This 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham has it all. We don’t know for sure if every single option was checked when it was ordered (I don’t see a CB radio), but almost every option was, including a 455 V8 and full power accessories. It was “lady owned”, bought as a retirement present for herself, and has been preserved ever since 1976, that’s 48 years for those of you keeping track.
Lansing, Michigan’s finest made the Cutlass from 1961 through 1999 and from the 1970s through the 1990s, they were thicker on the roads than texting drivers are today. They were everywhere and with good reason. The Cutlass was a nice car, a good car, a luxurious car, but not a pretentious or showy car. Actors, sports figures, and CEOs didn’t normally drive a Cutlass, they were for the people who actually kept America rolling, working people, and middle management, not the elite. I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with actors, sports figures, or CEOs.
This particular example looks great in white and it’s a perfect Florida color, which is where this car is located. Speaking of white cars in Florida, the original owner reportedly thought the original silver color would be too hot in the Florida sun so she had the car painted white. I’m not sure if it would have made even a one-degree difference, but that’s what happened. The seller mentions that it’s been in central Florida since 1987 so we don’t know when it was painted. The Landau roof was a $109 option ($601 today) and it was money well spent, in my opinion.
The interior is a thing of beauty and wonder as red interiors always are for me, especially when they involve a funky 1970s fabric pattern. The pillowtop seats appear to be like new and this car is loaded with power options. Power windows, power locks, power driver’s seat, AM/FM stereo and tape player, and much more. The back seat looks new as does the trunk, and the underside appears to be rock solid. Air-conditioning was a $518 option, $2,832 in today’s dollars!
Speaking of options, the 455-cu.in. OHV V8 was a $321 option ($1,772 today) and it had 190 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque when new. It smoothly sends that power through a Turbo Hydramatic transmission to the rear wheels for a 0-60 time that matches the MPG rating, around 10.5 each. The seller says it runs well, the AC works, and this really looks like the one to have. If I were in the market for a loaded ’76 Cutlass, I’d be bidding. Speaking of that, the familiar seller has it listed here on eBay in Williston, Florida and the current bid price is $9,800, but the reserve isn’t met. Hagerty is at $19,000 for a #3 good-condition example as a reference. Any thoughts on this ’76 Cutlass Supreme?
Nice find Scotty. If I owned it,the catalytic converter would probably go “missing,” and dual exhausts would find their way under the car.
Might as well remove the whole exhaust system.
I cant get over how great this Cutlass looks. I honestly thought it ws white from the factory. They did a good job on the color change. Either color looks great with the burgundy interior and vinyl top. Its da how by time Oldsmobile wound up taking the Rocket wording off the air cleaner cover and just says Oldsmobile 455. But for 1976 this was as good as it got .I’d leave it exactly as it is. Although I do like tge idea of a nice set of duals on it.
Driveinstile: What does “Its da how by time” mean?
Good write-up. It is not hard to understand why these were so popular in their day. Not too big, not too small, nicely styled, well-appointed, lots of options– 25 for this example. And in this case, even a big V-8.
From the provided original sales document: license and title $9, doc fees (the one which specifically caught my attention) $10. Doc fees apparently not a big revenue generator for this dealer….
Tell you one thing, granny wanted to move. I wonder if she had some grandson spec the car for her. I read, the 1976 Cutlass with the 455 is incredibly rare. One site, “Classic Oldsmobile” (I swear, there’s a site for everything) claims, only 143 were built like this, as most I’ve ever seen had the 350. Don’t be fooled by the “190” hp, as this motor still packed plenty of whallop. I think 351 Mustang owners, and such, that usually dusted a Cutlass, would be in for a surprise. Nice car, 455 the icing on the cake here, fo’ sho’.
“Grandmum? Can I borrow the Cutlass Saturday night?”
By the way, there seems to be a glitch with the thumbs up thingy,,
I thought it was my computer screwing up on the thumbs up “thingy”
Lovely Cutlass. It’s a repeat from March 1, 2024, but it’s definitely worthy of being featured twice.
Thanks, CCF. Here’s the link to when Todd wrote up the car when it was in much rougher condition:
https://barnfinds.com/455-brougham-1976-oldsmobile-cutlass/
I saw that when I searched to see if the car had been written up before (something we’re supposed to do but don’t always do) and I saw that car, but it looked too rough with bumper filler material missing, the stickers on the rear bumper aren’t there, and the engine looked horrible. I should have read Todd’s article rather than quickly looking at the photos, my apologies.
The engine has undergone quite a restoration, here’s what it looked like when Todd wrote this car up four months ago. This is why I didn’t think it was the same car…
Nice job on the engine refresh, except for the fan shroud for some reason.
