Rarity claims for classic cars must be taken with a pinch of salt. Almost any vehicle can fall into that category with the right options combination, but this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme might be the real deal. Its original owner backed its V8 engine with the optional 5-speed manual transmission, making it an effortless long-distance cruiser. It is a rock-solid vehicle in sound mechanical health, although lifting its presentation with a fresh coat of paint could be straightforward and worthwhile. The seller has listed the Olds here on Craigslist in Crockett, Texas. It could be yours for $15,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Spencer D for spotting this tidy survivor.
Oldsmobile’s Third Generation Cutlass range graced showroom floors from 1973 until 1977. The company utilized the practice followed by many, eliminating its Hardtop versions in preference to “Colonnade” models with a fixed center pillar. There was a fear within the industry that proposed rollover standards might compromise their existing designs, so playing it safe was a wise strategy. This Cutlass Supreme rolled off the line during the final production year, finished in Firethorn with a contrasting White Landau-style vinyl top and pinstripes. The seller doesn’t mention any prior restoration or repairs, suggesting this classic might be a genuine survivor. The panels are straight, and the vinyl is in good order, but the paint has lost its factory shine. Buffing and polishing might improve the situation, but I suspect the new owner might contemplate a repaint to recapture the car’s lost youth. The process should be straightforward because there are no significant bumps or bruises and no evidence or mention of rust issues. The Cutlass rolls on its color-coded Super Stock II wheels wrapped in narrow whitewalls. That combination provides a classy look, and while the windshield is cracked, the remaining glass is spotless. Determining the true state of some trim pieces is difficult due to the quality of the supplied images, but the overall impression is that it would take a hands-on enthusiast more time than money to whip the exterior into shape.
This Cutlass is a classic with an interior that presents better than its exterior. There is little to criticize, with the Red cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces free from significant wear and physical damage beyond a small area on the driver’s seat’s outer vinyl. The carpet is worn below the driver’s feet, but splashing $220 on a fresh carpet set would lift the overall presentation significantly. The dash and pad are excellent, as is the faux woodgrain. Someone has mounted a CB below the dash, which appears to be the only aftermarket addition. The new owner won’t benefit from many factory options, although they will undoubtedly welcome the AM/FM radio/cassette player, sports wheel, and bucket seats.
Potential buyers will be encouraged to learn that this Oldsmobile has a known ownership history. The seller is its second owner, with his brother ordering it new from the Olds dealership in Missoula, Montana. I am disappointed they supply no engine photos because this car’s drivetrain helps it to stand out from the crowd. It is powered by the company’s 260ci V8, which joined the Cutlass range in 1975. It produces 110hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque, with both figures looking modest by modern standards. However, these motors are remarkably tractable, with torque peaking at only 1,500rpm. The most significant feature is the transmission, with this car’s original owner specifying the 5-speed “T50” manual. Oldsmobile only offered this unit in 1976 and 1977, improving fuel economy by over 15% compared to an identical car equipped with the three-speed Hydramatic. This feature leads the seller to describe it as rare, and I admit I haven’t seen many Supremes from this period with this combination. That may make it appeal to some enthusiasts, and this will be heightened courtesy of its excellent mechanical health. The seller states it runs and drives perfectly, with no issues or problems. He recently drove the Cutlass home from Montana, sitting effortlessly at 80mph on the open road. It completed the journey without a hitch, returning fuel consumption of 22mpg into the bargain.
So, is this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme rare? That is the biggest question facing potential buyers wishing to pursue it further. I haven’t seen another, and my relatively brief online search failed to reveal an answer. Performing a more thorough search is justified because if the claim is proven, that would add to the car’s potential value. Recent sales results suggest that even with the cost of a repaint factored into the equation, the seller’s price is realistic. I think it will find a new home, but could it be yours?
This is one of my favorite Cutlass supremes. I always liked how the half vinyl top and quarter windows looked. Ive never had a chance to see ine with a 5 speed in person, but have seen them online. I’m surprised because usually you see them in a Cutlass S or 442. Including on here. I had a 260 in my 77 Delta 88. It was slow but it did have torque to get it moving so long as you werent in a hurry. I always wondered what one with a 5 speed would be like to drive. This Cutlass looks solid and if I were in a different place in life right now Id be seriously interested in this one.
