One wouldn’t typically use “muscle car” to describe a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-door. However, the builder of this car has made it so that descriptor applies. This Oldsmobile was sent in by Barn Finds reader, Ikey H., and can be found here on Craigslist in Los Angeles, California. The seller says they have a lot more invested but is asking $11,500.
On the surface this is an interesting platform choice for a sleeper build. The more I thought about it though, it does make sense – to me, anyway. 1) Four doors is practical; 2) I’m sure clean, rust-free 4-door examples are far more common than the 2-doors; 3) What’s more sleeper-like than a light blue 1980s sedan? We haven’t covered the details yet, but if you’re curious about the quality of the build, it is noted that this car is owned by a “mechanic shop” and they welcome you to inspect it on their rack.
This Cutlass certainly looks the sleeper part. It’s finished in an unassuming light blue paint and rides on Oldsmobile rally wheels. There’s no close-up photos, but the body looks solid as far as I can tell. The paint shines, the body looks straight, and the brightwork appears bright. Aside from a window tint, it looks like any other run of the mill, well cared for 1985 Cutlass Supreme.
Surprisingly, the interior has been left almost all original. The primary exception to that is the Nardi steering wheel, which I consider a nice touch. It is equipped with power windows, power locks, and a power seat. The blue velour interior looks like it’s in excellent condition. I see a couple spots on the carpet and the front center armrest appears to have had a hard travel back a time or two, but, again, it’s definitely a sleeper inside too.
Under the hood is a 355 cubic-inch V8 producing 425HP. The seller details some of it’s upgrades: “complete hydraulic roller, Edelbrock top end pkg…Hooker headers, dual Flowmasters mufflers, & manual cut outs.” A 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission sends power to the 3.42 Grand National Posi 10 Bolt rear end. The suspension got some attention too, including Hotchkis control arms and Monroe Formula GP shocks.
I’m glad a Barn Finds reader sent this one in, because I would’ve skipped right over it if I was perusing Craigslist. That probably speaks to how well this presents as a sleeper. The seller says it couldn’t be built for the asking price, so if you’ve been on the hunt for an unusual sleeper, it may be worth taking up the seller on their offer of throwing it up on their rack and doing a thorough inspection.
Like I keep saying, I love anything with a bunch of power. Very nice car well done. Find a little old lady who used to drag race and turn her loose on the Friday night cruisers. That would be a hoot.
Same pics they used when they tried to sell this car 2 or 3 years ago. Practically the exact same verbiage too.
Want to see it up against the Pontiac lunch bag here the other day with a 468 big block Chevy. Funny thing is the Pontiac and this Oldsmobile are both Chevy powered!
355 cid, 425 horsepower, I’d actually pick this one to win. Just a gut feeling.
Nice ride!
The Force is strong with this one
I like it. The only thing obvious that would make it better are the original license plates. Those personalized plates with that message are trying a bit too hard.
Steve R
Will it pass CA stupid smog laws?
It’s true Edlebrock makes smog legal parts, both federal and carb, but with a full on dual exhaust no cats I’d be laughed at bringing it to a smog inspection station here in Kalifornia. Or chased out of town by the tree huggers. Ha ha.
Never.
Some rural parts of the state have been and may still be exempt from testing, but they are out of the way and you need to have a mailing address. Otherwise, this car will need to pass a visual inspection and tailpipe emissions every two years. There is the possibility the owner paid off someone for a smog certificate, but those are extremely hard to get and expensive. This car is likely headed out of state.
Steve R
My province has a mandatory smog inspection every two years. I personally know may people that install the smog equipment for the test and remove it again for another two years when they get a pass.
Are they ever exempted from emissions testing for age? Since we are talking about California, I think I can guess the answer.
Tony, that works well for a car with a few bolt on modifications. That’s not the case with this car. This car will need an engine and exhaust system swap, plus all of the components that go with is in working order. For a car like this, in California, an emissions compliant LS engine swap is the smart approach.
Steve R
The only gas powered vehicles that are exempt
in CA are ’75 & older ones.
Most rural counties only require a smog certificate
when the owner sells it.There are (13) urban areas that
require it every two years.
You’d have to live in the sticks, and even then the PRC will hunt you down and put an end to your fun.
A good friend of mine’s dad had a sleeper like that. 1982 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon, I swear the front wheels on that thing
would leave the ground.
If this is really pushing 425 to the rear wheels (it was pictured on a chassis dyno) it is easily an 11 second car!
It will probably run mid-12’s. A friend from the track bought an Edelbrock crate engine with this head, cam and intake combination for his daughter when she was running the high school class. He bought it for the 2 year warranty, just in case. It was in a lighter car with more gear and a suspension that was optimized for racing. She logged nearly 1,000 runs on that engine, it would run 12.0’s – 12.20’s depending on the weather, but never ran any quicker. That Edelbrock package is pretty mild, it’s designed for street cars so it isn’t hard on parts, which means it’s not the ideal package if you want to post really fast times at the track.
Steve R
If the the car was dyno’d and put down 425 HP at the rear wheels, it (with an experienced driver and a good launch) it still should be an 11 second car. These things are not that heavy at all, should be around 2900 lbs. No matter what it would be a fun car to have!
