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Muscle car

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX W32 455

Muscle car powered by W32 high-compression 455 Rocket V8.

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SX; W32 status is not established by the photograph
W32 package SX-only high-compression 455 with a four-barrel carburetor, TH400, and dual exhaust
Body styles Cutlass Supreme Holiday Coupe or convertible
Transmission Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic
Identity check Original paperwork should show both Y79 SX and W32

Story

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SX W32 455

The Cutlass Supreme SX paired Oldsmobile's formal-roof personal-luxury body with 455 power. Buyers could order the Y79 SX package on the Holiday Coupe or convertible, gaining the 455 drivetrain, dual exhaust through a special rear bumper, and a richer Cutlass Supreme cabin without the visual treatment of a 4-4-2.

W32 was the performance step within that SX line. Oldsmobile's 1970 W-Machines brochure identifies it as an SX-only package built around a high-compression, four-barrel 455, a performance-calibrated Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, and dual exhaust. Period references commonly report 365 gross horsepower and 500 lb-ft, but the factory W32 package panel does not print those ratings, so they remain identified here as reported figures.

A flat hood is correct for the standard SX appearance. Outside-air hoods, spoilers, wheels, and stripes were frequently added later and cannot establish W32 identity. The best confirmation is original paperwork showing both Y79 and W32, supported by the car's engine, transmission, axle, and body details.

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

  • Bore and stroke 4.125 in x 4.250 in · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · engine assembly / specification
  • Compression ratio 10.5:1 · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · engine assembly / specification
  • Gross horsepower 365 hp @ 5000 rpm · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · engine assembly / specification
  • Gross torque 500 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · engine assembly / specification
  • Camshaft timing and lift 285 degree intake duration, 287 degree exhaust duration, 57 degree overlap, 0.472 in intake lift, 0.472 in exhaust lift · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · camshaft / specification
  • Valve lifters Hydraulic · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · valve train / specification
  • Rochester Quadrajet 4MV automatic-transmission carburetor number 7040251 · 1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 automatic; reported as using the base 365-hp 442 455 engine · carburetor / carburetor list

Transmission

  • Factory transmission performance-calibrated Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic; manual transmission not available

Options

Cutlass Supreme SX and W32 package relationshipClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

Paint

Authenticity

W32 Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmissionClassic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • Y79 and W32 paperwork Original build sheet, window sticker, or dealer record showing both Y79 and W32 · Vehicle paperwork and factory or dealer records · fraud detection
  • SX body details Cutlass Supreme Holiday Coupe or convertible with SX fender identification and dual-exhaust rear-bumper outlets · Body, front fenders, rear bumper, and exhaust outlets · trim correctness
  • Hood and spoiler Standard SX/W32 package literature does not list the W25 outside-air hood or W35 spoiler as included W32 equipment · Hood, deck lid, original order paperwork, and restoration records · trim correctness
  • Transmission Performance-calibrated Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic · Transmission identification, build sheet, and service records · numbers matching

Still Researching

  • engine Reviewed sources now report W32 use of the base 365-hp 442 455 automatic engine and provide bore/stroke, compression, horsepower, torque, camshaft, lifter, and carburetor-number specifications; factory casting numbers, stamping details, and car-specific engine-identification records remain unresolved.
  • rear axle Factory SX literature establishes the Y79 ratios, but the reviewed factory W32 package panel does not state the W32 standard axle ratio or ordering restrictions.
  • interior The factory SX conversion sheet establishes materials and equipment, but color and trim-code combinations remain unresolved.
  • production The available registry figure covers all Y79 SX cars through June 1970 and does not isolate W32 by body style.

Codes & names

Names & Engine Codes

Common names and codes are grouped so LS6 references point to the same engine, not separate pages.

SX axle ratios and W32 ordering contextClassic Muscle · Reference illustration
1970 Oldsmobile W-32 455 Rocket V-8 W32 high-compression 455 Rocket V8
1970 Cutlass Supreme SX W32 455 W32 high-compression 455 Rocket V8
Cutlass Supreme SX W-32 455 W32 high-compression 455 Rocket V8
W-32 Cutlass Supreme Performance Package engine W32 high-compression 455 Rocket V8

Photo and video gallery

Gallery

7 photos and videos

Sources & Documentation

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