It is always sad when an iconic automotive brand ceases operation, especially when it is a marque like Oldsmobile. However, that presents opportunities for passionate enthusiasts to preserve the company’s heritage, and this 1977 Cutlass Supreme would seem to be the ideal starting point for such an endeavor. It is a genuine survivor that appears to have led a sheltered life. It presents beautifully, the first owner added some desirable factory options, and it has a genuine 33,000 miles showing on its odometer. The only thing it appears to need is a new home, with the seller listing the Olds here on Craigslist in Santa Ana, California. It could be yours for $15,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for this fantastic discovery.
Oldsmobile marketed its Third Generation Cutlass range from 1973 until 1977, with our feature Supreme rolling off the line during the final year. Proposed stricter rollover standards forced the company’s hand as it abandoned its previous Hardtop variants in favor of more robust “Colonnade” styling. Vehicles from this era were largely forgotten for many years as enthusiasts focused on earlier and later models producing more lively performance. However, it appears that somebody has loved this classic, because its presentation is exceptional. The first owner teamed Dark Brown Metallic paint with a contrasting Gold accent stripe and a Buckskin Landau-style vinyl top. Their decision to add Super Stock II wheels enhances the favorable impression, because there is little about the exterior justifying criticism. The paint shines richly, the vinyl looks excellent, and the stripe is crisp and clean. It appears that the Olds has spent much of its life in California, allowing it to avoid any rust problems. The trim provides a striking contrast to the dark paint shade, and the tinted glass is spotless.
The interior further demonstrates that the first owner was willing to splash their cash to create the car of their dreams. They loaded it with air conditioning, power windows, the Y60 Convenience Group that added a range of lights, a tilt wheel, deluxe seatbelts, and an AM/FM four-speaker stereo radio. The seller confirms that the only non-functioning item is the clock, with the remaining features working as they should. The Buckskin theme set by the vinyl top continues inside this classic, and the lack of wear on the vinyl speaks of a car that has been treated respectfully. The lack of deteriorating plastic and the excellent dash and pad suggest that the car has been sheltered from harsh UV rays, and any wheel wear is too minor to cause concerns.
The first owner walked the middle ground when selecting the V8 to power this Cutlass. They ticked the box beside the 350ci motor that sends 170hp to the rear end via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Power assistance for the steering and the front disc brakes was standard fare in 1977, guaranteeing an effortless driving experience. Potential buyers will find plenty of good news when we examine this car’s mechanical health, with the seller confirming that they have spent over $6,000 on maintenance since becoming the custodian eight years ago. This is supported by receipts and other paperwork, although they don’t mention any evidence for the claimed odometer reading of 33,000 genuine miles. The car’s overall condition makes it plausible, but doesn’t represent iron-clad proof. However, the seller states that the Olds runs and drives beautifully, with no mechanical maladies or shortcomings.
The world can turn on a dime, and such was the case with Oldsmobile. It had released some well-received models during the late 1990s, but these didn’t equate to the sales volumes that General Motors demanded. Therefore, it was announced in 2000 that the brand would cease operations in 2004. It brought to an end a marque that dated back to 1897, proving that financial rationalism will almost always trump sentiment. This 1977 Cutlass Supreme is in exceptional condition, and preserving it seems like an appropriate way to pay a lasting tribute to a company that built some iconic cars. Are you tempted to do so by becoming its next owner?
ADr Olds delivered on highway 🛣 comfort 😌
This generation of the Cutlass Supreme was particularly well-done. Sharp styling, even the contrasting-color landau roof treatment looked good. Attractive, well-packaged interior. The Super Stock II wheels looked great. Not too big, not too small. Pretty much a spot-on car for its day; no wonder they sold well.
Even in brown, this is an excellent example.
Thanks Adam.
Oldsmobiles were routinely some of the most handsome cars in GM’s lineup. And I think that “Handsome” is the word. They weren’t ostentatious, they weren’t sedate, they just hit a sweet spot. It’s too bad that the badge engineering really took the wind out of its sails. And, I suppose its sales as well…
Oldsmobile and Pontiac dealers were not given the cars they needed. The Cutlass was the best Olds dealers had until the RWD was scrapped.
Had GM continued the RWD Cutlass the dealers would have had product that people wanted.
Pontiac was just as bad and I have never understood the leadership of General motors. Still can’t imagine Buick dealers but no Olds nor Pontiac.
GM has not had a car man leading it since Bob Stempel. Since Bob it has been bean counters who have no clue about the car business. I can’t imagine any worse than the current head of GM.
I always wondered why they changed the dash vent outlets to rectangular for the final year instead of just running out the clock with the ’73-’76 dash. Maybe the spherical vents got too pricey(?)
I read that the molds for the original 1973-1976 Cutlass dash were about worn out (I don’t think GM expected to sell so many!), so Olds had to make new molds for the final year (1977) Cutlass. Rather than just re-create the old ones, Olds redesigned the right half of the dash to make it look “new”. Personally, I much prefer the ’77 dash over the 1973-1976 version, but I know many people are just the opposite.
This car is a beauty. Always fun to read the window stickers and personal history of the owner. I see these stories occasionally on BF.
