“Convincing friends of your practicality may be a little difficult – when you’re nestled comfortably behind the wheel of this contemporary classic. But you’ll have all the facts you need to make your case, because all of Supreme’s practical virtues are still there. It’s more Supreme than ever.” So says a brochure touting the 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The seller has this example posted here on craigslist in Merrick, New York and they’re asking $5,700. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
This car is the silver SUV of today, the go-to vehicle of its era and they were everywhere. Now you rarely see one in person anymore. I can’t think of the last one that I’ve seen on the street or at a car show but I bet it’s been easily a decade or more. The fourth-generation Cutlass was made from late 1977 for the 1978 model year until the end of the 1988 model year.
I love the notchback look of these cars, but if it came down to it, I’d have to go with a sloped-back Cutlass Salon just for the unusual factor. The seller says that this car was last driven 20+ years ago and had been garaged its whole life, but it does have some “rust spots.” I don’t see any in the photos so I’m not sure where it is. The frame, floors, and trunk floor are reported to be solid.
I see at least one issue inside right away, the passenger side armrest control area – where the power window switch would normally be – is missing. They don’t say whether it’s included but I’m sure you can find one online. We don’t see the backseat other than a sliver of it in this photo, but the interior looks great other than that missing right door panel and some issues with the vinyl on the driver’s seat, as far as I can see.
The engine is a 305-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had either 145 horsepower or 160, depending on if it has a two-barrel or four-barrel carb. The seller says that it runs but needs that mystery carb rebuilt, and the usual services after having been in storage for two decades. This seems like a reasonable way for someone to jump into the vintage car market for not much money. Have any of you owned a Cutlass Supreme from this era?
The biggest thing that surprises me is the fact there’s still a rear bumper on this. For whatever reason, 78-80 cutlasses back bumpers were literally dust after 5 or so years.
Im more impressed the bumper filler is there. Next im impressed its a 305. 160hp was a LOT in the late 70s for a car this size. Our 81 Cutlass wagon(we dubbed it the Gutlass)had the 105 hp 260. Ran trouble free for 130K miles before Dad sold it for a Custom Cruiser
When GM down size these cars the regal grand prix Monte l thought they sucked until 81.
I had a 1980 Cutlass Supreme- identical color inside and out …305/4V, one of the better cars I’ve had – great acceleration for the time and for what it was.. also a good handler- the electronic lock up torque converter was a pain in the tail though, until we disabled it.. wish I still had it
the 76 and 77 Cutlass supreme and regals lost their bumpers due to rusty bumper reinforcements ; these G bodies lost their bumpers because the rear frame rails rotted out badly – we had many get junked because of that in CT. This one is in New York so I’d be checking those rails out before I put any money down on it
Interestingly, vehicles on Long Island don’t rust as badly as they do in Westchester and Connecticut because the weather is one climate range lower than the rest of New York, but that is a fact. It just doesn’t snow as much thus not as much salt get on the road. I lived half my life in both places. Anyhow the guy says it was garaged and it looks it.
Looks pretty solid and complete. The interior could use a good detail. That passenger door would have had a power lock control. Window control was only on 4drs and wagons with power rear vents. Makes you wonder why that door is hacked like that
Love it ! My Dad had one just like this one. His had the 305ci as well and that Cutlass actually “moved out “ pretty darn quick for 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass. His was the Brougham model with “pillow velour interior “ Gas mileage was around 20mpg combined. Not bad for the times. I guess all that weight reduction did the trick and it handled well and “felt very similar “ to the larger 1977 models, just in a smaller package. THIS ONE has great potential and I wish I had the money and the space, ‘cause I’d be makin’ some phone calls. I think the PRICE IS REASONABLE , and please, somebody buy it before I do. Loved the article. Good luck!
Oh, by the way – just in case I didn’t mention it , I didn’t, but I would say that you love the 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass for the greatness it has, and you’ll love the 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass for its greatness. BOTH models are equally fantastic. Fun to drive too.
I love these G bodies! My sister owned a 1980 Cutlass with the Olds 260 V8. I owned 2 different 80’s models with the Olds 307 V8, the most recent being a 1987 Olds 442 that my oldest sister still owns! She recently took it to Auto Zone for a new battery. It was quite the conversation piece and head turner! The 1978 with the Chevy 305 V8 is actually a good set up because the Olds 307 is harder to find parts for. Also, for a nice performance upgrade a bullet proof, easy to find Chevy 350 will slip in pretty easily. Btw, in 1984 the Cutlass was the best selling car in the USA! Kudos for the great article!👍👍👍
I forgot to mention, those nice heavy CHROME bumpers had 2 shock absorbers behind the rear bumper. They supposedly could absorb a 5mph thump in the rear and bounce right back without any damage! Unlike the plastic bumper covers on todays cars that crack from a runaway shopping cart!😂😂
It also has 2 shock absorbers in the front bumper.
Bought one new from showroom in San Diego. Silver paint, black interior. Every option, even a sunroof, but oddly a radio delete. Loved it.
Did they not walk you over to the radio display and help you choose your radio? Story Olds in Lansing MI used to order their cars with no radio. There was an ARA display that you picked your radio from and it was installed while you wait. There’s no such thing as radio delete. Radios were an option.
