Bold claims are nothing new in the classic world, and many must be taken with a grain of salt. The seller states that this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon has a genuine 24,000 miles showing on its odometer and that it might be the best 4-door example in existence. It presents exceptionally well, and it will be fascinating to gauge reader input on both questions. It is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. You could drive it home by handing the seller $14,700, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Dennis H for spotting this promising survivor.
Oldsmobile’s Fourth Generation Cutlass range graced showrooms from 1973 until 1977. It brought fresh and modern styling on a new A-Body platform, and the pillarless Hardtop had been replaced by the new “Colonnade” version, anticipating tighter rollover regulations. Our feature Cutlass is a 4-door Sedan the original owner ordered in Buckskin. The seller believes it may be the best example left on the planet, and it certainly is hard to find anything to criticize about its exterior presentation. The paint color and finish are consistent, with no patchiness, matte areas, or significant scratches or marks. The panels are laser-straight, and there is no mention of rust. However, with evidence that it has received attention from the fine folks at Ziebart, this is unsurprising. The trim and glass look exceptional, and the color-coded Super Stock III wheels and narrow whitewalls add the ideal finishing touch to the exterior.
Cutlass buyers faced three engine choices to power their new purchase in 1977. This car’s original owner selected the mid-range 350ci V8, producing 170hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the road via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, while power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes were standard features. Outright performance was all you might expect from a car with relatively modest power and a curb weight of 4,023 lbs. However, cruising all day at 70mph or coping with the cut-and-thrust of heavy commuter traffic didn’t challenge these classics. The seller claims this Cutlass Salon has a genuine 24,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t mention verifying evidence. I acknowledge it has more than four decades of active service behind it, but I am disappointed with the engine bay presentation. Perhaps I am overly critical, but it doesn’t meet the same standard as the rest of the vehicle. However, it runs and drives well, with the listing suggesting it has no mechanical needs or shortcomings.
The interior features all the creature comforts an owner might expect from the high-end offering within the Cutlass range. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, a center console, a rear defogger, and a pushbutton AM radio. The seller suggests that everything functions as it should, but with the engine bay shot showing no compressor belt, I question the health of the A/C. A quick glance reveals no glaring upholstery issues beyond what might be a stain on the back seat. The remaining cloth and vinyl are in good order, and the lack of carpet wear, particularly under the driver’s feet, is consistent with the mileage claim. However, it isn’t perfect. There are a couple of minor flaws, and I don’t understand why the seller didn’t address them. The power window and lock controls hang loose from the driver’s door trim. I don’t know why, and reattaching them shouldn’t be difficult. It is a mystery, but I guess it gives the new owner a task to tackle before hitting the road during the upcoming warm months.
So, is this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon the best 4-door version in existence? Undoubtedly, it presents exceptionally well, and its interior appointments hint at an enjoyable motoring experience. The odometer reading is extraordinarily low, and the car seems to have only minor needs. The overall condition justifies the price, particularly if the claims can be verified. It has only been on the market for a short time. While 4-door classics don’t appeal to everyone, an enthusiast with a young family might find the practicality of that configuration hard to ignore. Do you agree?
70’s and later styling never caught up with the 50’s and 60’s but considering age and condition this could be a good road car for today. Thinking about it.
Okay, I’d like to know how it is but about every 15 minutes somebody’s got a car that’s 40 or 50 years old with 20,000 miles on it?? In case some of you are unaware it is incredibly simple to roll back an odometer on these old cars. From what I understand it can even be done on the new ones. I just find these highly suspect and then the prices to boot. Definitely buyer beware.
Look closely at pic #21. Looks like a small hole in the right front fender at the rocker panel area. And along the wheel opening molding looks like some corrosion, too. That said, & snow on the ground, I’d have to see pics of the underside, door bottoms, and the trunk with the trim pulled back.
If this is a ’76, and from what you previous owners have said, probably, at least get the year right if you’re trying to sell it. Geez. A
At 24k, the engine compartment looks a little rough as Adam said. First issue is obviously the a/c. Wonder why the p/w & p/l switches are hanging out? Not a good presentation.
