One Owner Find: 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
It had to be done, but it was still risky. Oldsmobile Cutlass was one of the best selling cars in America in 1976 and 1977, but in 1978 it was time for a downsize. No disappointments here, even in a suppressed year for car sales in 1979, Oldsmobile was able to sell 459,047 of the 2 door notchback coupe which included the Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass Supreme Brougham, and Cutlass Calais. Here is a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupe for sale here on Craigslist. I’m not actually sure where the car is located. It is listed under Tri-Cities area in Washington state, but the map shows an area in Kansas near Independence. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for finding this car and letting us know about it.
While this is not the higher end Brougham or Calais model, it does seem to be a well-optioned car. One thing I noticed on the exterior is the front cornering lights. I don’t think too many Cutlass models had that. The paint appears to be in good condition and I see no signs of rust. The most distracting thing I see is some bodyside molding missing on both sides. Even the bumper fillers and vinyl roof appear to be in good condition. The car is a one owner car.
More options are found inside. This car has a divided front seat, power windows, power door locks, power driver’s seat, power antenna, tilt steering wheel, and cruise control. The carpeting could use a good cleaning. Door armrests are slightly discolored, the steering wheel has some cracks, and there appears to be a crack in the dash just above the tachometer.
There are no pictures of the engine and no word on what engine size it is. There were quite a number of engines available in 1979 on the Cutlass Supreme. They included a 4.3-liter diesel which this one doesn’t have. Also available were a 3.8 V-6 that was standard, a 4.3 V-8 (260 CID), and a 5.0 liter (305 CID) V-8 gas engines. The car is not running but is able to start by pouring gas into the carburetor. The gas tank will likely need to be dropped and cleaned and a tune-up needed. The mileage is listed as 41,000, but looking closely at the odometer, it reads 4,122 which I believe to be 104,122. The seller is asking $3,500. If it’s a quick fix to get this car running, that is a reasonable price. Any takers out there?
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Comments
I’m an enthusiast. I’ve had one and they are terrific. Except 6Cylinder cars and 260 V-8s, which were a bad idea for a car that size and weight. I’m all over this one if I had the room and a good look at it’s bones. (Underside)
Its located in tricities Wa. The contact # is 509. Shame there’s nothing about the motor. Looks fairly clean.
Interesting car, lots of high dollar options on a non-Brougham Cutlass. 99% sure this has a 260, which was a decent little motor for these.
Not sure what you mean by “decent”. I owned one with a 260 V8, maybe unfair because I am a late 60’s Muscle Car fan, but that 260 could not get out of its own way! DOG. Talk about hitting the gas pedal and saying “Come on, go already….UGH !!!! That was my personal experience. Good looking car. Mine was a very dark blue metallic, dark blue interior.
I’ve driven them, they ran ok and the pushed these along decently. Try a 20-50hp car every once in a while for perspective Mr.Garlits…….
Did they ever put the diesel in the 2 door version, or was that only for the 4 doors and wagons?
I can’t remember ever seeing a diesel in one of these.
Miguel, yes it was available in the 2 door model. I knew someone about 1980 that had a 1979 Cutlass Supreme two-door with the 260 diesel engine.
A friend of mine had a diesel one of these only because he could siphon fuel from his work truck , (NYC private $anitation). When he lost his job the diesel wasn’t as economical any longer. He sold it to a friends father in law who happened to have a fresh 350 Olds sitting idly on his garage floor, swapped things around and had a nice car, quick too.
Had a 79 & 84 2d with diesels. 79 started with the 260 and replaced with a 350 after the 260 had issues. 84 was untouched. 84 was much better in cold weather than the 79 was.
diesel was available in every Cutlass, wagons could get the 5.7 liter diesel. Also optional was the 5 speed trans.
Bowtie Boy that is a half top.
You can see the bow going over the top just in front of the rear window.
Yes, I had a diesel engine option in the two door Cutlas Supreme. I had this exact car with the diesel that died on me when I was driving on 495 around DC.
I had one of these with the V6 during the time when there was an energy crisis or oil shortage. The V6 proved to be rather economical and sufficient for urban driving. Easy to steal.
Well optioned and looks solid…try and find another with cornering lights…this will turn out nice with the right cosmetics..
Another hardly running thing.
Nope. Fix it and offer it at that price
Agreed, lazy flipper, for that price he could do the minimal work.