Like the rest of General Motors’ mid-size cars, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was downsized in 1978 for better fuel economy. But a convertible had not been in the Cutlass family since 1972. This 1978 edition looks like a DIY conversion that needs further work, both cosmetically and mechanically. Also, it has a 454 cubic inch V8, perhaps from a Chevy. Located in Ardmore, Alabama, this unfinished one-of-a-kind is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,500. Another tip brought our way via Barn Finder “PRA4SNW”.
Like the full-size Oldsmobiles that had gone on a diet in 1977, the 1978 Olds Cutlass was smaller and lighter (by hundreds of pounds). So, there was no longer a need for a big-block engine to get the job done. This Cutlass may have had a 350 CI “Rocket” V8 under the hood before the 454 was located and shoehorned in. The air conditioner compressor no longer allows the hood to be closed, so it will need to be removed or have a cowl hood installed.
We don’t know the history of this project or why the decision was made to cut off the roof. We hope the proper bracing was installed, as convertibles are generally less sturdy. We’re told the Olds has an automatic transmission, but it is the larger TH-400 that would have been paired with a 454 big block. The car needs a fuel pump, but the Cutlass will run if you hook up a can of gasoline directly to the carburetor.
This conversion has no top, and perhaps there were no plans for one. Components inside the interior have been swapped out, and we don’t know if there’s a back seat now because there’s a red cover over that spot. The seller believes this is a good project for someone to finish, but there are probably more questions than answers.
Chop shop 🪚 Cutlass.
Worth what you could get for the engine on the secondary market.
I thought convertibles had a functioning top. Generally cutting the roof off a car makes it a disposable fair weather play thing.
StevevR
78 Rocket😂😂
I’m beginning to think the best way for someone to get their vehicle on BF is to butcher it in some atrocious way. But really, who would buy this thing???
I believe a lot of beer was involved.
The result of too much time, too much beer and too many shade trees to work under. As much as I would enjoy sitting under one of those shade trees, crack open one of those beers and hear how this project got to where it is, I would not touch it with a 10’ pole.
No such thing as too much beer.
With no folding top and no removable hardtop, this isn’t a convertible, it’s an open car. It’s likely the product of a West Virginia trailer park, a sawzall, and a few cases of beer. If there are underbody reinforcements, you can bet they’re diamond plate.
The 350 was reserved for Cutlass wagons in 1978. This would have had a Buick V6, an Olds 260, or a Chevrolet 305.
As an owner of a 1979 Cutlass Calais in this same color (Dark Carmine Metallic) with red interior, I must say this is an atrocious abomination. Some people should not be allowed to have decent cars, plasma cutters, or welders. To address the original engine question, it would not have been a Rocket 350. The 78 – 80 Cutlass line had either a V6, a 260 Olds V8 (gas or diesel) or a 305 Chevy. The only Cutlass 2 doors to have a 350 Olds in 78-80 were the 79 Hurst/Olds and the 80 442, which looked like the 79 Hurst, only with 4 headlights and no Hurst shifter. I think a 350 or 400 might have been available in the Cutlass Cruiser station wagons with tow package, but I am not sure about that. The 307 Olds became the primary V8 offering by 1983, but I am again not sure exactly when they moved from using the 305 Chevy to the 307 Olds.
Good for Kid Rock and RFKjr
??? Huh? Rules?
If this was built in Alabama, look for everything to be secured with a stick welder, not nuts and bolts.
I bought a 78 Chevelle with the top sawed off for 500 bucks back in the day. On it’s maiden journey I picked up my girlfriend to go to a party. She was all done up with her makeup and hair. 10 blocks from the party a monsoon came out of nowhere. I was drenched down to my underwear. I looked at my girlfriend, who had mascara running down her face and said, Are you okay? She gave me a side eye and said, I #&*¢% hate you… Lol
Don’t we call them Rodster’s
You all are worried about no top. I’d be more worried about no frame. The frame in these A-body cars (yes, they were called the A-body platform until the 1982 model year) were iffy to start with and are prone to rust. Anyone want to bet on whether or not the ‘bama boys who created this did the engineering and installed the required frame reinforcements? Anyone want to be on whether or not the doors still open and close?
If it doesn’t have a 1000 watt stereo in there, with at least two kicker boxes in it? No deal!
Sigh… Why???
Flow-thru (wet) ventilation.