Hello - I have a decision to make and looking for advice. I found a 73 cutlass S and a 1960 super 88 flat top for nearly the same price and condition. Both are all original and run - no dents or rust. I believe I could more easily find parts as needed for the 73 cutlass - but I like the 1960 88 better.

Any advice and opinion is appreciated.

 

Get the '60 and don't look back.

The '73 is an ugly, underpowered barge.

Welcome to Classic Olds!

- Eric

 

The mechanicals on the 60 will be a little more difficult to find and a little more pricey but I agree...go with what you like best.

 

I'd say go with the '60 FlatTop; however, I might appear to be a bit prejudiced!!!! Go with what pleases YOU!

 

Get whichever one you like best but also consider how you will use it & the time & money you will have to invest in it.

 

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going with the 1960 super 88 flat top. Just a summer weekend driver is what I'm looking for. This one is all original - two owner. I can't wait!

 

Smart decision.

- Eric

 

Good choice, not many repop parts for the 73-77's anyway. 2 or 4 doors? We want pics!

 

It's a four door. Picking it up in two weeks and will have pics posted shortly after followed by many more questions. Thank you all in advance!

 

Ok - new question: how difficult are 4 door side windows to work with? Just got off the phone with my father and he advised strongly against the 4 door because the windows rattle and "are impossible to keep in alignment. Haven't sealed the deal yet on the olds super 88 until later this week. More advice please.

 

I dont think that is true....

 

I know very little about those cars but I am guessing your dad may be correct but in reality the car you are looking at is as stated by you a summer weekend driver - so will windows that rattle make a difference - probably not. Back in 1960/61/62 as a daily driver it may have been irritating but not today on the weekends.

Point is I just finished an over-priced restoration and my car still has little things that bug me but..... I've learned to really enjoy it for what it is - an awesome cruiser.

I agree the 60 is probably very cool but nothing wrong with a 73 - the older I get the more I like 73-77 vintage Old's and they drive better than the older cars. Not a lot of repo parts for them but more used parts available than a 60 that's for sure.

In the end by what you like the most

 

If the 73 is a two door, then it would be the car to buy. If both are 4 doors I wouldnt buy either one.

 

Is the '60 a hardtop or a post?

Hardtop windows can be tough to get right, if you really care, but if it's a post car, then that problem is gone.

If the '73 has no window frames (I think they all had posts, but they didn't all have window frames), then the same concern would apply to it anyway.

- Eric

 

Thank you all. The 73 does not have window frames but is a two door. The 60 super 88 is a four door "Flat-Top" hardtop without posts. It has the big wrap-around rear window that I always liked the look of. I think it was called the "Holiday". Both vehicles have just over 80,000 miles on them, both run, but the 1960 is in better physical shape than the 1973. The 73 is local and the 60 is in another state. Pro's and con's?

 

Pro: The '60 is cool, and you'll never see another one in that shape at that price.

Con: The '73 will start to bore you quickly, and you'll keep thinking about that wraparound rear window.

Get the car you'll like, or you'll spend the next fifty years telling people about that cool car you almost got.

- Eric

ps: in 1980 I was looking at cars.
I reluctantly passed up a '68 Firebird convertible in pitiful shape for $1200 because my father put his foot down and said it was too far gone, and I'd be crazy to buy it.
I test drove, then passed up a perfect 40,000 mile '73 Chebby Malibu or Laguna (same car as your Cutlass) for $500, even though my father told me it was perfect for me.
I ended up buying a '70 Chevelle SS that had been driven hard, for $550. I loved that car, drove it for ten years every day, and still have it.

I think of that Laguna often, and every time I say "Thank GOD I didn't listen to my father and buy that car!"

 

The 60 88 is the car to buy. 4 door hardtops aren't hard to work on. I had a 64 Olds 98 Luxury Sedan (4 door hardtop, 6 window), and now I drive a 71 Olds 98 Luxury Sedan. They are alot more classy than a 4 door sedan or even a 2 door. IMHO, the only thing that comes close to the "classiness" of a 4 door hardtop is a modern European 4 door sedan like the BMWs or Mercedes with a blended center pillar.

 

OK. I guess the sound of my father's "voice of reason" will always cause me to second guess my own intuition and desires - he's 70 and I'm 43! But, be that as it may, it is my money, patients, and time after all, I'm siding with the 1960 Olds. A smirk of justification may creep onto his face every time he hears the window rattle, but I'll have a big smile enjoying my weekend summer ambler. This forum is the best. Thank you all. Pics coming forthwith.

 

Unless that car has air conditioning, the windows will be down every time you drive it anyway. Unless it rains, of course.

 

I'm sure you will enjoy it once you start cruising. We look forward to seeing pics.

 

Ouch......LOL

 

x2.
The 60 88 tank,
Summer weekend driver you say? So your going to look cool with the windows down.
Rattle fixed. Job done, go the 88 tank.

 

Its going to be yours so it your choice,i have owned 1972 98 1975 cutlass S 1978 cutlass and now currently 1965 cutlass.Besides the 65 cutlass the 1975 cutlass was my favorite had swivel buckets and console and oh ya the 455 from the 98 .lmho

 

Geez! How do you really feel about the 73! I happen to like those even though I don't own one, yet. They drive and ride better than the earlier cars too!