Ok, need to have the circa 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass experts/fans weigh in on a:

1977 Olds Cutlass Supreme (or Salon) someone will have to school me on which is which. I've seen pictures of both and they look the same to me.
350 engine
TH350 transmission
Cruise
Tilt
Split Bench
Vinyl Top
2 door

I need to know if it worth buying or do they have inherent mechanical issues.

I am looking to get it for my teenage son. The only glaring issue would be blind spots while driving it and the 200 pound doors that would invariably swing out and dent the car parked next to it.

At any rate, any opinions or advice would be welcomed.

d1

 

I think it's a great car for a kid to have and work on. I don't think there are any particular issues with these cars. I see more and more of this era of Cutlass at car shows. I particularly like the '76 and '77 models over the '73-75 versions of this era of Cutlasses. 1977 was the last year for this size Cutlass before they were downsized for 1978.

We can't tell a great deal from that little picture you posted, but, for what it's worth, it doesn't look too bad in that picture. Does it run ok? I presume it does.

What are they asking for it? The Old Cars Price Guide lists the value of a '77 Cutlass, whether it's a Cutlass S, Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass Supreme Brougham, or Cutlass Salon, in #4 condition (runs and drives but needs full restoration) at just under $1000. In #3 condition ("car show" condition but not showroom condition), the values are around $2000. Depending on the particulars of this particular car, it's probably somewhere between those values.

As far as which Cutlass it is, perhaps if you posted the vehicle's VIN or body cowl tag info (or both), we can figure it out.


If it were me, I'd think hard about buying it for my kid. It would be a great father/son thing to work on, and I, as a father, would like the fact that he's driving a heavier and therefore perhaps a bit safer car. No, it doesn't have airbags or antilock brakes, but it's safe enough.

 

Sorry about the picture that is best I could get. I think I will go ahead and do it. He is asking $1500, but I probably could get it for less. I will try and get the VIN number as well.

Thanks
d1

 

$1500 sounds not unreasonable to me.


Here's a couple of photos of a very nice '76 or '77 Cutlass (I can't remember which) I saw at a local cruise-in last spring. Beautiful car, and I do like the front-end look on these.








Good luck with yours. I think it could be a lot of fun.

 

That would be a '77 Cutlas Supreme Brougham, it has rectangular vents on the passenger side of the dash, '76 had round vents on the passenger side. They both had rectangular vents on the drivers side.

 

here's the missing "s" in Cutlass!

 

Cool. Thanks. I love these kinds of details!

 

I know it's been awhile but there is no difference in the Supreme and Salon other than options. The VIN# will not show a difference in the two. Hope you're enjoying the 77!

 

Wasn't the Salon set up as a "Europeon influenced" supension? Were buckets and console/auto standard on them? Whereas the Supreme was a little more cushy, in particuliar the Brougham. Though I would imagine as in years past, any suspension could be ordered.

 

Nice 77! As stated that is a 77 brougham.

Looks like a great Father/Son car. You can definitely work on it, there's plenty of room under the hood! lol

Another identification mark is 77's have the five sectioned waterfall grilles (separated by four slightly thicker fins/bars)...76's has two sections separated by one pronounced bar in between the sections. Grilles can be changed easily, especially if a person can't find the correct year grilles and they want something in the space opposed to nothing. The sure way to tell which year a/the car may be is by the trim tag and/or dash.

For the record, the dash can be changed as well but it would take some work in order to do so and most people wouldn't go through the trouble of doing it unless is was extremely necessary.

73-76 used the same dash and 77 is a one year only dash.

Keep in mind, we're talking about 76-77 Broughams, Supremes, and Salons. The cutlass S/442 had a different roof contour, header panel (depending on chosen options), windows (doors, sides and rear), tail lights, FE2 suspension (442, but not limited to 442) and a few other cosmetic differences. The year specific dash pad remained the same across the cutlass line however.

 

I think it'll be a great car for your son!!!! Good luck!

