So I recently picked up a 1976 cutlass salon its been off the road since 97 I took the battery from my 70 cutlass out to it to see what it would do and absolutely nothing happened no dash lights starter didn't click no power to anything where would be a good spot to start when trying to figure out what the issue is

 

If there is no power into the cabin, it’s time to get out a test light and see where your power gets lost. Maybe a fusible link.

 

All wires which attach to the battery are suspect. Remove each of the lead wires which attach to the battery - wire brush both ends of each wire to clean them to bare metal. This includes battery ground to block, ground to frame, positive lead to battery/solenoid & horn relay post. I would use a volt meter & measure the voltage of the battery with no wires attached, then measure voltage of battery after attaching battery cables to determine if there is any difference in voltage directly after attaching the battery terminals. A vehicle which has been off the road for 23 years is suspect to oxidation/corrosion of metal terminals, especially if it is anywhere near the coasts in salty air. If there was a battery in the car and attached to the car for 23 years (as opposed to no battery in the car or the battery unattached) oxidation/corrosion would be even more suspect.

 

In addition to the above advice, look over all the wiring. Make sure no animals have made a feast of your wiring harness.

If nothing works, start with a through battery cable inspection, followed by fusible links.