle. It’s additionally recognized that a minimum of 852 W32s had been constructed although, once more, that doesn’t describe complete manufacturing. Nonetheless, this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX is an attention-grabbing machine that can at all times get people scratching their heads and also you smiling while you press the fuel pedal. Geared up with 3.23 gears and the G80 axle package deal, console with W26 Hurst Twin-Gate shifter, P05 Tremendous Inventory I wheels, N34 Customized Sport steering wheel with N33 tilt column, D35 racing mirrors, and air con, per the window sticker, this Cutlass Supreme was ordered “proper,” plus you’ll discover the same old suspects like energy steering and entrance disc brakes.

With 98,276 on the clock, this Aspen Inexperienced metallic 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX has the documentation to point out its pedigree however, at $79,990, would you favor this or a 4-4-2? This Cutlass Supreme is simply as quick as its extra performance-oriented brethren, however some lovers might take pleasure in having an enigmatic dialog piece.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.