When discussing Oldsmobile rigs from the golden muscle car era, we usually think about the Cutlass and the 442. The limited-edition Hurst/Olds is obviously the star of the brand’s high-performance midsize lineup. But did you know Oldsmobile also produced a Rallye-badged performance car based on the Cutlass? It was sold in 1970 and left the assembly line in limited numbers.
The Rallye 350 arrived at a time when insurance rates for big-displacement muscle cars had become expensive, and most young buyers could no longer afford such a car. Oldsmobile believed it could solve this issue with a value-priced model powered by a 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 instead of the massive 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) mill found in the 442.
Essentially an appearance package, the Rallye 350 hit showrooms with a flashy Sebring Yellow exterior and matching urethane-coated bumpers. No other colors were available. The bundle also included unique black and orange decals, a blacked-out grille, and yellow Super Stock II wheels.
Even though it wasn’t as potent as the 455-equipped 442, the Rallye 350 got one of the most powerful iterations of the 350 V8. Specifically, it hit showrooms with 310 horsepower, only 15 horses below the Cutlass W31. For reference, the base 442 came with 365 horsepower, while the W30 version generated 370 horses. In short, the Rallye 350 was no slouch.
However, customers weren’t impressed with the package, and Oldsmobile sold only 3,547 units. The Rallye 350 was discontinued for 1971, so the nameplate remained a one-year-only model. Oldsmobile sold over 120,000 two-door Cutlass models that year, so the Rallye 350 is also very rare by comparison. If you haven’t seen one of these yellow muscle cars in a while, one just popped up for sale in Windham, Maine.
Most likely the result of a recent restoration, this Rallye 350 looks the part on the outside. The yellow paint shines like new, all the decals are in the right place, and the body panels are straight. The interior is just as impressive. The seats and the door panels are pretty much spotless, while the dashboard doesn’t show any cracks. The carpets look like they could use a cleaning, but I’m just being picky right now.
There is no information on whether the 350-cubic-inch V8 is original, but everything appears to be legit under the hood. The red inner fenders are the only incorrect features I can spot in this engine bay, but that’s not a major drawback.
The seller says the Olds has a few options, including the Hurst gate shifter, air conditioning, tach, front disc brakes, and cruise control. He claims the latter is “very rare,” but this piece of information is difficult to verify.
Speaking of rarity, this Rallye 350 is based on the Cutlass S Holiday Coupe, which makes it the most common iteration of the nameplate. Of the 3,547 units produced, 2,367 rolled off the assembly line in this trim and body style. Oldsmobile also sold 1,020 units based on the F85 Club Coupe and only 160 examples with Cutlass Sport Coupe specifications.
This great example is listed at $34,900, which is a hair above the average price of Rallye 350 cars auctioned off in recent years. The most expensive example went under the hammer for $44,000, but most changed hands for less than $33,000. How much is this yellow hardtop worth?