Hi, I am not well versed on the 70 Rallye 350 cars. How can you authenticate the car besides the paint scheme when the car does not have it's original engine. The VIN number doesn't appear to differenciate between a cutlass and a rallye cutlass. Thanks for any assistance Jim

 

Unfortunately, the Rallye 350 was simply an option on the Cutlass. There was no unique VIN. The only proof is a build sheet. The engine was the normal 310 hp 4bbl 350 used in the Cutlass Supreme.

 

The only clue in the VIN is the assembly plant code. "M" for Lansing. Other than that, the build sheet is the only way to tell for sure.

Chumley

 

The VIN does have an M and the seller states he has the build sheet. The engine is a NOM but is supposed to have the correct casting #'s and correct #6 heads. I will have to look into it a little more. Thanks for your help

 

Lots of non-Rallye Cutlii were also built in Lansing, so that alone doesn't prove anything. ALL 1970 350s used the same block casting and #6 heads (including W-31s, by the way). There can be lots of "evidence", but the only proof is a build sheet.

I assume you've checked the body data tag and found the "--" paint code for special order colors? Again, not proof but at least substantiating evidence. Similarly, are the bumpers urethane covered or just painted? Factory Rallye cars had urethane covered bumpers. This gave the coating a little more thickness and resiliency than just paint (though don't expect the soft foam as used on GTO bumpers). Again, since the bumpers are bolt-on, they could have been added to any car. On the other hand, if the bumpers are correct and the bolts look like they've been rusted in place since 1970, then that's more evidence.

Also, if you do get to see the build sheet, be sure it's original and not a photocopy. It should look like it was stuffed under the back seat for 37 years, complete with tears, stains, and discoloration. If the paper is pristine, well, lots of things can be printed on a computer. The Lansing factory was notorious for NOT leaving the build sheet in the car, so Lansing build sheets are rare.