Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1966–1997 |
| Assembly | Doraville, Georgia Kansas City, Missouri |
| Successor | Oldsmobile Intrigue |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Related | Buick Regal Chevrolet Monte Carlo Chevrolet Impala Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Similar | Chrysler Concorde Mercury Sable Nissan Maxima |
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market. It was always at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and eventually was mechanically divorced from the later, smaller Cutlasses.
The Cutlass Supreme name lasted from 1966 until 1997. There was no direct replacement for the Cutlass Supreme itself, although the Intrigue introduced for 1998 was designed in size and price to replace all the Cutlass models.
Contents |
[edit] First Generation
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1966–1972 |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body |
The name first appeared in 1966, the first year of GM's new intermediate four-door hardtop sedan.
A cutlass is a short, thick sabre or slashing sword, with a straight or slightly curved blade sharpened on the cutting edge, and a hilt often featuring a solid cupped or basket-shaped guard.
The Cutlass Supreme was Oldsmobile's version of this bodystyle for that one year. For 1967, the Cutlass Supreme line was expanded into a full series that also included a two-door hardtop coupe, two-door pillared coupe, four-door pillared sedan and a convertible. Generally, interior appointments in Supreme models were more luxurious that lesser F-85 and Cutlass series cars and included a cloth or vinyl notchback bench seat with armrest in sedan models and all-vinyl bucket seats in coupes and convertibles.
For both years, the standard Supreme engine was Oldsmobile's 330 cubic-inch Rocket V8 rated at 320 horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor with transmission offerings including a standard three-speed manual with column shift, floor-mounted four-speed manual with Hurst shifter or a two-speed Jetaway automatic.
In 1967, the 400 cubic-inch V8 used in the Oldsmobile 442 was made available as an option on the Supreme, but with a more economical two-barrel carburetor and 300 horsepower rating along with a numerically lower rear axle and Turbo Hydramatic transmission as part of a "Turnpike Cruiser" option designed for economical high-speed highway cruising.
[edit] Second Generation
The Cutlass and other GM intermediates were completely restyled for 1968 with wheelbases shortened to 112 inches for two-door models and lengthened one inch to 116 inches for four-door sedans and station wagons (with the exception of the glass-roof Vista Cruiser wagon, which rode on an even longer 121-inch wheelbase). The Cutlass Supreme, now the top-line Olds intermediate series was pared down to two- and four-door hardtop models with the pillared sedans and coupes dropped and the convertible moved to the lower-priced Cutlass "S" line. Also the standard Rocket V8 was enlarged from 330 to 350 cubic inches with 310 horsepower. The 1969 models received only a minor facelift with the same model and engine offerings.
For 1970, the Cutlass Supreme nameplate was switched to Oldsmobile's equivalent of the downsized Pontiac Grand Prix on the GM A platform, to give the division an entry in the burgeoning market for smaller personal luxury cars. As such, the two-door hardtop had a new notchback roofline, while lower trim-line Cutlass coupes had a near-fastback roof. The model remained in this role for virtually all of its production life. Unlike the Grand Prix and the also-related Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which had wholly separate bodies and names from their less expensive siblings, the Supreme used front and rear body parts from the standard Cutlass line and was always marketed as part of it. In addition to the two-door hardtop, the Cutlass Supreme series for 1970 also included a four-door hardtop sedan and regained the convertible bodystyle.
Supreme interiors were more luxurious that those of other Cutlass models, with a choice of a Custom Sport notchback bench seat with armrest in Osborne cloth or Moroceen vinyl or, at no extra cost, Strato bucket seats in Moroccen vinyl. Available at extra cost with the bucket seats was a center console with floor-mounted shifter for which the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission could also be had with the Hurst Dual-Gate shifter commonly found in the division's musclecar, the Oldsmobile 442.
For 1970 and 1971, both the Cutlass Supreme coupe and convertible were available with the Code Y-79 high performance "SX" option package. The "SX" option included several versions of the larger 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 borrowed from the Olds 442 along with the cutout rear bumper and exhaust trumpets, 442's rallye suspension (optional), distinctive SX badges and other features.
A W31 option added body color bumpers and a rear spoiler, distinctive stripes and badging, and a hotter camshaft with increased lift and duration for the 350 engine.
1972 was the only year in which the Cutlass Supreme notchback hardtop could be equipped with the L75 455 and M20 four speed transmission, and only 77 of these cars were produced. All 1972 L75 455/M20 cars used the larger 2.07 valves and the W30 automatic camshaft. This gave the L75 455/M20 cars 270 net horsepower, as opposed to the TH400 automatic-equipped L75 cars, which produced 250 net horsepower.