In 1981 I had a 4 door Ventura with Chev inline 250 6 cylinder. Equipped with 4 doors, buckets console, 3 speed manual and radial tuned suspension. Only the ’76 Ventura 260 Olds V8 and 5 speed T50 was its possible successor. That 5 speed 2 door was really rusty, having succumbed to 5 Montreal Quebec salty winters. After I sold both, I bot a 5speed tranny and all accessories from a ’77 Cutlass being scrapped due to severe rust. I still have those parts, 40+ years later. My position now allows me to buy anything I want, so I have a Tremec 5 speed 409 Impala, and a few diesel Olds powered GMs. Maybe that 5speed belongs behind my ’81 Bonneville 2 door Brougham I drove from San Francisco to Houston to New York in May…
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TszNnVtnfu8mEikQ8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjoLkMLh5ByK8pmK7
And speaking of 5speeds… I have 2 rather uncommon LeBarons… Both V6 Mitsubishi convertibles
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qJ5iEiAFKgU9fBe37
I’ve got a 260 Olds Diesel and auto trans that had 39,000 miles on it when removed, sitting in a warehouse in Alpharetta, GA north of Atlanta.
Jeff – I can’t reply to your message, so replying here. My car is a 1979 Cutlass Calais. I have another post here about the engine swap we did. I still have the car, but the 260 diesel engine and trans are no longer in the car. They’re stored in a warehouse at the moment.
The gutless cutlass lol
DgminGA, do you still have your 260 Olds diesel? What model is it? Supreme, Calais or Brougham?
A 5 SPEED Cutlass? Of this vintage? This I got to see. Well, shiver me timbers, sho, nuff. Reason I’m so , um, well, surprised, we’ve all seen dozens and dozens of these cars, never a stick. I can’t even imagine ANY were sold, but in true USA fashion, don’t underestimate an American. According to a site called “Classicoldsmobile.com”, (what else?) of the 300,000 Cutless’ sold in ’77, a 5 speed was only in the hundreds. Records are sketchy at best, but I think there were more 4 speeds than 5 speeds, still under 1,000, they claim. The market base, single women mostly, just didn’t want that. My shifting days are over, I grumble at every stop with my Jeep, but I think this would be really cool, not for neck snapping, just a sporty ’77 Cutlass, nothing wrong with that.
I have a 1976 Olds flyer that shows you could get a 5 speed in one of these but it was paired to a 260 V8, so not a barn burner by any means. You could even get a V6 Buick in one of these in 1977. Saw one firsthand myself.
I had bought a used 1978 Cutlass 2 door with the notchback roof in the mid-80’s for my winter car from the original owner. He ordered it from the factory with a 4 speed and a 305 V8. He did a lot of highway miles and wanted better gas mileage. Often wondered how rare that car was. It was all green metallic, not a good looker, it also had those flat full hubcaps.
I saw one in much better condition sell at auction for round 10K in 2019 so not sure what that would equate too in today’s crazy market .
My favorite vintage of the Cutlass Supreme. 5 speed manual to boot.
Makes it a rare find and because of its overall good condition will exceed the 15g so far. Maybe the current owner will resend trying to sell her & enjoy for many more years. I sure would. What a find indeed.
Right on Howard. A row it yourself 5speed Cutlass from Dr Olds.
4 speed not available. Only the 5 speed
Never knew any were available with the 5 speed from the factory, and I know that era well because I still have the 76 Buick Regal S/R that I special ordered .my Buick looks great but it only has 30,000 miles on it but this is a unique vehicle for sure
Anything without a slushbox is cool today!!
I owned a 1977 CutSup w/ a 260 V8 and a 5 speed, all black, buckets and hurst hatch t-tops. All ordered from factory. Cool but SLOW…..and i mean S L O W………..
After i posted, I remembered back in high school in the 80s, there was a kid a year ahead of me that had a 73 Cutlass Supreme with a factory 4 speed manual. I think it was a 350 but I was reading somewhere that they also could be had with a 455 4 speed. It was one of the quickest cars in the lot at the time, and I remember a lot of the guys saying he was excellent at shifting, which you’d have to be to really get the most out of a manual trans. Funny how just a few short years could take you from a 350 or possibly a 455 4 speed down to a 260 2 barrel with a 5 speed.
The 350 was available in 1977, as was the 403. The 455 was dropped after the 1976 model year. None of this is surprising for those of us who lived through the gas crises of the 1970s.
