When Oldsmobile introduced the Salon package in 1973, its vision was to bring a touch of European flair to the 4th Generation Cutlass range. Whether or not this was a success is open to question, but it certainly didn’t do anything to harm its sales totals. This 1975 Cutlass Salon Coupe is 1-of-39,050 examples built during that model year. That figure is indicative of how well the buying public received the Salon within a total Cutlass production of 319,531 vehicles across all body types for that model year. It presents exceptionally well for its age, and it seems that its appearance isn’t deceptive. The owner has decided that the Olds needs to go to a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Westwood, Massachusetts, and while he has set the BIN at $19,995, he has left the way clear for potential buyers to submit an offer.
When you scroll through the supplied photos, it’s hard not to like this Cutlass. The styling of the 4th Generation cars was pretty crisp, and this impression is only accentuated when the vehicle in question wears a combination like Persimmon Metallic paint with a White vinyl top. It looks classy and distinctive, and the closer you look, the better it seems to get. The owner admits that the Cutlass has undergone one repaint, and this shines beautifully, with no visible flaws or issues. The panels are laser straight, while the vinyl top is in as-new condition. The color-keyed wheels are as flawless as the paint, and they help lift the overall presentation above what you might expect if the Cutlass wore plain hubcaps. The trim is in excellent order, and I can’t spot any problems with the tinted glass.
The interior presentation of this Cutlass is good, but it isn’t perfect. With seats and doors trimmed in white vinyl, it would be easy to expect that this would be where the issues arise. There’s no denying that trim of that type and color can be prone to deterioration, but it all looks pretty good in this car. However, it is the carpet on the driver’s side that is the source of the trouble. It actually looks like it is shredded on the outer edge because I’m sure that I can see the painted steel beneath. It seems like the kick panel on that side may also be damaged, meaning that the buyer might have to venture out for a spot of shopping. Otherwise, the dash presents well, and I can’t spot any issues with the console. The factory radio is intact, although the owner admits that the speaker is bad. The original owner ordered the Cutlass with air condition that still works perfectly and cruise control that is also okay.
While Oldsmobile offered several engines to potential Cutlass buyers in 1975, most chose to equip their new purchase with the 350ci V8. This Cutlass also comes equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The Cutlass Salon was more focused on comfort than performance, and this became apparent when it was pointed at a ¼-mile. The journey took 18.4 seconds, which is nowhere near fast. However, it was probably about as good as buyers had come to expect at that period in time. For potential buyers, the news with this Cutlass looks entirely positive. The owner sent the original booster to be reconditioned and replaced the master cylinder, rear wheel cylinder, shoes, and drums. The front discs were machined, and the car now stops…yesterday. He says that it runs and drives well and that the 350 sounds sweet breathing through a dual exhaust. There are a couple of tasks for the buyer to tackle, but it appears that there’s nothing major. He indicates that the Cutlass has 47,000 original miles on the clock, but not whether he holds verifying evidence.
The owner uses the term “extremely valuable” when describing the 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon, and he might be overplaying his hand slightly on that front. There’s no denying that values have increased over the past year, and while the figure is somewhere in the region of 20%, I don’t consider that extreme. It is worth noting that there is no evidence that those increases are beginning to taper, which means that buying the right car at the right price today could prove to be a wise move. Of course, there’s no such thing as an iron-clad guarantee in the classic scene, meaning that today’s “must-have” could quickly become tomorrow’s unloved. This Cutlass is priced towards the top of market expectations, and given the apparent issues with the carpet, it could be slightly optimistic. Would you be tempted to try your luck by making a respectable and respectful offer on this Olds?
I had a black 1975 Cutlass salon back in the day. It had red cloth buckets in it. Factory 455 too! Beat to hell by the time I got it, rusted rear quarters too. It sure drove nice though. Probably a bit faster than stock too, due to all of the missing metal caused by rust lol.
It was probably a beauty 10 years before I got it.
This car is very pretty. I love the color combo. I think the buy it now price is insane! Sure, mine was a beater, but I only paid $300.00 for it back then. This might have been a $1,500.00 car at that time. I could see $5,000 or maybe a thousand more…maybe. But $20,000? That is nuts to me lol.
Wow, really attractive car. Nice all around presentation. Two things though…$20k is pretty much too much, IMHO. Pictures in a cemetery kind creep me out. Just saying.
Hah! I didn’t even see the pix in the cemetery! Being a hearse nut, I like this car even more.
Pictures in a cemetery with orbs of light or a see-through person in the background might freak me out a bit, but this looks peaceful.
Nice looking Cutlass. I liked this year’s body style when it was new and still do. I’m a little less optimistic about the price than the seller, and if I had to roll the dice I’d bet a best offer will be what buys this car. It’s a great looking example, but $20k just seems a bit much. We’ll see what happens!
This is such a fabulous car – I love the color scheme. I love the white interior. There’s a lot to like here! However- what the heck is going on with the floor on the driver’s side? How is the carpeting all ripped up like that with only 47,000 miles on it?? I hope it is not a water leak with rust underneath! That has not to be looked into and fixed. I would not pay $19,995 for this with this issue left like that!
