Being a copywriter, I try to refrain from using the typical words such as “like new,” “showroom new,” and “time capsule” to describe certain old cars that, for some reason, are remarkably well preserved in their original form with ridiculously low mileage. Based on the photographs provided for this 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais – and the fact that it has only 5,647 miles on the odometer – all three of those descriptions would seem appropriate. How does a 46-year-old car get frozen in time like this? I’d love to know the story behind it. Another thank you goes out to Curvette for spotting this silver survivor and sending it our way. It’s currently hibernating at a classic car dealer in Lisle, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on eBay for the asking price of $31,988. That’s right, folks, $31,988.
1978 marked the big downsizing of GM’s intermediate line, so there were minimal changes to the ’79 Cutlass lineup. The now lighter, more fuel-efficient Cutlass had shed over 400 pounds, was a foot shorter, almost five inches narrower, and less than an inch taller than the previous ’73-’77 generation. But despite all of this shrinkage, interior space increased slightly and trunk space (just over sixteen cubic feet) was virtually the same. Oldsmobile’s slick, colorful sales brochure for 1979 divided the Cutlass lineup into six categories: Supreme, Supreme Brougham, Calais, Salon, Salon Brougham, and the Station Wagon. The Calais was considered the “sporty” variant and described as “The grand touring experience for people who love to drive.” Some sporty touches were included such as bucket seats, a sporty steering wheel, special suspension, and the option of a “short-throw” 5-speed manual transmission.
This Calais looks like it’s ready to be placed on the dealer’s showroom floor. As you can see, the Code 15 Silver Metallic paint looks perfect as does the rest of the car’s exterior. This one has a Sapphire Blue landau vinyl roof, shiny trim, excellent glass, and Oldsmobile’s attractive color coordinated five-spoke wheels. Up front, the Calais line had a different grille pattern and even its own hood ornament.
The interior of this Calais definitely looks like a pampered vehicle with less than 6,000 miles on the clock. The Sapphire Blue interior appears to be in like-new condition. Those velour front bucket seats could recline, you can see the sportyish two-spoke steering wheel, and I spot a very 80’s-looking instrument panel. The dealer says the A/C works and that the Calais is equipped with power front disc brakes, power steering, an AM/FM radio, and even though a 5-speed manual was available, this Calais has an automatic transmission with a floor-mounted shifter. All lights and gauges are said to be in good working order.
This era of American automobiles get chastised for their less-than-head-snapping performance, but that was the world Detroit was facing after the 1973 Oil Embargo/Gas Crisis. Fuel efficiency and emissions controls were now being mandated, so big engines, muscle cars, and gas-guzzling land yachts were a thing of the past. Although there are no photos, the listing says this Calais left the factory with the optional 4.3L, 260-cubic-inch V8 engine. The engine has only 5,647 miles on it and the dealer states that the car “starts ups, runs and drives smoothly.” Considering it’s not a ’79 Cutlass with the limited-production Hurst/Olds W30 package, I know most readers will scoff at the lofty asking price for this museum piece. But, let’s face it, you’re probably looking at the nicest, most original, lowest-mileage ’79 Cutlass Calais Coupe on the planet.
Interrrresting…but not likely to show up on a museum floor…
That’s a lot of money for that $13000 Cutlass.
Very interesting and very clean. If this is the original paint, this Silver Olds must have been very carefully stored for decades. Many of us have commented on certain colors, including silver as habing issues from GM Ford and Chrysler. I was trying to figure out of its the original paint looking at the close ups of the orange peel on the sides. You’d need a really good in person inspection for sure. The 260 was actually a reliable and rather fuel efficient engine during those years, I’d doubt anyone would be racking up any serious miles on this one. I’m not going to comment on the price, I’m not good at all at judging what prices anything should be in this day and age. But I will say Curvette found one creampuff of a Cutlass. Thanks for writing this time capsule up Ron!!
My buddy had a 1979 Monte Carlo in silver and it was completely chalky by the early 1990s. So yes, silver paint was a huge problem on GM cars of this era. Light blue is another problematic one. So the buyer has to keep that in mind. You pretty much will have to keep it out of the sun!
Had one of these in the early 90’s and drove it until the early 2000’s. Great dependable car and it never let me down and never got stuck in the snow either. Easy to work on too. Only problem I had with that motor was the water pump would need to be replaced every year and the intake gasket needed replacing a couple of times. No hot rod for sure but plenty of get up and go and sounded pretty good after I had Monte SS dual exhaust put on it. Price on this is pretty high but very nice car and I’m suprised those bumper fillers didn’t need to be replaced. This car must have been kept in a heated and cooled garage.
I’m not going to be a reader who will scoff at the price, actually I expected it to cost more! Seriously, how many time capsules in museum quality condition from 1979 exist? 1979 was a great year for me in many ways that readers wouldn’t be interested in but this car represents a time in my life that will never come back. It’s well worth the asking price and the ONLY reason I wouldn’t enjoy it is because it would break my heart to put 2 miles on it… Hopefully I’m raising something like this right now with my ProMaster Cargo Van which has 2,300 miles at 4 years old. Maybe long after I’m gone it will be like this beautiful car
Yes, people will be lining up for that cargo van!