 

Your son will love it (& I'm biased )
I had gotten a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, in the Spring of 1978 as I was graduating High Scool & getting ready to commute to college in that fall.
It was a " dealer demo car" driven by the Service manager, & had over a years worth of milage on it when purchased. My older sister also bought a '77 Cutlass Supreme demo at the same time.
The salesman had said to us that all of the Cutlass'e on the lot ( probably a dozen or 2), all had '350's" in them ...
Mine felt really strong driving it home, ( I had been driving a hand-me-down 1969 Cutlass S 350 2 barrel, & this car seemed much faster), & what a nice surprise I had when I opened the hood, & saw the OLDS 403 Sticker on the air cleaner! It had been the only one on the lot w/ the 403, & the salesman didn't even realize!
It was Metallic Green similar to the pic above, w/ Camel pillow/velour interior.

 

All Cutlass Brouham's had split bench pillow top seating. All Salons had reclining bucket seating.

 

Another vote for getting the car. I always liked them too. Like others stated, easy to work on, fun to drive and very safe to be in.

 

It looks like it would clean up really well. Some of these used to have an issue with the back bumpers rusting (at least by me) so make sure that is secure and check for rust under the vinyl top of course. I always liked those cars. A nice set of color matched SS2's would make a big difference.

 

Here's a NOS replacement bumper for the '76/77 Cutlass!

 

I always liked the look of those cars. They were a best seller back then because they were popular reliable and comfy.

Not aware of any significant mechanical electrical issues you wouldn't get on other cars. Of course I'm biased, but I think that even if this car has some issues, if it's been looked after it will still be a reliable car. Just not gas efficient. The 350/350 should have lots of power and go. Any idea what gears it has? With cruise it will be a great highway car. Those big doors do tend to wear out hinges, but you can rebuild or replace the hinges if you need to.

I never really noticed any huge blind spots when I drove them. You're worried about the large sail panel area obviously. The really long side door/glass didn't create that problem for me. One thing I can't see from the photo is whether it has dual mirrors. If not, I would consider putting a RS convex mirror on to help reduce that concern.

The car looks cool, same color combo as yours. For less than 1500? It would be a great starter car for your son. Might even turn him into a Olds nut!

 

When those cars were common I'd see that all the time.

 

I always liked them, both my '76 and '77 were good cars, good driving and comfortable. The drivetrains were lightened in the '77 model year, I had two cracked transmission housings on my '77. I parked on a hill, and upon starting it, slipped the tranny into reverse, cracking two of them, after that, I shifted first to drive, then reverse, before backing up.

 

Did you buy it?

 

I use to have a 77 Cutlass Supreme and a 74 Cutlass Supreme. I miss them very much but have more memories with the 74. They are great cars and very strong. When you sit inside the 77 and looking thru the windshield, the front hood looks like its forever long. I hope your son can handle this car.

 

I had a 77 cutlass supreme coupe with the odd fire buick v6. I pulled the engine, trans, trans cross member and front and rear sway bars from a 74 cutlass salon 4 door. I ordered 1974 dual exhaust pipes and mufflers from walker exhaust. Only thing that needed to be changed were the motor mount locations. I added a set of eagle gt's 215-65-15 on sport rims. I loved the car, it ran beautifully and handled very well considering its size. I drove it until the vinyl half top rotted underneath to the point it rained inside the car during a rain storm I would highly recommend if the car is in good condition. It left me stranded once when the fusible link broke going from the engine compartment to the firewall. Other then that, I drove it for almost another 100k without issue. The Olds 350 and 350 trans last a very long time if maintained properly.

 

Looks like a decent ride!
Hope it works out well for you! Good luck!

 

Sorry - been busy lately and lost track of this thread. Unfortunately the seller gave me the run around and would not contact me back. So, the search continues...

 

That sucks that you werent able to purchase the car. I have a 77 Cutlass Supreme myself and it is one of the more enjoyable cars that I have ever owned. Helps that the car has been in the family since new.

My one caveat with these cars is that parts are a pain in the rear to find, especially trim and body parts. There is not a lot being reproduced at this time for the 73-77 cars, compared to the 68-72 A-Bodies and the 78-87 G-Bodies...

Good luck with your search..

Brian

 

I had a 77 broughm and a 76 salon. Bucket seats were the difference. When I get young I'm going to buy another 77. I loved that car. I sold it to buy my 72. My brother got me hooked on the cutlass and now he is a chevelle nut (he's had a 70 SS since the mid 80's).

 

That is a beautiful automobile!!

 

This is the most accurate description on the "s" model. Tail lights & roof lines like 442