It’s amazing how an otherwise unremarkable car can turn up years later and suddenly look mildly intriguing if not downright cool. The malaise era had the unfortunate effect of putting many vehicles out into the wilderness, and some rightfully so. There were certainly quality control issues to say nothing of some offerings being miserable to drive. And, consumers were confused as well, going from their large personal luxury coupes to smaller notchbacks and hatchbacks – what were these strange, downsized cars? Today, vehicles like this 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Aeroback are a rare sight on the road, and this one is listed here on eBay for $15,900 or best offer.
‘
In the era of downsizing, GM introduced two predominant models featuring this traditional hatchback-style design. While practically second nature for the import brands, it wasn’t a staple of U.S. manufacturers. The Olds Cutlass shown here and the Buick Century got the Aeroback treatment, and neither car sold very well. All manners of marketing strategies were deployed to demonstrate the appeal of a fastback body, and sporty versions like a Cutlass with the 442 treatment and a Century Turbo Coupe (please, someone find one for sale) were also produced. Regardless, the Aeroback was not a sales success.
Notchback bodies were stronger sellers at the time, and likely felt closer to what consumers had come to know and love in terms of body styles. Plus, you could still get small opera windows and a landau-style roof on a notchback, which were cosmetic details car shoppers had come to appreciate. So, when you have a model that’s not a strong seller and foreign competition that makes a better version of what you’re trying to sell, it’s not long before that product line is sent to early retirement. The Aeroback didn’t last long, which makes surviving examples like this car near impossible to find. The interior on this Cutlass is in phenomenal condition, and was likely a near top-of-the-line offering when new.
The 305 V8 offered 145 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s not bad considering the era, and the torque number is still respectable today. Channeled via a 3-speed automatic, however, it likely felt fairly anemic. The seller’s car has been updated with larger, aftermarket wheels, which work surprisingly well. I might go for a slightly smaller diameter with meatier tires and a taller sidewall, personally, but what counts here is the impressive cosmetic condition inside and out. With low miles and no visible rust, there likely won’t be a cleaner Aeroback for sale any time soon.
Interesting find. Never understood why GM didn’t make these hatchbacks. Trunk seemed like an afterthought.
I seen a video with the Olds designer and he wanted a hatch but it was beyond the budget
Didn’t they also make this body style into a 442? I always think of this a more of a “bustleback” in the same family as the Seville slantback that was downright cool and has stood the test of time.
Nice ride 👌 I really like the cars of the mid to late 70s in addition to the earlier models. My Father, 2 buddies and I gutted one just like this out, shelled every body panel, hollowed the interior, welded an 8 point rollcage in, painted it orange with yellow #66 and raced 🏁 it! Those things handled well on dirt with minimal modifications. Just pointing out the fact that these classics didn’t all live a normal passenger car life. Fun days, young and healthy
These were never called “Aerobacks” from my days. You had the Cutlass Supreme and this, which is a Cutlass Salon, which was also available in a 4 door version.
I had the two door 78 Cutlas Supreme.
I was not a fan of this design.
It looked like a Godzilla pieced together product. (Just one mans opinion)
Like many said before a convertible would have been a beautiful creation.
Good luck with sale but remember if one drives it the price drops on a high priced item.
Ah, the Butless Cutlass. The 442 version of this car was an absolute joke. The notchback is a much better looking car (says the man who started his driving years with one, and now owns a resto-mod). If this one did not have the vinyl top and did have the console shifter to go with the bucket seats, I might could almost see it being worth $5,000 as a companion to my 79 Calais with T-Tops. But with vinyl top and column shift – no thanks.
I want to point out how different times are now, with all cars looking virtually the same with little choice or variety within lines. In 1978 – 1980, each Cutlass trim level had a different grille. This Salon had what you see here, the Calais had a chrome “waterfall” design, and the Supreme had a different chrome grate of its own. Not sure about the 4 doors and wagons. And the Calais grille changed every year – 78, 79, 80 were all slightly different. My how times have changed and things have homogenized.
this body is either you like it or you don’t. those wheels do it no favors to help the sale IMO.
I agree about the rims, original ones would be better looking.
The only A-body that out uglied the Aeroback was the 4dr version.
Best looking A-body of that era, the 1981 Pontiac LeMans coupe, with it’s slanted front, that won the 1983 Daytona 500. IMHO
I have owned many small block Chevrolet powered vehicles from the 1975-1981 era. That sure looks like Ford blue on that engine.
It does look like a bright Ford blue. My 1977 Chevy Caprice I had back in the early 1990’s had a light blue color and was told thatmost GM cars had a corporate light blue color, not a darker blue like this one.
When I was a kid, I thought these were actually pretty cool…
These cars seem to anticipate the Colonade design language, which to my eye seemed almost retro. Weird time for cars.
They did offer the 442 appearance package on these in 78 and 79.
I had a 79 442 in this style. 260 and trans were removed in favor of a 403 and built 350 trans.
Low production numbers… 350 for 79
Just as ugly today as it was when new.
I once walked into a dealership and I saw my friend dickering with a salesman for one on the floor. He kept telling the guy he needed a better price, claiming poverty. I started to laugh and the salesman glared at me and asked what my problem was. I couldn’t help myself, I spilled the can of beans by saying my friend was a surgeon. Then my buddy glared me down. He did forgive me, and he did actually buy the ugly car (for his wife, he drove a Vette), but I was told I was of no help with his haggling.
The perfect example of how to kill sales for a model line. 1977s were sweet, then this came along. Sales dropped by about 80%.