And the 2bbl on the 260 was the front half of a Quadrajet so those were really small openings. My Dad had a 75 Cutlass Supreme with the 260 and 3 speed Turbo Hydramatic trans. It had a faster top speed in 2nd gear than in 3rd because of the 2.56 rear gears and lack of torque that motor made. Not that it was fast but you could get up to 95 mph in second and if you put it in 3rd it would drop almost 10 mph.
Nice car. Actually rare and unique. Though it isn’t inexpensive it shouldn’t last long at this price.
Steve R
An odd and rare combo, GM didn’t offer a five speed in the other Colonades of them years making it oddly desirable, some tlc and minor cash outlay and one or two week-ends worth of effort should make this a nice cruiser that would elicit questions at the cars and coffe. Why no engine bay pics. I.m.o. that seals the deal so much better
There are no pics because then someone could confirm it’s the 260. 🤣
The only V8 available with the 5 speed was the 260. It was a gutless turd of a combo, and anything more powerful would have turned that transmission into metal shards.
The 4.3/5-speed availability ended after 1979, not 1977.
Mecum says only 114, 1977 Cutlass’ had the 5 speed. It was the BW T50, and used in a slew of applications.
I can guarantee you none of those applications had more torque than a tightly wound Officemate rubber band.
Rare bird indeed but man that 260 is a skunk. Still, a unique Olds that looks to be pretty solid. I don’t understand why sellers don’t take pics of the engine though. My dream colonnade would be either a 73 Olds or Buick, 455 with 4 speed. Like finding hens teeth now. I recall a 73 Olds Supreme version of that combo for sale a few years back but you don’t see many colonnades with a stick, And when you do find one for sale, they usually sell fairly quickly. I’m sure this Olds won’t last too long.
The international flags emblem below the Oldsmobile badge says this is a Cutlass Salon, which is the sporty version of the Supreme. Though it IS unusual to see a stickshift in a Colonnade, the fact that this is a Salon might make this car not as odd as it might seem. The price still seems a little rich, given the dearth of options.
I agree with your last sentence. The 260 is a dog, there’s no A/C, the only thing going for it is it’s condition. It would be a boring car to have, even though there’s probably very few left. This setup was rare because no one wanted it.
I didn’t know the 1977 Cutlass came with a 4 or a 5 speed?
I agree with Zen, it’s rare because most folks certainly would not want this particular setup when you could get a 350 V8 with AT and AC?
Seems like GM wasted their engineering skills and a considerable amount of time just to create something this undesirable. Why?
That being said, it’s a really straight looking car that looks original and untouched to me.
Even looks like the original paint, probably Firethorn red?
Someone will want it just for the rarity part alone.
Just my oponion!
I remember the adds revelling in the 260 5-speed option. I was intrigued but underemployed or I might have ordered one up.
Gm paired the diesel and the 260 with the T50 on 78-79 cutlass ,I put a T50 in my 79 Hurst Cutlass with a 350 ci makes it come alive.
I have a 77 with the 5 speed. It’s slow on take off. But runs good
Seems nobody cares for the 260. But I have a soft spot in my heat for the 260. My ’78 Cutlass was equipped with this engine. And I like it . My car was smaller and lighter. The engine moved it around surprisingly well. The car I had was this color with tan half vinyl top and bucket seats and gauges. Drove it until it has 180k before I sold it in good condition.
Grandpa was an Olds guy. Dad got a couple when Grandpa got a new one. Last one was a 75 CS. 260 auto with ac. Not powerful but reliable with excellent mpg. You wouldn’t put a hitch on the back but the 4 door was a great family car.
Guess Cletis wanted to make sure he didn’t get stuck on any back roads with that CB👍😅
I sold one just like this with an automatic for $1600. Couldn’t imagine that it could bring that much today…
I always thought there was longevity in the 260 becaise it didnt put out a lot of power and didnt run at a high rpm. They just run forever if taken care of.
No way its a 5 speed
How do you figure, 5 speed shift knob?
It’s a T50 five speed (not to be confused with the T5). The OD trans was a gimmick to help these heavy cars squeak past EPA CAFE mileage requirements. As others have noted, the T50 may be the weakest five speed ever installed in an American car. Any engine stronger than the 260 will frag the trans.
Yes it is. I own two 1979 Cutlass’s with the 5 speed.
LOVE the manual!! But wouldn’t consider that damn 260 V8 if it was the last choice on earth. A riding mower accelerates faster. My Mom had a 1980 with that motor.