Edelbrock rates that package at 425 engine horsepower, it’s been that way since it came out nearly 20 years ago. Nothing in the ad suggests the car has ever seen a chassis dyno.
Steve R
The second photo clearly shows it sitting on a chassis dyno, that is why I mentioned it.
Good point.
Steve R
I love it. I had an 82 Cutlass supreme 4 door same color, interior, and wheels.
That ain’t no Buick 3.8 L V-6 though. I wish I had the money to buy it.
Another reason to do a sleeper build on this platform: these G-bodies were the smallest, lightest RWD models GM made at the time, and older (lighter?) models are getting harder to find. Best variation on this formula I’ve seen was a Malibu coupe in grandma trim, as that was probably the lightest bodyshell of the bunch.
Why is it in the Atlanta CL? Is there an Atlanta, California that I’m not aware of? Also, some of the pictures in the listing are not related to the car itself. Odd for sure.
I love the factory tach.
Sometimes people will advertise in different cities, if not to sell, then see what reaction they get.
Maybe the seller has family in Atlanta & is willing to deliver it so they have a reason to see loved ones. I advertise my cars in Phoenix sometimes so if I find a buyer there, I have a reason to go there.
I see it as an excuse lol. Too bad most other states don’t want to let people from Wisconsin in now lol.
the Atlanta CL thing is curious… probably the type of car that would be popular in Atlanta, and nearly anywhere else! perhaps related to the emissions testing discussed earlier, but testing is required in metro Atlanta’s 13 surrounding counties. I like the extra photos… the one with the apparent Ferrari 360 is an attention getter.
Nice one, Johnny! Good eye Ikey, as usual. I like this one better than the Lunch Bag Catalina I wrote up recently. The nearly perfect interior with power accessories and the light blue paint – comfortable and stealthy. As Steve R. said I’d lose the license plates and let the car speak for itself. Sleepers are great. I once roasted a Hyundai Genesis two lights in a row with my modified Regal GS. He actually changed lanes to give it a second go. When he was behind me (again) at the next light he just shook his head and gave me the thumbs-up. With AOD and AC, you can drive this one anywhere. If I didn’t value my marriage I’d go $9000 and have some fun.
It would probably be just as easy to find another wife, than a 12 second Cutlass sedan!!!
I hate to admit it, but you are probably right Tony.
“’78 shrunken monte carlo – in the rust prone states – the frames were notorious for disintegrating from the rear wheel arches back . So many of these (and their GM cousins) hit the junkyards by the mid 80s
from frame rot. ” For that to happen, i would think the steel frame was thinner (to save weight & improve mpg) than say the subframe on a ’75 nova or camaro, or full frame on a ’75 impala. Does this cutlass indeed use the same frame or similar as the ’78 monte? If so, even if it’s a rust free Calif frame, can it still crack or even snap in 2 from such a high hp motor?
I would have instead tried to find a 2 door 80’s cutlass, put the motor in that & add 442 decals.
It does use the same frame and you’re 100% correct, they rusted completely away at the arches ; they came in droves in our CT. junkyard in the ’80s . They are a C channel design and much lighter than the box frames of the 1973-77 mid size GM cars
Did even the ’87 monte SS, grand national, GNX & maybe even the big ’80s eldorados, rivieras & toronados all get C channel frames too?!
This would use the same frame. I remember seeing many “buttless Cutlass” back in the day.
perfect license plate……
If you’re into that sorta thing I guess.
It’s a G body.
So yah, it’s easy to squeeze more power in to that engine bay. You could easily get a big block between the fenders as well. But these days, you’d be better off with an LSx since the idle would be unnoticeable, and those even without Forced Induction can easily hit the 400-500 hp range.
I used to bracket race my ’79 Cutlass wagon for a while until the 305 grenaded, and then I dropped the 377 I built for my ’66 Nova in to it. That car was stupid quick. Front sway disconnected and that big rear end would squat so hard on launch.
…miss having a G body to hustle around.
Not in California. This car is going elsewhere.
Perfect for a rear mount turbo pushing a modest 4-6psi. 550whp this thing would go
John Vermeersch of Total Performance told me the story of a southern Ford dealer whose wife was upset with her anaemic 302 Town Car. Her friends used to blow here away with their Northstars coming out of the Country Club. John built a 584 inch BBF with an 850 Holley. One of his employees was British and he asked John if he could take the car out to Ubly. ‘Is this where the trials are’ in a VERY British accent. They laughed at him. He pulled up beside one of them and ran a 12.60!! The laughter ended!! LOL Four doors are great as sleepers.
Very cool build.
Would have to look a little deeper but it appears to have been done right. I did a similar build back in the day with exceptional results, making for a great, comfy daily. With the OD and the 3.42 axle this should be the case here as well. The a/c appears to be sorted well, always a plus in my book.
Not mentioned, but this does appear to be a Brougham, the top of the line of the series. Back in the eighties I considered this car as one of the handsomest 4 door sedans ever, my admiration has waned just a little over time but still appealing. Classic lines, very similar to the original Cadillac Seville to my eye.
Doubtful the 425 hp is at the wheels, which is just fine. All the better for what is most likely a very smooth comfortable and unique cruiser with just the right amount of giddyup.