One Year Only Color: 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
It is common for manufacturers to produce a unique paint shade for a special edition vehicle, but it is less so for a regular production model. This 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass falls into the second category, and its impressive presentation is a bonus. It features many luxury appointments and is a turnkey proposition needing nothing but a new owner. It is listed here on eBay in Long Beach, California. The Olds has received a single bid of $23,000, which is below the reserve.
We’ve recently seen a few “one family” classics at Barn Finds, and this Cutlass fits that mold. The seller inherited the car from their 91-year-old mother, who no longer drives. She treated the car to a repaint in around 2006 before parking it in her garage. It saw little use until last year when it passed into the seller’s hands. The repaint was in the car’s original shade of Persimmon, which Oldsmobile offered for a single model year. The car also featured a vinyl top, which was removed as part of the cosmetic refresh. The seller admits the finish isn’t high-quality, but it can’t be too bad if it has survived for seventeen years without issues. The Olds found its way from California to Arizona for four years before returning to its current location. That means it has only seen dry climates, helping to explain its lack of significant rust. There are small spots behind one front wheel arch and in the lower passenger door, but these are patchable. The panels are straight, the chrome and glass are in excellent condition, and the color-coded Rally wheels with sparkling trim rings add a sporty touch to a luxury model.
In 1977, Oldsmobile offered buyers a selection of engines, with this car featuring the 350ci V8. It sends 170hp to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission to propel the Cutlass through the ¼-mile in 18.4 seconds. That is hardly earth-shattering, but it indicates the profound impact new emission regulations had on engine performance. Even handing over the extra cash for the range-topping 455 made little difference, with the figure dropping to 17.6 seconds. The seller says this car’s odometer shows 18,000 miles, but they believe it has rolled over. However, they float the possibility that it could be genuine, and the overall condition makes the idea plausible. After sixteen years of virtual hibernation, the seller worked through ensuring this classic is roadworthy and ready to go. They fitted new tires, rebuilt the original alternator, changed all the fluids, installed a new radiator, and replaced the hoses. The list is quite comprehensive, and a trouble-free trip from Arizona to California in October confirms it is mechanically sound and ready to provide its next owner with classic motoring pleasure.
The seller describes the interior condition as impressive and that it supports the possibility that the odometer reading could be genuine. I’m unsure if it is flawless, but there is nothing to criticize. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from wear, and there doesn’t appear to be any typical stretching on the driver’s seat. The dash and pad are spotless, as are the headliner and carpet. Comfort features abound, with the original owner ordering the car with bucket seats and a console. The air conditioning features R134a refrigerant, and it blows ice-cold. The winning bidder receives power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, a fully functioning AM/FM radio, and a factory 8-track player. The seller throws in a few 8-track cartridges for entertainment on the road.
Cars from the 1970s spent decades in the wilderness as many people felt no desire to relive The Malaise Era. However, times have changed, and a new generation of enthusiasts embrace these classics as a snapshot of a different time in automotive history. This one is a gem with no immediate needs, and the creature comforts mean life on the road should be pleasant. Values have climbed recently, with no evidence that the trend will taper soon. We can speculate on the seller’s reserve, but it shouldn’t exceed the existing bid figure by much. A price of $25,000 would be fair, although it could be slightly higher. The lack of serious action is somewhat surprising, but that situation could change anytime. Could you be the person to set the ball rolling?
Comments
Best thing they did when it was repainted was to lose the vinyl top makes the car look so much cleaner and accentuates the body lines imo.Beautiful color.Price is kinda high for a 75 cutlass with a 350.Between 15 to 20k imo is more reasonable.glwts.
A 1975 Cutlass in that good shape can command a price I think of 20 to 30g.
The owner probably only drove it to church & the grocery store. 18,000 miles on the odometer probably is original. This one is a jewel to have. Pristine condition is hard to come by.
Love it, the color, the wheels, everything
25K is high for this year and vehicle. I had a friend up north who had one. Basically Oldsmobiles Monte Carlo.
Problem up north was heavy bumper would rot and tilt downward.
15-20 would be worth it just for the nice riding car. Have to remember its not a muscle car.
Still a beautiful cutlass.
I love these, and I love this one, especially with all those rare options. I wish I could buy it.
Nice car, but personally I’m still partial to pre-1972 Cutlass, but still a nice malaise era cruiser, but no matter how nice, I would never pay over 10 k for one.
25 grand for this, you can buy a lot more nicer cars. Color is nice but boring and a slug.