Buy it , spray the underneath with oil and drive it 6 months out of the year.
Midway, that is true.
I have a friend that used to spray his 1967 Nova with oil on the underneath side.
Sounds like it could be messy, but it is a cheap way to slow the rust. And, they will rust, regardless of whether you drive it or not.
I’m not sure what happens if you get oil on parts that get hot, such as the exhaust?
I assume it would burn off?
I consider it a Redneck rustproofing job, but the shoe fits!
Just my oponion!
I have a few 5.7 Olds diesel GMs, and I’ve towed with a 6.2 Suburban 2500 4×4… What’s the rush???
The 80 was about 800 lbs lighter than the 76-77 models, seems like it would be better in the downsized Cutlass.
When I was a young Oldmobile DM, we rotated into new cars every 3 to 4 weeks. One day I got a CS with a 260……DIESEL; only engine that made an ICE 260 look good. I lived in a condo in So-Cal that was less than a block from a freeway on-ramp. One morning I pull out to head to the freeway and a cop immediately pulled me over. Told me I was doing 60 in a 35. I told him I just pulled out of the side street and must have confused me with some other vehicle. He was unmovable, so I told him, you see this new car? If you can pull out of this side street and hit even 30 mph at the on-ramp, I’ll give you the car free. I explained we had to suspend sales in Northern California because they were unable to climb the hills in San Francisco. I finally got him laughing and he sent me on my way.
jimmyx, 2 years ago, I purchased a 1979 Olds Cutlass Calais, dark carmine with carmine interior, (buckets & console, of course, as it was a Calais) and T-Tops… with a 260 diesel. Who in the world orders T-Tops with a diesel? The fellow I bought it from (2nd owner) told me the original owner was a friend of his who was an Oldsmobile corporate employee of some kind. It was in MN, and he found out the 1st winter that the diesel didn’t like the cold. It had a block heater, but apparently if he parked it for a long meeting in 15 degree weather, he’d have to get the dealership to run an extension cord out to heat it up so it would crank. So, it didn’t get driven in the winter time – which was good since that kept it out of the salt up there. It now has a 6.0 with Holley Terminator FI and 4L80 and 3.73 8″ rear. A lot more enjoyable to drive.
Buddy of mine had a 79 with the strange wedge cut rear body style that was a stick shift. Not sure what the Olds design team were thinking with that model🤷♂️
Sorry purists. If I ended up with this “BEAUTIFUL” version of Cutlass. The whole drive train would come out and be replaced with something durable and “fast”. Doesn’t have to be an LS. Just something with at least 400 HP. and a trans and rear-end that would hold up. Make the body lazer straight and paint it black with red pinstripes. Keystones all around. 50’s and 60’s with white letter BFG’s. Love this year of Cutlass. Last one before they started to get small. Would look amazing. Oh well. I hope whoever gets it enjoys it as much as I would.
i was thinkin similar DB.
id keep the paint, and beautiful interior.
The engine and trans to a rocket or that 403 or, and a tremec.
If i could find a 442 nose maybe.
As for all posing question :
why would Olds, why would anyone, why the 260, etc. ?
GAS MILEAGE !
Not everyone likes to pose as a drag racer. Especially Olds, was more a gentlemens charriot.
Beautiful car. The 260 V-8 did exactly what it was supposed to do. It didn’t win races or made you the first one out the gate but the people who bought them were concerned with the durability and fuel economy. My dad who was 56 at the time purchased a 76 Cutlass Supreme with the 260. There are some people who buy cars to drive and enjoy them
Love it! I remember the T50 well and think the dogleg pattern is super cool. The only issue with this transmission (beyond only being able to handle 205 ft lbs torque) is that there are zero repair parts available other than front and rear seals. No shift forks, no syncros, no gear sets, which relegates cars/trucks with the T50 to showcar/weekend cruiser status and not real drivers.
Nice car, unique combo, but a lot of shifting with no reward. And how do you pass on a two lane road, unless you’re passing a farm implement. I can only imagine what a slug these were.
Just look at all the comments and thumbs up on this car. This is exactly the kind of car that gets my interest. A true unicorn, and one that isn’t priced at more than most houses cost.
Go to any Cars & Coffee and you’ll see rows of the usual late 1960’s Hemi Mopars, Camaro SS, Mustangs, big-buck late model German BMW’s, Porches, etc. But show up in this and you’ll get more attention than any of them, and you’ll never see another one.
