One of the longest-surviving Oldsmobile nameplates, the Cutlass debuted in 1961. The original car was a Y-body compact that shared underpinnings with the Buick Special and Pontiac Tempest. In 1964, the vehicle was redesigned into a midsize and eventually joined the muscle car wars.
Oldsmobile downsized the Cutlass in 1978 and then turned it into a sub-marque with numerous vehicle lines in 1982. The Cutlass Supreme soldiered on through 1998. In 1997, Oldsmobile revived the stand-alone Cutlass name for a more upscale version of the Chevrolet Malibu. This midsize went out of production as the last Cutlass in 1999.
Come 2023, it's the second and third-generation models (1964-1972) that stand out on the classic car market, mainly due to their association with the golden muscle car era. But unlike other contemporary nameplates, the Cutlass remained highly popular during and after the 1973-1974 energy crisis.
In 1973, when the muscle car segment was pretty much dead and buried, Oldsmobile sold a whopping 381,094 examples, a 27% increase over the previous year. Sales remained strong at nearly 295,304 units in 1974 and jumped to almost 320,000 cars in 1975. Impressively enough, the Cutlass surpassed the Chevrolet Chevelle and Ford Torino to become the best-selling intermediate that year. Moreover, it was also the second-best-selling nameplate in the US, surpassed only by the full-sized Chevrolet Impala/Caprice line.
Like most of you, I'm also a big fan of Oldsmobiles from the muscle car era. But I also like the 1975 version. Call me weird, but I love the front fascia this car had that year. The Cutlass got a mild redesign in 1975 that introduced a more angular split grille with eight slats on each side. The turn signals were incorporated into the grille. It's the best-looking American rig of 1975 in my book.
But like many mid-1970s classics, the 1975 Cutlass is a throw-away rig, and you're more likely to see it in junkyards and barns than on public roads. I hate that, and I'd like to see more of them rescued and restored. The two-door coupe you see here is one of those cars needing a second chance.
Discovered by a junkyard by YouTube's "Classic Ride Society," this light blue Cutlass has been sitting for over a decade. Not surprisingly, the car is pretty rough. The paint is weathered due to exposure to the elements, and there's some rust on the lower body panels. But the Cutlass appears to be complete, which is a rare feat for a junkyard classic.
The interior also needs a complete overhaul, but check out the stylish contrast between the black dashboard and the white upholstery. That's a nice combo to have with a light blue exterior. By the way, this hue is called Horizon Blue, and it's exclusive to the 1975 model year.
Our host doesn't give us a peek under the hood, so this Cutlass could have anything from the base 250-cubic-inch (4.1-liter) inline-six (105 horsepower) to the range-topping 455-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) V8 (190 horses). Other options included 260-cubic-inch (4.3-liter) and 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8s good for 110 and 170 horsepower, respectively.
One of nearly 12,800 two-door coupes made in 1975, this Cutlass is anything but rare. So, restoring it would have to be a labor of love since its market value is rather low. Is it worth saving at $5,000, or is that a bit too much for a rather undesirable Olds?
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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