[edit] Third Generation
| Third generation | |
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| Production | 1973–1977 |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body |
In 1973, the Cutlass Supreme, like other GM mid-size cars, was redesigned. Hardtop models were replaced by new "Colonnade" styling with fixed center pillars. Concerns over proposed rollover standards caused many automakers to phase out their pillarless hardtops throughout the 1970s (this included Ford's Torino coupe) and convertibles, and the Cutlass was no exception. Cutlass Supreme coupes had a unique roofline not shared with other Cutlass coupes, as well as unique front end styling. For 1976, a new front fascia design with quad rectangular headlamps debuted. This new Cutlass design was highly successful, becoming one of the best-sellers of the time. The Cutlass line as a whole was America's best-selling car in 1976. By 1977, however, GM had downsized its full-size models, and the Cutlass Supreme was now nearly identical in size to the redesigned Delta 88. That situation would last only that one year, as GM planned to downsize the Olds Cutlass and other intermediates for 1978.
In addition to the Colonnade hardtop coupe, the Cutlass Supreme was also offered in a four-door Colonnade sedan (with six-window styling and frameless door windows) as well as six-and-nine passenger station wagons - the wagons with the woodgrain exterior trim were marketed under the Vista Cruiser nameplate previously used on Oldsmobile's stretched-wheebase station wagons with raised roof and skylights from 1964 to 1972.
The Supreme Colonnade sedan was available in 1973 as the Cutlass Salon, which was an option package that included radial tires, upgraded suspension and reclining bucket seats upholstered in cordoroy trim along with color-keyed wheelcovers - designed as sort of a European-style luxury/touring sedan similar to the Pontiac Grand Am of the same period. For 1974, the Salon package was also made available on the Supreme Colonnade coupe and in 1975, the Salon was upgraded to a separate series available in both sedan and coupe.
For 1976, the Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupe was added to the line, featuring a more luxurious interior trim than the regular Supreme model with pillowed crushed velour upholstery and 60/40 bench seats similar to the larger Ninety-Eight Regency. For 1977, the Brougham was also available as a four-door Colonnade sedan.
In the 1987 film Robocop, a 1977 Cutlass Supreme was used with its body mocked up to look like a futuristic car called the 6000 SUX.
[edit] Fourth Generation
| Fourth generation | |
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| Also called | Cutlass Supreme Classic (1988 only) |
| Production | 1978-1988 |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body (1978-1981) G-body (1982-1988) |
| Engine | 307 in³ Oldsmobile 140 hp V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 108.0 in. |
| Length | 200.0 in. |
| Width | 71.6 in. |
| Height | 54.9 in. |
The Cutlass Supreme was downsized for 1978, along with the rest of the Cutlass line. An upscale Cutlass Calais model was added, differing from the Cutlass Supreme only in minor trim details. The new notchback Cutlass Supreme proved to be far more popular than the controversial fastback Cutlass Salon coupe and sedan introduced at the same time.
Both the Cutlass Supreme and Calais were optioned with T-tops and/or a factory sunroof, even on the base Cutlass Supreme coupe with the factory radio delete option.
From 1978 through 1980, a high-performance 442 model was available, and for 1979, a special-edition performance model, the Hurst/Olds was offered. These used the Supreme's notchback body, rather than the standard fastback coupe's. Around 2,499 Hurst/Olds were produced - all were powered with an Oldsmobile 5.7L gasoline engine sourced from the full-size Delta 88 and Ninety Eight Regency.
In 1980 the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (and Calais) went back to four headlights. A 4-door sedan was introduced (initially as the Cutlass and Cutlass LS) which outsold the base Cutlass Salon. The Supreme Brougham package was available on and off throughout 1978-1988 production.
In 1981, the Cutlass Supreme coupe received an aerodynamic restyle (with a "shovel-nose" front header panel), and would continue with this basic bodystyle until the final Cutlass Supreme Classic was produced in 1988. The 4-door sedan remained unchanged with a slight taillight lens restyle (resembling a touch-tone dial and/or Rubik's Cube - this lens style was used until 1984).
The Cutlass Supreme parted mechanical company with the rest of the Cutlass line in 1982, when continuing high sales convinced GM to continue production of its rear wheel drive mid-size cars alongside the new V6-powered, front-wheel drive A-body, now known as the Cutlass Ciera. The rear-wheel drive sedan (previously badged as the Cutlass LS) and wagon Cutlasses (Cutlass Cruiser) became part of the Cutlass Supreme line in 1982. The wagon (known as the Cutlass Cruiser) was dropped for 1984 as a new Cutlass Ciera-based model was introduced.
When the Cutlass Calais became a separate model on the GM N platform in 1985 (as the Calais until 1988), the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Calais was rebadged as the Cutlass Salon (taking its name from the upscale Supreme coupe and sedan dating back to 1975, last used in 1980 as the entry level Cutlass).
1987 was the final year for the rear-wheel drive sedan, and both coupe models received a restyled header panel with composite headlights. A Buick 231 was the base motor alongside the Oldsmobile 307. For its final year, the 442 package was moved to the Supreme model.
