It is fair to say that as the 1970s progressed and engine power dropped, many manufacturers and buyers began focusing on comfort and luxury. That thinking spawned cars like this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham. It features the range-topping V8 under the hood, although it is the interior appointments that will attract many potential buyers. It is a turnkey proposition with no apparent needs and a genuine 47,000 miles showing on its odometer. The only thing it appears to need is a new home, with the seller listing the Olds here on eBay in North Olmsted, Ohio. Twenty-three bids have pushed the price to $15,000, which is below the reserve. There is also a BIN option of $25,900 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Oldsmobile introduced its Fourth Generation Cutlass range for the 1973 model year, with our Supreme Brougham one of the last to roll off the line in 1977. It is an undeniably stunning car, with its Ebony Black paint holding an incredible shine. The seller doesn’t mention repairs or restoration, suggesting that this Olds is a genuine survivor. Its condition is particularly noteworthy if true because there are no visible significant paint or panel imperfections. The gaps are tight and consistent, and the lack of surface corrosion across some of the more prone areas suggests that its owners have protected this Cutlass from the worst that Mother Nature could potentially throw at it. The sparkling chrome and trim perfectly contrast the dark paint, and the glass is spotless. I believe that the chrome Super Stock wheels might be a later addition, but they don’t detract from the car’s overall originality.
This classic’s interior demonstrates how buyers began focusing more heavily on luxury as the 1970s progressed. The seller indicates that the only major option not selected by the first owner was the power driver’s seat. Otherwise, the winning bidder receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, a console, splashes of woodgrain, and an AM/FM stereo radio. The distinctive multi-hue cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces are in good order, with the condition consistent with the odometer reading and a life where the car has been treated respectfully. There is no wheel wear, the carpet is excellent, and items like the dash, pad, and console, haven’t succumbed to UV exposure. A close inspection will undoubtedly unearth minor imperfections, but you would struggle to find an unrestored Cutlass of this vintage with a tidier interior.
The first owner wasn’t afraid to splash their cash on their new purchase, equipping this Cutlass with the range-topping 403ci V8. They teamed this with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The 403 was pretty asthmatic by this stage, placing 185hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. That resulted in a ¼-mile ET of 18 seconds, which is slow by modern standards. To place that into perspective, the most potent Cutlass Supreme produced in 1971 delivered 320hp, 460 ft/lbs, and a ¼-mile figure of 15.7 seconds. Although the government legislation during this period was dominated by emission reduction strategies, improved fuel consumption was also a major consideration. It is interesting to note that our feature car would deliver figures that were under 10% better than those produced by the 1971 model. The situation wouldn’t improve until electronic engine management and fuel-injection technology became common during the 1980s and 1990s. The seller claims that this Olds has a genuine 47,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning supporting documentation. The car’s overall condition makes the figure plausible, although I don’t consider that as concrete evidence. However, it is a turnkey proposition that recently received a transmission rebuild, and replacement, fuel, water, and oil pumps. The seller states that they would drive the Cutlass anywhere, making flying in and driving home a viable choice for the winning bidder.
This 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham is a stunning classic with no apparent needs. The auction action confirms that many people like what they see, suggesting that the price could climb as the auction progresses. That raises the question of what the sale price could be at the conclusion, which is a hard call to make. The seller’s BIN figure is heading towards the top end of the market, although the car’s overall condition and odometer reading would probably justify the price. With 1970s classics now enjoying a strong following in the market, do you think that someone will hit the button to guarantee that it will find a new home in their garage? Or, are you tempted to beat them to the punch?
The reason Oldsmobile sold over 600,000 Cutlass in 1977 is because these cars drive wonderfully. I own a 442 with 31K miles. The tactile feeling of the seat material plus the new Oldsmobile smell makes me feel better each time I get behind the wheel. (In 1977 the 442 was an appearance package. Nothing more under the hood than the Cutlass version.)
A few years back I was able to drive a low mileage 1977 Pontiac Lemans. The Oldsmobile is better.
Adam – It’s hard for these Colonnades to match the performance of the earlier cars when they are dragging around an extra 500lbs. I’ve never seen a more loaded example. I’ve never seen a column shift auto with the console in these cars – Is the cup holder insert factory? I don’t think the chrome SSII wheels are of ’77 vintage, but perhaps are one of the special options the buyer checked off. Regardless, they look great with the black paint. Not much to fault about this car. Worth every penny of the current bid.
