1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham 260 V8 from North America
Summary:
The best $500 I ever spent
Faults:
Faded paint in some areas, and the A/C-heater blower motor was noisy and replaced.
Nothing else that I can remember.
General Comments:
I bought this car as a winter beater driver while I was restoring my Firebird. As life happens as time goes on, restoration projects are put on the back burner. Therefore this car ended up being a daily driver for 3 years.
Being 10 years old when I bought it and living its life in New England, the car was in very good condition in and out. Always started right up in cold temps. Never broke down or had any major or even minor repairs.
A lot of times the 260 V8 is criticized for being underpowered, which it was even in the downsized Cutlass a couple years later, but the reliability makes up for it. That engine was almost impossible to overheat due to the bore being so small.
Inside was acres of comfort. The Brougham level used nice pillow style velour seating. I particularly loved the dash style and layout.
Exterior was solid with surprisingly no rust being a northern car. Especially around the vinyl top and quarter windows, which was very common.
Sold this car to a friend after 3 years and they had it for several years after from what I heard.
I've owned over a dozen vehicles in my lifetime and this is one that always comes to mind. One would think that a $500 car would be junk. In reality this was a steal for a good car.
The Cutlass was America's best seller at the time. These 73-77 "Colonnade" style GM cars have aged well with a timeless design IMO. I wouldn't mind owning one again for fun. But you will never pay $500 for one again as these are starting to become appealing to the collector market. I have seen these listed for sale with asking prices in the $15,000 range.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th August, 2020
23rd Aug 2020, 03:36
Neat review :)
I had a 1977 Cutlass Supreme 2 door hardtop (350 Olds V8, not Brougham).
I'm glad you liked the 260 V8. The only problem I encountered with them was oil consumption & compression/power loss from damage due to detonation.
The Olds V8 of that vintage had an open combustion chamber to reduce emissions. As a result, despite running very low compression ratios (7.5->7.9:1), these engines pinged quite a bit. The 260 suffered more than than its bigger brothers, as it had to run harder to move the vehicle in question than they did.
It did not help that the HEI distributor tended to have its mechanical advance mechanism rust and lock up in an advanced position.