1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Dave Marcis No. 71 Winston Cup Race Car

Description

NASCAR legend Dave Marcis was known for his independence, ingenuity, and integrity as a driver, owner, and builder. Now 84, the Wisconsin native’s NASCAR Cup Series career ran from 1968–2002, and his numbers were remarkable: 883 starts (second all-time at retirement), 14 poles, five victories, 94 top-five finishes, and 222 top-10 finishes. Marcis’ best season was 50 years ago in 1975, when he finished second in the drivers’ standings. As one of the last owner-drivers in NASCAR’s top series, Marcis built his own engines, towed his own car to races, and funded his team with race winnings and test-driving jobs. 

Marcis’ 1983 Oldsmobile No. 71 race car — driven in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series — has received the SVRA Gold Medallion Award, a prestigious certification granted by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association to recognize race cars that are faithfully restored and prepared to reflect a specific period in motorsports history. Marcis participated in its restoration. 

The race-ready Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is powered by a fresh GM 355 cubic-inch small-block V8 that’s mated to a Jerico manual transmission with rare 1.70 first gear ratio. While the original 1983 NASCAR-spec engine may have varied slightly in output, depending on tuning and track, 500+ horsepower is consistent with Winston Cup cars of that era, which required 23-degree heads.

Highlights 

• Dave Marcis’ 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme race car finished in base coat clear coat with No. 71 and multiple advertising logos as required by NASCAR in 1983 

• Received SVRA Gold Medallion Award, guaranteeing entry into SVRA invitational events like Sonoma, Coronado, COTA (Circuit of the Americas), and Indianapolis 

• Powered by a GM 355 cubic-inch small-block V8 rated at approximately 500 hp 

• Jerico manual transmission with rare 1.70 first gear ratio 

• Banjo racing chassis 110-inch wheel base 

• Custom power steering 

Features 

• Dry sump oiling system 

• Rear end cooler 

• Brake blower system  

• Lexan windshield  

• Fire system  

• 17-gallon ATL fuel cell with road race pickup  

• MSD ignition system,  

• Ron Davis radiator with integrated oil cooler 

• Kirkey seat and racing harness 

• AutoMeter 8,000 rpm tachometer and gauges for water temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel pressure 

• Banjo Performance Center custom switch panel with toggles for: 

  • START – Activates the starter motor to crank the engine 

  • IGN – Powers the ignition system 

  • COOL REAR – Controls a cooling fan or pump located at the rear of the car 

  • ACC – Controls auxiliary systems (this car has three: radiator fans, brake fans, helmet blower) 

• Wilwood disc brakes (6 piston calipers front and 4 piston calipers rear) 

• Goodyear Eagle 27x10x15 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• Normal patina of an active race car 

• Stone chips under the hood from racing 

Included 

• Letter of authenticity from Dave Marcis 

• Dave Marcis Fan Club sticker on dash 

• Spare parts and trailer available for an additional cost of $10,000: 

  • 3.75-ratio Ford 9-inch rear, Detroit locker-oval racing rears-Ford 9 inch and Chrysler 8.5 inch, five sets of wheels-extra springs, sway bars, brake rotors, original suspension pieces from oval set up, custom car cover, original Wilwood brake calipers, and usual parts and pieces that go with the car on a race weekend (including 5 racing radios) 

  • 24-foot Haulmark enclosed trailer with 10,000-pound GVWR (never used in salt) 

Ownership History 

The seller of this 1983 Oldsmobile Dave Marcis No. 71 Winston Cup Race Car has owned it since March 2003. It has been restored with the help of Dave Marcis and comes with a letter of authenticity. 

The seller says, “After the car was retired from NASCAR competition, stainless steel compartments were fabricated by Hemelgarn Racing (an Indy Car Team). The car was used as a salad bar in Throttles Restaurant, located near Michigan International Speedway. Throttles sponsored Marcis auto racing cars many times in the early 1980s. This car is the only Oldsmobile ever raced with the Throttles logo — October 9, 1983 at the Miller Highlife 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where it finished 17th. Wingtip Racing restored the car just as it was raced on that day in 1983. The car holds a track record at Watkins Glen for its class, and it was known as the ‘fastest salad bar.’”