The mid-1970s was a doleful time for the domestic automakers, losing market share and struggling with the new normal of emissions regs and pricey fuel. One bright spot, however, was the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, which managed to be one of the top-selling cars of the era.
The Pick of the Day is a 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham, a low-mileage, two-owner, mostly original survivor in “near showroom condition,” according to the Long Beach, California, private seller advertising the Olds on ClassicCars.com.
The photos with the ad show an immaculately clean 44-year-old Oldsmobile coupe that the seller says has been driven fewer than 58,000 miles.
“Original owner was driving about 20 miles every other month for years,” the seller says. “Pampered all its life, never saw bad weather! The car was always parked on a lift and covered while inside. Since I had it, it continues to be pampered!”
The Cutlass Supreme was a premium car, loaded with upgraded features and in this Brougham trim, lots of luxury extras, exemplified by the Oxblood Red-velour seats that were the height of style in the disco days.
The seller reels off some of the Oldsmobile’s features: split bench seat, immaculate interior, tilt steering, cruise control, sport mirrors, working clock, power steering, power brakes, factory A/C and rally wheels.
The original AM/FM 8-track audio system is not working, the seller adds, but was “replaced with a year-correct AM/FM 1976 radio.”
The body, interior and underside of this Oldsmobile look spotless, although the seller advises there are a few faded areas on the original paint, while adding that the dashboard and vinyl landau roof are crack-free. The original, unused spare tire is still in the pristine-looking trunk.
“Stunning all-original Firethorn Red exterior paint, beautiful original landau top (dealer installed), no rust anywhere on this car!” the seller touts. “All chrome is real nice.
“This car starts, shifts and drives like it should. Everything works, runs and drives like you just drove it off the showroom floor in 1976! It is a car you could drive coast-to-coast and never worry about breakdowns or issues.”
The Oldsmobile has had a bunch of recent maintenance work done, the seller says, including new whitewall tires, shocks, replaced oil-pan gasket, oil pump, oil change, value-cover gaskets, crank seal, timing chain and gear, new water pump, transmission pan, front and rear seals, speedo and gear selector seal, transmission service and filter, differential service and gasket, all drive belts and full service to the A/C, which has been converted to 134A.
“A lot of this extra work was done only because she’s an old girl,” the seller notes.
The time-warp Oldsmobile cruiser is priced at $16,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
its 44 yrs old not 54
Just goes to show you…you can’t believe everything you read. Good Catch.
Fixed.
Read Jack’s comment.
It seems to me the number inflation does not stop at its age.
Most popular stolen car back in its day!
Their is something wrong with your math. I was born in 1976 and I’m 44 not 56 like you are stating.
Wonder what the HP and Torque rating was?
Boy! I just sold our documented 56k 1978 Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee for 10,000. It was like this car, original paint, always pampered and I had a hard time getting that amount out of it.
These were the best cars made in America for the money. They weren’t among the top sellers of 1976.
They were the Absolute Top Seller in 1976 and 1977. I sold them new. Fabulous cars…
Also that looks like the Brougham interior too. A factory upgrade. The 350 4 bbl. Old’s V-8 was a wonderful performer but a bit thirsty…
Jeff
I was a mechanic all thru the 70’s and it appeared EVERY salesman drove a Cutlass. They were severely over smogged here in California by then but they were a pretty good car compared to what else was out there at the time.
Why don’t my reply’s post?
I owned the same Olds when I was 20 years old. It was known as an old man car, but I always loved Oldsmobile and other panther platform cars!! This was one of the best I’ve owned.
I own a survivor 1976 with 18k actual miles. Plan to perform some maintenance and bring it to the market in August 2022