1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350

When it came to horsepower ratings, Detroit had peaked in 1970. Insurance companies also had wised up to the race-ready cars coming from the Motor City and sky-high premiums became the rule. With looming emissions standards and unleaded fuel, dark clouds started to appear over further development of the muscle car. In response to the insurance surcharges, the Big Three began offering "junior" muscle cars. Among them were the 1970 Dodge Dart 340, the Chevelle Heavy Chevy of the early 1970s, the Pontiac GT-37 and the 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 with its bright Sebring Yellow paint.

The Rallye 350 was introduced on February 18, 1970, and made its debut at the 1970 Chicago Auto Show. The car consisted of option package W-45, which included blackwall tires, a fiberglass hood, the L74 350 V-8 engine, Custom Sport steering wheel, sport mirrors, Rallye suspension, dual exhaust and rear deck air spoiler.

Oldsmobile built 3,547 copies of the Rallye 350. Dealers found it difficult to sell the wild-looking coupes due to the yellow bumpers. In response to this, some dealers took off the urethane-coated bumpers and installed standard chrome ones in their place.

The only engine offered for the Rallye 350 package was the L74 350-cu.in. V-8, rated at 310 horsepower with a single four-barrel carburetor. The 310hp engine had a 10.25:1 compression ratio and 390-lbs.ft. of torque at 3,200 rpm, using a single four-barrel 4MV Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. The base 310hp 350 could sprint from zero to 60 in 7.0 seconds flat. On a drag strip, the Rallye 350 could get down the track in 15.27 seconds at 94.33 mph.

A wide-ratio Muncie 4-speed was offered, though not with the optional 3.91:1 axle ratio.  The only automatic available was an optional Turbo Hydra-Matic 350.

The Cutlass Rallye 350 was a sales flop in its day, but that makes it all the more desirable now . Today, the average price of a 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 can range from as low as $8,500 in poor shape to just under $50 K for a full resto. Although I wasn't too fond of them when they came out, admittedly today...I kinda dig 'em. They're different...and definately stand out in the crowd!