When choosing a project candidate, enthusiasts who aren’t attached to the idea of performing significant rust repairs will often focus on cars from a dry climate. This is understandable because while they often feature baked paint, they are typically free from rust problems. That is the case with this 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser Brougham Station Wagon. It exhibits the signs of a classic that has spent its life under the Texas sun. It is in sound mechanical health, ready for the winning bidder to fly in and drive it home. The Olds is listed here on eBay in Smithville, Texas. This Wagon also demonstrates that even though the auction action can be spirited, it doesn’t necessarily equate to a high sale price. It sits below the reserve at $1,800, but there is time for that situation to change.
Oldsmobile’s Fifth Generation Cutlass range graced showroom floors from 1978 until 1981. The company followed the prevailing industry trend, with the new model considerably smaller and lighter than its predecessor. This Cutlass Cruiser Brougham rolled off the line in 1981. The original owner ordered it in Silver, with the traditional “woodie” vinyl down the sides. The seller purchased the vehicle thirteen years ago as a project, but the build stalled before it started. It has been garage-kept for the past decade, so there has been no deterioration in its overall condition. The paint is heavily baked, and the woodgrain went AWOL years ago. Some surfaces display emerging dry surface corrosion, but there are no signs of penetrating rust. The new owner could treat it to a cosmetic restoration, which seems to be the most obvious path. However, some enthusiasts might clean the Wagon thoroughly and apply a clear coat to protect its survivor credentials. One attraction of this classic is that none of its shortcomings require immediate attention. That allows the winning bidder to take their time with any decisions, which is a sound strategy. The panels sport a few minor bumps and bruises, but the chrome and glass are excellent.
The original owner ordered this Olds with the company’s 260ci V8. The Wagon also features a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. This motor brings a fascinating story about Oldsmobile powerplants from this era. The capacity of this engine is larger than the entry-level V6’s 231ci. Therefore, many would expect the extra cylinders and increased capacity to produce extra power. The opposite was the case. The V6 delivered 110hp, but V8 owners received 105hp. The tables turned when the subject of torque entered the equation. The 231 churned out 190 ft/lbs, with the V8 producing an extra 5 ft/lbs. The V6 could also trump its big brother on outright acceleration and top speed. This is one of those strange situations where less really is more. However, outright performance wasn’t the lure that prompted buyers to splash the extra cash. A V8 engine is inherently smoother than a V6, and many buyers found that prospect irresistible. The news for potential buyers is positive, although the seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence for the claim that this Olds has 37,500 original miles on the clock. They confirm it runs and drives well. It appears it is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical shortcomings.
When I assessed the baked paint, I was bracing for the worst with this Wagon’s interior. However, it is a revelation. The pad has cracked, and some plastic pieces are discolored. Otherwise, there are no significant issues. The seats look nice, as do the remaining upholstered surfaces and the carpet. The rear cargo area has avoided most of the wear and tear that is a hallmark of family Station Wagons. The seller admits the air conditioning requires a recharge, but that appears to be the only functional shortcoming. Otherwise, the new owner receives power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The auction action on this 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser Brougham Wagon hasn’t been frantic. However, it has reached its modest price following sixteen bids. The vehicle isn’t perfect, but returning it to its former glory would be a straightforward task for a hands-on enthusiast to tackle in their home workshop. This is unlikely to be a mega-bucks classic, and I believe it will probably hit the reserve well before bidding reaches $5,000. Would you be interested at that price, or will you sit out this dance?
Ahhh, I can smell the vomit from here. Another from the past, I had this exact car, maybe a 1980, for my family, before the 4x4s, when my kids were small( I’m getting to the vomit part). It was another car my ex couldn’t kill. Mine had the V6, but no matter, she never knew what was under the hood, and we lived about an hour from the in-laws. This car made many, MANY trips back and forth. One day, they pull in the drive, I knew something wasn’t right. They all got sick on the way home, in the car. A scenario that probably played out all across this great land,,the station wagon. Funny, when buying parts, there’s no distinction between station wagon and sedan. Mine wasn’t optioned like this, but before minivans, these cars did it all, while dads 98 sat at the office.
You know, I hear a lot of folks justifying their gas sipper roller skates by saying what great mileage they get, and while the V8 can’t compete, it can still get in the low 20s, and with a cost of anything $25grand plus today, net savings, um, well, it buys a lot of gas, and a cushy ride, to me, is worth something too. Great find, you’ll find none better.
My dad owned a ‘79 Cutlass Cruiser in dark blue with that same horrific 260 under the hood. 0 to 60 would be measured with a calendar…eerily similar to my moms ‘78 Malibu with the 200ci V6.
Aside from being a slug, it would stall or wouldn’t start in hot weather probably due to vapor lock. My dad finally dumped it when the transmission grenaded at 70k miles.
It’s not a Brougham.
A lot of, if not all 260 Olds engines were unfortunately paired with the THM 200. My 77 Delta 88 had a 260 with the 200 trans.
Not exactly a robust unit. But the engine, gutless as it was never missed a beat. Once you got them rolling if you were on relatively flat ground you could get decent gas mileage with them. And pretty much that was the main goal for these small 6 and 8 cylinder engines during that period.
