1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: Pillarless in Pinehurst
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/Klockau-Classics_1972-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Supreme.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=481&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
When it comes to the midsize 1968–72 A-body Oldsmobiles, you pretty much see coupes—either 4-4-2s or “tribute” 4-4-2s—and the occasional convertible. Lately, the Vista Cruiser seems to be getting more love. I’ve been seeing them more often at car shows. One Olds A-body you almost never see, though, is the Cutlass four-door hardtop.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 02](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05314-800x570-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=456&max-w=640)
I’ve always liked four-door hardtops, maybe because their design combines practicality—rear passengers have their own dedicated entrance—with the sporty appeal of a unique roofline. In their final year, before they were replaced by the all new “Colonnade” intermediates, four-door hardtops were offered by all GM divisions except Cadillac.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 03](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05309-800x600-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=480&max-w=640)
And you almost never see them. They just weren’t very popular. In the late ’60s and early ’70s, the coupe was still king. It seems that those who wanted a sporty Chevelle, LeMans, Cutlass, or Skylark went for the coupes, and people who wanted an extra pair of doors simply bought the pillared sedan, dubbed “Town Sedan” on Oldsmobile versions.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 04](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05306-800x612-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=490&max-w=640)
Still, I still love these pillarless four-doors. I have only seen a few over the years. Perhaps the nicest one I ever saw in person is today’s featured car, a ’72 Cutlass Supreme Holiday hardtop sedan, one of 14,955 built and resplendent in Pinehurst Green Metallic. Until I recently revisited this car, I had forgotten there was a Cutlass Supreme sedan before the Colonnade era. In fact, the Cutlass Supreme came in a sedan version upon its first appearance in 1966 as the top-of-the-line midsized Olds.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 05](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05310-800x600-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=480&max-w=640)
By 1970 the Cutlass Supreme came in three versions: Holiday hardtop coupe, Holiday hardtop sedan, and convertible. The trio remained available through 1972. In that year, the $3258 Cutlass Supreme coupe (wearing its own unique formal roof, a new feature in 1970) handily outsold both the hardtop sedan and the convertible, to the tune of 105,087 units. In comparison, the $3329 sedan sold 14,955 examples, and 11,571 of the $3433 convertible were built.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 06](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05311-800x600-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=480&max-w=640)
Which explains why I have seen a few 1970–72 Cutlass Supreme coupes but only one sedan: this one. It was at the 2015 Oldsmobile Club of America annual meet at the Sheraton in Brookfield, Wisconsin. I had been at the show at least a couple of hours by the time I saw it, but I did a major double-take when I saw its uncommon body style and that amazing green paint.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 07](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05312-800x600-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=480&max-w=640)
Oldsmobile had a great reputation and healthy sales in 1972, helped by both the rock-solid Cutlass line and the big, plush Delta 88 and Ninety Eight full-size cars. There was much eye candy in Olds showrooms back in ’72—candy-colored Toronados, 4-4-2s, Vista Cruisers, and luxe Ninety Eight Regencys.
![](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/1972_Oldsmobile_Prestige-26.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=671&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
Cutlass Supremes came standard with the Oldsmobile 350-cu-in V-8 and a three-speed manual transmission. As it was the range-topping midsize model, the Supreme got all standard Cutlass features plus a die-cast eggcrate-style grille (shared with the Vista Cruiser wagon), a radio antenna embedded in the windshield, a deluxe steering wheel, plusher upholstery, “CS” emblems on the sail panel, and “Cutlass Supreme” logo on the glovebox door. Its 350 developed 180 hp at 4000 rpm.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 08](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05313-800x601-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=481&max-w=640)
For more oomph, the L75 270-hp 455 V-8 was optional. Other options included power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, the attractive Super Stock styled steel wheels, AM radio, AM/FM radio, wire wheel covers, electric clock, and an 8-track stereo tape player.
![](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/1972-Oldsmobile-21.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=683&max-w=640)
1972 was the last year for the four-door Cutlass hardtop, two-door Cutlass hardtop, the Cutlass convertible, and the venerable Vista Cruiser. Starting in 1973, all Cutlasses grew a B-pillar. While the Vista Cruiser technically returned, it no longer had those most excellent Vista windows above the back seat and along the sides; designers substituted a pop-open sunroof instead. Still a nice-looking station wagon, but not really a proper Vista Cruiser, in your author’s opinion.
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 09](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05305-800x562-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=450&max-w=640)
Out of all the car marques that have disappeared in my lifetime, Oldsmobile is still the one I miss most. So I’m always happy to see it at car shows. On July 25, 2015, at an all-Oldsmobile show, I was in my element!
![1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme hardtop sedan 10](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2021/01/DSC05308-800x538-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.3.0&max-h=430&max-w=640)
Whats the price on this Gem