This 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 is not a genuine barn find but a classic worthy of close inspection. It is an original and unmolested survivor. That is not particularly rare, but it features some desirable options and has been part of the same family since the day it rolled off the showroom floor. The final piece of the puzzle is that this garage-kept gem has a genuine 71,000 miles on the clock. The time has come for it to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Saint Joseph, Missouri. They have set their price at $25,000 on a car that appears to need very little. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this beauty.
Oldsmobile introduced its Third Generation Cutlass 442 for the 1973 model year, with our feature car one of the last to roll off the line before production ended. This stunning survivor has been part of the same family since that day, with the ownership passing between two brothers. It was ordered in Ebony Black with Gold stripes, a combination that can’t help but look classy. The seller indicates the Olds has been garage-kept its entire life, which may explain the lack of exterior deterioration. This paint shade is excellent at exposing bumps and imperfections, but this car’s panels are laser-straight with consistent gaps. The driver’s side rear bumper filler has cracked and broken, but this was one of the more common cosmetic problems to beset these cars during this period. Fiberglass reproductions are readily available, and fitting these would permanently eliminate the issue. Its beauty is more than skin deep because the underside shots confirm the floors and frame are rock-solid. Adding to the car’s appeal is the factory sunroof, and the lack of interior moisture damage suggests the seals are in good order. The trim and tinted glass are spotless, with the car rolling on a sparkling set of Rally wheels.
Buyers could order a 1977 Olds 442 with a bench front seat, but this car’s first owner opted for the range-topping buckets and center console. Interestingly, he ordered this classic with those features, an AM/FM radio/8-track player, a rear defroster, and a tilt wheel, but passed on factory air conditioning. However, the sunroof probably more than compensates for that omission. This interior presents well for its age, with the Black cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces free from holes or physical damage. The driver’s seat exhibits minor wear and stretching, which is expected from a forty-six-year-old survivor that has been used as its creators intended. Sourcing a replacement seatcover to achieve perfection is possible, but I would probably purchase a set of slipcovers to prevent further wear and protect this classic’s originality. The carpet and dash look excellent, and there are no aftermarket additions.
The drivetrain combination selected for this Olds is typical for the period, with the car featuring a 350ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, a 10-bolt Posi rear end, FE2 suspension, and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The impact of legislative changes can be best demonstrated by comparing this car’s performance potential with a similarly equipped 442 from 1973. Our feature car places 170hp and 235 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, while the 1973 model delivered 180hp and 275 ft/lbs. There was only a two-pound difference in curb weight, but while the older car would cover the ¼-mile in 17.1 seconds, this car would complete the journey in 19.2 seconds. This Olds is a numbers-matching survivor with a claimed 71,400 genuine miles on the clock. Its known ownership history means the seller may hold verifying evidence amongst the collection of included documentation. This 442 runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
The 1977 Cutlass was a sales success for Oldsmobile, with 632,755 buyers driving one off the lot across all variants. Only 11,649 were willing to pay the premium for the 442 derivative, representing 1.8% of total sales. Many were driven into the ground or eventually scrapped, which was a common fate for cars that emerged during The Malaise Era. This one has survived and has done so unmolested. Its price is at the top end of the market, and its few minor shortcomings may mean the seller will struggle to achieve that goal. If they will compromise slightly, they may taste success. Do you agree?
Wow 19.2 in the quarter mile, that’s terrible, my 6 cylinder auto trans 73 Comet went 18.1🤣
That’s Simple. Power By Ford.
Not a fire breather compared to its predecessor but regardless of the road test magazine stop watch it didn’t slow down sales. Cutlass was the car to own in ’77. Supreme coupes probably out sold all other models by two to one. Maybe one of the few times a two door sold more than the four. This is a gorgeous car that is really representitive of what we saw in the mid seventies. What was the take rate of the sunroof?
At least the writer is starting to home in on the “Malaise” era. baby steps.
Pretty good looking car. These were nice. I recall liking these a lot when they were new. A little loss of unusable HP mattered little to me in an era of the 55 MPH limit and crazy enforcement of it. These were comfortable and had killer looks. By 1977 the era of the street race was over.
You can still set up a street race in most major cities, if you have the money to back up your car.
These were also available from the factory with the 260 V8 and a 5 speed manual transmission. Like was said above, with the national 55 MPH speed limit, where were you going in such a hurry anyway? I know I didnt care how quick they were, I just know that I wanted one. Unfortunately it never happened.
Bingo! By ’77, most of the zing of the earlier 442s had faded, and emphasis was more on making it LOOK like it went fast. The hooligans that had the original 442 neck snappers, grew up, had a good job, and this was what came next. Courtin’ took center stage, and with the disco era, you showed up in this, almost guaranteed, even the losers got lucky sometimes,,,
Maybe a wealthy collector will be willing to spend that much. Most of these were run into the ground, or rotted away and fell apart. It’s beautiful, original, and has documentation and rare options. Speaking of options, are we to just assume that the sunroof is factory? You can barely see it from a distance in one picture only. If a car has a rare option, why not show it off? The only turnoff for me is no A/C. I don’t see why a car like this doesn’t have it, unless it was intended for the northern US or Canada.
I agree no A/C is a turnoff. I lived in the northeast and with 95 degree temps and lots of humidity you needed A/C.
Try the Southeast lol.
Not really a fan of black cars, but the gold bottom and wheels really sets it apart, gol dang, the sharpest looking Cutlass, bar none. It’s not an overly fancy car, I read, by ’77, the “442” package, which was reduced to stripes and some suspension mods, added a measly $134 to the Cutlass S, already a fancy car,, right around $4,000. In ’77, Olds was riding high on their stock car racing, and this was pretty darn close and you can bet those “brothers” were good ol’ boys that loved NASCAR. What a beautiful car.
How can it be a 442 with only single exhaust?
By then it was a decor group rather than an equipment group.
That horse left the barn in the 60’s.
I saw that too. It has none of the original numbers once so proud.
And a 3 speed automatic?
So, it’s really a 431
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved GM Colonnade cars of the 1970s. Among my favourites are Olds, Chevy and Buick of various years.
I agree
No vinyl roof is a big plus for me…nice car…
I had the real deal, 1970 442. So for me it’s just a car with stickers. I think it is overpriced. I just wasn’t a fan of the fakes.
All it needs is a 4 spoke sporty steering wheel!
Even though this was the slug error. I still would buy these. I like the looks of them and the Pontiac grand am and lemans..
My Mom bought a new 1976 LeMans Sport with the 260 2V V8 Oldsmobile motor. This 442with a 350 was a rocket compared to it. Loaded school buses could out run it.
I like it. But my high school car was a black 1973 Cutlass S with white interior with bench seat and factory 4 speed. Wish I wouldn’t have hit that guard rail with it. This car is a nice piece.
2.41 and 2.56 rear axles slowed these dwn more than raw power. They now got 18 mpg on the highway vs 12 and rode like a dream. Beautiful car that would cruise all day at 80 on the highway if you had a fuzzbuster and a good set of eyes
If that was my car I would have ordered it new with a 403 Oldsmobile motor that they put in the Trans Ams. 323 gear pos. Auto. I don’t see any reason why I couldn’t run a high to mid-14 quarter mile time like the Trans Am did that year. or just find a 403 to put in it but done up to produce 400 to 500 horse power but keep the outside stock looking . LOL.