A known ownership history is desirable with any classic, and this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon ticks that box. The seller is the car’s second owner, purchasing it from the original owner after it had spent over twenty years buried in a garage. Hibernation hasn’t hurt its cause, with the Olds presenting exceptionally well. It seems people agree with that assessment, with twenty-eight bids submitted since the Cutlass was listed here on eBay in Asheville, North Carolina. The action has pushed the price to $9,042, although that figure is below the reserve.
Oldsmobile’s Fourth Generation Cutlass range graced showroom floors from 1973 until 1977, with our feature car rolling off the line in the final production year. It is a fascinating car because the Champagne paint cloaking its panels doesn’t appear on Cutlass color charts for that model year. That could make it a special order vehicle, although examining the included original Build Sheet and Window Sticker may uncover the truth. The elderly original owner drove this classic regularly until she decided to hang it up. She parked the car in her garage, where it gradually sank from sight beneath the typical accumulated items that occupy garages. It recently emerged, and while those items have left a few minor marks, the Olds still presents nicely. The paint retains a healthy shine, and the panels are straight. A close inspection reveals minor imperfections, but this Cutlass could still turn heads. The sheltered existence has allowed it to remain rust-free, and the color-matched Super Stock III wheels add a classy touch. The seller admits some of the door and window seals show deterioration, and replacing these would be wise for long-term protection. The glass is spotless, and the trim is excellent.
If this Cutlass has a highlight, that honor falls to its interior. The presentation is almost faultless, with no significant wear or marks on the tan vinyl or cloth. The rear parcel tray and center console armrest are slightly warped, but their condition is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The carpet is spotless, and the plastic hasn’t succumbed to UV exposure. The seller confirms the air conditioning compressor is stuck, and they can’t identify why the brake warning light remains illuminated. Otherwise, there are no functional faults or problems.
The original owner walked the middle ground when ordering this Olds, selecting the 350ci “Rocket” V8. It produces 170hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque, with the rest of the mechanical package including a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The news for potential buyers is nothing but positive, with the seller confirming the car is numbers-matching. Two decades of hibernation meant it required revival, and they didn’t cut corners on that process. The engine was pulled and resealed, and every mechanical component was inspected. The car features a new Thornton dual exhaust, giving the V8 a wonderful bass note. It runs and drives perfectly, as confirmed by this excellent YouTube video. It provides a comprehensive walkaround and lets us hear the car in action. It sounds as tight as a drum, with no rattles or odd noises. The video is quite long by traditional standards, but watching it is worthwhile if you are considering pursuing the Olds further.
Cars from The Malaise Era spent decades in the wilderness, with many enthusiasts focused on earlier or later classics that offered better performance than those initially strangled by tight emission regulations. However, they have developed a market following as a new generation of enthusiasts recognizes their affordability. This renewed interest is pushing prices up, and that trend may well continue. This 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon is a perfect example of the breed, and its originality is impressive. It is easy to see why it has generated interest, and there is time for the bidding to intensify before the hammer falls. Are you tempted to join the party, or will you remain an interested observer to see how high the price climbs?
The first thing that caught my eye is the color. For the life of me I don’t ever remember seeing a 77 Cutlass in this color. The color looks like its from the very early and mid eighties. That when I remember it from on GM cars. When I looked at the Evilbay photos and looked at the door jams, and inside the trunk lid, and the insides of the doors, it sure looks factory to me. It looks like a nice original survivor, the Olds 350 will run forever and a day, and it should be at the very least be hooked up to a Turbohydramatic 350 which is equally as bullet proof. ( I can’t see them putting a THM 200 in this if it has a 350). Its also different not seeing a vinyl top on this Olds as well, usually you see a Cutlass Salon with a landau half vinyl top.
Very nice interior too. Always liked the bucket seats and consoles in these and Grand Prixs as well.
Really nice find.
Im always skeptical of paint originality when there is no door or side rub moldings in place.
Hints of a repaint (in non original color) is lack of wheel opening moldings, lower rocker moldings below door, and quarter window moldings, all standard on this model. You could also speculate that pinstripes, door edge guards, and body side moldings are missing. However, those were options – VERY popular options. Seller states he has original pbuild sheet and window sticker, but does not have pictures. That would solve many questions.
