Hello to all my Oldsmobile enthusiasts out there!!! I just bought a '77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham for a restore project, and I was wondering before I did it what kind of car am I restoring? (You might be wondering why I'm saying this) The reason why I ask is because I wasn't even born when this car first came out (born 1982). I want more power but I don't want to rob it for what it was originally intended for. I was thinking that since it was a brougham that its meant to be a luxury version of the cutlass that it wouldnt make sense trying to make it out of a sports car. I was just wondering what was Oldsmobile's original intent for the cutlass? I have friends with Chargers, and the old Superbees, and they kid me about buying a Cutlass. What should I do? Add power or just restore it to what it was in its heyday?

 

A Supreme Brougham is a personal luxury car. It has higher level trim and equipment than a base Cutlass or even a Supreme. If you're fortunate enough that it's a 403 car, you already have an excellent engine to start. A 350R engine is also a good start. Both are reasonably torquey even in stock form, but vehicle weight and rear end gearing make them feel a bit sluggish.

If it's a 260 or a V6, if you want any decent power at all, the car needs a heart transplant. Those are gas mileage engines, with very limited performance potential.

If you're worried what yer friends think, sell the Olds and buy what they like instead of what you like.

If you're the typical Olds owner, who doesn't want what everyone else has, restore the car to what it's supposed to be and enjoy it.

 

The Cutlass was the or one of the best selling cars through much of the 70's and early 80's. Everyone loved them because they were nice looking, comfortable while still sporty and often quite powerful. The Brougham edition was just more luxury trim. Interesting how the "personal luxury" coupes fell out of favor so quickly. Again, about the time minivans and then SUV's became popular.

 

Don't let anyone razz you about your Olds, Those 77's are great cars. I want one myself, but have found nothing but trashed ones here. Congratulations on the new arrival, and welcome to the dark side.

 

Totally agree with J-
A '77 Olds was the first Olds I ever drove.
I test drove a Dark metallic green Brougham.
I was totally impressed, It kicked the tail end out
and ripped them for 50ft down the block.

Have fun with that thing.

 

I think your car is awsome! The late 70s Cutlasses were beautiful, especially the 76 and 77. I think you should build a 403 or 350 for your car and blow your friends MOPARs out of the water.

 

yeah my friend has a plymouth fury with a 440 that he got from an RV. I have a 350R. I mash the gas on sunday and found that it had some nice pull to it. I jerked back a little bit. Im almost thinking that the speedometer even though it says 85 is deceiving.

 

oh. i also have a 4 brl carb.

 

Sounds like a nice set up you have there. My uncle had a 75 back in 82 (I was born in 77) and I always liked his car the best

 

When i was in high school my friend sometimes snuck out in his mom's brown '77 and we'd terrorize the streets a bit. I do remember that thing would smoke up a tire with it's peg-legged rear. Radio sounded nice, too.
I have two Old's now and I own them for looks, luxury, and un-commonness (is that a word??) It just depends what the owner wants.
As long as it has a V8 under the hood, there is good power potential as well.
Shoot us a picture of your '77 some time, before the resto begins and keep us posted on your progress!
Most of all, have fun doing so!

 

[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/ryun.SPELLMAN/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Buster%20Before%20&%20After/Before%201.JPG[/IMG]

 

how do you guys add pictures to your post?

 

Paint er black with restored chrome and lift the rear a little old school style with some big meats and a loud exhaust. Ya gotta have one of those at least once! I grew up with the grand nationals-t-types and regals and cutlass`s. (1990) when i was in highschool, if it was`nt quick at least it looked like it was, had a friend who managed to transplant a 454 out of a 1991 chevy 454SS truck, only 270 horse but wicked torque! 435lbs. Forget about driving in the rain in the city!

Nice find brother

 

To add a picture, make a post and go down to the "additional options" section, click "manage attachments", select your picture, and click upload. If it says it is too big, resize it smaller (as a new file) and try again.

OR, use a free photohosting site like flickr, photobucket, picassa, etc. and just post the links here or even in your signature.
I use flickr and it looks like this:

Hope this helps!

 

Here is a picture of my Cutlass you guys. Let me know if this link works.
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/k...nt=Before1.jpg

 

Nice looking car, good color.

 

I love it.
Hammer and dolly work on the door shouldn't be too bad either. I love how the front fenders roll in on these cars instead. It took them how long to finally get that model looking perfect, and then they switched body styles in 78
I remember when I was a kid, making fun of the bubbled swoops on the 75 Montes and Cutlasses. My brother and I would take turns pretend deflating the tires and fender and door bubbles with our plastic guns.

 

Love that color and body style!
Looks like a good candidate for restoration - won't take too much to get her like new!
Keep us posted on your progress!

 

I put some more pictures up here today so that you can see more of the car. Click here:
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/k...afilter=images

 

That is a really pretty car.