My cousin bought a 1978 Cutlass brand new. Had a Delco AM-FM 8 track. Remember those?😂. From day 1 the 8 track always played too fast. Sounded like Mickey Mouse. She had the radio replaced 3 different times under warranty.👍👍
Dad’s last car was a 78 Cutlass Supreme.
A bucket seat/console car. It had the 260 V-8. It did okay really great on gas. Fun to drive and easy on the pocket.
These things were like squirrels back in the 70s and 80s- they were literally everywhere. I was working with my grandfather restoring his house in the summer and he would let me drive myself home in his maroon 78 or 79 I think to get practice for my driving test. GLWTA
real nice car i had a 78 and a 80 with the 260 v8
real nice car i had a 78 and a 80 with the 260 v8
Just love it , cool car especially with a 5.0 V8 , great colors and cheap to get into it . BTY that passenger door looks like it got brittle and cracked away like mine did , easy replacement for $125.00
I had the exact same car but with a tan roof and interior. Loved that car. Great easy handling and very decent gas mileage. Had Goodyear white letter tires, was gorgeous. Paid 3500$ and guy came along and loved it offering 4200$. Sold, but still regret it. One of the best I ever owned.
My dad ordered one of these fully loaded in 1979 – black with black velour interior, every option including the horrible 260 diesel with 90 (yes ninety) horsepower. The thing smoked like a 1970s lounge, started to chronically overheat at about 5k miles. Nice car with a pathetic engine. At 7k he gave up, traded it on a new 1980 Celica.
In 1978 I was having problems with used cars. In October of that year I was driving by the GM dealer in Calgary Alberta Canada and decided to take a look at the new cars. Since the 1979 models were arriving, the 1978 were on sale. There was a 1978 Cutlass Supreme Special Edition (two tone Carmine red on White) and decided to take it for a test drive. I like the car but did not like the price, so I went home. Next day the sales rep call me and offered the car at a reduced price, so I went to the dealer and trade in my used and problematic VW bug for my first brand new car that I still have. It has the 305 Chevrolet V8 , 2V factory no A/C (who needs A/C in Canada). It has bucket seats, console carmine red interior. Best car ever had. It became my summer car. Mostly highway miles. Drove to Mexico from Canada. Moved from Calgary to Toronto. Drove from Toronto to Miami and in 1996 moved from Toronto to Atlanta Georgia. I drove it for two years and in 1998 I decided to retire the car in my garage for my restoration project when I retire. In 2012 I retired and every year ever since I dedicate time to restore the car. It is almost there. It has 111K original miles. Never broke down and has a lot of family history. It is my classic car now. I take it to car shows and have received plaque awards. Not the most collectible car but the ride is fantobiolous.
I was gifted a new 84 Cutlass Supreme 2 door from my parents for college graduation. Loved it…. 2 tone brown with wire wheel covers. Installed Alpine speakers in the back tray. Got married in 86 and first of 3 bambinos arrived 11 months later in 87. 2 doors don’t work well with baby seats. Traded it off for a new Accord 4 door. Wish I still had the Olds for old times sake.
Back in the 80’s I had a 1979 with the 305 4 barrel. It was a tank and you couldn’t kill it. Believe me I tried.
I had a 1979 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham :
V8, triple blue, automatic, electric door locks and windows, etc. It also had thick corduroy seats = it was LOADED !
I traded it for a 14ft. Carolina Skiff boat with a Nissan 40 h.p. outboard motor which was worth OVER $5000.00 !
The friend that made the deal REALLY wanted that car, & I really wanted a boat !
Moral of the story:
NEVER underestimate bartering !
I forgot to mention that for my 1978 Cutlass Supreme Special Edition I also have every single repair invoice and oil changes for the last almost 46 years that I have owned it. Also since day one I have used premium gas only. Since most of the driving has been highway, only one set of brake pads had been replaced. The car has 111K miles or 177K kilometers since Canada has the metric system and the cluster comes in kilometers on cars up there. I have replaced the water pump and the starter, that’s all. Of course I replace tires and spark plugs. One week after I purchased the car I put seat covers and replaced those around three times When I retired the car I pull off the seat covers and the seats look like new. I also replaced the headliner which was sagging due to the humidity here in Georgia. Also the car was Zibart when brand new and since I hardly drove it in winter, there is no corrotion anywhere.
I had a 1979 Cutlass Calais with the Hurst/Olds package. Two tone white and gold with white vinyl bucket seats. That car was loaded. It had T-tops and a 350 Olds V-8. They only made about 2200 of those that year, I should have kept it.
GONE.
I am not surprised that it went fast.
Thanks, PRA4SNW! I was just checking the auctions and listings and saw that this one was gone. Someone got a pretty good deal here I think.
I bought a 1979 Cutlass Calais with the Hurst/Olds package used. That was really a nice car. It had bucket seats and a Hurst dual gate shifter. It also has T-tops and an Olds 350 V-8. I miss that car, it was a lot of fun.
I bought a 1979 Cutlass Calais with the Hurst/Olds package on it around 1987. That car had T-tops and an Olds 350 V-8. While not saying a whole lot, it was faster than the Monte Carlo SS’s of the time. I miss that car.