Love it! 73-77 a-body’s are demanding more money and rightfully so… beautiful example, no restoration needed! Drive, show and smile!!
The car presents well with crisp lines and a nice color combination. The bucket seats and 350 V8, albeit a shadow of its 1970 horsepower, are pluses. Not sure about the air conditioning status and verification of the claimed mileage. The other concern is the high price . I loved midsized cars in the day but collectors like muscle cars, 1955-1957 Chevy models, sports cars and now early Ford Broncos so the growth potential is probably not there.as an investment.
I wonder who submitted this beautiful Cutlass to BF. Hmmmmmmmmm
Beautiful car. Great colors and trim. 20K money is a bit overoptimistic unless the right buyer comes along who had one back in the day “just like this”. There are going to be minor things that don’t work on every vehicle of this era. Much like owning a boat or RV, something different will stop working each time it goes out for a Sunday drive. Fix those things and a new crop of problems will magically appear. You pretty much have to be a mechanic to own a vintage auto, or you’ll be in a never-ending money pit.
This body style has aged so well even after 46 yrs. Too bad it’s not a 455
Very nice but not $20K nice. Massachusetts, the Northeast Salt Flats area of the USA.
Bad optics taking pics of a car at a cemetery… You could buy these in this condition in the 80’s for $1500 bucks… not worth $20k imho, but you never know.
@JC
Have you compared the prices of houses in the 80s compared to today’s prices? ‘Nuff said.
Sometimes old cars are just… old cars. ‘Nuff said. :)
Also, a good paying job was $10/hr.
Cracks me up to see people complain about prices and compare to 40 years ago.
I always wonder what they would ask for a nice car if it was theirs.
You all have very valid points. I just don’t know that I would want that much out of that car. I think I would have a hard time expecting $13,000 out of it. It wasn’t that long ago when $8,000 would have been nuts to me.
My first car was a 75 Cutlass Salon. Silver with a maroon vinyl top. Red cloth interior. Had it 4 years until a 16 year old decided to t-bone me. I drove it two more weeks after it was totaled until we settled with his insurance company. I could literally sit in the drivers seat and reach over and comfortably hold the top of the passenger door! Pretty big hit. Got a lot of stares driving down the road. Used to hang out with friends at a corner of a parking lot and one night a cop pulled up, got on his loud speaker and told us to leave. There were about 5 of us sitting on my totaled car. You should have seen the cops face when I hopped in it, cranked her up and drove off. It did look like an abandoned car! Bought a 76 Cutlass Salon (with t-tops!) after that. Wish I had THAT one back!
I had a 75 Olds Cutlass, #118 off the assembly plant in Arlington, Texas. Built on 8/23/1974, 3 days before me and my wife were married. Guess that shows how old we are. Special ordered at Henry Butts Oldsmobile Inc., Dallas Texas, and never left this area. It showed very well at the local shows and cruses in the Dallas area for a long time. Hated to sale it but I moved way out in the country on a dirt road and didn’t do much with it so I decided to let it go. Loved the car though. Owning cars like that just takes you back to where you were in your life when it was new. I do like the color combination on this Olds.
Beautiful color combo, it’s a shame the guy ordered a Salon, it it’s not well optioned, if the car was a 455, power windows, doors , sunroof, factory am/fm 8 track power seat car, the 20 large would’ve been ok, but not for a crank windows low option car, 14 is the SC my here
I had a 74 442
Metallic brown with white 442 stripes
And white interior
It had the swivel bucket seats
I didn’t keep it long, though I can’t remember why, other than i was more into smaller foreign cars ie:mercury capri vw scirocco gen 1 toyota celica etc
I had a silver 76 Salon with burgundy buckets. Hurst Hatches the first year. Other than the fact they leaked a bit, that gorgeous car was hands down the best car I ever owned and I have owned 40 cars, three of them Oldsmobiles. Anvil like reliability. Had every option but the butt ugly Landau vinyl top. Miss that car soooooo much. Today all stupid Americans want are useless SUVs and trucks. My kids laugh at Grand Marquis and 73 Corvette. They drive Audi 7s and Acura whatever.
Olds Cutlass’s were very popular in the 70s, due to their very good styling regardless of the sub-model. Too bad this is a ’75 as that was the first catalytic converter/ unleaded fuel-only year, and existing engines were detuned to make them light off the converter. They had to lower the compression and retard the timing, which effectively strangled performance. The ” malaise” era had arrived.
My favorite Cutlass year.
Beautiful car, and priced that way.
I did not see a lot of these, but man did i see a lot of ’77s back in the day.
Bobby D
My first car was a white 1975 Salon with the blue top and interior and white honey-comb wheels. Loved that car. It had a small block V8 and wasn’t fast but it was a real sweet ride. I paid $3000 for it off a dealer’s used lot. It did handle a little funky on the highway exits but probably normal for the times. What it lacked in performance it easily made up for in style!