The good news, it’s loaded up even for a Salon. Looks like a power trunk, too. Love the colors in & out. No vinyl roof is ok with me but missing a cruise and at least a stereo radio.
I have to say that every ’77 cutlass i saw was a TWO door back then & i saw a LOT of them. Imagine that today.
Had many four doors back then and 1 coupe.Worked at a.chevy dealer on cape cod.The 4drs were a dime a dozen..50 to 300 $$$
It is clean and nicely optioned but unless it is going to be a daily car, the price is too much for me. You would have to be in love for that amount on what I consider just an old car. A nice one but just an old car, like my 75 Coronet or my 87 Caprice which are my daily beat around things.
I remember these cars well and as I see it, this ’77 Cutlass has only two (2) flaws.
1) I do not believe the Owners claim of 24,000 original miles. Not the way it presents in photos.
2) This ’77 Cutlass might be worth close to what the Owner is asking IF, the car had two (2) less doors!
People just don’t want a 4-door classic care in their garage for joke fodder from friends, lol
99% of male buyers would have purchased the Cutlass Coupe w/455 -4barrel & Turbo 400 Transmission and if kept in similar condition it could bring $12 -$20,000 to the right buyer.
My buddies older brother had a coupe with 455/4 and it was pretty fast but, I lived the Swivel Drivers’ Seat, lol
Why did they abandon that piece of art and make them bring it back!@
Also, my mechanic uncle told me back in the late 1970’s that if, while looking at a mechanical odometer, the numbers are a bit crooked across the 6 Digit mile meter then the Odometer is 100% CORRECT.
If the numbers on the odometer dial are perfectly straight across the mileage meter,
the Odometer is 100% “Rolled Over” to the Hundred Thousanths and it is NOT Original mileage for the vehicle.
I was told that OEM Odometer Numbers are a bit crooked when installed at the Factory due to slack in the Number Tape used in the Odometer.
Whereas, to change mileage on the Odometer to show less miles than actual, the tension needed to make the tape move or roll to the previous number straightens the aforementioned Tape and all numbers line up straight.
Someone older than me on this Site may know more about this practice?
Happy February to ALL!
D. Maynard
McArthur, Ohio
To much maybe $5000 if he’s lucky it’s nothing special
Not my cup of tea, but shows well. After Olds downsized 88s and 98s, believe Cutlass was about same size but not as appealing.
I remember walking thru the parking lot of Olympia Lanes in St Joe Missouri in the late 70’s and saw a cutlass just like this in the lot. A 4 door with buckets and a floor shift, at the time I thought it was too new of a car for someone to have modified but I couldn’t imagine it being a factory car. Now I have seen another one.
Salon was a 2 door, not 4 door. Has international flags as a badge on side, special corduroy seats. Beige and brown or two tone blue. Special wheel covers.
We were an Olds-Cadillac dealer in 1977, the Cutlass Salon was available in 2 and 4 door configuration, however 2dr out sold the 4dr probably 10 to one.
Today, it would b the reverse & 10000 to 1!
I have yet to see a TWO door Bronco.
Joe, here is a pic of my 2 door Bronco.
And you are right, they are scarce, which means they will soon be cut by Ford.
A neighbor of ours bought a new Cutlass 4 door that year, in these colors. I got to ride in it, it didn’t have the power windows and locks, but was a fine looking and riding vehicle.
This is an excellent example. The price is high, but you’d be unlikely to find a nicer one.
Neighbor had a robins egg blue one.. big bumpers…what a shame G.M.
At first, I said “naa, not for a 4 door”, until I saw the interior picture. Wow, I am impressed. These colonade Cutlasses are becoming a little more desirable, and since most were run into the ground or rotted away a very long time ago, to find one in such beautiful, original condition with very rare options, especially in a 4 door, I think the price is spot on. I’d fix what was needed, especially the A/C, and parts are available if needed, put dual exhaust on it, preserve and enjoy it for what it is. I hope it finds a good home where it’ll get just that.
