As a lover and collector of Oldsmobiles, The SX is one of my favorites. I am always searching. I appreciate the 1970 model due to the lack of horsepower robbing pollution control specifications. The Convertible is like the Holy Grail due to the very low production numbers. It was with help of the 455SX Club that I discovered this car was for sale. It took over two months of communication for the purchase to happen. I was the one dragging my feet, as I was not sure that the quality met the .....
value. As it turned out, the car is better than I expected.
One of the most important factors when purchasing a Cutlass SX is verification that it is authentic. In the case of this car, the original Build Sheet was discovered and supports the car. I have personally verified that it contains its original L33 Oldsmobile 455 Rocket V8 and the special OD Turbo 400 Hydramatic transmission.
The Y79 option is what I was looking for. That told me this is a true SX and that it was really the “Gentleman’s 442” in sheep’s clothing. Nothing about the VIN or Trim Tag would tell you that this car has the torque-monster engine. The L33 produced a stated 320HP and 500 pounds of torque. And we know those numbers are conservative. The SX was conceived as a means of producing a performance car without paying high insurance rates.
This particular SX Convertible was built in Linden, NJ and sold in North Carolina. It spent most of its life there, before being purchased by a man from Georgia. It was restored 20 years ago. Some customizing was included.
This car is painted to the correct Platinum Silver and has a black top and black interior. This matches the Trim Tag. I was told that it had been painted Red years ago. The restoration included a complete media blasting of the body and the color was fully and successfully changed to the original Platinum Silver. The finish is a base coat/clear coat style and looks wonderful even after 20 years. All chrome and trim is straight and bright.
The body has never been rusty or repaired. I have looked it over closely and from beneath. It is perfectly solid and reflects life in North Carolina and Georgia. The trunk floor appears to display the original factory applied coating and there is not even any surface rust.
The convertible top was replaced during the restoration and must have never seen sunlight. It looks like new. The rear window is glass. The top boot fit perfectly and is in great condition. The power top operates as expected.
This car was built with nice options such as Air Conditioning, Soft Ray tinted glass, Dual Sport mirrors, driver’s remote mirror, wood grain interior trim, courtesy lamps, electric trunk release, Power convertible top, Sport Steering Wheel, Rally Pac gauges and Super Stock I wheels. The rear axle is the “O type” with 2.78 gear ratio.
The original bench seat/column shift has been upgraded to buckets seats with console mounted Hurst Dual Gate shifter. The steering column now tilts. The Super Stock I wheels are 15 inch with BF Goodrich Radial TA tires. The dual exhaust exits through a 442 style bumper and trumpet tips. An OAI hood and air cleaner were added on top of a 7040251 Rochester four barrel carburetor. A rear deck spoiler and W30 stripes were added.
The original radio has been replaced with a retro appearing AM/FM/CD model. There is an amp mounted beneath the right bucket seat and speakers in both the front and rear of the car. The CD changer is trunk mounted.
The end result is a car that looks much sportier than the stock SX. The addition of the OAI equipment and four barrel carburetor make it perform extremely well. The buckets and console are a great improvement versus stock.
The bucket seats, console and carpet are in great condition. Factory style rubber Oldsmobile mats protect the carpet. The dash is not cracked. All gauges work properly. All functions and lights work properly with exception of the Air Conditioning. Much of the AC equipment was removed during the restoration and not re-installed. I believe it is all in the trunk, with the exception of some brackets. The compressor turns hard, so replacement would be advised.
There are two sets of keys and they operate the locks and ignition. There is a proper spare and jacking equipment in the trunk. A new trunk mat was installed to replace the old one that had become unsightly.
There were only 793 SX Convertibles built in 1970. This one is authenticated. It is a great and rare car.