Just sold my 62 Corvair and have just started thinking about moving into a "new" car.

Since I was a kid, the 72 Cutlass vert has been my ideal car. To expand the number of potential cars, I've expanded my range down to 69. I'm looking at a 350, preferably a vert w/ buckets and center console, but will seriously consider the most solid car I can find. What comparison points can you think of that would make me prefer one of the years from 69-72 over another? To make the spouse happy, I'm looking for headrests and 3-point belts.

Tho I really like the Cutlass, I also like other GMs of that range - especially the Skylark, but also LeMans and Chevelle. Would really appreciate any thoughts, opinions, experiences, prejudices, what-have-you abut these GMs from these years.

Thanks in advance.

 

The shoulder belts are not 3 point belts, but a secondary belt that uses a secondary buckle. I personally don't use them due to the rigid mounting and lack of give.
I don't really feel like having my rib cage crushed in an accident. If you want a safer car, drive a newer one. There just is no way around that.
I'd personally stick with your original idea of a 72. Parts are more plentiful due to the parts interchange from 70-72. 69 and 68 parts are harder to come by and can tend to be a bit more expensive to procure.

 

Thanks for the reply.
Are there any significant "smogger" changes over that period?

 

Just the drop in compression after 1970. 69 and 70 2bbl 350s were 9.0:1, 4bbl 350s were 10.0:1 unless you got a W31 which was 10.5:1. The 400 in 69 was 2bbl 9.0, 4bbl 10.0 and the W30 was 10.25.
1970 the 455 was 2bbl 9.0, 4bbl 10.25, W30 10.25
71-72 all were 8.0:1.