Weird Spec: 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 5 Speed

If I mentioned 5 speed manual equipped coupes from the 1970’s, brands like Alfa Romeo, Lotus, or BMW would first come to mind.  Imagine my surprise when finding this factory 5 speed Cutlass S.  You could, but not many did option out the small 260 ci Olds V8 with a 5 speed manual on all models except for the Supreme and wagon.  The 260 was a reaction to the 70’s fuel crisis and shared the same stroke as the larger Olds 350.  The Borg Warner sourced 5 speed could likely be paired up with the larger 350, but am not sure how robust they were.  These Colonnade models ended in 1977 and gave way to the even smaller G-body coupes.  Find this 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass S for sale in Lexington, MA for $6,900 via craigslist.

Details from the seller:

Yes not a typo, Its a factory 5 speed, I was pretty shocked when I got it, way more fun than an automatic.

I drive it everywhere, drives Amazing.

It has a great running V8, 260. Great on gas. Smooth as silk in the highway.

No AC, the interior is original and one seat in the back is starting to open. 

The entire car is rust free, for the exception of the front driver floor! Gone. I patched it but could be done way better.

Price is the price, Its really reasonable, will not negotiate. Please don’t call and offer less. Show up with Cash and drive it back to California if you like.

Any text that starts with is the car still available will be deleted. If the ad is up, the car is available.

To all the scammers; if you put this much effort into a legit job, you would probably make more money.


I am not sure how appealing a large coupe with no AC, crank windows, and low output V8 would be even with a 5 speed these days.  Those vinyl seats can’t be kind to your rear end on a warm summer day.  This seems to be another example where rare does not equal valuable, but I could be off the mark.

See another American factory 5 speed coupe? email tips@dailyturismo.com