Nothing wrong with what seems to be a very nice and thorough paint change. And, with the 350 4bbl, console, rally gauges, factory stereo, Super Stock III’s and the added dual exhaust, a nice example that one else will have – anywhere.
Remember in 1983/84 Oldsmobile and GM launched a color called Dark Briar Brown? Many Oldsmobiles, from Omega to 98 had this as an option. I remember many, many G bodies sprayed in this hue. I think this might be the color resprayed on this ’77 Cutlass. See picture above for a comparison with a paint sample.
Thats the color I was thinking of. I remember Omegas Firenzas 88s and 98s in that color.
The color you’re showing is Light Briar Brown, it was called Light Sable with Oldsmobile. It’s true, though, that there was also a Dark Sable ( Briar) Brown, and you could order a 2-tone of both. I’ve seen that combo, beautiful.
Nice Salon. 2.41 gear from the factory 🏭 won’t help 2 tons jump off the line. But makes a sweet interstate cruiser. The good Dr. Olds did offer a 3.08 ⚙️ option.
The door latch and the regulator mounting screws are painted over , so theres clear proof that its been repainted , although it looks fairly well done ,and I agree, I don’t think I’ve seen such a stripped looking body on a Cutlass and no GM car was painted that color in 76 or 77 . The 2 door Cutlass and Regals in 76 and 77 are real rusters compared to the earlier Collonade cars too- I wonder if this one had a vinyl top at one time and there was repair work done around the rear glass
I had the same questions as my fellow posters above. The seller mentions a repaint in this color in the video. I too would like to see the original documentation. Looks like a nice car overall.
A feature of its day: one could simply be flowing with modern traffic, and would be “burying the speedometer” (well, at least as to the highest shown number….).
Granny drove this Olds 93,000 miles. And the car looks this good? Looks like a total overhaul. In and out.
She probably was not a granny in 1977.
The color is suspect but not one person has questioned the ’76 grille? Seat cushions look a little lumpy not taught like every Salon I’ve ever seen. Nicely if basically equipped Cutlass.
Just saw your comment about the grill!
Your absolutely right!
I believe the 1976 grille had the “Oldsmobile” logo still in cursive writing.
This is a Salon with ‘76 Grilles.
Can’t run the vin thru the database as incomplete in the listing .
Paint is not factory color- repaint.
Seats redone .
Dash is 77
Has sport package gauges .
People hodgepodge stuff and this is one .
https://www.v8cars.hu/73-77cutlassregistry/list.php
This is the only registry that I know will decode the vin and packages
The grill of this car is NOT A 1977 but a 1976. Better check it out. I had a 1976 Cutlass Salon and a 1977 Cutlass Salon.
They changed the grill work. This one is definitely 1976 not 1977.
Rest assured that the car is a ’77 having the one year only dashboard design.
Maybe the factory was out of ’77 grille panels the day it was built, so they used leftover ’76 ones to finish it. That did happen from time to time back then.
Looks a lot like my ‘76 I owned for a while. One of the best features on it…. Swivel bucket seats, they were awesome.
This vehicle has the 1976 grille. The 1977 models were carryovers with a revised waterfall grille with more than the 1 vertical division seen in each split grille on the ’76. Googling for images of the ’76 and ’77 Cutlass Salon coupe confirms this car has the ’76 grille. Also, the instrument panel was used on the colonade generation Cutlasses from 1973-1977.
https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/olds/olds77/bilder/10.jpg
’77s have 5 vertical segments. There’s the seats for reference. The ones in the ad don’t seem to match.
This is a nice car, but it’s not original, I’ve never seen this color on this year or any other year of these colonnade cars, the grilles are 1976, all of the moldings are missing which usually indicates a repaint, the seats do not look familiar either, my parents had two 77 Cutlasses back in the day and our neighbors had one too, these were everywhere for a while til the 90’s and I never ever remember one this color. I just looked at a 1977 Olds brochure with all the colors and there are some that are sort of close to that color but still aren’t the same, Still I wouldn’t mind having it and put a little time into it and make it right.
I had this vehicle in the 1976 model. Two-toned half landau top, color-keyed wheels to match the body color. Console shifter that included all standard gears including “S”. I absolutely loved that car.