1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass

An all-new body appeared on the 1973 Cutlass, one year later than it was supposed to due to a strike at General Motors. Three trim levels were available including the base, the Cutlass S, and the Cutlass Supreme. Body styles included a coupe and sedan. The Cutlass S was available only as a 2-door coupe. The most popular body style was the Cutlass Supreme Coupe which found 219,857 buyers. The Cutlass S also proved popular with 77,558 examples built.

Power was from an overhead valve V8 unit displacing 350 cubic inches and offering 180 horsepower. Gross horsepower had been used through 1973 and 1973 was the first year Oldsmobile used net horsepower figures which were significantly lower for the same engine output.

The base Cutlass was the entry-level intermediate vehicle. The top-of-the-line option was the Cutlass Supreme. It had a formal roof and came standard with an interior hood release, dome light, molding package, windshield radio antenna, seat belts with shoulder harness, Deluxe steering wheel, chrome hubcaps, carpeting, ashtrays, armrests, and front disc brakes.

Standard features on the base line included armrests, interior hood release, moldings, windshield radio antenna, cigarette lighter, and front disc brakes. Other features included chrome hubcaps and Deluxe steering wheel. The upholstery was either cloth or vinyl. The standard tire size was F78-14. The two-door body styles had fixed rear side windows that were not able to be rolled down.

In 1973, the third-generation 4-4-2 emerged as an option package for the Colonnade-body-style Cutlass and Cutlass S models. It came with six available engines and four available transmissions. The car came as either a coupe or a convertible. For 1973, the 4-4-2 option was only a handling and appearance package. Standard equipment included special hood treatment, moldings, windshield radio antenna, seat belts with shoulder harness, Deluxe steering wheel, chrome hubcaps, ashtrays, armrests, a dome light, and carpeting. The upholstery was leather or vinyl.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017