The seat and console arrangement is not factory. This likely had 60/40 front seat and the owner put together a 40/40 seat and console. With the selector on the column it afforded space for the cup holders. Someone did a nice job putting it together. Here’s the car everyone says they would have ordered, largest engine, no vinyl top and all the options.
Ah! Perfect explanation. Buckets would have been high backs anyway and probably not available in the Brougham. Very nice alteration.
And since it was a Brougham, the vinyl roof it once had is gone.
I wonder if the Brougham was available without the Landau top.
Yes.
Seems to me I’ve seen that console without the cup holders somewhere, but whoever did this made it look factory. Congrats on the creativity & come from the factory look. Definitely fits.
My favorite car of all time is the 1976-1977 Cutlass Supreme Brougham Coupe. While this seems to be a nice car where did bucket seat come from. They were only offered with a 60/40 bench. It appears that someone took a second driver’s seat and installed it on the passenger side. I actually don’t mind the look. I worked at a Buick/Oldsmobile dealership in 1976. These sold like proverbial hot cakes.
Nothing looks better than a spotless black paint job, and nothing is as hard to keep looking that way. Beautiful car.
Many people like to criticize the 403 as being anemic. What engine wouldn’t appear as such when you team it with 2.41 or 2.29 rear gears.
Pretty certain the standard rear gear was 2.56, but still anemic.
I’m drooling and dying at the same time. I had a 76 Olds Cutlass Brougham which I bought used in 1979 and kept it until 1986. One of my favorite all time cars and one of my favorite US made cars. Really want this one!
I worked on these cars when they were new. They were the best selling car in USA. Man have times changed. As mentioned here, no console available in the Brougham. Those wheels are later model factory rims. But to have a Delco Freedom battery from 1976. Wow. Beautiful car. I drove many of them and owned a loaded 76 Cutlass Salon with Hurst Hatches. Miss that car more than my Corvettes, two GTOs and 88 Monte Carlo SS.
Very nice car !
These cars were the number one selling mid-size car. The 403 isn’t too too bad compared to other models of this class. Nice job on aftermarket console. Only complaint is the BIN price but I don’t have to buy it.
I had one of these for a few weeks. Clean, nice driving car. Sold it of course, not cool or fast, or a handler. Always kinda regretted selling it.
Terry,
I had a 77 Cutlass Supreme Brougham exactly like this, with a 60/40 seat and no vinyl roof. I ordered it from the factory, so, a vinyl roof is not standard on the Brougham.
Looked hard at one almost identical to this on the showroom floor in ‘77 but it had black bucket seats with a console and maybe T-tops. Beautiful and nice driving cars.
I’m the owner of the car. The bucket seats and console in the car are custom. I have everything to put it back to stock. No extra holes were drilled.
Really nice car Al!
Another beautiful piece of eye candy. It looks great without the vinyl roof IMO.
A friend of mine bought a new 77 cutlass supreme, with most of the options. Sweet driving and riding car, beautiful lines. Especially like the waterfall grill. It had a 350 paired with the 3 speed hydramatic. The sticker on the window claimed it would get 17 mpg in town, and 25 on the road, and it did! We took it on a trip and it got 25 mpg, without any overdrive. Pretty impressive for the time
This is a real nice Olds! Very clean. A few pictures of it at the Oldsmobile Nationals. Show & go.
A 1971 model’s horsepower was measured in SAE gross. In 1972, horsepower was measured in SAE net. So your 310 vs 185 comparison isn’t as bad as it sounds. The 403 won’t win many drag races but it was the best available engine. Plus, a Cutlass Brougham driver wanted a comfortable midsized cruiser than was more maneuverable than say a full sized 98 or 88 in the Oldsmobile lineup. The national speed limit was only 55 mph so no buyers could legally enjoy a muscle car’s true potential on public roads.
What a nice car in black.Traded my 69 Roadrunner in at the Plymouth dealers used lot for a 73 Cutlass Supreme. Dark brown with tan roof and interior. 350 4 bbl. 350 trans. I always thought the 73 was the best year for the 73-77 generation.
Could never decide which was my favorite GM body in 1977, the Caprice Aero coupe or the Cutlass.
Just a gorgeous body.
How slow would one be thats fully equipped, a/c on, with a v6 instead & 4 people aboard?
AND going up a steep hill…..
Yes.
Just because it’s an old clean car doesn’t make it valuable. Prices on cars like this are a real bubble.
These cars are nice looking but they are pigs to drive. Low fuel economy and can’t get out of their own way. I had a friend who had one and hated it. Lower the cost, tank the 403 and drop an LS in, now you have something nice to drive.