Describing the condition of any classic with almost four decades of active service under its belt as “mint” is a bold approach. However, it is the term used by the seller when assessing this 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. Close inspection of the listing images seems to support the seller’s belief, because there is little justifying criticism. Adding to its appeal is the first owner’s decision to load this car with factory options. It appears that the only thing that this Olds requires is a new home. The seller has listed the Cutlass here on eBay in Chesterfield, Virginia. They set their auction to open at $15,000, and while they have received no bids, the listing statistics suggest that this could change at any time.
Having owned several vehicles from that decade, I have long been a fan of the styling employed by most manufacturers during the 1980s. The bold and aggressive square lines lend a sense of purpose to those vehicles, and this 1987 Cutlass is no exception. It looks stunning in Medium Gray Metallic with a matching padded Landau-style vinyl top and removable glass roof panels. The impression is heightened by the chrome Super Stock III wheels, enhancing the car’s inherently classy but muscular look. One glance at the lusterous paint and the arrow-straight panels suggests that the seller’s use of the word “mint” in their description is no idle boast. There is simply nothing warranting criticism, and no evidence that this Olds has ever suffered from rust problems. The lack of interior moisture damage indicates that the roof seals are in good condition, while the vinyl is in as-new condition.
Let’s get the interior modifications out of the way, with this Olds featuring an aftermarket shifter and a modern CD player replacing the original radio/cassette player. Both changes are reversible if the new owner wishes to present the vehicle as a genuine survivor. Beyond that, this interior has no apparent needs. The Gray cloth is free from significant wear, the dash, pad, carpet, and faux woodgrain look great, and the wheel shows no evidence of deterioration. The seller includes the original Window Sticker, demonstrating that the first owner wasn’t afraid to splash their cash inside this classic. They ticked the boxes beside air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power antenna, a rear defogger, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and remote mirrors.
Cutlass buyers in 1987 could choose from two engines to power their new purchase, with this car’s first owner selecting the range-topping 307ci V8. They teamed this powerplant with a four-speed automatic transmission, the Firm Ride & Handling Package, a 2.56 rear end to give the Olds long legs, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The power and torque figures of the two available engines are indicative of the hurdles faced by manufacturers during this period, with this engine delivering a modest 140hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. That doesn’t represent a quantum leap over the entry-level 3.8-liter V6, making it hard for some buyers during this period to justify the $590.00 premium commanded by the V8 option. However, I’m sure that most Barn Finds readers will agree that there is nothing as great as the sound of a V8. The seller doesn’t mention evidence verifying their claim that the odometer reading of 59,100 miles is genuine, although the car’s condition makes this plausible. Otherwise, it runs and drives extremely well, with no apparent mechanical maladies or shortcomings.
This 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon is a stunning survivor that has generated plenty of interest. Although there are no bids at the time of writing, the Listing View and Watch List tallies of 308 and 55, respectively, are impressive. That begs the question of whether these are likely to translate into genuine action when you factor in what is a fairly high opening figure. The chances are that it probably will, because values for these classics have climbed sharply during the past year. If things start rolling, what do you feel would be a fair price to pay for this Olds?
Shiny ✨️ Salon. Clarkey as you know 2.56 gears don’t require any aftermarket shifter. But these Cutlasses w the great front end were about comfortable cruising, and the nice V8 notes 🎶 as you said. They were never about hot rod performance.
I always liked these Cutlass 2 doors from the 80’s. I would have loved one when I was in high school. Heck, I wanted a ’77 Cutlass and couldn’t afford one of those either lol. I’d lean towards having the original shifter and stereo, maybe have something hidden in the glove box perhaps. This one looks immaculate!!! Like Adam and Stan said, those highway gears will give this thing long legs and great highway mpg too. Great write up Adam!! I enjoyed it
You had me at ‘Salon’
The 307 made all its grunt down low, hence the 2.56 rear end. I believe the Cutlass Salon is what have you bucket seats and a center console. I had a 76 Salon that had t tops and buckets and an 86 Supreme. That shifter in this car (looks like a B&M ratchet) looks out of place.
DW Didn’t Oldsmobile use a hotter 307 in the lightening rod Hurst model? It came w 3.73 gears ⚙️ standard.
The 307 made all its grunt down low, hence the 2.56 rear end. I believe the Cutlass Salon is what have you bucket seats and a center console. I had a 76 Salon that had t tops and buckets and an 86 Supreme. That shifter in this car (looks like a B&M ratchet) looks out of place.
Yes 59,000 miles and mint condition.
