1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser

Dead stock, aftermarket radio, electric locks, three speed automatic, little else. It is such a pretty little bread and butter wagon though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Olds...pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item56587424c8&vxp=mtr

 

That is a clean little wagon, that's for sure. I did a double take on the engine though (then I read the ad) I knew it was the Olds 307 and not the 305. Was the 307 a USA thing as it is a "Olds"? I've seen a Canadian 79 Sedan and it was powered by the 305, just like my 83.

307....


My 305...





About the only thing bad I can say about this wagon is to bad the face of the dash got..???

 

What's wrong with that upper dash area, between the A/C vents? Almost looks like something had been mounted there. Is there some optional item that should go there, where the Olds emblem is?

 

I think there was a clock that could go there. The panel looks fine to me, just the paint has faded away in a few areas.

As for the Olds engine, according to the build sheet it has the 260 v8. Not sure what the engine offerings were for that year, but I guess that was the small v8.

 

Wow is that a Plain Olds!!!! The only Options I see are V-8 engine (probably a 260, but could be a 307), A/C, and a remote Passenger Side Mirror! The drivers side seems to be manual!!!! I have rarely seen Late Olds Dog Dish's before.
I agree that wear on the center dash area is odd. but who knows the original owner may have had a small dog that liked to lean its fron paws there? We used to have one that did that!

I wish it had the optional Tahoe Designer Interior shown in the upper right hand picture!!!!!

 

We just saw one with the Tahoe interior option.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/f...081&highlight=1979+Oldsmobile+Cutlass+Cruiser

 

Yes, both of mine have a clock there. Not sure on the plain janes if it was just a Olds emblem or nothing. The little square thing I would assume would be centered if it was factory. Paint looks more scrubbed out than faded though.

Thanx for the 260 info. So(?) is the 307 just a bored out 260?

 

I had a '79 Cutlass Calais coupe with that dashboard. I can't remember what was between those air conditioning vents, likely an embossed/chrome painted rocket symbol. I might be wrong about electric locks, I thought the switch on the driver door was one, but it would have one on the passenger front too. I find that unloaded car just as attractive as one with every available option. I'd love that, and a loaded up Cruiser in my garage.

 

I stand Corrected the "switch" on the drivers door is the Drivers Side Remote Mirror Control, I am not used to them Placed Down on the Armrest Like That. The Passenger Side Remote Mirror Makes A lot More Sense Now.

 

I thought that square switch could be the driver mirror control too, so that's what it is! I hate to say I don't remember much about my Calais as to mirror and locks. I think it had manual locks and mirror though.

In the meantime, I just blew the picture up on the Cutlass Cruiser door like I should have to start with, and can see the little joystick control too.

 

On cars without the optional clock, it was an embossed Oldsmobile logo between the two vents. This one looks to have been cleaned a bit too vigorously with Windex, or something like that, and worn the paint off. Not a big deal. The 260 was still on the options sheet for 79, but I didn't realize it was an Olds engine. Back then, the A-bodies, at least here in Canada, had the 231 Buick V-6 (odd firing), the 260 (obviously the Olds engine) and the 305 Chev as the available engines, all backed up by either the 4 speed manual or the 3 speed automatic. It was not until about 86 that the Olds 307/4 speed auto became available in them.

This car is really great looking. Very basic, but if that is what you are after, this is a great example. Hope someone who loves these cars gets it.

 

Mike, I agree with every thing you said exept for the (odd firing) of the Buick V-6, They went to the even Fire 231 V-6 part way thru the 77 Model year, so any downsized A-body 78-86 would have an even fire 231 V-6.

And speaking of 260 Olds V-8's, I am not sure if it is a destroked and decked 307 or not. I know that I looked into buying a 77 442 with the 260 and a T-50 BW 5-speed trans. It was one of the slowest "performance" cars I have ever driven!!!!! And the Weak T-50 trans has an odd shift pattern with reverse and 1st gear paired up. I looked into it and the 260 actually made less torque than the 231 V-6 of the same year (but 5 more HP) about the only good thing I could think of is that the 260 makes a great place holder for a 350 Olds!

 

Cammer, here in Canada, at least, the odd firing 231 lasted into the early 80s. My step-Grandfather had a 79 Skylark, and a friend had an 82 Pontiac LeMans, both with the odd firing 231. The one in the Buick was a complete pig. 20 mpg on premium. The one in the Poncho was better, at 26 on regular. Neither was as good as my 78 Electra with the 350 Buick engine, though, at 30 on regular.

 

I had a roommate that had a 79 Cutlass Calais coupe and it had the Chevy 305 in it.

 

Mike,

Did they make the 231's in Canada? I can not find any documents that says they made odd fire 231's after the 1977 Model year? Not saying your wrong as I do not claim to be an expert on the Canadian car market by any means.