We’ve seen 13 examples of the 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass here on Barn Finds over the years, and seven of them have been the unusual sloped-back Salon model. I never remember seeing those as a teenager, but I remember seeing a ton of this two-door Cutlass Superme body style. This one can be found here on craigslist in Denver, Colorado, and the seller is asking $12,999. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mike F. for the tip!
General Motors hit a home run with this two-door design; they were thick as thieves (as nobody says anymore) back in the 80s and 90s, along with Oldsmobile’s Ciera four-door sedan. Man, if I had a nickel (as nobody says anymore) for every time I saw one of those a few decades ago, I’d buy everyone lunch. This Dark Camel Metallic paint is perfect for a 1970s car, and it appears well-preserved, with a few small nicks here and there.
This car looks absolutely outstanding, other than the graffiti on the rear license plate. Just kidding about that last part. The bumpers aren’t exactly works of art, but the rest of this design is spot-on, in my opinion. I wonder how Dave Kindig or Chip Foose would handle those bumpers? Oldsmobile offered the sixth-generation Cutlass in a smaller format beginning with the 1978 model year until the end of 1988 in two-door and four-door body styles, including the unusual Salon, plus a four-door wagon. Sadly, this was just after convertibles died out with the ’76 Eldorado, and this body style was literally begging to be a convertible.
A beautiful red velour interior awaits the next owner, and they’d better be at least 50 years old or they’ll have no clue how to open the windows. It seems like more often than not, these cars had power windows. It looks perfect inside, and the seller may be a bit modest in saying the interior fabric is in “good” condition. With only 55,580 miles, this car is hardly broken in yet.
The engine could have used a couple of hours of light detailing – that would have made a huge difference. This is Oldsmobile’s 260-cu.in. OHV V8, which was factory rated at 110 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by an THM-350 automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and they say it runs great, and this car is wearing new tires. Have any of you owned a Cutlass from this era?
Thick as thieves, yet thieves love these cars because they’re sooooo easy to steal. But I dont know that I can call $12K for a malaise era car a steal. Then again we had one back in 1988, paid $2400 for it. Looked like this one, same color and interior. Had the Buick 3.8L V6 in it. Sold it around 1991 to a family friend.
Nothing special about this car. Seller is about 7k too high with his ask.
Bread 🍞 and butter 🧈 example as Bob says of the very popular model from Oldsmobile.
Transmission would be a TH200.
Came here to say this. The infamous GM “grenade gearbox.”
Don, this is where I got that info from:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1978/2376560/oldsmobile_cutlass_supreme_coupe_260_v8_turbo_hydra-matic.html#gsc.tab=0
Agree that these were very common. However, they disappeared in a few years (but not as quickly as Volare station wagons). Not a good sign.
I like it. Its survived in very good condition, especially being as how its a bread and butter car like Stan said. The 260 is not going to win you any drag races for sure but it will hold up a long time. I’m very impressed that its held up this well over all these years.
The engine lasts forever, but not the transmission
Easy 350 swap! Oldsmobile 350 that is! 350 trans would bolt right in as well!
I’m in agreement on the ask price, and how about a LS1 drop. Or a newer ss camaro drop instead. Give it some ooomph
Had a 78 oldsmobubble out of hs. Was a pos. Dad’s idea not mine. Mine was a primer gray 68 Gto convertible with 4 speed m21 in it.
That Olds had the enemic v6 from some place wasn’t a v6 capable of being Buick. I had read about placing a supercharger on the engine. But my dreams weren’t meant to be
Yogi dads idea was to keep you from crashing getting hurt or worse, that big olds with the gutless v6 was just the ticket, I agree with you I would have been all over that 68 gto
Hmmmm Scotty… I wonder what this would look like as a convertible. Hmmmm…..
:)
Scotty, I’ll second what Lothar said. I’d love to see a drop top late 70’s Cutlass!!! ( Hint, Hint, Hint)
nice car too much $ though. 260 v8s were pigs on gas and power. needs a 350 in it.
Driving 2 different 260’s for years, sure they won’t burn rubber, but will cruise all day 80-90 mph and still get 20 mpg. Perfectly adequate for 95% of daily driving. And the typical 350 won’t do much better than 15 mpg
Bought my wife a 78 Cutlass wagon used and it served her well for many years and had the 3 row seating. Had the small 305 V8 with 350 trans and we sold it with over 150K miles still going strong.