I wonder if that shifter is an indication this car got beat on sometimes. I do like this generation of Cutlass though. Never understood putting the original sticker back on the window either.
My thoughts exactly, that shifter may indicate 59,000 rough miles. And yes, it really looks out of place.
A very nice Cutlass Salon from the final year of the rear drive Cutlass. DW, you are correct that the Salon trim = bucket seats, console and full gauge package in 1987. Olds switched around. It was the S or Salon in the Collonade years 73-77, then the Calais from 1978 – mid 80s, then back to Salon for the final years. The 79, 83 & 84 Hurst Olds were Cutlass Calais based. I have a resto-mod 79 Calais with T-tops and 6.0 LS engine, but I kept the stock shifter. I have to agree the B&M drag race ratchet shifter looks goofy in this car. Nice car overall, but I still prefer the 78-80 years with chrome steel bumpers over the later plastic coated snout and tail.
Great color combo. Rachet hachet would take money and time to correct, but worth it. Car will most likely bring the money. An early model 350 or a 403 with high flow 350 7 or 8 heads would make it a different car. Keeping the lil smoggy 307 still makes it a cherry ride
I agree 100%! Myself I would put a nicely messaged 403 in it with early 350 closed chamber heads and paint it black and claim it’s still just the 307. With the torque the 403 it would make those 2.54 gears work hard but would still pull it out of the hole smoking the wheels, but after the car hit around 25-30 mph forward motion it would bite down hard and quickly fill the gap on what ever jumped it off the line and blast past it, and still get over 20 mpg when cruising easy! IMO, that’s the perfect setup for an 87 Cutlass!
I have a mint black 87 salon. 3.73 posi installed, 4 speed 200r4 rebuilt by old school shop. The 307 has about 83000 and runs great, save tiny oil leak. The old 2.56 gears wouldnt allow the car to leave wheels, but it does now. Car also has dual flowmasters with no cattys.
My remark/question: When my 307 gets tired (if ever), I was thinking of putting a 350 rocket in with about 250-300 hp, to allow the car to keep current wheels, brakes, trans, etc. I have heard that some 403s make hardly any hp. Additionally, i have heard that the mains blow in a 403 frequently ( not if, When ive read).
Any thoughts?
Besides the shifter, you might want to replace the drilled air cleaner cover.
That’s teenager stuff right there. Makes one think that they were looking for more performance where ever they could find it no matter how hokey it looks.
Sometimes the sound of the carb makes the 307 sound tougher and more acceptable to the owner lol.
A few questions about this car. Why the shifter…Why are there holes in the air filter lid? Nothing like hot air and HP. The other thing is verifying the mileage. These cars were easy to clock.
for such a nice original car why in the world would you hack some P.O.S shifter into the console then put an a/m radio in it. what did drilling holes into the air cleaner lid accomplish? not a thing but add hot air into an already anemic 307 y did they build it motor. you want to wake it up? put a 403 in it and 8.5 373 out of a 442. these changes you never see. spending the bid price then have to put back the missing items can get costly. you wonder what goes thru peoples heads
If I had the cash, 15K would be a no-brainer! I had an ‘81 Calais, which became the Salon, in two-tone Light Greyfern and white, with all those options plus factory aluminum wheels. It was supposed to be a show car in the Pennsylvania Auto Show but I bought it out of our showroom. Oldsmobile sent another one with the colors reversed, which apparently was the color combination for that year’s auto shows. I sold it in 1983 thinking I could always buy another.
Unusual squeaks & a sacrifice of some structural integrity is the price paid when T-Tops are involved.
Yep, if you are looking for an autocross competition car, a daily driver in rainy weather, don’t have a garage, or are bothered by the occasional squeak sound or wind noise, steer clear of T-Tops. However, if you want a fun weekend cruiser that is less wind blown than a convertible and (to many people) looks great, get a T-Top. I had a great time with my first 79 Cutlass with T-Tops as a 16 year old, and my current one almost always wins awards at car shows. It is humorous to me how often guys make a “structural integrity” comment about T-Tops, when less than 1% of people will be driving their cars in any way for it to make a difference.
Auction ended at $18,100. Wonder if it sold? I love this generation of GM. Great write up as usual.
No, it ended with Reserve Not Met.
I think that is crazy. That’s all the money for this, IMO.
That shifter would look better In my 87 since it’s got a 455 and a long tail 400 not to , mention the 3:73 gears in the rear, I must say it’s clean mine originally had a 307 but the heads went not bad but that type of car definitely needs a bigger 8 in it, not to mention I bought mine off a flatbed for $300.. what a bargain