One of the most interesting shapes to come out of the minds of General Motors’ stylists, this unusual sloping fastback (is that redundant?) 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon is one of just seven that we’ve seen here at Barn Finds; all written up by yours truly, with master wordsmith Adam Clarke tackling a two-door version back in 2019 when the world seemed… well, better, or at least somewhat normal. The seller has this one posted here on craigslist in Lombard, Illinois and they’re asking $15,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
As someone who drives 40,000 miles a year, give or take, I noticed a big change in humans during 2020, and not in a good way. There are more texters, more left lane hoarders, and now they’re tied in as people go to the left lane to text and drive so nobody is looking at them through the driver’s window. That’s my biggest thing about why life was so much easier in 2019, just driving-wise. You certainly have enough window square footage in this gorgeous Cutlass Salon! The optional cast aluminum body-colored wheels and white letter tires look great on this car to me.
Oldsmobile offered the fifth-generation Cutlass from 1978 through 1988 and the sloped-back Salon (not a hatchback, as they had a trunk) style for the first three years, but they were discontinued after 1980. They came in two-door and four-door versions and there was even a 442 variety. The seller has provided a good variety of photos and that’s rare for a craigslist ad, including one inside the trunk. I’m not sure what all the wires are for, the stereo? I think this color is Dark Camel Metallic, it appears more brown than maroon.
It’s hard to not notice the steering wheel. I’d much rather have the original one, but there’s no mention if it’s included. Otherwise, it looks as nice as can be inside from what we can see. As nice as the exterior and that looks perfect. The vinyl seats, while not ideal for summer comfort, look perfect both front and rear. I would have guessed this car would have had a nice velour seat fabric, I don’t see these vinyl seats in any Olds brochure but there’s no mention of them having been redone.
The seller says this engine is a Chevrolet 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which was one of the options in 1978 for the Cutlass, but only for the wagons (thanks, Stan and Driveinstile). The LM1 Chevy 350 that Olds offered had a four-barrel carb, 160 horsepower, and 260 lb-ft of torque when new. There’s no mention if the original air cleaner comes with the sale, I hope so. They say it has a 700R4 transmission, drives great on new tires, and is in excellent condition. Are any of you fans of the Salon body style?
This is one clean Cutlass. My 7th grade Social Studies teacher had one like this in blue. He had a specialized plate “Indigo”. ( Don’t aske me either how or even why I remember that). But these were unique. I’m kind of thinking th 7004R is not original. If it was a 350 V8 I’m thinking it was a THM 350? But thats a great upgrade to have an overdrive.
Scotty, Im right with you on the mileage per year. And how much worse people are driving now, than from 2019, it is indeed very noticeable. I can’t tell you how many people I see doing nutty things while driving. Back to the Cutlass, I just cant get over how clean it is, I would personally like to see the original wheel back in it, but other than that I’d leave it as is and enjoy it.
Thanks, Driveinstile and Stan! I think you’re right about the 350 being a transplant, as well as the transmission, most likely. The 305 appears to be the biggest V8 for the Cutlass sedans but was available for the Cutlass wagons. Olds shows the Chevy
LT1LM1 350 V8 on pages 17 and 18 in this brochure being available for the Cutlass wagons.https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1978-Oldsmobile-Midsize.pdf
Thanks for the clarification!
Wow Scotty, I really enjoy it when you post those old car brochures. I went down memory lane for a quite a few minutes with that one!!! I completely forgot that Olds had a 2 Door version of of this Cutlass as well ( slant back trunk) until Stan mentioned it and then I saw it in the brochure. I don’t really remember seeing too many of them back in the day. I like how back then GM had to actually state who made which engine ( Olds, Buick, Chevy) and got a kick out if the hp and torque numbers too. The real surprise was the Chevy 305 w a 2 Barrel having slightly more torque than the 4 Barrel 305…. go figure… I really do enjoy all the research you and all the staff does for your write ups. And also many of the great comments too.
I see an LM1 listed, not LT1.
GAAA! It’s friggin’ typo Tuesday, Cman! Sorry about that, you’re right, LM1. Sigh, I give up, I must need a break.
The fine print will tell you the 350, whether Chevy or Olds being a Cruiser wagon-only option, was ALSO ‘high altitude-only’, so this drivetrain is a transplant.
