1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Personal story and photograph submitted by owner John Gordon
for participation in the the 2008 GM Century Cruise
Chevy, Pontiac, Cadillac, Oldsmobile; I’ve owned them all. My favorite GM vehicle is my 1967 Cutlass Supreme equipped with the "Turnpike Cruising Package" (L66). This is a fun car to drive and in 1967 it was way ahead of its time. With its 400 cubic inch engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission and it’s funny looking "Climatic Combustion Control" air cleaner, this car is a head turner.
I did not know anything about this car when I purchased it in 1987; other than it was a nice, clean looking car that I planned to use as a Sunday "driver". However, as I found out more about the L66 option package and that it was only offered for the 1967-1968 model years, I decided to turn this car into a show vehicle. But, I still wanted to drive it! There’s no fun in putting a car on a car trailer and hauling it all over the country. I need to be behind the wheel guiding my Turnpike Cruiser down the road. And drive it I do! I have driven it to Texas, Mississippi, New Jersey, Canada and many Oldsmobile National Meets in between. It’s been a blast and even though it has never been on a trailer, and the engine has never been rebuilt, this car still managed to win Best of Class on every level in the Oldsmobile Club of America and is now in the Preservation Class. I have only seen one other Turnpike Cruiser in show condition in the last 21 years that I have owned the car, but it was not made that way in the factory. The owner made it himself. It is too bad that not more of these cars survived the years. My TC is still cruising down the road!
My literature for the L66 Oldsmobile Turnpike Cruising Package reads:
"Here is a magnificent blend of long-range driving economy, reliability, and power-in-reserve for open road and superhighway cruising. And yet, no compromise has been made for city driving requirements. Agile, quick, economical – the Turnpike Cruising Package satisfies all driving conditions. Sharp curves and corners seem to dissolve with a suspension system designed for those who like the firmer characteristics of "sports car" handing and ride. Unusual economy for a car of these capabilities is experienced from the special axle ratio and Climatic Combustion Control."
I found all of this to be true. When I drive my car on the open road at 65 miles per hour, I can get about 22 miles to the gallon. Some of the newer cars on the road now do not get that kind of gas mileage. But, when I want to play or show off a bit, I can touch that accelerator and be gone in a flash. Unfortunately, I’m getting a bit too old now to behave in such a manner very often, but I’m not dead yet so every now and then...
In 2006, my wife and I purchased a new Chevrolet Impala SS. This is the closest thing I have ever driven to my 1967 Cutlass Supreme with the Turnpike Cruising Package (L66). It has "sports car" handling and ride, economy, good looks and lots of fun. It is not the same as cruising in the Turnpike Cruiser, but it comes close. Maybe in 20 years or so, it will also be a pleasant reminder of days gone by.
Does my Turnpike Cruiser belong in the historic Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise? It sure does! I’ve never seen another car exactly like mine and I doubt there has ever been one like this in the Dream Cruise. It should be shared with other car enthusiasts. It may be the first time people have ever seen a car like this.
GM’s Century Cruise pays tribute to GM’s past and the passion owners have for their vehicles. On Saturday, August 16, 2008 this vehicle and more than 100 other classic GM vehicles will cruise from the GM Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center up Woodward Avenue to the heart of the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak and the surrounding suburbs. One of these vehicles will be crowned “top cruiser” based on a text voting campaign.
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