Red And Red: 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass S
By 1975 there was little left of the glory days of the 1960s. Economy, safety, and luxury were more important than performance. For 1975, both a Chevy 6 cylinder and a little V8 were offered, as well as the 350 and 455 V8s, in the Cutlass. All cars had catalytic converters and used unleaded gas. Thanks to Pat L for spotting this shiny red Cutlass S listed here on craigslist. It is said to have less than 30,000 miles and to be all original except for the tires. Apparently, this Olds was stored for some time and is said to run and drive like new. There’s no apparent rust, but it is in Cleveland, Ohio, so you might want to look it over carefully. This S was a less expensive model than the Supreme, but it is well equipped with a 350 V8, swivel bucket seats, console with floor shifter, tilt, AC and such. As I recall, “S” only came as a coupe and the rear glass was more sloped than on the Supremes.
The interior looks really nice from here with just a little work needed on that driver’s seat. All that white might be a bit much for some people’s taste, but at least there are none of the fuzzy velour bits found in 1980s cars.
The interior certainly looks spiffy and sporty from here. The CB radio is a nice reminder of the 1960s.
Here is the 170 horsepower 350 V8 engine. Everything looks in order except for the fresh air intake, an easy fix. A good detail could make this engine bay look really nice. I’d rather see the engine before, though, so any leaks or other bad news is obvious.
This Cutlass looks amazing in every picture, at least to these old eyes. It might be close to show quality, but it’s just a 1974 Cutlass. It might be a nice enough car that someone will be willing to pay something close to the $13,000 asking if it as nice as the ad claims. There will likely be some dry rubber bits like door seals or suspension parts. I would just make any necessary mechanical repairs and drive it just as it is. It wouldn’t need cool wheels, a change in altitude or an LS engine. If the ad is gone, you’ll find it on adsaver.
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Comments
I always liked the styling of this generation of the Cutlass, even though by the mid-1970s they were ‘Gutless’…
This one looks like it’s ready to roll into the local disco parking lot, ‘Halo’ roof, CB and all. I’m guessing that the radio is an AM-FM/8-Track, just the thing for blasting those Donna Summers albums.
Big Apple hat, flared pants and platform soles are optional at extra cost. (For the record, I hated Disco, preferring Prog Rock, Jazz and the more challenging genres of orchestral music.)
Hopefully, the Olds will find a loving home…
This has got to be the prettiest thing in Cleveland, the mistake on the lake overlooking dreary Erie. The river still on fire?
What rock have you been living under ?
The river fire was 1969……LOL
I found this car in Mexico and inquired about it. The car was imported from the US and is a pretty car but it has a 6 cylinder under the hood. I am going back and forth on whether it is worth it with that engine.
Miguel….If I were You, I would jump on it. My 76 Grand LeMans remains one of my favorite drivers of all time. Mine was a Baby Blue four door hardtop with skirts, dual exhaust and rode on chromed factory steels with baby moons, trim rings and 3/4″ white walls…I miss that Pontiac ! 350 V8’s are a dime a dozen for a swap if desired. I removed the reflectors from the rear bumper and replaced them with lamps…I had a lot of personal touches that made it well known around my neighborhood…Her name was “True Baby Blue”, airbrushed on the decklid :)
Here is the back.
And the interior.
Well Miguel this is quite a find. Even though I much prefer mine with V-8 power, I find this a nice honest car. It’s almost as if the person checked off most of the right boxes but missed the box that indicates V-8 engine. That being said, finding something like this is a heck of a lot more rare and interesting than an eight cylinder engine. Thus is right in my strike zone for the many cars like this that I would own if I had a V-8 checking account instead of the little Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine budget I’m living with.
Miguel: Nice looking car and not an awful cruiser. I frequently drove 75 and 77 Buick Regals with the Buick V6 back in the day. Top speed was in the low to mid 80s, but they would cruiser pretty well at 70-75. Wouldn’t win any drag races, but I think they would not impede modern traffic. Towed a 2200 lb boat trailer with the 75, but never tried to get it much over 60 mph towing.
That’s good to know. Maybe the V6 with a turbo added would be a nice car.
My very first car 1975 supreme same exact color. This one is in great shape. I only wish I can own one again someday.
Probably easier to find a Chupacabra than a rust free Pontiac like this in my neck of the woods,
Not sure this is an “S”. I also have one…mine has the long sloping opera rear windows….has the S emblem under the Cutlass emblems on both front fenders. I do see the S on the interior door panels…never knew the S has swivel front seats. I’m thinking this is more like a Supreme than truly an S. I’ve never seen the Supreme rear windows on an S. I could very easily be wrong…but this is my 2nd S….and they were identical except for color. I’m curious as well. Thank you! If anyone needs parts for that year/type….just let me know…it’s for sale.
Actually it’s a CutlassS Oldsmobile offered spring of 75 ,special package offered w/landau roof and oprea windows, chrome sport mirrors, swivel buckets and sport steering wheel. My dad was a Oldsmobile dealer in the 70’s this package sold pretty well
I like Chupacabra, let me know if you see one.
A lovely car! And what fun to tool about in a Ohio july day
Cleveland? ROCKS! Museums, eateries, water, brew houses, shows, very pleasant experience
@T Mel- I think that you would have to go to Miguel’s part of the world to find an authentic chupacabra!
The “glory” days of the 60’s weren’t so hot. Even though there were hotter engines then, builders today acknowledge that the front suspensions, steering, brakes, rear axles were poorly designed, and you should replace all of that. By 1975, the steering, suspension, brakes, axles were vastly improved, so you’re good to go. You can always tune up or modify the engine for more power.
If only they had solved the rust issues by 1975…
These were the glory days of Ziebart and Tuff-Kote Dinol.
I remember that 1975 first year of the caloric haha converter. My aunt and uncle bought one just like that. Junk out of the gate. Could not pull their nimrod pop up camper without overheating! Lol
My first car was a 77 lemans with a 231 v6. The car ran for 180000 miles before i traded it in. I think they were considered salesmens cars back then. Great car, it just floated across the asphalt. It didnt have any power but it was a great cruiser.
Hi I’m Greg and live in montana. I recently bought a sweet and valuable 78 cutlass supreme coupe. Buckets and console. Has 77delta 88 350 replacing the sad 260. It’s got rare and true 70s cragar SS, on front and 80s vintage on back. Original paint and pin striping hand done (not decal) and interior is sweet. Just thought I’d show it off.
Pretty car. Too bad they aren’t made any longer.
Nice to see a well-optioned Cutlass S. Back in the day, most of ’em where plain-Jane Granny cars, luxuriously equipped with power steering, power brakes, AM radio, probably a vinyl roof, and maybe metallic paint.