Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

True Barn Find: 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

While not every barn find is destined to become an exhibit in the Petersen Automotive Museum, it nevertheless remains as exciting as ever to whip open a long-sealed garage door and discover what’s hiding inside. In this case, it’s a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, that’s been holed up for 20 years on a property and only recently saw daylight after the property on which it resided was sold. No, not enormously collectible, but it’s still a runner after all these years – so that has to count for something, right? The seller has documentation that proves the 26,000 mile odometer reading is accurate. Find it here on craigslist for $4,500 in northern Michigan.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find. The Olds hasn’t aged well despite its many years protected from Michigan’s winter road conditions, but perhaps that general dirt and decay will be blown away with a power washing. This era of the Cutlass Supreme saw a transition to quad headlights and a revised grill with five slats per side. Even the hood ornament remains proudly erected on this barn find Olds, of which no explanation is offered as to why it was driven in and parked. Given this model’s popularity with older drivers, it shouldn’t be completely surprising to imagine an older owner passed away and the car was left parked.

If you needed any evidence that the mileage claim was genuine, this interior should help settle any doubts. It’s in outstanding shape, with clean upholster and what looks like a dash pad and door panels in equally nice condition. The carpets appear healthy, too, and all of this is encouraging in that the car was not inhabited by raccoons while it was slumbering in the garage. The original radio also appears to remain installed, and crank windows assure you that wonky electronics will not prevent the windows from opening. Doubtful that the A/C will resume cooling without major work, but one can dream.

Now, the dust left on the paint thing isn’t going away, and I do think it helps to reinforce that a car has, indeed, been slumbering undisturbed for quite some time. Kudos to this seller for updating his ad and noting he went back to work under the hood to confirm the car would run with fresh gas, oil, and filter. The Olds moved off the trailer under its own power, but will not stay running once it has fired up. Fuel delivery is a likely issue, which is common for cars that have been sitting for some time. This one does have rust in places, but the seller doesn’t go into great detail other than to say it’s “…not extreme.” A neat find and an easy-to-live-with driver should you buy it.

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    One of the most handsome designs of the 70’s. Two of my neighbors when I was in high school had these. Both were impeccably maintained and were classy rides. Michigan is really hard on iron. I lived in PA and we didn’t see that kind of bumper rust through unless the car came from Pittsburgh where they salted like crazy. I wish the seller would have fired up the power washer and at least hosed it down for better pictures. Saying rust is not extreme is coming from a seller with rose colored glasses hoping for a big sale. Good luck with that buddy!

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Moparman Member

    If the bumpers are showing rust through (and how close are they to falling off?), I wonder what the undercarriage looks like? $4,500 (IMO) is a bit much for this one!

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Steve R

    Maybe $1,500, on a good day. A seller can sometimes get away not washing and detailing a more desirable car to market, but not this one.

    Steve R

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Classic Steel

    Hmmm not to complain to much but when did any size or building including single garages become Barns.
    Whike i do love old cars out of hibernation it just cracks me up on terminology.

    A barn is an agricultural building usually on farms and used for various purposes. In the North American area, a barn refers to structures that house livestock, including cattle and horses, as well as equipment and fodder, and often grain.

    Even a pole barn to store many vehicles doesn’t fit this sizing aka garage find.

    The cutlas looks restorable and good luck on the garage sale.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jesse Mortensen Staff

      The phrase refers to a classic car that has been in storage for a long period of time.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar RM

    If the bumpers look like that, the rest of the car is ate up as well. No under carriage photos. Hard pass.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar David Zornig

    It is probably not “getting gas” because the fuel sending unit and tank are encrusted with gunk…

    Like 2
    • Avatar jeffro

      or not getting gas because the tank turned to rust and laying in a pile on garage floor

      Like 4
  7. Avatar Phlathead Phil 🚗🇺🇸

    I’d NEVER try to run a sitting car with the gas within. Use a gas “I.V.” instead. You ca make one out of a two litter soda bottle, a brass compression fitting, copper or plastic feed line and a metal coat hangar.

    Sheesh!!

    Like 6
    • Avatar Classic Steel

      Nice. I have an older lawnmower gas tank with a longer fuel hose that sit up higher than the carburetor to gravity feed.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Poppy

      I made one out of a cleaned out radiator overflow tank plumbed into the existing fuel pump with an inline filter. Even fit securely under the hood so I could drive the car short distances.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Phlathead Phil

        Kewl man, nuttin like old skool think-a-Billy

        Like 1
  8. Avatar bone

    This is a different flipper story . HE parked the car there years ago, but the BARN was sold , so he pulled the car out now to sell it.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar DON

    The 76 / 77 Cutlass and Regals 2 doors had a completely different body than their 73 -75 sisters. The car was more slab sided and the fenders and quarter panels were narrower. At least on the East Coast they were also more prone to severe rust in the fenders , trunk lid and the tops of the quarter panels. The other area was the rear bumper . the reinforcements used to rust so bad they would fall off the car . It was a common sight to see these cars with a board bolted to the bumper shocks. Seeing the chrome bumper is rusted through I can guarantee the reinforcement is rotted. A buyer will really want to look this one over.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Bob Mck

    26,000 miles? Maybe 126,000…. all I see is a lot of rust. If the bumpers have holes, the entire car has holes. I would pass on this one.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Chuck Dickinson

    The old sayin’ “Run hard and put away wet”!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar PRA4SNW

    A true Barn Find, yes.
    A pretty much worthless Barn Find, also yes.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Mark C

    Sometime back in the early 90s, my brother bought one of these for $900. The bumpers weren’t rusted out, but the interior was dust. I think he overpaid at the time, so I figure I’d give about $900 for this one.

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to Classic Steel Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.