You were lucky to have such a nice car for driver training. I had a ’69 Buick LeSabre 4 door. Blue with dog dish hubcaps and no window chrome. First day, I put my right arm on the seat back to back out of the spot which was immediately slapped down and ” put both hands on the wheel!” LOL!
Thanks for chiming in!
The story goes they made so many 73 thru 76 that the mold flat wore out!
I had a black 76 Olds Cutlass when I got married in 79 it had the 350 in it .
That was a great motor I put 160,000 miles on it and it didn’t burn a drop of oil .
If it hadn’t been for the NY salt eating it up I’d probably still be driving it.
Oldsmobile motors were the best made. The only Olds motors I ever saw needing to be replaced were ones the owners drove over a curb or such and knocked a hole in the oil pan and kept driving.
Archie, is this something you witnessed often? :–) You made me laugh. I have an Olds and your post made me think I’m due for an I exam.
Thanks for the smile.
This looks like a solid buy for a great highway cruiser. If California would pass legislation to amend the asinine pre-76 smog law, this is the kind of car I’d look for in a daily driver. Looks like the miles claim is legit and it appears to be a very clean car. Nice final year colonnade.
I’ve owned this brown Cutlass since 2017. Being located in CA, it has to pass the smog test every two years. Fortunately, it has passed every two years.
My absolute favorite years are ’76 and ’77. I wanted a Cutlass Supreme like this so bad when I was in High School ( heck, I still do) Even in brown it looks fantastic. This is a great find, and I enjoyed your article too Adam, thank you.
Our high school was loaned five new 1977 Cutlasses (four Broughams and one Supreme) for driver training cars. I took driver training in summer 1977 and my first-ever drive on a public street was in one of those new Cutlasses. I was hooked! Every time I get in my ’77 Cutlass (I own this brown one that’s for sale), I’m 16 again!
Argent color wheels . Not on the sticker .
Just a stunning Olds at a reasonable price for today’s market
Actually, argent color-keyed wheels ARE on the window sticker. If you note, they are Super Stock II wheels, which indicate the styled-steel wheels in an argent color. Perhaps you’re thinking of the Super Stock III wheels, which are identical but are color-keyed to the body color. The brown Cutlass profiled is mine, by the way. Thank you for your comment and compliment!
You have an absolutely beautiful Cutlass Alex. Like I said before….. This brought me right back to high school.
Red, with white interior, bucket seats and T-Tops. Had it for 2 years while I was stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia. Great car! Received orders to RAF Fairford in the UK and sold it before I left. Regret that sale to this day.
Beautiful Olds, but if you’re going to daily drive it be prepared to fork over the cash for gas.
Not necessarily if one wants to play with emissions. If memory serves, the front corner of the carb can be accessed (cut) to reveal an adjustment screw. Remove the air pump, catalytic converter, and run true dual exhaust. I did this to mine. Using a ’73/’74 crossmember helped the duals. 19-city, 27mpg at 55mph on long trips.. (it was in ’78).
That mileage is amazing. Of course, the car probably puts out 10 times the pollutants of a stock 350. My ’77 (the one pictured) gets about 17 MPG on highway trips. But that’s at 70 MPH, not 55.
Great styling=Great sales numbers back then.
I believe the 77 Cutlass outsold the Impala that year?
Close! The ’77 Olds Cutlass was the second-best-selling car in 1977. The all-new, downsized Impala/Caprice was the top selling car that year. In 1976, the Cutlass was America’s best-selling new car.
It’s tragic that this has the worst seats, with the worst material.
The star of high school parking lots across the country for well into the early 90s, though in my neck of the world, the rust worms had their way with most of them.
I leased a black 77 salon with a 403 and almost all options. I still miss that car and wished I had kept it
I’ve seen one for sale on Facebook like yours. Burgundy interior.
Gosh, thanks for profiling my lovely brown ’77 Cutlass Supreme! It has been a real joy to own this car over the past eight years. I wanted one ever since I drove a brand new one in summer school driver training at age 15-1/2. But life is short, and there are a few other cars I still want to own, so “Hansel” has to go to a new home. Plus, I bought a ’77 Regal with factory sunroof a year ago (my mom had a ’77 Regal), and two Colonnades is one too many.
If your Regal has the Buick engine, they usually torpedo from the terrible lubrication. Maybe it has the Olds?
My ’77 Regal has the Buick 350 V8 engine. It’s very smooth, but down on power from the ’77 Cutlass 350. In 1977, the Olds Cutlass 350 was only available with a 4-barrel carburetor, and it made 170 horsepower. The ’77 Regal 350 was a 2-barrel unit, except for California and high altitude areas, where a 4-barrel could be ordered. My Buick was sold new in Ohio, so it has the 2-barrel, 145 HP 350. (The Buick 4-barrel 350 was rated at 155 HP.) What seems odd about my Buick is that it has the Turbo 400 transmission. I would have thought it should have come with a THM 350.
Brother-in-law bought this same exact car new. Only his had bucket seats in velour. Was a great car, he always babied it. Don’t think I ever saw it dirty. As others have said, even in brown it looked good. I concur.
For this gem, the asking price is a STEAL! JDPower lists an Average example similarly equipped @ $14,750, one of High retail @ $27,375. This styling & design is what put Oldsmobile in 3rd place during this era!