Ran When Parked: 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

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The Cutlass Supreme was one of Oldsmobile’s best-selling cars from 1966 to 1997. It was the upscale version of its popular mid-size Cutlass, which itself had begun in the early 1960s on the F-85 compact. All of GM’s intermediates were redesigned in 1968-72, which helped nicely for the Supreme to move out of Olds showrooms. This Supreme Holiday Coupe is a two-owner car with the seller’s mother-in-law having purchased it in 1975. It’s been idle for nearly three decades and will need a complete restoration. From a field in Ringgold, Georgia, this faded vehicle is available here on eBay where $3,150 is the number to beat.

For 1968, the Cutlass Supreme hardtop looked smaller than before, thanks in part to a reduction in wheelbase for coupes only (by contrast, sedans and wagons were lengthened). The Supreme continued to have a “Rocket” V8 as standard equipment, which grew from 330 to 350 cubic inches and 310 hp (4-barrel carburetor). We assume that’s the set-up in “grandma’s” 1968 Supreme with 81,000 miles. Before being parked in 1994, the car was a daily driver, and the only problem (then) was a non-working heater.

Time and Mother Nature have not been kind to the Oldsmobile. It once had a vinyl roof covering, but that has succumbed to the elements. The paint has mostly faded away to the point that you can’t tell it was green at one time. The owner’s son may have attempted some restoration work back in the day in that the carpeting was removed, revealing some now crusty-looking floorboards. The upholstery in the back seat has cracked and split with age, so we assume the front bucket seats will need attention, too.

The non-factory rims on this Cutlass look rather nice on this car and would be worth restoring along with the rest of the vehicle. The trunk floor is said to be rusty, but you’ll have to remove the stuff stored in it to see how bad the problem is. If the auto has not been moved in 29 years, corrosion has likely developed from the bottom up. This could be an interesting vehicle once restored as most of the survivors from this era seem to be muscle cars, aka the 4-4-2.

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Comments

  1. Zen

    Nice that it’s got buckets and console, A/C and tilt wheel. The obvious problem is rot, these cars didn’t like sitting outside in the dirt for decades on end. I’d be very worried about the frame, floors, trunk, and cowl. It’s possible that it’s too far gone, and a parts car only. Someone will enjoy a tilt steering column for a floor shift car, and the same goes for the speedometer. If it isn’t badly rotted, I’d be pleasantly surprised, and hope it finds a good home.

    Like 4
    • Marty

      Nice optioned car, I hope it gets restored or at least road worthy and not parted out.

      Like 1
  2. Golden Goose Cutlas Supreme

    Needs pictures of Frame and floors, under trunk and rails.

    Georgia gets rain and dampness

    Good luck on grandmas car and coin

    Like 3
  3. Joe Padavano

    At least 150% of all 442s ever made are still on the road…

    Like 8
    • The Cadillac Kid

      150%??? Right, and 10 out of 9 people have trouble with fractions! LOL

      Like 4
      • 🇨🇦 Christopher Douglas

        And some people just don’t get the humour. 442 clones buddy!

        Like 9
      • Joseph Padavano

        You are apparently unfamiliar with the term Faux-Four-Two.

        Like 6
    • Mike76

      Accidentally reported comment, sorry, Joe. Your comment is very true.

      Like 6
      • Smokey Smokerson

        They should have the reply button next to the thumbs up button….

        Like 2
  4. Anthony Gaby

    Hey, It’s a 1968 2 Dr hardtop…It needs some work .Just remember “back in the day” we bought cars with rotted out floors, rusty rear quarters, barely running engine…with what money we had to fix it for a daily driver. The “hoidy toidy”…can have their “foo foo” rust free “bought…not built cars”. but most blue collar workers appreciate stuff like this..and build it ..for those “rich dudes” at Mecum to bid on ..Think about it..!!!

    Like 5
  5. Smokey Smokerson

    My first memory of the family car was a 4 door Cutlass of this vintage. I remember crying when it was replaced by a 1972 Delta 88. As much as I didn’t like the Delta, it was replaced by a 1976 Ninety-Eight and the Delta became the second car. That Delta finally rusted to death with over 300,000 miles on it.

    Like 2
  6. Citizen X.

    Not much of a mechanic/restorer.
    Yet….
    Can you put the 68 front grill on a 69 without being a world class shop?
    I like the 69 rear end and the 68 front end….

    Like 0

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