I remember the silver ones, and this white is even better. But I can’t imagine driving something that gets 10.5 mpg. My Crewcab 2500HD got 13.
That 10.5 is a bit misleading, if you had a heavy foot, maybe, but driven easily, one could easily get 14-15. In bigger cars, the 455 did get 10, but these were a lot lighter, and the 455 had torque up the ying yang.
HoA, I was going by Automobile-Catalog.com’s average MPG rating of 10.7, but it probably would get more than that in real life.
Mabel was used to poor gas mileage – she traded in a 1974 Eldorado.
I really wish I could buy this car! Luxury and power! Dual exhaust, preserve and enjoy it!
If your desire is a mid to late 70′ Cutlass? This would be the one. A 455, compared to the 350, or the ultra lame 260 and V-6? Yessir!
Color change takes the value down for sure.
Last year of the 455 engine in all Oldsmobiles. 403 was the biggest V8 starting in 1977😢
This one makes me think of the 1976 Cutlass Brougham I bought used in 1979 and had until 1986. It had a 350. I loved that car. One of the best American made cars I have ever owned.
A 455 car would be a nice addition, but being an oddball color repaint with no styled steel Olds Rally wheels or T-tops puts it further down the line of desirability, compared to my black 17K mile T-top ’77.
The one thing I can’t understand , how did the GM designers do such a beautiful job on the car and then did an interior that looked like it should be in the living room of a 1970’s Mediterranean decorated home.
It was the period of time marked by gold chains, leisure suits with silk shirts, and disco was king. This wild interior is only in the Brougham model, and considering the era, it’s actually fitting.
Yes, this is a rerun find, but if you are going to rerun anything, this one is a good choice…
Agree with leave it as is, sans catalytic converter and add duals. Will make a great driver! Love all of the collanades, but a last year 455 car are the best ones, IMO
You would not believe the performance, mileage, and engine temp improvements would make on this car with adding dual exhaust in a 2 1/2” sizes. My new 77 442 with 403 took over 4 seconds off the 0-80 mph run with just the exhaust change and this engine is even bigger and more restricted.
Nice to see a Cutlass with posi, guage package, and big engine.
Such a “loaded” car, AND NO CRUISE CONTROL…VERY ODD.
I worked at an Oldsmobile dealership in 1976. The Cutlass Supreme/Salon/Brougham 2 door was the hottest selling thing that year. The 455 was rare, but it wasn’t that much more powerful than the 350. The earlier models were much faster. I loved the interior. I wanted one of these so badly that I could taste it. I was earning all of $2.60 per hour which sounds ridiculous today, but there was no way that I could afford one. I still love these to this day.
First thing I would do would be to add a set of the color matching rally wheels and some white letter tires to spice things up. I almost bought a triple black ‘77 with bucket seats off the showroom floor. Wish I did as these were beautifully stylish and still look great today.
An excellent example of one of the best selling cars from 1976-1987. The one option missing from this beauty is the Olds sport rims of that era which would’ve given this classic some extra special flare.
Another option would have been to order a different model, the Cutlass Salon. Then you’d get bucket seats, floor shift console, handling package. As far as the 455, I just yesterday changed plugs in my 76 Cutlas Salon with the 350, and that’s plenty tight to reach those plugs, my hands and arms are still somewhat battered. Since the 350 has more than enough zip, I’d much prefer it to the 455. Actually I can’t imagine what changing plugs would be like on the 455 in a Cutlass. In the full size 88’s and 98’s the plugs aren’t bad at all for the 455.
Someone sure did a great job detailing that engine bay.
My Aunt had one of these when I was a kid. It was far and away the most comfortable car I ever sat in. This take plush seating to another level.
I owned a silver on burgundy interior, Hurst Hatch, 76 Cutlass Salon, with the high back buckets. Loaded, $8,000 plus new. Ate gas, but so what, more reliable than any other car I ever had. With GM’s excellent HEI ignition, never had a problem. Tires, brakes, etc. Sold it to finish college. Biggest mistake ever. You never see them with Hurst Hatches. BTW, I was the assistant service manager at a very busy Chevy-Olds dealer in 1976. That engine color on this beauty is incorrect if you want to nitpick.
My 76 with the 455 engine would get about 18 when driven moderately. I will say this one is nice but not close to every option , mine had T tops , rally wheels and sports steering wheel in addition to everything this one has. Mine was the dealer’s primo car driven by the owners son who was a salesman. I’ve been told there were less than 20 with T tops and the 455 engine. Full white vinyl top over medium blue. Like a fool I sold it and bought a 260Z which I drove about a year to sell to buy a 77 Firebird. I learned my lesson , my current special car is a 1988 M5 which I’ve owned for 24 years, but that Olds….
Those seats bring me right back to the 70’s
Auction update: this one ended at $9,950 and no sale.