My Cutlass :)
#6
It was sold brand new like this in Sweden, maybe that makes a different? In US you have 4 headlights, I have just 2 with H4-lamps in them. What else is different?
#7
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Julie, that's a 1978 Cutlass Supreme Brougham. It's the first year of the downsized Cutlass lineup. You can't go by the number of headlights on the car to validate it being European. BTW the wheels on the car are also not stock - meaning it was never delivered from the factory with them. They've been added by a previous owner.
#9
Ok, I fold to You Allan R. However it is strange that the car (according to the Swedish car registry) was first registred in Sweden 1977-09-19. I know that the wheels are not stock (previous owner bought them). I have the original in My garage.
Last edited by Julle; January 9th, 2019 at 08:22 AM.
#10
If it were a new car, it could have been manufactured and shipped during the previous year. My 2006 Volvo was built in late summer 2005 and I took delivery in October, 2005 at the US dealership.
#11
Haven't we seen this issue before with people registering their U.S.-made cars in Europe? Her car is a 1978 model year Oldsmobile, but as we all know, production starts in the fall of the previous year. If they look at the assembly date on the cowl tag or driver's door jamb, it might very well say "10/77" or something like that, and they take that to mean that it's a 1977 Oldsmobile and leave it at that. I mean, how many of us know anything at all about how cars are registered in Sweden?
Just thinking out loud here.
Just thinking out loud here.
#12
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Look under the hood, on the cowl ( directly in front of the VIN) there should be a plate that looks like this:
It will of course be different information for your specific car. It's called a cowl tag. See if you can find it and post a picture of it.
The 1978 Olds Cutlass didn't always have an Olds engine either. Some were built and delivered from the factory with Chevrolet engines. If you're not sure what your car is, post your VIN and it can provide the clue to that engine.
#15
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Ok, here you go
Year:1977 Which still makes no sense seeing as the body is clearly a 1978
Division:Oldsmobile
Series:Cutlass Salon
Body:Coupe
Engine:350 (5.7) V8 4BBL
Plant:Lansing, Michigan
Serial Number:344233
Year:1977 Which still makes no sense seeing as the body is clearly a 1978
Division:Oldsmobile
Series:Cutlass Salon
Body:Coupe
Engine:350 (5.7) V8 4BBL
Plant:Lansing, Michigan
Serial Number:344233
#18
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I can't help but wonder if this is the same kind of year transition that happened with 1988 models, but in reverse. The sequence number on your car is not consistent with an early 78, but is consistent with a late 77
Last edited by Allan R; January 9th, 2019 at 05:52 PM. Reason: typo
#21
The VIN does represent a 1977 Model year vehicle as we know it for domestic distribution in the US... However, since it is indicated that the vehicle was first registered in Sweden in September 1977, it would appear that it was a direct export to Sweden...Possibly GM had different vehicle documentation requirements for exporting vehicles to Sweden... Otherwise, unless there is a finite paper trail, one may consider a VIN swap somewhere along the way...
#22
Not saying it couldn't be a possibility, but the 1988 model year change was two completely different body lines, G vs W... The 77/78 bodies were both A-Body transitions...
#23
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#24
[QUOTE=Julle;1146849]Thank you for the info! It seems to be a mystery car I have.
Very nice mystery car
I own a 76 which is the same ( very similar ) as the 77 ( 76/77 being a 2 year only body style) Your 78 looks really nice and in great shape! Shows well.
If and when you need to order or finds parts, look for years 1978-80. haha
Welcome!
Eric
Very nice mystery car
I own a 76 which is the same ( very similar ) as the 77 ( 76/77 being a 2 year only body style) Your 78 looks really nice and in great shape! Shows well.
If and when you need to order or finds parts, look for years 1978-80. haha
Welcome!
Eric
Last edited by 76olds; January 9th, 2019 at 03:11 PM.
#25
Here are pages from the Olds parts book that decode the 1977 and 1978 VINs. I've also included the pages from the 1978 brochure that show the models, body styles, and engine availability.
#26
#27
Wrong year, wrong engine, and wrong body style. That car was NOT born with that VIN tag, period. No part of GM, either in the US or in Europe, installed that tag.
#28
Its licensed and plated so I guess the MTO in Sweden is okay with it. Continue to show, drive and enjoy it . Just keep in mind, its a 78 if you happen to look for parts at anytime down the road.
Also see what power plant you have under the hood and order parts for your specific engine if you want to tune it someday
Eric
Also see what power plant you have under the hood and order parts for your specific engine if you want to tune it someday
Eric
#29
Its licensed and plated so I guess the MTO in Sweden is okay with it. Continue to show, drive and enjoy it . Just keep in mind, its a 78 if you happen to look for parts at anytime down the road.
Also see what power plant you have under the hood and order parts for your specific engine if you want to tune it someday
Eric
Also see what power plant you have under the hood and order parts for your specific engine if you want to tune it someday
Eric
#30
The ownership will just state either 8 cylinder or 6 cylinder. Won't specify what make of engine. However looking at the engine you will be able to tell which engine you have. You may even have a transplant 350 ? never know, that would be a plus !
Did you take any pics of the engine before storage?
Eric
Did you take any pics of the engine before storage?
Eric
#32
Nice looking car. I had a 79 cutlass supreme back a ways.
So with all this V.I.N. stuff can we assume the car may have been stolen here in U.S., V.I.N. swapped and shipped overseas? or maybe this was done somehow by a dealer?
So with all this V.I.N. stuff can we assume the car may have been stolen here in U.S., V.I.N. swapped and shipped overseas? or maybe this was done somehow by a dealer?
#34
According to the previous owner the car was bought brand new from a Swedish Oldsmobile dealer. I don´t think there is any kind of fraud (the car is not that rare to bother). I would be more concerned if it was a Ferrari or equal. It probably is just a mistake made by the dealer or the Swedish car registry dept.
#35
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#36
Look, this is easy to resolve. Post a photo of the VIN tag on the dash and the cowl tag. There is NO WAY any GM-affiliated dealer in any country would put a 1977 VIN tag on a 1978 model year car, period. If the VIN the OP posted is from some documentation and not the one on the actual car, then there's likely a clerical error. If the VIN on the car is, in fact, the one posted above, it's been switched and the car was likely stolen.
#39
Take some pictures under the hood too while you are at it, that will reveal the mystery of what engine you have.
Sharp ride by the way! Even if it has been re-VIN'd at some point in its history, it looks to be in really good shape.
Sharp ride by the way! Even if it has been re-VIN'd at some point in its history, it looks to be in really good shape.
#40
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
There will be a stamping pad on the block under the head number. That is called a VIN derivative. It will tell you the last 6 digits of the cars VIN number, assuming it is the original engine. That number would also be on the left side of the transmission housing, on the vertical lip under the speedo gear adapter. I don't know if you're the type of gal who would crawl under a car or get dirty in the engine compartment or would have someone find this for you but, here ya go.
This VIN deriviative is from a 1975 Olds built at Arlington TX
TH350 Transmission (also a 75 Olds but built at Fremont CA)
This VIN deriviative is from a 1975 Olds built at Arlington TX
TH350 Transmission (also a 75 Olds but built at Fremont CA)