In 1971, I always thought the only way you could get a 455 in a C/S was with the Y-79 option (Cutlass SX) and it was Automatic only - no 4-speeds. Now I'm hearing of a '71 C/S (non-SX) with a 455 and a 4-speed. Was there ever such an animal?

 

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/membe...SPECS__Dec.pdf
I would agree with your statement that only Y-79 pkg with 455 and auto.
Link above pg 7 with power team chart and engine/trans cross reference back to power teams.

Pat

 

No. Not until 1972 could you get a standard Supreme hardtop or convertible with a 455 and an M20 (or any other 4 speed). 77 hardtops, 66 convertibles. You could get 350s with M20s in 1970-72, as well as the M21 in 1970.

Where are you hearing about this "phantom" car?

Terry

 

Thanks - I didn't think so. He claims it is original but we know how that goes...

 

A guy here has been racing it in F/SA (converted it to Auto.) since the 16 miles he put on it driving home from the dealership in 1971.

 

Well, it would be interesting to look up at the installation of the 4 speed hump from underneath (if one is there) and check the VIN on the 455 block. Just two of the ways to prove or debunk his claims on a 16 mile car.

 

I defer to Terry on the 4 speed availability. However you could get a 455 with auto in 70 supreme or conv without getting the Sx option. Not sure about 71. I believe it was 2 barrel only whereas the Sx you could option a 4 barrel at least halfway thru the year.

 

A So, did he keep any of the original paperwork to show what it came with?

 

I agree - I have come across two or three non-SX 1970 Supreme hardtops like that in my ~12 years of documenting SXes.

 

I'll have to ask more about it next time I see him.

 

Now I am really confused. I thought the 455 engine option was only available in the Supreme as part of the sx package.My 70 Cutlass came with the L74 350,310HP 4bbl,but could have been ordered with a 455 2bbl in the early 70 model year?-So, was there many Cutlasses built with the sx option early in the model year?What is the lowest production number that anyone has seen on a Cutlass SX?-That would put the car being built betweenAug69 and Dec 69...

 

I always thought you could get a 455 in a supreme without the SX package, just the same as you could get a cutlass S with a 455 without having to get the 442 package. There's a lot more to a 442 or SX than just the big block. As far as the manual trans goes, 72-only

 

My first Oldsmobile was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme with the high compression 320 hp 2 bbl 455 with T400 & a 2.56 rear end. It was SX badges & a rear cut out bumper away from being an SX.....which it was cloned into when I sold it.