Once in a while, a rare, interesting car comes up at a much more affordable price than most trailer queens. This car might not be ‘investment grade’ but it sure would be fun to tool around in.
Drove these brand new at an Olds dealer in 77, where I was assistant service manager. Yes, Olds made then only with the 269. Nice write up Adam, but to make one nitpick. This model is a Cutlass Salon, not a Supreme. Those high back buckets not available in a Supreme. I had a 76 Salon with every option including the first year Hurst Hatches in regular Cutlass line. The 76 seats were much nicer than 77. Of the 50 cars I’ve owned in 51 years, that car is my favorite. Miss it terribly. Next is my every option 77 Grand Prix SJ, also with Hurst Hatches. Both cars were silver. Today, all that is built is SUV junk. This car here will do well.
I had one of these in the past.
The one I had was a fastback with 15K miles.
Drove good but SLOW UNDERPOWED as you could never imagine with the 260 and that 5 speed.
Neat and unique.
No fun to drive at all!
Hard Pass!
I sold a new 78 Cutlass Calais, which was top of the line in 78, 260, 5 speed, T-tops, no A/C. With T-tops, who needs air in the Midwest, right? If you can go fast enough, you might get cooled off, but can you afford all those tickets. Oh, I forgot, it’s a 260.
Pretty sure GM was still putting the antenna inside the front windshield, might be hard to replace
Wow awesome I had 2 of the 77s one with the 350 and the other a Salon with the 403 both automatics and even then and now I didn’t know there was a 5 speed manual option, I wish my Salon had the 5 speed that would have been awesome, both were medium blue with black interiors, I would buy this one if I had the cash 💵 just because of the 5 speed and condition it is in and just order a windshield and have it installed! Flashbacks of the 80s 🤙🤙
WOW! I can’t believe it! No one caught that this car is not a Cutlass Supreme, but a Cutlass Salon! Look at those seats and the badging! Standard on the Cutlass Salon. I like to look at that kind of stuff!! LOL
Yeah I didn’t see that because I’m sober And if I was drinking right now I would not have missed that lol 😝
I mentioned that and the international badging earlier.
Opps! Yes you did! Guess I should stop drinking this morning! LOL
Sounds like several people caught that fact!!
People today forget the immense pressure on the entire auto industry to get the fuel economy up in those years. That’s why GM downsized, and why Oldsmobile did their diesel. This car was part of that drive., But the public didn’t go along, they still wanted a big engine and automatic then. Same today, few people want the expensive electric cars.
A few million!!
I never heard of one of these with a 5-speed. Just this morning I saw another one on Kijiji, a very nice looking ’76 442, 260 5 spd. I thought it was a fake or something, but… maybe not.
I’d really like to have this one with a hot 350 and a Tremec 6 speed using that shifter handle. Just beef up the tires a little bit and make the motor look bone stock. Surprise your friends!
When I a kid my older brother bought a 73 Cutlass. It had a factory 4 speed, Hurst shifter, 350 four barrel, with a bench seat. It was a off color yellow, rally wheel. Only one I ever saw like it.
He went in the service, got married and traded it for 79 Ford Fiesta in Mrtlye Beach, SC . LOL!
Lipstick on a pig comes to mind …
In the 60’s GM did all kinds of weird stuff. I had a 1965 Pontiac 2-plus-2 Catalina rag top with a 421 tri carb with a 4 speed–It was a sleeper
Did that sleeper have 421 emblems on the fenders?
Same 5spd they used starting in 76 with the Vega GT. Made for good gas mileage on the highway.
I bought a1976 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham in1976. Beautiful car.It had a 350 and auto tranny.Kept it for 22 years.I still miss that car.Sold it to my brother and he ran it into the ground. Ruined my beautiful car
My Mom traded her 74 cutlass for a 76 brougham. She wanted the 5 speed but not the 260 motor. Her and my Dad had four different olds from 69 to 78. As for the manual transmissions, seen a 75 cutlass go thru a Sullivan auctioneers sale a few years ago and it had a 350 with a three on the tree. Very odd combination.
Cardinal sin for Oldsmobile to put 110hp in a Cutlass. Otherwise a good looking nice comfortable riding car and being a 5-speed manual gots to be a blast to drive. I had a 76’ Cutty Brougham 350 4-bbl wasn’t too too bad but was sharp white/red interior and comfortable.