Hello everyone! This is actually the first forum I've ever joined. I have a 1970 cutlass supreme convertible with a 4 speed transmission. Im currently in the military and in Iraq. I return in Novemember and am excited to continue the restoration on my car. Ive owned my cutlass for about 6 years and would like to get it in tip top shape. When I get back I will definatly upload some photos. The car is yellow with a black top and interior. It has an aftermarket 442 hood and two black racing stripes right down the center, which accentuates the spoiler. The engine is the rocket 350 that has some aftermarket upgrades to help put the rubber to the road a little quicker. Its original hurst four speed shifter comes through the elegant console with a demand of cranking through all 4 gears. I cant wait to see it again!

Help Needed! Production Numbers: I was just curious on the rarity of my car. Ive tried to find sources on the production numbers on actually how many convertible four speeds were produced, but cant seem to find anything. I was told from Year One that only a few hundred, but I wanted to try and get some solid numbers. If anyone out there can help, I would greatly appreciate it. Cause I am stumped

 

Well that answers the FNG thing, welcome and thank you for all that you are doing over there. Not familiar with production numbers, but there are members who are walking encyclopedias on olds's who can help you out.

 

Let me join Chad in welcoming you to the site, and expressing appreciation for what you and your fellow soldiers are doing for our country. Sorry, I don't know anything about production figures, but there's a couple guys on the site who may. Hopefully they'll see your post and reply with some help. Can't wait to see photos! John

 

I salute you, sir, and wish you a safe and speedy return!

I don't know the exact production figures and I can tell you that Year One doesn't know either.
Here's what I *can* tell you, and it will get you pretty close:

For reference, there were 549 442 convertibles made, all M21s.

'70 Cutlass Supreme Converts came with both the M20 and M21, so you could have either.
The only other breakdown available is by series, so this will include the Cutlass Supreme Hardtop Coupe and Convertible:
M21 at least 203, probably about 223
M20 at least 679, probably about 746
So there were about 970 model 4400 Coupes and Converts that had 4-speeds, and you can be sure that a smaller % were converts.
Yes, 200-300 would be a "calculated guess" and I would have to say is pretty accurate.

 

I believe it's safe to say we all salute you, and all the other men and women who are serving our country with you, and elsewhere. God Bless and stay safe.

 

X2 on the safe and speedy return, be safe. We look foward to you joining our Olds community.

 

Welcome to CO and come home safe. We are all pulling for you guys over there.
Byron Petrides
Commander, VFW Post 10217
Korat, Thailand.

 

We all Thank You for your service to our country and for the freedom we enjoy because of people like you. We are honored to have you here. I hope the remainder of your tour is safe and you have a safe journey home. We also appreciate the sacrifices your family has made. We look forward to seeing pictures of your car when you return.

 

Welcome aboard

Here's to your safe return and thank you for you duty to our country.

 

Welcome to CO. From one Vet to another, thanks for your service and come back safely.

 

Kurt, where did you get your numbers from?

For what it's worth, I have an old Olds document that says 71 1970 Cutlass Supreme ragtops had the M21. I would be willing to bet the M21 was required with lower gearing and that the bulk of stick cars were M20s and M13s.

 

I picked those '70 numbers up doing research at the GM Heritage center. They were not complete for the year, thus my "at least" and "probably" references.

I find no reference to the M21 being available at all in 1971. (Nor a confirmed one in a '71). The M21 was replaced by the M22 in '71. And the M22 was only available in the 442. Factory gears were just though 3.73s, so there was no steep gear requirements for the M22 as as there was for previous year's close ratio 4-speeds (M21). Dealer gears were 4.10, 4.66, and 5.00!!

 

To clarify, seventy-one M21 Cutlass Supreme ragtops were built in 1970. I never mentioned 1971.

So what's the deal with the Heritage Center? I didn't know they had this stuff? I ask because I will be in Detroit soon.

 

Sorry! A bit too tired reading this, misread the 71. Speaking of 1970s, now!
Yes, 71 M21 Cutlass Supreme Converts is a believable number based on the numbers I have. And that number very well could have come from Oldsmobile records many years ago. But those records are all gone now. Very little remains now for production numbers through at least the '70s. Production by year by model was kept, but little beyond that remains.
GMHC inherited the records from Oldsmobile.

Yes, the M21s required 3.42 or 3.90 gears, both came with Anti-Spin.
Surprisingly, the M21s were not that rare outside the 4996 that went into 442s.
There were *approx* 2120 M21s that made it into other models, 2370 M20s and 3350 M14s.

 

Welcome to the site and thank you for serving our country. Stay safe and hurry home.