That’s why the Olds Cutlass was sometimes referred to as the Olds Gutless.
If you can’t afford it, just say so. In case you hadn’t noticed, these haven’t been produced in nearly half a century. Most were scrapped. Not many survivors left, let alone looking this good. Oldsmobile folded in 2004. A car is worth what a buyer and seller agree upon, not what your empty pocketbook says it is.
A lot of cars have not been produced in half a century. That is apparent to everyone. And I don’t have an empty pocketbook. I carry a wallet.
People talk unconsciously.
Olds folded 19 years to the day (29 April) as a matter of fact, Brian.
And I agree with everything you said.
b e a u t i f u l!
I wish you could find a new car this good looking.
This year of Supreme is my favorite, made all the better with no vinyl top and console shifter.
But 25K?
That is a very sharp paint color.
It’s a relief to see no wide whitewalls or that awful green color that became known as Baby Sh1t Green.
Do you mean Osage Green? I happened to have owned a ’74 back in the day, and nobody called tye color by that name, ever. Try to even find one now.
Between her Junior and Senior year in high school in 1985, I helped my girlfriend at the time buy a 1975 Cutlass Salon at the Oldsmobile Dealership my dad and I worked at. It was dark blue metallic with blue cloth interior and a 455 V8. It was a beautiful one owner car. She paid $1,200 for it. I remember detailing that car and it was just beautiful. I miss those days back in the 1980s!
Shouldn’t the 350 motor be painted gold. This motor looks like 455 blue.
Gold was a rocket blue was not
All engines changed to “Corporate Blue” in 1976.
Nice looking car and I love the color. You know what I’d do to this thing? Nothing, just drive it.
Love the color with no vinyl top, and all the bells and whistles the interior is gorgeous. These are very nice driving cars I had a75 Cutlass in the early 80’s yes not a power house but a really nice very dependable car. This one is too rich for my blood at 25k and reserve not met.
By 75, Olds painted engines a metallic blue. I owned a stunning 1976 Salon with Hurst Hatches at age 22. I am now 67 and of the 45 cars I have owned, I want that back more than any other. Absolutely beautiful silver with no useless vinyl top and burgundy buckets. Comfortable beyond belief. As mentioned, probably 80 percent of these rusted into oblivion. The idiot I sold mine to destroyed it.
Beautiful car, and color. These Cutlasses were a top seller for years.
The 1973-’77 “A” body cars were a high point for GM.
Beautiful car and well preserved. My old man had a 76 4dr dark green with a vinyl top and the 442 front end he bought brand new. Had hub caps with tan vinyl seats and a column shift. I think it had a 350 but not 100% sure. Had a hard life before he got rid of it. A train hit and because a valet from a restaurant parked to close to the tracks and then it got hit and run parked at a F O P picnic. That was the last straw so he traded it in wrecked for a new 85 Volvo DL.
That car screams Big Block 4BBL Rocket Jet 350 V8 let alone a Big Block 4BBL 455 Rocket Jet V8 shoot man that’s my solution for that for Beautiful and Gorgeous Ride. It is really a true damn shame you don’t see cars or rides like that in really amazingly awesome 👏 😎 great shape. If I only had the proper funds and a place to put it to add to my collection, drive it around for end of spring and beginning of fall, that is how I’d roll.
That original One Year Paint 🎨 Scheme you don’t see that anymore either. The Comfort, Handling Cruise Ability that Oldsmobile was known for and Buick as well you couldn’t even get no better than that.
That car screams Big Block 4BBL Rocket Jet 350 V8 let alone a Big Block 4BBL 455 Rocket Jet V8 shoot man that’s my solution for that for Beautiful and Gorgeous Ride. It is really a true damn shame you don’t see cars or rides like that in really amazingly awesome 👏 😎 great shape. If I only had the proper funds and a place to put it to add to my collection, drive it around for end of spring and beginning of fall, that is how I’d roll.
That original One Year Paint 🎨 Scheme you don’t see that anymore either. The Comfort, Handling Cruise Ability that Oldsmobile was known for and Buick as well you couldn’t even get no better than that.
Or even more which goes for the all of The Big Three Back in their hey day.
Car also had a huge trunk. Imagine how many dictionaries and English & grammar books works fit in there 🙄
Would*
Had a 75 supreme in 78 dark blue console shit 8track mint paid 2000 beautiful car but had the blue 350 always wished it had the gold 350 rocket