Please help me Identify 1970 Rallye 350

[70SUPERBIRD426]

I just purchased a 70 Rallye 350. Previous owner swears car is all Original. Problem, it has a 455. I have build codes but dont know how to decode them. Can Anyonr HELP.

[molhannah]

1970:
Authentication:

All Rallyes were made in Lansing, Michigan.
The paint code is two dashes that look like this: --.
A real Hurst/Olds never happened due to Oldsmobile trying to do it all by themselves. Olds wanted a 70 H/O, and the Rallye 350 was the modified end result of the original 70 H/O design. What they did put together was the Rallye 350, which was originally conceptualized as the 1970 Hurst/Olds. Something went wrong with the planning and they decided to enter the car in the insurance beater market. For whatever reason, Hurst and Olds seemed to have a love/hate relationship through the years, and the 70 H/O never was to be. Olds figured they could do this themselves in-house (note: the spoiler/ram air, wild graphics), but also try to rub snake-oil on the insurance carrier's backs at the same time by offering a performance car, but with a "smaller" and still potent engine. So they built the Rallye 350.

Dealers have commented that when the 70 Rallye came in, nobody wanted it. In stark contrast to the 68 and 69 H/O's, it was not a good seller. But people weren't going to pay the price tag when someone could pay a few bucks more for the W-30. Some dealers reverted to replacing the yellow bumpers with chrome ones, just to try and move the cars off the lot. What we all wouldn't give to take a time machine to 1970 to pick up a car that seemingly "nobody wanted"!!!!

The H/O's were supposed to be a specially prepared "upgrade" for the 442. NOT designed to take the place of the W-30, however.

Sebring Yellow exterior, with body colored bumpers. A total of 3547 were built. The base price was $3253. The Rallye holds a special place, for there weren't many of those produced either. But if you find an original with chrome bumpers, don't misjudge it as a fake right away.

Fitted with "W-31" 350's, but less than 12 were actually built to original W-31 select-fit specifications. Force air fiberglass hood, Rallye sport suspension, dual sport mirrors, special steering wheel.

Engine Specs:
Rocket 350 w/dual exhaust. 310 hp at 4800 RPM, 390 ft/lbs torque at 3200 RPM.

Transmissions:


Rear Axles:
The 2.78:1 was standard for the automatic and could be ordered with the following: Ratio Option Code
2.56:1 (G96)
2.78:1 (std)
3.08:1 (G90)
3.23:1 (G91)
3.42:1 (G92)
3.91:1 (G88)


Performance Data:
"Car Life" - May 1970 - 15.27 at 94.33 MPH. 0-60 time of 7.0 sec.

[djbango]

I thought that they had a 350 in em too

[molhannah]

Your right 350 cu in.
Thats a real nice looking car.

[djrockinray]

There are a few other things you need to consider. The Rallye is the most difficult of the Cutlass muscle cars to authenticate. The original "protect-o-plate". is the only item that came with the car new that had "Rallye 350" on it. Also, the Rallye came in the base F-85 trim which had the door wing vents. Some f-85 Rallye's had a bench seat and column shift. The 455 sounds like a transplant,but I have heard some where built,but I'd be wary of that. Also, some claim a 4-speed was available with that 455. I be wary of that too,as the cost would have put it over the W30 that year. Other tale-tale signs you can look for is if it has the original ram air cleaner and evidence of original pin striping inside the door jams. Also, check that rear spoiler.......Reproduction pieces have a slight variant on the wing. The car should have the rear anti sway bar too. Hope this aditional info helps.

[maxwedge]

Great info but the thread is 4 years old and dead at this point, check the dates first.