Couple questions from a forum newbie

[Gesell23]

Ok let me start off by saying Hi

Now I was able to buy a 78 cutlass supreme with 32,000 miles when I was 15... I didn't know what I had, got in an accedent tore up the interior and tryed to change everything instead of leaving it original. Long story short I sold that car and rwally want another I found this car seems to me like its original by te pictures but it says has a 350 and 700r.

http://stcloud.craigslist.org/cto/3927500144.html

What do you guys think?
Going to look at it tonight.

 

[silverfox]

Looks pretty solid and clean. I would check the usual palces for rust, if no rust this is a good price for the car. I would get it.

 

[Gesell23]

So I talked to the guy that owns the car. Asked him about the 350 and he says he was told by te guy he bought it from that he swapped the original 400 for a 350. I thought these were only offered in the 307 v8

 

[mac61891]

It looks like a small Olds motor from the picture underhood. Could have put an Olds 350 in it but could also be the 307. Likely not a 700r4 but the 200 4r. Small Olds motors are like Small Block Chevys they look a whole lot a like from the outside. Someone else here could tell you what to look for to give you a better idea as to which engine it is.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Is that seriously what he is asking for a 442? Of course doesn't sound like the original drivetrain and original wheels are missing.

 

[rccktmn2]

Doesn't look too bad, cheap, only 3000 of these were made in 85. Obviously its missing the original wheels and some minor things but it looks pretty solid, I'd buy it. Even if it doesn't have the original engine for under 3000 it's still a pretty good deal. Make sure and double check the vin number.

 

[MrLightning]

I would SO JUMP ON THAT for the asking price, AND if you think theres room for him to take less, offer him $2200.00 and see what he says. That's a super good deal, IF..............the body isn't full of bondo, hasn't been wrecked (check carfax), check VIN#, even if its not the original motor, hopefully it still has the original rearend. Interior pic seems to show it being in very good condition, as for the wheels, those are getting hard to find in good/excellent condition. It really also depends on your intentions for the car, if you want it to have the HO 307 or would do a Olds 350 swap anyways, if you like the aftermarket wheels or would put original SSIII wheels back on it, in the end, its all about you and what you want it to be and of course price, but honestly the price is very very reasonable provided most of all its a solid car.

Good Luck! keep us updated.

as for this statement,

"So I talked to the guy that owns the car. Asked him about the 350 and he says he was told by te guy he bought it from that he swapped the original 400 for a 350. I thought these were only offered in the 307 v8"

the car originally didn't have a 400, so either the guy your buying it from.......knows nothing about the car, or the other guy was full of BS also. BUT........you knowing this ahead of time, could work to your advantage because you can offer him less and tell him its because it doesn't have the original 400, but if it did youd be willing to pay his asking price. Feel the guy out, he might not have a clue about this car at all and that's a PLUS for you.

 

[Gesell23]

So....
I got down to see te car. Waited around for 25 min for a tow truck to show up because the owner had locked the keys in the car. As we are waiting he tells me he tried to sell it to his buddy last weeken for 1500$ and he didn't take it, also tells me that 2250 will bring it home. Then another guy shows up ten the tow truck. Finally doors were open! Little rust inside the doors but nothing bad, couple small dent but the paint was in great shape no fading in the interior. Took it or a spin could use a good tuning but it was smoooooth, we get back to his house and there is another guy there. I offered him the 2250 he wanted then a biddin war breaks out between the other 2 guys I left when it was around 2750.

Motor was some 350 from late 70s and the transmission wasn't original either. The vin checked out. The guy was a huge doper. Asked about the factory tach and he said he wanted a CD player so he took the stock radio out.... Oh?