1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The Cutlass Supreme was America's favorite car in the mid-1970s — not a Chevy, not a Ford, but an Oldsmobile. The Colonnade body introduced in 1973 hit exactly the right note of personal luxury: formal rooflines, opera windows, comfortable interiors, and enough engine options to satisfy most tastes. The 1976 model year was peak Cutlass, selling over 500,000 units. These were the cars parked in suburban driveways across America, the cars driven to disco and back, the cars that defined malaise-era comfort. Today, they're finally getting respect as survivors of an underappreciated era.

Cutlass Supremes in honest, preserved condition are increasingly valued. The Colonnade styling ages gracefully. Many were optioned heavily — look for interesting configurations like the Salon package or Hurst/Olds equipment. Vinyl tops were popular and often hide rust underneath. Low-mile survivors exist because these were often purchased by older buyers who drove them carefully.

Excellent parts availability through GM A-body channels. The 350 and 455 Oldsmobile engines are reliable and well-documented. Mechanical simplicity makes DIY maintenance practical. These cars ride and drive well by period standards — they were comfortable then and remain comfortable now. The challenge is finding one that wasn't used up; many were daily drivers that accumulated miles and deferred maintenance.