1977 was the year when numerous GM offerings became the victims of downsizing, losing a considerable amount of size and weight in the process, although the Oldsmobile Cutlass retained its fourth-generation styling for one more year before it too went to the chopping block. The car remained a sales leader even after it lost the classic Colonnade body, but there’s just something about the looks of those 1973-77 models that have stood the test of time so well. This 1977 Cutlass Supreme here on Facebook Marketplace appears to be a very nice example, and there’s also a fun surprise under the hood, so if you’ve been in the market for a seventies cruiser this one’s probably worth checking out. The Olds is located in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and comes with an asking price of $24,500.
Hans H, thanks so much for your excellent tip here! One already downsized optional component the 1977 Cutlass lost from its predecessor was the availability of a big block 455, which had been axed in favor of the new Olds 403 small block V8, filling the shoes of the best that could be had for this year. We don’t find out which engine the Cutlass came with originally, but at some point, the decision was made that it just wouldn’t do. In the bay now is an Olds 455 from 1970, which the seller says is making 375 horsepower, and with 3,91 gears I’m guessing this one gets to moving fast rather quickly.
The owner states that the outside has been repainted, but he’s unsure when this was done and never confirms that the original color was black. However, the panels are claimed to be very straight, which the photos seem to confirm, and while the exterior falls short of perfect it does look to be more than acceptable for a weekend driver. Another great feature is the T-Tops, which probably come in very handy here on summer days, as there’s no A/C present on this one.
Red was a popular interior color for the period, and it complements the black nicely here, especially with those bucket seats and a console in between. Some other good equipment can also be found inside, such as power windows, cruise control, and a tilt steering column, all amenities most vehicles have these days but not as common during this time. A new carpet was installed a couple of years ago, and the seller mentions the seats could stand some fresh upholstery to make the car even nicer, but I’d probably let them go a bit longer and just enjoy driving this one for a while.
Nothing is specifically stated regarding the undercarriage, but several photos from down below are provided, all of which seem to show a solid platform with no sign of any serious rust issues or other hidden damage. With the overall condition and that high-horsepower 455, I’m not finding the asking price all that out of line for what we’re seeing here. What do you think?
Nice Olds and a 455
If suspension, brakes and steering are upgraded it will drive well…otherwise it will only do well in a straight line.
Lemans GT had the Heavy duty suspension, and disc brakes standard, you may be amazed at what this car can do. I have a 74 Buick Gran Sport – same body, it handles and brakes amazingly for a car of this period. No issues for me at all with 420 HP, I toss it into corners as fast as I want.
Wowzers!
Very nice. IDK why, but I’ve become a sucker for T-Tops
Looks fantastic,! However, why is the engine painted blue and why did the owner paint the exhaust manifold blue as well? The color looks like 1976 Buick 350 blue.
I believe the engines in 77 were originally painted blue. At least my 350 that was in my 76 Brougham was blue.
The heads are painted blue. The exhaust manifolds are still gray cast iron color.
Sold
Ummmmmm…perhaps, it’s because Olds 455’s were blue from 1970-onward???
The part that looks like exhaust is the lower part of the CYLINDER HEAD, see the “E” in the casting – they are E heads. Blue was olds engine color in those years, but should be a bit darker I think. Great motor though in this car – the 1970 455 is what I would pick to install, though the 403’s are nice motors.
The “corporate blue” that this one is painted started for all GM divisions in 1976. If you’re old enough to recall the “my Olds has a Chevy engine in it” stories, GM started using engines from one division in the chassis of other divisions, and were called GM engines instead of assigning a division name to them. That is what instigated the “corporate blue”.
That wasn’t the last year of that body style, I had an 81 which was virtually the same except for the Aluminum hood and half vnyl top of the calias.
Called the “Metric” by many because not only was it mostly Metric but the transmission pan was embossed “Metric” and called “G” body’s by others. I liked them because they had a full frame, the engine bay would accept any American V8 made and were actually pretty light, weighing about the same as early (pre 73) Nova’s, Camaro’s, Firebird’s
She’s definitely a black beauty!
Beautiful car in great shape with nice options, but no A/C is a bummer. Must go like hell with that engine and rear end gears. I don’t see it selling for that price, these colonade years aren’t as popular as the 68-72 A bodies, not yet, anyway.
Maybe the car you could have brought if the Feds hadn’t turned the lights out on the party. Sure, there’s no a/c, but it’s got everything else all wrapped up in black and red. *Cat call*. I’d drive it straight to the gas station and onto the open road.
Well said Nelson. This Cutlass is Dr Olds approved 🚀 🏁
As long as you were well North of the Mason-Dixon line.
It didn’t matter to Bo and Carrie :)
T Tops all leaked badly. The upgraded weatherstripping did nothing to correct the problem. Floorpans and seatrails rusted. My brother had a 76, was a great car if it hadn’t leaked like He//!
Have a 76 Buick Regal S/R and still have it ,never had any leaks .treated with silicone when cleaning the car .the only place it would leak is where the glass t top met the roof at the gutter above the windows.
GOD never meant for there to be a hole in a horizontal panel. (That includes shaker hoods)
Go black Betty bambalam…
T tops were always problematic, and in this case severe body flexing with that killer 375 hp 3.91 rear axle combo is a recipe for issues. I would love to take it out for a run though !
Much as I enjoy the T-tops on my ’76, I’d be fine w/o ’em. When new those were great, tho now she sees rain only on days where I’m caught under it. These vehicles weigh 2 tons, give or take, so I added nitrous to help launch.
I doubt this one gets driven during inclement weather, so enjoy some wind in your hair! The owner uses a ’73/’74 crossmember to run its exhaust correctly and saved several lbs in the process. She likely goes very well…
Nice to see more eye candy rather than the rust ridden eye sores listed. I think most know that trying to or at least having the intention of doing something with a rust pile is futile.
Bought a ’76 Olds Cutlass S limited edition from my sister right after high school graduation in June 1979. It was white with blue interior. Chrome mirrors, bumpers, grille, and rally wheels. 350 engine. Not a day goes by that I don’t regret parting ways with it in 1986.
A lot of leaky sunroofs and t-tops are because the drain pipe is clogged up. Clean that out and you’re good to go. Not always, everyone has it’s own problems.
There were no drain tubes on t-tops.
Tastefully sinister boulevard cruiser.
And the muscle to back up its looks.
I like it.
“BAM!!” What a sweetheart. Maybe a set of Cragars just because. Never had a problem with the t-tops in my 78 TA.
No mention of those bucket seats being the swiveling ones that were common on Colonnade cars. Even though I like that 455, I prefer that ’77 from Reno because of its originality, if I had to choose between these two.
Swivel buckets were a Cutlass S feature from ’73-“76 except for ’75 when they were offered in the Supreme.
I had a 78 Cialis black on black buckets, t tops with bfg radials and cragers. She was beautiful and a head turner for sure. That is until I wrapped it around a telephone pole. Still miss that car
I had a 1970 Olds 98 Luxury Sedan when I was 18 and I am certain that it’s 455, with high compression heads only churned out 365 hp with a Rochester Quadra-Junk 4 bbl. So, i’m not certain if dual exhaust gave this one an extra 10 or if someone’s (maybe mine) HP info is wrong.
I also had a ’70 98 4-door I bought for $225. Too many cars in the house. For the money, it was a great car. 455 c.i. and 385 h.p. Put about 100,000 miles on it and other than a $300 rebuilt 400 transmission, just normal maintenance. Great car and good laughs bulling my way through snowstorms watching the front drives in the early 80s spinning those front tires in a snowbank!
Sold it for $300 complete with holes in the trunk from rust through.