1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass

The Cutlass was part of Oldsmobile's model lineup from 1961 to 1999, initially serving as the top trim level on the compact F-85 line before evolving into a series of its own. It received its fourth generation of styling in 1973 which it would wear for four years through 1977. The new 'Colonnade' A-body platform styling shared its rooflines with other GM divisions and the two-door body styles had fixed rear side windows that could not be rolled down. Serving as Oldsmobile's entry-level intermediate, the Cutlass came standard with front disc brakes, windshield radio antenna, a dome light, chrome hubcaps, and a deluxe steering wheel. Body styles included a coupe and sedan. Above the 'base' Cutlass was the Cutlass 'S' offered solely as a coupe and added several additional interior luxury items. The new top-of-the-line Cutlass trim level was the Cutlass Supreme with a formal roof, numerous standard features, and body styles that included a coupe and sedan.

1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass
The 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass was equipped with all the federally mandated rollover requirements and two smaller engines were added to the options list to attract customers in the wake of the 1973 and 1974 energy crisis. The 250 cubic-inch inline-6 was built by Chevrolet and the 260 V8 was a new engine based on the Oldsmobile 350 Rocket V8, which remained optional, as did the large 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 with 190 horsepower. 1975 was the first year that the United States Environmental Protection Agency mandated the addition of catalytic converters mounted in the exhaust system. Although these new environmental regulations were good for the environment, they added extra expense to the price of the automobile. Thus, only single exhaust systems were available. All Oldsmobile engines built for the United States used catalytic converters and could operate on unleaded gasoline. Engines built for Canada could be ordered without the converter.

Standard equipment included a cigarette lighter, carpeting, inside hood release, Deluxe steering wheel, lamp package, molding package, power steering, and front disc brakes. The standard engine was an inline six-cylinder engine with a 250 cubic-inch displacement and delivering just over 100 horsepower. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission.

The Cutlass 'S' remained solely a coupe and priced at $3,850. They came with vinyl or cloth upholstery, armrests, cigarette lighter and ashtrays, carpeting, inside hood release, bumper impact strips, lamp package, power steering, front disc brakes, a Deluxe steering wheel, dome light, and molding package.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by Oldsmobile from 1966 and 1997. Within the Cutlass range, it was positioned as a premium offering, and was originally a trim package, developed its own roofline, and rose during the mid-1970s to become the most popular Oldsmobile and the highest-selling model in its class. Most of Oldsmobile's success during the 1970s was attributed to the Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme.

Cutlass Supreme body styles included a coupe priced at $4,050 and a sedan listed at $4,100. The Cutlass Supreme Coupe was by far the most popular body style and model within the Oldsmobile lineup with nearly 151,000 examples sold. The sedan accounted for 15,517 sales and the coupe had 150,874 sales.

The Hurst and Oldsmobile company enjoyed a symbiotic relationship since 1968 when it shared its body with the regular Olds Cutlass and 442, but with a unique Peruvian Silver and Black paint scheme. Power was from a 390 horsepower engine with maximum torque of 500 lb-ft and backed a code OW three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission with console-mounted Hurst Dual-Gate shifter that permitted automatic or manually ratcheted shifting.

The 1975 Hurst/Olds was only available on the Cutlass Supreme. The Hurst/Olds convertible, which was handled by Hurst's Specialty Vehicle Division facility in Brighton, Michigan, added an additional $1,095 to the factory base price prior to being sold through Oldsmobile dealerships.

The Hurst/Olds conversion added the 'Hurst/Hatch' removable T-Top style roof, the first General Motors car to have this feature, and was based on the formal-roofed Cutlass Supreme coupe. Available colors included either black or white, with either a black or white half vinyl top offset by a wide aluminum band. The Hurst/Olds could be purchased with either a W-25 package, coming with an Oldsmobile 350 engine, or the W-30 package, which added the Oldsmobile 455 engine.

The most commonly selected 1975 Hurst/Olds color combination was white seats and door panels, and black dashboard, a steering wheel and console, and carpeting. Other colors included red and beige dashboard, carpet, and seat cushions.

An optional digital LED numerical readout tachometer was available and mounted on the center console by Hurst Performance.

Although the 1975 Hurst/Olds is often forgotten and typically regarded as less memorable than its late-1960s and early 1970s siblings, the 1975 Hurst/Olds was the first to exceed the 2,000 mark, with production totals reaching 2,535 units. William Kay, then president of Hurst, stated in a press release on February 20th of 1975 that 'the Hurst/Olds is designed to provide a fine balance of luxury, styling, performance and lasting value for the individual who demands more than transportation from his automobile.'

The 1975 Hurst/Olds had been very popular, compared to previous Hurst/Olds sales, but this would be the final year the company would partner together until 1979, not including a few prototypes during the intervening years. A few Cutlass Supremes were fitted with the Hurst/hatch roof in 1976 and wore Hurst/Olds badging.

The Cutlass Salon was the only Cutlass trim level in 1975 to come standard with an eight-cylinder engine. Its 260 cubic-inch V8 had a cast-iron block, overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, an 8.0:1 compression ratio, and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. The engine was backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Standard equipment included an electronic ignition system, front disc brakes, power steering, carpeting, lamp package, molding package, a Deluxe steering wheel, inside hood release, and a spring-loaded hood ornament. The coupe was priced at $4,650 and the sedan listed for $4,730. The coupe was more popular with 39,050 examples built compared to the 5,810 sedans.

The Cutlass Supreme Cruiser and the Cutlass Supreme Vista Cruiser were station wagons with seating for five or seven passengers. They were offered as two- or three-seat wagons with a 350 cubic-inch engine, power front disc brakes, heavy-duty wheels, a Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission, HR78-15 tires, and power steering. Standard amenities included a Deluxe steering wheel, molding package, lamp package, inside hood release, spare tire extractor, vinyl or cloth upholstery, carpeting, and cigarette lighter. The Vista Cruiser added a glass sunroof and woodgrain paneling.

The five-passenger Cruiser station wagon was priced at $4,680 and the seven-passenger at $4,790. The Vista Cruiser five-passenger wagon was $4,890 and the seven-passenger at $5,000. 4,490 examples of the five-passenger Cruiser, 3,739 of the seven-passenger Cruiser, 4,963 of the five-passenger Vista Cruiser, and 9,226 of the seven-passenger Vista Cruiser were built-in 1975.

The combined 319,531 examples of the Cutlass - all trim levels - accounted for approximately 51 percnet of Oldsmobile's 1975 production.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020

Sold for $7,000 at 2021 Carlisle Auctions : Spring.
This 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe is powered by a 350 cubic-inch V8 Rocket engine with four-barrel carburetors and backed by an automatic transmission. It has power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, a vinyl top, and a power trunk. It was also ordered with the Radio delete option. Currently, there are 64,703 miles on the odometer.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2021

Sold for $16,500 at 2021 Mecum : Monterey.
This 1975 Oldsmobile Hurst/olds is equipped with the W-30 Package and powered by a 455 cubic-inch V8 engine backed by an automatic transmission with Hurst dual gate shifter. It has a white exterior and interior, swivel bucket seats, Hurst hatch T-tops, power front disc brakes, power steering, and Gold Super Stock III wheels.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021