What’s my excuse this time? I have to pose that question to myself, or else all my griping about how impossible it is to find a pristine GM A-body that can be driven like it was the muscle car era is for naught. Why? Because here’s that car, a 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon two-door coupe, green with a black interior, floor shifted automatic backing up a 350-cid engine that starts right up and doesn’t leak. Sure, it’s maybe a model year or three too new, but look at that paint, applied from the factory.
This one appears to be exactly what it claims: a sub-5000-mile, all-original Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. A car that still smells new. A car that has everything down to the air they put in the tires back in 1975. Well, not quite, but speaking of 1975, a car that does not need to be smogged should I wish to register it in California. So what’s my problem? The price, at an ask of $39,000, seems out of line. I get originality, and I’m willing to pay for it, especially with a tempting morsel like this, where every mile is documented. But nearly $40 thousand bucks just seems to launch this car into a stratosphere beyond what’s reasonable. Heck, forget reasonable—these car collecting decisions are done as much on heart as on head. But how does a seller even come up with a price? And why does it feel like this one’s at least ten grand too high, even as a starting point? For reference, we had a 47,000-mile similar car here on Barn Finds three years ago, and it was suggested that the $20K price was high. That car had one repaint and obviously more miles, but is this one worth double?
Maybe my problem is where the car falls in history. This Cutlass is part of the fourth generation of Oldsmobile’s popular nameplate, which also graced four-door sedans and five-door station wagons and lasted from 1973-77. Engine choices ranged from V6s to a 455 V8 during the generation. But no matter what motivated your Cutlass in these years, nobody expected rip-roaring muscle. That was lost under a tangle of hoses that made speed the enemy under the veneer of fuel efficiency and emissions compliance.
On the open road, you might think something like this: “I’d be enjoying this more if this thing had more kick.” Or maybe, “Is this the performance that $40G’s brings me?” Lots to think about here, a window into collector car valuation, which is obviously subjective. You can find the car in Long Beach, CA, should you want to see it for yourself and answer a similar set of questions. Or find it here on craigslist and peruse the fulsome information at your leisure. It’s a nice car, well sorted, but I’m not sure people with this kind of money to spend are lining up to fork it over for a mid-1970s GM coupe, no matter how original. Oh, heck, I’m not talking about some mythical rich person here, am I? No, I’m talking about myself, and I’ve just answered my question: No, I don’t think a premium of $10-15 thousand dollars is worth the stretch for a green mid-70s Cutlass. Maybe you have a different opinion. If so, here’s your chance. The thanks for this tip goes to Numskal.
Does anyone else’s brain hurt from reading the title? No? Just me?
it really doesnt read well.
Beautiful Salon here from the good Dr Olds. Seems ready to hit the highway 🛣. Which it will do effortlessly equipped w the standard 2.56 ⚙️ final drive.
How about a bit steeper gearset to move this Cutlass off the line with a bit more jump.
How about you buy it and let us know after you do that gear swap or, were you just commenting because you wanted to see yourself talk?
Looks like Gus Fring is joining us from BAT, where they scold people for commenting if they aren’t bidding. Gus, I think you will find that BarnFinds encourages discussion and comments – the write ups generally ask for them.
Originality. Price? WHAT?!? …seems like a better fit.
Maybe not “rip roaring muscle” anymore, but that Rocket 350 will boil the rear tires easily – That tangle of hoses is mostly A/C stuff . Not as fast as a 70 for sure due to lower HP and a heavier body style , but these 73-75 Rocket 350s will still haul A** . This is a beautiful car, but way overpriced IMHO
40k uhmmmmmm Nope!
As a life-long Oldsmobile guy, I have to say, nope. It is a beautifully maintained example of one of the least desirable years. If it were a Hurst edition in the same condition, it might be worth $25-30K IF I really wanted a Hurst of this generation (if I had all the other more desirable Hurst editions and wanted to complete the set.) Floor shift and console are a plus, color is not the best for these cars. Maybe there is someone out there who really wants a green 75 Cutlass Salon, but I doubt there is anyone who wants it bad enough to pay the asking price.
From the looks of it this car is basically newish but I think a price of 25 to $30,000 looks better. I’ve never seen one nicer on this site.
I think that the price is too high, unless someone perhaps has a connection to one of these and a fat wallet. I would pay that for a 1976 Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupe in a decent color and equipment. The 1975 is really a nice car though.
Wow what a great example! But, 40k USD translates to 54,400 CAD, so it will never happen here. For no more than 25k USD, we’d consider it.
I bet you would, lol!!!