I worked for a small daily rental outfit in the late 70s, early 80s. Cutlass and Regals were the majority of our fleet, all pretty basic with the odd-fire 231 V6 shaking under the hood. Customers and I always remarked about how much vibration the engine produced while simultaneously generating almost zero power! Later, we received some Cutlass’s with the 260 V8. Hallelujah! Smooth and quiet but… even more gutless than the V6! Unbelievable how bad engines were in that period, choked down to asthmatic levels of performance.
It’s not. Brougham
I was going to say, I don’t see Brougham badging anywhere and the seats have the basic pkg. I don’t recall any 80’s Oldsmobile wagons that had plush seating.
I think this one is the deal of the month! My gal would not be able to get me out of the garage with this one!!
I never understood how general motors got away with not having operable windows in the rear doors of his body style. They only had the little flip open windows. My great aunt had a Malibu and it sucked sitting in the backseat.
Those stationary rear windows sucked. Such a dumb way to cut cost.
I always got car sick in my mom’s Malibu wagon when I was a kid and having no good fresh air didn’t help. When my dad bought the Cutlass Cruiser, I wanted to cry.
It wasn’t a cost cutting measure it was meant to create hip room. This was before side protection was in the rear doors. There was no room for a window mechanism.
I believe it was also a safety issue. There were many cars that the rear windows didn’t go down, or went only part way, because they knew more than likely children would be in the back seat, and I’m sure reports of kids falling out was not uncommon. It’s also why 2 doors were so popular too.
Aah…The Turbo Hydramatic 200 transmission! About 70,000 is all you’d get. The 260 really didn’t make enough power to hurt itself. The THM 200 transmission was originally designed for the tiny 4 cylinder Chevette. (That’s the truth! GM got sued over this!)
When I ran a wrecking yard in the middle 80s I bought and orangey colored 78 with the 260. The interior had a pattern that looked as if they hired Navajo Indians to produce. With wood sides there was virtually no sheet metal parts value, so it became a small parts delivery unit. One day as I approached full impulse power, ” after a few light years” there was a tremor in the force. There was a heave, a surge, and then we coasted to a stop. I turned the key and it appeared the engine had locked up. I opened the hood, pulled the stick and well, oil is full. There were no death noises prior to shut down and as I examined and contemplated my dilemma, I placed my hand on the ac compressor and received a helluva burn. Yup the compressor locked up and there weren’t enough dilithium crystals in that 260 to burn the belt off. Cut belt restated shuttle craft and made my long arduous journey back to warp 5. That car ultimately received a 425 from a 77 Deville and lost its ac and heater box in the switch, “that stuff was in the way”. We had the power then but it blew the rear. Put one in and all was good. I sold that car to a race head and never saw it again. I often wonder if it is still out there. Aside from the heater box, it had a nice quiet custom exhaust and it received a real nice Th 350 from a 74 Cutlass.
Have to say I really love the Star Trek references you put in that
I know but I grew up loving it. My 60 Seville has like the college name in its rear window that says Romulan Military Academy. Only once in 35 years has anyone said,” aren’t those like guys from Star Trek”. If a Romulan came to earth I think a black 60 Seville would likely find them. Mccoy… ” for God sake Jim, I’m a doctor, not a magician” ride on….
lota + AND -. 3 & 1/4 T, 108 WB, bent8, ‘80s cheb…
Now station wagon, I might go fur idid but we got better choices
A friend had a 75 Omega with the 260 and automatic. The transmission was trying to go on permanent leave, but before that, we took it out on 75 just to run it out.
No power, but man did it shift smoothly!! It was almost like it was simply exchanging gears and not shifting.
He replaced it with a 78 Regancy from his parents. That had a 350 and felt like a rocket in comparison!
I like this wagon. But I thought the brougham had a much more upscale interior?
Dad had the 80 Buick century sedan with the 231. Comfortable car, plush seats. Not a performance machine
What did I just read?
I was wondering the exact same thing! 😵💫
lol. Used to work with a guy who was half lebonise and half polish. Looked more like a so-cal low rider. He used to look people and say “speak English”!
My dad had one of these back when I was in high school. I remember wrenching on it many a time. Nothing to write home about, but it was reliable transportation.
Quite a nice surviving example of the early-’80s offerings. I’m impressed at how fat it is with creature-comforts, which many Cadillacs of the time were deficient in. Aside from automatic headlight controls, which Olds abandoned long before, this car has everything I would want in a car. But so does my old Lincoln, which doesn’t look as well-kept but is just as functional. If I were in the market for an intermediate SUV, this would definitely grab my attention…though I suspect it wouldn’t be up for regular interstate use. After all, the days of the Federal 55-mph speed limit are long gone.
This one was built as a woodgrain car and all the original surround moldings appear to be present, it just needs new Di-Noc.
I wonder, could you bore & stroke that 260 out to 305, or God forbid, 350? Inquiring minds want to know! If not, an engine transplant is the fastest way to more power, either from a junkyard or as a crate motor. Being a small block, I wonder if an LT4 would fit? Just thinking.
There was an engine offering that was less powerful than the Buick 231V6? Wow! I had a Pontiac with the 231 V6 and thought it was the weakest, most gutless car in the planet. Apparently you could order an even weaker engine over at Oldsmobile. How did GM ever survive the Malaise Era?
Had this same wagon, mine was blue with wood grain. One night in city I forgot to lock doors and next day it reeked like booze inside, apparently somebody used the back seat to take a nap for a few hours, or worse!