Imagine it’s 1970. The country is going through a recession, and insurance companies had already clamped down on high-performance cars. The surcharges were paralyzing to some, and the market was suffering as a result. But manufacturers knew there was still a high-performance market, so they came up with ways to offer what the public wanted while avoiding the wrath of the insurance companies. One of these clever vehicles is our Pick of the Day, a 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350. It is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Jefferson, Wisconsin. (Click the link to view the listing)
The “W45” Rallye 350 package may look boisterous but, underneath, it was purely conventional. Available on the F-85 Club Coupe, and Cutlass S Sports Coupe and Holiday Coupe, the core of the Rallye 350 was an L74 310-horsepower 350, which was standard on the Cutlass Supreme and available on any other F-85/Cutlass model. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the engine other than it being a rather pedestrian engine that simply put out. Low-15 ETs were easy, and maybe you’d tickle the 14s if you threw in 3.91 gears.
All were painted in searing Sebring Yellow with orange and black stripes, W25 fiberglass hood with air induction, urethane-coated bumpers with notches for the dual exhausts, yellow Super Stock II wheels (without trim rings) mounted on G70 x 14-inch Wide Oval blackwalls, D35 racing mirrors, and rear spoiler (later made optional). A three-speed manual was standard, with a four-speed manual or TH350 automatic as options. Other features included FE2 suspension package with stabilizer bars front and rear, blacked-out grille, N34 Custom Sport steering wheel to round out the package.
The 325-horsepower W31 package was not available on the Rallye 350. Why? “A key feature in selling the Rallye 350 is ‘insurability,’” claimed Oldsmobile. “The L74 engine … provides unquestioned performance at a level that may offer substantial insurance rate benefits to the buyer.
The Rallye 350 was introduced in February 1970 and made its debut at the 1970 Chicago Auto Show. In total, 3,547 were built, including 1,020 F-85 Club Coupes like this one. “This car was restored at least 12 years ago,” says the seller. “The paint is very, very nice with minimal flaws. There is no sign of body repair or filler. There are no paint bubbles. The floors are perfectly solid. The undercarriage is not corroded.” Oldsmobile offered both the M20 wide- and M21 close-ratio four-speed, and this one features the latter with the required G80 axle, which included 3.42 gears with Anti-Spin differential. It’s paired to an original QB-code 350 Rocket V8. “Both the engine block and the transmission case have stampings that refer to the VIN of the car.”
This particular has several options despite the bare-bones origins of the F-85, such as deluxe seat belts, convenience lighting group, power trunk release, AM-FM radio with under-dash 8-track tape player, and Rally Gauge package. “The original owner’s manual and Protect-O-Plate are in the glovebox.”
Best of all, you don’t need to worry about insurance surcharges today, so why not seduce your inner extrovert and hop in this 1970 Rallye 350 for $41,995?
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
had one of these bought it from local gm dealer damaged front n rear prob a squeze accident . repaired n sold stripes were not available never liked the stripes removed all put crome bumpers n trime rings looked better i thought .nice car used the money to help pay for our wedding
I have a F85 club, bought it from a guy on my 21 birthday, I’m 59 now. Just had motor and transmission rebuilt, working on body now. Love the car, original miles before rebuild was 117000.