Oldsmobile's "Colonnade" Cutlasses: 1973-77

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About Oldsmobile's "Colonnade" Cutlasses: 1973-77

Pics and other images of Oldsmobile's mid-sized Cutlass from the 1973-77 era, which is often dubbed the "Colonnade" era, named for the styling of that era which was that of pillared sedans and coupes with frameless windows similar to a hardtop but with a center post to meet impending Federal roll-over mandates that were rumored to have outlawed pillarless hardtop and convertible bodystyles.

This group welcomes images of all Olds Cutlass models from this period including the Cutlass, Cutlass S, Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass Salon and Cutlass Supreme Brougham, 4-4-2, Hurst/Olds and Vista Cruiser wagons.

It was during this period that Cutlass overtook the full-sized Delta 88 to become the best-selling Olds and even became the best-selling car in America in 1976 when the Cutlass Supreme coupe alone outpaced Chevrolet's full-sized Impala/Caprice models for the top spot on the sales charts.

HISTORY
1973:
First year for "Colonnade" design for intermediate A-body. Five models including Cutlass sedan and coupe, Cutlass S coupe, Cutlass Supreme sedan and coupe, and Vista Cruiser wagon. 4-4-2 option available on Cutlass and Cutlass S coupes and included heavy duty suspension, front and rear sway bars, 4-4-2 badges and striping; Cutlass Salon option on Cutlass Supreme sedan included radial ply tires and tuned suspension, center console and reclining Strato bucket seats in cordoroy or vinyl, and Cutlass Salon nameplates with international flag logo.

New design Strato bucket seats introduced this year as options on Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass S and 4-4-2 coupes featuring higher seat backs with built in headrests. In the Cutlass S and 4-4-2 coupes, the Strato buckets swiveled 90 degrees to permit improved exit and entry for driver and front passenger.

Rocket 350 V8 with four-barrel carburetor standard on all models. Rocket 455 four-barrel engine optional. Column-shifted three-speed manual transmission standard with Turbo Hydra-matic (mandatory option with Cutlass Salon) or four-speed manual with Hurst shifter optional.

Hurst/Olds introduced at mid-year based on Cutlass S/4-4-2 coupe with standard 455 Rocket V8 and Turbo Hydra-matic transmission with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter and radial ply tires. Swiveling bucket seats optional on Cutlass S and 4-4-2 were standard on the H/O.

1974:
New grilles and rear 5 MPH bumper to match similar requirement for front bumper introduced in 1973. Revised flush tailights and back up lights in rear. 350 and 455 Rocket V8s same as 1973 and standard equipment on all models now included Turbo Hydra-matic transmission and power steering with power brakes standard on wagons. Both the column-shift three-speed manual and four-speed manual with Hurst shifter were dropped from the specifications this year.

Cutlass Salon upgraded from option package to specific models in both Colonnade sedan and Colonnade coupe with the latter sharing the Cutlass Supreme coupes formal roofline and opera window. Cutlass Supreme coupes and sedans received a notchback 60/40 bench seat as new option and the reclining seats in Cutlass Salon models featured revised reclining mechanisms.

New this year on both Cutlass Supreme and Cutlass Salon coupes was a "Landau" option that included a rear quarter vinyl roof on the B-pillar surrounding the opera windows. Full vinyl roof still available on all coupes and sedans.

Hurst/Olds again offered at mid-year but now standard with 350 Rocket V8 and 455 Rocket V8 moved to option list. Same color combos of black and gold and white and gold were offered again this year.

Cutlass Supreme wagon added to lineup with features similar to that of the Vista Cruiser wagon except for the simulated wood trim and Vista Vent sunroof.

Radial tires were standard on Cutlass Salon and Hurst/Olds models and now optional on all other Cutlasses this year.

1975:
All models now featured catalytic converters which mandated the use of unleaded gasoline along with radial tires and electronic ignition.

250 cubic-inch Chevy six reintroduced to Cutlass line for first time since 1971. This engine was standard on all models except the Cutlass Salon sedan and coupe, the Cutlass Supreme and Vista Cruiser wagons, and the Hurst/Olds. Three-speed manual transmission reintroduced as base equipment on all models except Salons, wagons and H/Os though the greatest majority of Cutlasses in 1975 got the three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic.

Also new was smaller 260 cubic-inch Rocket V8 which was standard on Salon models and optional on all others except wagons and H/Os. Still most popular engine despite being relegated to "optional" status was Oldsmobile's 350 Rocket V8 which was standard on wagons and H/Os and optional on all other models. The larger 455 Rocket V8 was optional across the board.

The Hurst/Olds came with the Hurst T-Top as standard, basically removable hatches to permit a convertible like open air feel with the safety and security of a roof. The H/O switched to the formal-roofed Cutlass Supreme coupe body from the previous semi-fastback Cutlass S.

Swivel bucket seats previously only offered on Cutlass S, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds were now available on Cutlass Supreme coupes, with cloth/vinyl reversable cushions on Supreme and H/O.

1976:
New Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupe introduced with pillowed velour 60/40 bench seat interiors similar to that of Oldsmobile's flagship Ninety-Eight Regency. Base Cutlass sedan and coupe dropped leaving the Cutlass S sedan and coupe as the lowest-priced mid-sized models and now featured swept back front end styling also offered with the 4-4-2 option on "S" coupes. Cutlass Supremes, Salons and Vista Cruisers continued with the squared off front end styling and all models across the board had the new rectangular headlights introduced the previous year on 98s and Toronados.

Same assortment of engines offered as in 1975 including the 250-6 standard in all but Cutlass Salons and wagons, 260 Rocket V8 standard in Salon and optional on all other models except wagons, 350 Rocket V8 standard in wagons and optional elsewhere, and the 455 Rocket V8 optional on all models. Turbo Hydra-matic transmissions standard in Salons and wagons and optional on all other models with five-speed manual transmission new option with 260 V8 on Cutlass S and Salon models only.

Swiveling Strato bucket seats no longer offered on Cutlass Supreme coupes, but still available on Cutlass S and 4-4-2 coupes.

1977:
Revised grilles on all models with all models except 4-4-2s featuring squared off front end styling. Cutlass Supreme Brougham sedan added and Cutlass Salon sedan dropped for this year. Automatic transmissions standard on Brougham, Salon and wagons and optional on other models with five-speed manual available with 260 V8 on Salon and S models. The 350 Rocket V8, again most popular Cutlass engine, was standard on Vista Cruiser and Cutlass Supreme Cruiser wagons and optional on other models. The big 455 Rocket V8 was discontinued and replaced at the top of the line with a new 403 Rocket V8.

Instrument panels on all models slightly revised on passenger side with digital clock offered as a new option. Swiveling Strato bucket seats dropped from option list on S and 4-4-2 coupes in favor of non-swiveling buckets. Salon seats also feature new design.