Why does this look like a ’76 to me? The globe air vents on the passenger side were all rectangular on the last 1977 A body Cutlass, and the clock was moved in between the two rectangular vents in front of the passenger, (from left of the driver below the wiper/lights controls.)
The steering wheel appears correct for 1977, since 1973 – 1976 had either the soft banana/boomerang two-spoke or the Rallye brushed 4 spoker with the center black horn button. The ’77 wheel was different along with the new dashboard.
Also, I thought they had done away with the curved-in at the bottom door panels by 1977. I thought they were just on earlier “plain” S-model 4 doors.
Can someone clarify my confusion?
BTW, I have a ’76 Supreme Brougham with the 350 column shift, no center console, 60/40 pillow top red velour bench seats. While you might think “Brougham” meant top-of-the-line, all features, etc. the SEATS and extra badge are the only thing that seems to make mine qualify as a “Brougham.” I have No PW, no PDL, and no Cruise or power trunk release.
I had this same steering wheel pad in my 76 “S”
Good looking Olds, especially for a four door. Had this been a two door, the price would be almost doubled. There was a time when two door cars were the rule.
I see it has ribbed edge bias ply tires! Could they be original?! Surprised a ’77 car would have them, tho my ’76 chevette had ’em – tiny 13 inchers on the latter.
Could you get a complete set of aux gages on these cars?
You could order the special gauge pkg. Gave you fuel level, oil pressure and water temperature in the right hand hole
they didn’t come with ribbed edge tires for sure, these came off another car. I believe radials were standard on the 1977 Cutlass. The gauge package was an option. I bought over a dozen of them over the years, still own 2. Had 2 ’73’s, one ’74, 3 ’75’s, 6 ’76-77’s.
Pretty sure this car would have come with radials….not sure why someone would put those tractor tires on there?
Spring’s coming. Gotta get those crops planted. 🙄 “You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille. 4 hungry children and a crops in the fields.”
I have a 76 cutlass s 31thousand miles blue on blue all original except for tires.7500 will buy it
club cab
Not wanting to be wrong , but I’m sure this is not a 77 . 73-75 had the scallion the doors . Gone in 76 .
Never liked the colonnade style. Still looks strange to me.
enen the ’73 grand am 2 door?
If it’s a ‘77, why does it have a ‘76 grille with no hood ornament?
It’s nice to see power windows and locks. This is a 1976, ’77 doesn’t have that split grill and round air vents. Anyway nice Salon.
I agree with thinking it’s a ’76, because ’77’s had thin white stripes in the bumper moldings as well.
Has the 1976 dash too
I had a ’76 Olds Cutlass Salon coupe, and you’re right – that grille is a ’76. The ’77’s had 3 or 4 splits in each side of the grille. I didn’t buy a ’77 for that very reason. The ’76 grille was much cleaner looking.
Also, the 77 Salon seats were different. I had a 74 Salon coupe, triple black with the color keyed wheel covers…
Hardly the best in the world; it may be one of the lowest-mileage examples but that doesn’t equal to being the best. The issues with the compressor belt and the window controls shouldn’t be there on a car with such low mileage. It’s a nice car that’s well-equipped but where are the service records?
I see a ’74/75 looking at the rear end of this car. The license plate holder should be above the bumper, not below. (spring loaded license plate to cover the fuel neck). Also different reverse and tail lights. The rest of the car is a ’76.
the 76/77 4 doors used the 75 bumper & taillights for some reason. I’ve owned over 12 73-77 Cutlasses.
Nice car, i like the 2dr version of these way better but if i needed a new daily driver this would be a very nice option. The price is high but if buying as a daily it would be difficult to find something nicer for the money.
I was never a fan of the 4 door colonade styling back in the day, but it’s a lot better than what replaced this in 1978 and 1979. It’s too bad that it’s a 4 door, but it’s not like you can walk into your favorite Oldsmobile dealer and order what you wanted. I think that the car is priced fairly, if it were a two door the price would be twice as much. Thankfully it’s a Salon and not just a Cutlass S or Supreme. If I had a place to park it, I would buy it!