Extraordinarily low miles for sure, but still, I wouldn’t even expect my 2-owner, 17K mile, black ’77 T-top Supreme Elegante to bring more than $30K – and I certainly wouldn’t cough up another $10K to trade?!!
Way overpriced, Hagerty has concourse quality at $24,500. That’s based on recent auction results I believe. Beautiful car but green is not very desirable unless it came with the 455!
Worth noting that even an inline 6 was among Colonnade era Cutlass engine choices, depending upon the model. A very good, now sadly, late friend owned a very nice, triple white ’76 Cutlass Supreme coupe with 250 cubic inch straight 6, the final year for that engine offering.
Okay, all of you mathematicians and armchair classic car owners…since none of you do nothing but complain about how overpriced cars are, and will probably never buy one, I’ll put it in perspective for you:
$40,000 today was about $6600 in 1975…or, about what this car cost new. So, it’s actually a decent price for a brand-new Cutlass that is as nice as it was the day it rolled off of the truck from Lansing.
Not that any of this matters because none of you would’ve bought it anyway, lol.
Don, pricing is ALWAYS a discussion point here on BarnFinds. While there may be a few who just comment and never buy, there are those of us who have bought and have some knowledge of specific makes and models, and our experience and OPINIONS may help someone make their decision one way or another, or at least give them some context to decide whether to buy, counteroffer, or keep looking for a better deal or better car. Of course, the readers should also know they are just opinions and use their own judgment. Just as you don’t seem to understand that these comments are solicited by BarnFinds, I don’t understand why some folks can’t just participate in the discussion without griping about other’s comments. Your middle paragraph is sensible and relevant to the discussion. The first and last paragraphs diminish the impact of the middle paragraph.
Gus Fring, Don Eladio. Two characters from Breaking Bad but likely the same toxic “character” (judging by the similar tone of the comments) arriving here on BF to spew some venom. Please go away.
Funny. I am not much of a fiction TV watcher, so those names mean nothing to me.
He feels better about himself now but nobody else does
Price really isn’t far off…..beautiful classic cars are worth whatever you can afford to drop on it. It is an honor to own and drive a piece of automotive history. If you don’t understand that then don’t buy one!
Finally, someone that gets it. Thanks for not complaining about the price,
Not ALL original. Engine paint incorrect color. Incorrect radiator cap. Dual exhaust. I worked on these cars when NEW. No Olds in 75 got dual exhaust even the Hurst Olds. Nice car, but not $40,000 nice.
Not true duals. Split after the cat. Still mufflers back are new. From the look of the oil covered exhaust cat. This had one massive oil leak.
Almost forgot. Put an LS in it.
Wow, incorrect radiator cap ??? I’m out !
I just want to say that I enjoy my daily edition of BF not only for the wide variety of automobiles presented by the authors but also for the comments expressed by other readers. A lot of opinions are expressed here and one consistent category is price. The key word here is opinion. We are all entitled to express our opinions. Nobody needs to be a serious buyer to voice their opinion. The ability to read other people’s views on the vehicles that are shown on this site is what makes BF unique from the other sites that I regularly peruse.
My first car was a 75 Cutlass with a 260 V8. $800 with 80,000 miles in 1985. (I saved the $800 washing dishes age 13-15.) The car was a creampuff, never gave me any problems and I pushed it as hard as I could. My sister had a Dodge Duster and it gave her nothing but trouble before it finally blew up. Hard to find a nicer, smoother ride than an Olds.
Depending on how this car was stored, I wonder if its aging seals will be leaking fluids more than a low mileage car that was used more. It is gorgeous, though, and overpriced.
I think that’s what is wrong with classic cars. Heck all vehicles really. The prices have gotten out of hand. The value is what people are willing to pay. I for one will not pay a high price for a car. Not worth it to me.
I’d bet it’s worth it to Somebody!
We are all aware miles equate to depreciation. Little is known about the history of this car and why the owner (or previous owner) opted to perform the necessary(?) modifications and not get any use out of the car. A 50 year old car driven 100 miles a year seems a little surreal especially in California where you can drive that going to the grocery store. When someone is considering spending $40k you can expect them to be scrutinizing. I’m smelling some bull here. If it looks sounds smells feels and taste like it, it is.
If I was a Powerball winner and had money to burn I couldn’t justify more than 25 k for this.
Sorry seller if you read this, but you are delusional. Maybe there’s a 50+ year old guy out there who lost his virginity in one like it and wants to have it as a nostalgic memory collection piece, but I can find 3 different similar cars in really nice shape for 40k from the same era.