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/olds/78oldmo/bilder/8.jpg
Driveinstile a 305 4bbl, and I believe 3spd autoloader was the best combo Dr Olds offered on this model in 78. Must be a swapped drivetrain.
Great lines on the short lived Salon.
4 door maybe even more handsome than the coupes. Very cool cars. Love those Oldsmobile wheels.
I was wondering about that Stan. You could get the Olds 350 in the full size 98 and 88. I’m wondering if this was a 260 with a THM 200 originally. Many Cutlasses had that combo back then for MPG. Slow, but……. Well……. Slow…… Let’s just say the good Dr. Olds never bothered to even try to put the name “Rocket” on that air cleaner cover….
I’ve always found this design to be odd. Not necessarily bad, just odd. As I understand it, the design originally called for a hatchback, which would have made a bit more sense, but it was nixed for cost reasons. Those wheels are steel Super Stock IIIs. Aluminum wheels were available, but rarely specified.
Thanks for the wheel correction, CCFisher! I misread page 14 of this brochure:
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1978-Oldsmobile-Midsize.pdf
This car is way overpriced. The 4 door Cutlass “fastback” isn’t particularly attractive, nor sought after. A 350, if done right, is an upgrade especially with an overdrive transmission. The removal of the air conditioning and lack of what would now be considered standard convenience “option” will diminish its desirability. It’s hard to see this particular car pulling $15,500.
Steve R
I’ve always liked body-colored Oldsmobile cast wheels. I campaigned hard for my buddy to add a set to his ‘77 Cutlass Supreme. The wheels are the coolest part of this 1978 model. I once rode in the back seat of a Cutlass Salon to a church youth group tubing trip. The car was – I believe – pale yellow, which I’ve just learned the Oldsmobile brochure calls beige. The non-operable rear windows just made the whole car seem like it’s was made as cheap as possible. Thanks, Scotty, for the opportunity to look through an Oldsmobile brochure, I’ve never seen one before today. These cars were unattractive when they were new, and haven’t aged gracefully – the two door Cutlasses were the ones to have. Even the sedans and wagons are better looking than the Salon. I remember the steering wheels becoming gooey even by the mid 80s, and probably why so many survivors have replaced steering wheels. I’m glad someone has saved this one – in the best color I’ve seen on one, but I’m glad it didn’t have to be me.
Lovely looking car. I haven’t seen these cars since I was a boy. My grandparents drove one like this. Theirs was white with blue interior.
I can’t speak for the Oldsmobile’s but the Chey Citation’s were junk!
I can’t quite place that steering wheel (80s Mercury?) but it sure is ugly. The Aero-back cars were an answer to a question nobody asked. The rear windows were stationary so the cove could be incorporated into the inner door panel, creating more hip room. Today you have a door beam to protect the passenger. Nicely preserved Cutlass that you won’t see around every corner.
Ugly back then. Interesting now. These always reminded me of a design team that was under a deadline, but wanted to get home for the weekend, when it came to the rear end.
Lovely vehicle, including the ‘fastback’ . Too many young ones have no appreciation of what we had.
I agree with Steve R comments. I previously owned a 1979 Cutlass Salon. I purchased it used with 39k mileage in 1986. Mine was Red with Red interior. It had that worthless 305 V8. Definitely unpowered. In the 2 + years of Ownership I replaced the Rear Shocks, 4 Tires, Engine Freeze Plug,
Replaced the OEM AM radio for a OEM AM/FM, Added rear Stereo Speakers, had the car Zeibart undercoated.Added a Trailer Hitch. I purchased the car for $3k sold it for $2k. I purchased the Olds to pull a 16 foot Hobie Cat Sailboat on a Aluminium Trailer and it could barely handle that .
I saw one like this on-line at a Georgia dealer. White and blue coupe with buckets but column shift which started my salvage yard mind to thinking what console I could retrofit in. Had the 305 so no doubt this one on BF was played with.
That ugly wheel has to go in favor of an Olds 2 spoke sport wheel. Ewwww!
As someone else said, these fastback sort of grow on you, although the notch back is clearly a huge improvement.
Good write-up Scotty. I agree with several commenters, that I used to think this car was ugly, now… it’s not bad at all. Maybe the white letter tires with the classic GM wheels makes the difference.
We had one of these in our company car fleet which all of us young guys abused… I mean used.
And I agree with the comment about the deterioration of driving etiquette.
clean and looks good on the outside but the interior items that have been added really detract from the car. wonder what some people are thinking