Oldsmobile had a major hit on their hands when they launched the Cutlass Supreme in 1966. A 2-door hardtop at first, the Supreme would go on to become one of Oldsmobile’s best sellers – and the best seller in its mid-size class. The seller’s 1976 edition is from the Colonnade era of 1973 to 1977, one of the car’s best sales periods. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this Olds appears to be a nice survivor with no issues with the body, paint, interior, or drivetrain. A tip from Tony Primo, this nifty Cutlass is available here on craigslist for $19,900.
The Cutlass Supreme went into 1976 virtually unchanged, and yet sales increased by a whopping 84% to more than 329,000 copies. Of those, more than half were the 2-door sport coupe like the seller’s blue beauty. It has a 350 cubic inch V8 which was standard fare and with a 2-barrel carburetor could only muster 180 hp SAE net due to the encroachment of emissions controls. An automatic transmission was the order of the day, too, so we assume the one in the seller’s car is the TH-350.
We’re told this survivor has only traveled 86,000 miles in its 48 years since rolling off the assembly line. There is no rust and no visible issues with the sheet metal or paint. But the plastic body fillers around the rear bumper are an exception and the seller has replacements on order (painted or unpainted?). The interior Is tidy, though the carpeting may be dirty and the steering wheel is worn. The upholstery will have to take some getting used to (IMO).
A new set of tires are at all four points and have just 100 miles on them. The car looks like a sleeper with blackwall tires and dog dish hubcaps, the latter not being something usually associated with a Cutlass Supreme. The machine runs and drives as it should, so your first Cars & Coffee outing may only be a weekend away. The seller sounds very accommodating and is even willing to FaceTime if that’s what it takes to get a deal done.
Dr Olds went disco 💿 🕺 on the seats 💺
Actually, it went disco in Tijuana by the looks of it. Olds never offered a “pattern” on even their overstuffed seats.
that is the original material on the brougham model
Terry, wrong I had the same car. That’s factory upholstery.
I have seen this exact pattern on other Collanade Cutlasses several times.
Incorrect. Geometric pattern velour was standard on the Cutlass Supreme Brougham model. I worked at an Oldsmobile dealership in 1976 and loved these.
It’s almost 50 years old, but it’s stayin’ alive.
Odd that it’s the top-of-the-line Supreme “Bro-ham” luxury package but came with manual windows. I guess that package only got you the crazy crushed velour seats. Also missing the fancier wheels that made these cars stand out. Definitely new paint and its missing its bro-ham side badges. More like a $12k car
Crank windows were more common than not.
It’s brougham, but I’m sure you knew that.
These were attractive and popular cars in their day. That upholstery is very cool. I liked the color-keyed factory wheels, I prefer them to this look.
💯 Bob. Love that front-end.
“Sleeper”? You got that right, even a 350 from that era would put you to sleep driving it. Overall, it’s a good looking car except for those wheels. Those cars had nice looking rims out of the factory..oh and that Tijuana upholstery has to go.
The original Cutlass Supreme in 1966 was only available as a FOUR door hardtop at the top of the Cutlass line. In 1967 it was expanded to other body styles.
I miss when cars had varying upholstery choices. This one is beautiful!
Isn’t a sleeper typically a car that looks very likely to be a snail but surprisingly is a beast?
The term “sleeper” is one of, if not the most, overused words in the car world today.
The word “rare” also gets a lot of overuse.
Amazing a Cutlass so nice from Illinois, the rust belt.
I’ll reserve judgement until I see pics of the bottom side.
Surely you jest! Basically, 20K for something worth maybe 10K (if I’m being generous) And maybe I am way behind the curve, but my understanding of the term “sleeper” is that it is an understated, unassuming automobile with some serious mojo under the hood. Boys and girls, I don’t think 180 horses in a boat like this is “serious mojo”
I remember the 1976 and 1977 Cutlass was the Number 1 selling car in the United States…Out selling the Honda.
I always liked those years. The wheels I thought looked great and the overall looks of the car was very neat and trimmed perfectly. I’m not very wild about the interior of this one. It should be loaded up…P/W, Power Locks, Tilt Wheel and cruise control and no vinyl top.
I usually like these cars but I don’t think that I would fork over $19000 for this Cutlass. $10,000 would be stretching it a bit. Its not just this auto either. I like the classics but what makes anything valuable? Its what you’re willing to pay. For me I’m not willing to pay the outrageous prices.
I totally loved the styling of the 1976-1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The car looks nice in photos but I totally agree the original equipment (base engine, no power locks etc) would deflate the price. Would want to know if the frame and overall undercarriage were rusted iby 48 Chicago winters even though the body and color still look great.
The wheels and tires need to go. Needs a nice set of Rally IIIs and whitewalls…
They’re called Super Stock III wheels. Rally II wheels are Pontiac.
Appreciate the correction. Was trying to think at the time and was pretty sure “Rally” was not correct for Olds. In any case, the body color wheels dress these cars right.
The wheels and hub caps are one of the redeeming qualities of this thing. Keep it as and drop a heated up 455 with a Tremec 6 speed in it and you’ve got yourself a “sleeper”. Now that would be cool.
Test
I had 2 Cutlas from these models one was a 75 442. With the 455 4 speed, Black on Black with The Black Vinyl half roof , beautiful car lost in a Divorce, the Second was a 77, with again the 455 auto, while almost the exact same as the 442, this had the T-Tops both cars would put you back in the seat when gas pedal was floored
I searched the web using three different search engines. Cannot find any 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 being built from the factory with a 4 speed. Did you install it in your backyard?
You are 100% correct, the ’75 442 was absolutely never offered with a 4 speed from the factory. I think perhaps Faroutfreak is misremembering.
I know Olds offered a 190hp 455 in the ’75 Cutlass, but I never knew they offered a 4-speed with it. Was yours factory built or a later conversion?
Unsure about the 4 speed myself (I know this WAS an option in 1973). I do know however, that the 455 was NOT available after 1976. The biggest engine that year was the 403.
Is suspect the jump in 1976 sales has to do with the updated face and body work over the 1975 and previous model years. I believe the waterfall grille and cleaner smoothed sides debuted in the ‘76 model year. Minor interior changes were made for 1977. My buddy transplanted the 350 drivetrain from his wrecked 1977 Cutlas Supreme into a 1975 CS. At the time, I found the ‘75 more interesting – maybe because it was less familiar. He liked the 77’s looks better. He was right. Olds really hit a winner with the looks from ‘76. Somehow these big cars look like they’re moving sitting still.
This size, quality, & style, is what moved Olds into 3rd place in the car market!
Terry, that upholstery IS factory–available in this blue, red, and tannish-gold color.
don’t forget green…
It’s a “sleeper” alright, it’s putting me to sleep.
Sleeper? More of a snoozer. This resembles a dealer ad car. Air, auto, quarter roof and remote mirror. Otherwise full factory equipment including the black seat belts. IDK what look the wheels are going for but they are a finger in eye to an otherwise good looking car.
My uncle in Chicago had one of these. All I remember is how comfortable those seats were. This one looks even better.
Russ: all the 350’s in this year had 4-barrel carbs, the 260’s had the 2 barrels.
No 260’s in 1976. They came in 77
Duaney: I have my uncles OG 75 cutlass with a 260 & I used to own a 76 with a 260, its listed in the owners manual.
I guess I was incorrect, the 260 did come in 1975. I’ve never seen a 260 in any Cutlass’s prior to 1977. Maybe being in Colorado no one went for the 260 at high altitude
The 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
The BEST SELLING CAR in the USA in 1976 with over 500,000 sold.
The Oldsmobile brand is now an Orphan brand!