455 V8 Rocket Ship: 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass
General Motors downsized its mid-size cars in 1978 in response to the need to squeeze more miles out of a gallon of gasoline. That included the popular Oldsmobile Cutlass which became shorter and lighter and could get the job done with smaller engines. We don’t know which motor the seller’s car had when new, but it’s got a tricked-out 455 cubic inch V8 under the bonnet now, tuned for either street or track use. Located in Mays Landing, New Jersey, this hot rod of sorts of available here on craigslist for $15,000.
Back in the day, Dick Clark was hired as an Olds spokesperson and do you remember the campaign “Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile”? And that’s certainly true with the seller’s car which is vastly different now than the day it was built. The performance goodies on this automobile include the 455 which is from 1970, a 10:1 compression ratio, a beefier camshaft, a 750 cfm Holley carburetor, a set of headers, and more. Plus, the TH-350 can be manually shifted and has a 3000-stall torque converter, and a rebuilt 12-bolt rear end wraps things up.
You wouldn’t mistake this Olds for a sleeper because of the rear spoiler that’s looks out of place (IMO). And the rise of the front clip of the car. The odometer reads 73,000 miles and the performance transformation took place at 59,000. So, 14,000 miles have been added to the clock. In the passenger compartment, the bucket seats are not stock and there is a complement of gauges for you to keep track of what’s going on.
If all of this isn’t enough, the seller has another souped-up 455 engine that has never been run. It can be added to the deal for $5,000 if you have another Olds product this would complement nicely. Do you think Dick Clark envisioned a Cutlass like this when he signed on to do TV spots? Tony Primo brought us this out-of-the-ordinary tip!
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Comments
The car does sit high in the front. The lack of inner fender wells could have something to do with it.
Yeah why did they do it? Unless the engine didn’t fit. Don’t drive it in the rain the spray from those tires. BTW, the spoiler doesn’t belong but I have to say they didn’t do a bad job. At least it’s not a Pro Boys spoiler
Olds 455 c.i, was last Factory installed in 1977, that car should have come from the factory with the 350 c.i. or the 403 which replaced the 455 in 1977-1979. The Heads on these 455 engines “J” or “K” are pollution heads and are boat anchors. Any Olds person would never use them they’d go to “G” “Ga” The “G” is 1971 and “Ga” is 1972. Block code 455 1968-1972 is # 306021F, the 1973-77 block is # 396021Fa Yes I’m an Olds man since 1969 with my first 56 Olds Super 88, after 11 Oldsmobile’s my daily driver is a 1971 Olds Vista Cruiser, I will never own anything newer than 1972. Only high tech I have is this Laptop, not even a cell phone and home phone is Rotary Dial. I’m off the Grid, go where I want and Big Brotrher knows nothing
No LB, the last year for the 455 was 1976. The only gasoline engine available in the 78 Cutlass was the 260.
Correction, small block Chevy’s were available too. The 260 was the only Olds V8.
They were plastic, so I doubt they would have any difference ride height wise – the builder likely installed heavier front springs to offset the weight of the 455, an engine that the G body Cutlass was not designed for
This would be good for back in the day ! Street sleeper .
Would of been great on my old stomping grounds Route 231 Deer Park ave Long Island NY….
Agree w you Dixon, spoiler is out of place on an otherwise cool sleeper. Dr Olds 😎 approved ✔️