This is a factory made Cutlass, this is how the 4 door salons were. Body side lines and rear end were 74-75 style. Front end was 76-77 style, and the front fenders on these only fit a four door not the 2 door. They were more flat behind the front wheels and the door, dog leg on the 2 door model. The front header panel 4 headlight style would be the same as the 2 door or 4 door. I’ve owned many of the 73 to 77 Cutlasses, great riding and lots of power with the 350 and 455 motors. But rust unfortunately was a bad problem if from the salt belt areas, Other wise very reliable cruisers.
To many doors for me.
The 4 door sedans and wagons were roomier in the back seat and much better riding and handling cars because the wheelbase was 4 inches longer than the 2 door. All my 2 doors rode very choppy because of the shorter wheelbase, whereas the 4 doors were more roomy in the back seat and had a much more controlled ride, especially when I added stiffer shocks/tires.
Just sold one of these. An actual 77, dark brown metallic, tan vinyl interior, 4bbl, V8. 4 door, 22,500 miles. One owner car. We got $6500 for her and she is in at least the same condition. Cutlass S though, not a Salon.
$14500 seems optimistic considering the condition.
Our was offered at $10,000 and she was listed for 3 months. Got lots of interest, several offers that fell through and finally, literally sold 3 days ago.
The 2 doors look immensely better than the 4 doors, but a 4 door is a GREAT way for a young family to get into the classic car world, generally inexpensive too. Just think of you, your lady and kids cruising into the local burger stand in one… You will get noticed and people will come to see your car. Awesome way to then introduce your kids to the car culture, how to interact with people, etc.
Here’s a picture of her.
I like the vinyl top on yours. Can you tell if this is a 76 or 77, or is it a Frankenstein?
I’m not an Olds expert, however, I KNOW the one I sold is a 77. The dash boards are different, the taillights are different. 2 things that stand out pretty quickly. Those could be differences between the S and the Salon..? But also could be year differences.
Hi guys: I have 30 OLDS cars. This one is definitely not a 20000 mile car. Interior should be perfect and under hood has seen the wild monkey syndrome. Not worth asking price.- ALB.
I had a ‘76 Cutlass Supreme and the dash in this Cutlass looks like a ‘76, not a ‘77. The passenger side a/c vents in the ‘77 Cutlass were rectangular not round.
I believe your right I had a 75 this one has the same taillights as the 75 and sculpted sides the 77 updated the back end and lost the sculpted sides to the smooth straight edges.
Bought a brand new Cutlass Salon in ’73. Small bumpers, european seats from Opel in Germany, cordoroy bucket seats. Prettiest of all the Salons.
The front seats look kinda dirty, but maybe that’s the lighting. That dash is a ’76 or earlier, not a ’77.
This is a 76.
The 77 changed to rectangular hvac vents besides other changes. I had a 77 Supreme Brougham sedan and it was a great car
Sorry,…. Missing trim at its base….
Nice looking car, but there are some issues that should make someone pause for the price. Did anyone else notice the damaged turn signal stalk (and it’s missing trim at its base near the steering column) and the curled edges on the dash in front of the driver? These and the other problems brought up here that the seller didn’t mention along with the year being listed incorrectly sure makes me wonder about other details. I would definitely want to see it in person before committing to it.
My buddy’s dad gave him his ’75 Supreme 4 door as his first car back in ’79. His dad used to hose off the salt on the undercarriage in the garage after every use during the winter – the car was mint.
My buddy ended up trading it for a crappy ’80 Mustang – I’m sure the dealership gave him next to nothing.
Top of seats are dirty that means dirty hair/heads. Every time someone sat in those big comfortable buckets they rested their head back and after X amount of times you get a dirty seat. Imagine how many farts?
Otherwise a nice grocery getter.
Looking at more pictures of this car on Classic Cars.com, there is no rear sway bar which should be standard equipment.