So I have a little story to tell. From the time I was 16 I've had my eye on this 1973 cutlass supreme all black w/vinyl top. The lady who opened it was the original owner and never wanted to part with it. Over the years I would see her and ask about the car. Her response was always the same "no honey I want to keep it and fix it up". It wasn't until I was 34 that she told me I could have the car, and I was very excited. It had sat out exposed to the rain, heat, back windshield had been busted out with a BBQ gun ect. The floor pans had been rusted through in spots. The motor was seized. And I overlooked all of its faults due to my sentimental love for the car. It wasn't until I realized that the roof skin underneath the vinyl was rotted 80% away that I realized I had a problem. Knowing know that 73 aftermarket roof skins were basically impossible to find. I began looking for another 73 cutlass to make two cars into one. During my search I found a 1973 cutlass 442 with matching vin numbers on Craig's list offered on a lien sale for $600. I emailed the seller even though knowing the cars weren't very compatible and explained my situation. He told me if I was interested to come the day of the sale and bring what I had to spend. I had to work on that day and didn't go. He emailed me a few days later and told me that nobody had came for the car and if I wanted the 442 bring a truck and car trailer and $1. He needed it off the property. So I did just that. It seems to me that I am destined to own a 73 cutlass. This 442 came with out a motor and transmission but the body, glass, interior ect is very straight. Anyways thought I would share my cutlass story. Cause when I tell it to non car enthusiasts they don't get excited.

 

Welcome. A manual shift 73 442, nice. Couldn't have been that many made or survived.

 

A factory 4 speed car. Not many were made. Was it a 350 or 455?

 

Welcome to the site, looks like a fun project.

 

Excellent find! I'm envious of the condition it is in. I wish mine was near that condition before I started on it. I see some blue paint under the red, it may had been the original color, also someone later added the passenger side sport mirror which helps. Take good care of that four speed console, they are extremely rare see and have. Also check out nada.com, this is a pretty good barometer for insurance value. Good luck with this piece! Hope you can do something with it.
Sean

 

Thanks everyone I'm extremely excited to have found this really felt like I was meant to have her. The vin tells me she's a factory 350 4 speed. She has clutch pedal, hurst shifter, duel exaust. Swivel buckets gave me goose bumps when I swung int the driving position.

 

Welcome to Olds World... A dollar and a dream... Can't beat that...

 

Very nice find, especially for the price. Hopefully you will be replacing the engine with another 350. Would be nice to see an original size engine back in the engine bay with a 4-speed behind it. Does the VIN have an 'M' for the engine designation? From the photos the body and interior look in good condition. Always liked the '73 Supreme and 'S' models and how the designers used some styling cues from the earlier models. What is the original color of the 442? Did you purchase the '73 Supreme?

 

Welcome & congrats on the purchase.


4 speed Colonnade cars are very rare. Hopefully this one gets the restoration it deserves.

 

In 73 only 15 F37 Cutlass hardtops came with a stick and 871 G37 Cutlass S hardtops came with a stick. Yours appears to be an S, one of 871. I don't have the 455-350 breakdown. Nice score. Restore it!

 

Thank you I was very confused to be honest thank you for clarifying . Either way 1 out of 872 4 speed cutlass S and in the condition it is in I am more than happy with it.

 

For a buck I'd say so. I have a line on a fellow who asked me if I knew
anyone that might be interested in a 72 350 stick engine with 65 K on it.
I can check with him if you like. He may have the transmission too.

 

Here is some more details on the production numbers you touched on.

 

My first car was a '73 Cutlass, love them... that was the best dollar spent ever.

 

Tru-blue 442 I am actually interested in a 350 & 4 speed trans if your friend has one let me know that would be great. Let me know if you can. This car is a M code which tells me it was originally a 350 car.

 

M code is 350 with dual exhaust. I know K code is single exhaust 350 in 1974, probably the same for 73. I don't have the 73 books. Very cool car and certainly worth going back with the 4 speed and 350.

 

@ Eric Anderson I have to agree I have spent many dollars in my life. This has to be the best one spent. I foresee many more dollars going into her before I'm done though.

 

Gotta love swivel buckets!

 

Waiting on a call back, will let you know Andy.

 

Good story! My first car was similar: a Hurst car of the same year.

 

I love my 73 442 4 speed, they are fun cars.

 

**Andrew83** Cool story and great find! Welcome to the site and 4-speed excitement. As you've heard and noticed, not many factory '73 4-speed cars around these days.

Looks like you may have a decent foundation to get things started with your project. Any luck securing an engine and transmission?

Out of curiosity, when was the car built and is it a Lansing built car?

Also, are you putting a parts list together? One of a few things I noticed while looking at your photos, with your car being a non-A/C car, you may be needing some application specific parts, if you didn't get them with the car.

I know the original power train is gone but if you're aiming for a "factory appearance" restoration, let me know. I can help you with the appearance and placement of a few of the factory correct details, if you're interested.

You're among an awesome group of people here and a small percentage of Us, have '73's like yours. Let me know if I(We) can help with anything.

Looking forward to more photos and updates on your progress.

**Rustbucket2** Nice car!

 

Best dollar car I've ever seen!!

 

Nice car.