1988 was the final year of production of a rear wheel drive Cutlass Supreme. The RWD coupe continued in production as the Cutlass Supreme Classic. The 2-door coupe (produced alongside the Chevrolet Monte Carlo at GM's Pontiac, Michigan plant) continued, until the new front-wheel drive version was released in December 1987. The Olds 307 was the only available engine.
[edit] Engines
Two high-performance variants were created, both using a high-output version of Oldsmobile's 5.0 L (307 in³) V8 engine:
- 1983-1984 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds
- 1985-1987 Oldsmobile 442
[edit] Fifth Generation
| Fifth generation | |
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| Production | 1988-1997 |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM W platform |
| Engine | 3.4L 210 hp V6 3.1L 160 hp 3.1L 140 hp V6 2.8L 128 hp V6 2.3L 180 hp Straight-4 2.3L 160 hp Straight-4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed GetRag manual |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in. |
| Length | 193.9 in. (coupe) 193.7 in. (sedan) |
| Width | 71.0 in. |
| Height | 53.3 in. (coupe) 54.8 in. (sedan) |
A front-wheel-drive Cutlass Supreme based on the GM10 platform (W-body) was introduced as a coupe mid-year during the 1988 production run, while the final year of Cutlass Supreme RWD coupes were still being produced. This new FWD model shared its 107.5 in wheelbase on the new W-body with the Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, and Chevrolet Lumina. As part of introducing the all-new FWD Cutlass Supreme, Oldsmobile secured their place to be the 1988 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, the car that introduced the Heads Up Display to the world. 250 pace car replicas were produced, including 50 custom-made convertibles; some or most were used as festival or parade cars before and during the race. These 50 were turned into convertibles by Cars and Concepts of Brighton, MI. These custom convertibles were the first 50 cars released to the public with a Heads Up Display, and then subsequently recalled for reasons unclear. The 1988 and 1989 models were 2-door coupes. A sedan and a production convertible were added in 1990. Models included base (later called S), SL, and the sporty International Series. Throughout its run, the convertible was considered its own separate trim level.
International Series models could be equipped with unique features such as quad leather bucket seats and a heads-up display. A rare GetRag 5-speed manual transmission option was paired first with the 2.8 L V6 in 1988 and 1989, the high-output Quad-4 in 1990, and the DOHC 3.4 L V6 in 1991 and 1992. The entire line was restyled for 1992, with coupes and convertibles gaining distinctive "mini-quad" headlamps shared with the Pontiac Grand Prix. A driver's side airbag became standard in 1994, and a new ergonomically curved dashboard with dual airbags debuted in 1995.
 Pre-facelift Cutlass Supreme sedan (front) |
 Facelifted Cutlass Supreme sedan (front) |
 Pre-facelift Cutlass Supreme sedan (rear) |
 Pre-facelift Cutlass Supreme sedan (rear) |
The lineup was gradually pared down over time. The Quad-4 was last produced during the 1991 model year; the manual transmission option during 1992; the International Series during 1993; the S Series during 1994; the convertible during 1995; and the 3.4 L V6 engine option during 1996. The Cutlass Supreme ceased production at the end of the 1997 model year. That same year, a (simply-named) Oldsmobile Cutlass, an N-body platform car that was a one-off of the Chevrolet Malibu, was introduced to replace the Ciera, but this model lasted just three years. The Cutlass Supreme's place in the Oldsmobile line was taken by the 1998 Intrigue, built on the next version of the W platform.
The W-body Cutlass Supreme was built in Doraville, Georgia from 1988 to 1995, and at the Fairfax Plant in Kansas City, Kansas from 1995 to 1997. The first 1988 Cutlass Supreme rolled off the assembly line on January 13, 1988. The last Cutlass Supreme convertible was completed on July 17, 1995, and the last Cutlass Supreme rolled off the Fairfax assembly line on February 21, 1997.
[edit] Engines
- 1988-1989 LB6 2.8 L ( in³) V6 125 hp and 170 ft·lbf
- 1989-1993 LH0 3.1 L (191 in³) V6 140 hp and 185 ft·lbf
- 1990-1991 Quad-4 2.3 L (138 in³) I4 160 hp and 152 ft·lbf
- 1990 Quad-4 LG0 2.3 L (138 in³) I4 180 hp and 160 ft·lbf
- late 1993-1997 3.1 3.1 L (191 in³) V6 160 hp and 185 ft·lbf
- 1991-1996 LQ1 3.4 L (207 in³) V6 210 hp and 220 ft·lbf
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Oldsmobile Club of America
- 1970-1971 Cutlass Supreme SX registry
- 1972 Oldsmobile "V Code" Registry (455/M20 cars)
- w.body.com
| Oldsmobile (Category • Vehicles) | |
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| Minivans / SUVs: | Bravada | Silhouette |
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