Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
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{{Infobox Automobile
|name=Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
|image=Image:Cutlass supreme emblem.jpg
|manufacturer=General Motors
|production=1966–1997
|successor=Oldsmobile Cutlass
|class=Mid-size
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=First generation
|image=Image:1968 and 1969 Oldsmobile 442.jpg
|production=1966–1972
|body_style=2-door convertible
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
|platform=FR A-body
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Second generation
|image=Image:1977Cutlass4Door.jpg
|production=1973–1977
|platform=FR A-body
|body_style=2-door coupe
4-door sedan
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Third generation
|aka=Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic (1988 only)
|image=Image:1978 oldsmobile cutlass supreme.jpg
|production=1978-1988
|body_style=2-door coupe
4-door sedan
|platform=FR A-body (1978-1981)
FR G-body (1982-1988)
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Fourth generation
|image=Image:Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible.jpg
|production=1988-1997
|body_style=2-door convertible
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
|platform=FF W-body
}}
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 |
1966
The name first appeared in 1966, the first year of GM's new intermediate four-door hardtop. The Cutlass Supreme was Oldsmobile's version of this bodystyle. It continued so for three years.
1970
In 1970, a change was made. The Cutlass Supreme name was switched to Oldsmobile's equivalent of the downsized Pontiac Grand Prix in 1970 on the GM A platform, to give the division an entry in the burgeoning market for smaller personal luxury cars. As such, it had a new notchback roofline, while lesser 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.
1973
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, 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.
1978
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. 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. In 1979 and 1980 the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme went back to four headlights. The Supreme Brougham package was available on and off throughout 1978-1988 production. In 1981, the Cutlass Supreme 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.
1982
Image:1983 oldsmobile cutlass supreme.jpg 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 and wagon Cutlasses 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).
GM cancelled the rear-wheel drive sedan after 1987, though the now renamed Cutlass Supreme Classic 2-door continued alongside the new front wheel drive version in 1988.
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
1988
A front wheel drive version of the Cutlass Supreme coupe appeared in 1988, and a sedan and convertible were added in 1990. This model shared its 107.5 in wheelbase on the new W-body with the Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, and Chevrolet Lumina. Models included base (later called S), SL, and 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 5-speed manual transmission option was paired first with the 2.8 L V6 from 1988 to 1989, the high-output Quad-4 in 1990, and the DOHC 3.4 L V6 from 1991 to 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 dashboard with dual airbags debuted in 1995.
The lineup was gradually pared down over time, losing the Quad-4 in 1992; the manual transmission option in 1993; the International Series in 1994; the S in 1995; the convertible in 1996; and the 3.4 L V6 engine option in 1997, the Cutlass Supreme's last year. That same year, a (simply-named) Oldsmobile Cutlass 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, also on the W platform.
The W-body Cutlass Supreme was built in Doraville, Georgia from 1988 to 1995, and in Kansas City, Kansas from 1996 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.
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
- 1994-1997 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 215 ft·lbf