For performance, many experts will agree that Oldsmobile reached its highpoint in 1970. It was during this era that saw insurance companies keeping a closer look at the possibility of performance cars being purchased, certain VINs were coded to readily signal to your friendly insurance agent that you now had a car that may influence your driving habits into having a heavy right foot. Automakers developed two approaches to save their performance-hungry customers insurance money. One was to develop cars with performance appearances but utilized smaller engine sizes; the alternative was to offer the larger big-block V-8s in an intermediate body style that could “fly under the radar.”

In 1970 Oldsmobile may have deceived the insurance companies by fitting the legendary Rocket 455-cid V-8 into a Cutlass Supreme SX. By not having a specific engine designated with the second and third numbers of the VIN, new car buyers in 1970 and 1971 avoided paying increasingly high insurance premiums. In the case of the 1971 Oldsmobile SX, the VIN sequence of 42 called out the model as a “Cutlass Supreme V-8” – this could be wide-open to many interpretations of displacement and seamlessly blend into their files without causing undue attention.

In 1970 and 1971 this new Oldsmobile was available with a special option called the Y79 Performance Package and the car was officially called the Cutlass Supreme SX, and it featured 455-cid engine options (the 1971 choices were only two- or four-barrel), a 400 Turbo Hydra-matic transmission was mandatory (if you didn’t order the center console, it was column-shift, manual transmissions were not available), a special rear bumper with dual exhaust cutouts as seen on the 4-4-2, special SX badges on the fenders, Cutlass Supreme SX badging on the dashboard plus other more luxurious standards. With sophisticated styling, luxury options and big-block performance, many consider the Cutlass SX to be a great “gentleman’s musclecar.”

Presented in its correct code 26 Viking Blue finish, this exciting rust-free SX has been the recipient of a frame-off restoration. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, this SX is beautifully complemented by a white power-operated top and white bucket seat interior. The dash and carpets are black and when the top is down, a white boot projects an all-too-clean image.

The Rocket 455-cid V-8 engine is paired to the console-shift TH400 transmission; among the interior features are an instrument cluster with tachometer, woodgrain trim on the dash, console and door panels, four-spoke steering wheel, power steering, power brakes, plus an uncommon factory 8-track tape player. The already handsome styling lines are accented by dual sport-style mirrors, SX badging, 4-4-2 style rear bumper, 4-4-2 style exhaust tips and factory Super Stock wheels fitted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. This exceptional and rare Oldsmobile is accompanied by a matching spare wheel and tire, jack, lug wrench, original manuals, New Vehicle Warranty paperwork and the desirable Protect-O-Plate.

Nineteen seventy-one would be the last year the 4-4-2 was a separate model before reverting to being a trim package. The SX would carry many traits of the legendary 4-4-2; various respected individuals consider the Cutlass Supreme SX to be one of the great “undiscovered” General Motors musclecars and will continue to gain in familiarity, popularity and investment opportunity.

The SX is very rare compared to the 4-4-2. Total production numbers were low, with only 9,374 hardtops and convertibles reported built in the two years. The rarest of them all, according to different sources is the 1971 Cutlass Supreme SX Convertible, such as this special car, with only 357 examples built.