The Oldsmobile Cutlass is an automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass was introduced in 1961 as a unibody compact car competing with the Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant.
Over the years, the Cutlass name was used by Oldsmobile as almost a sub-marque, with a number of different vehicles bearing the name simultaneously. This was probably shrewd, because the Cutlass name was a rising star in the 1970s—rising to the top of the global top-10 seller lists at one point—and became one of the most popular nameplates in the industry in the 1980s. However, the proliferation of Oldsmobile Cutlass models caused confusion in the market-place in the 1990s, when three different vehicles (the Cutlass Calais, Cutlass Ciera, and Cutlass Supreme) all shared the name. Some notable Cutlass models have their own pages:
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme - personal luxury car and large sedan
- Oldsmobile 442 - muscle car
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais - compact car
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera - mid-size sedan
- Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser - station wagon
Contents
- 1 1961
- 2 1964
- 3 1968
- 4 1970
- 5 1973
- 6 1978
- 7 1982
- 8 1997
- 9 External links
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1961
1961 was the first year for the "compact" Cutlass line, using GM's new A-body unibody platform. The base model was the F-85, which came in two- and four-door sedan styles and as a 4-door station wagon. The F-85 used the new Oldsmobile/Buick Rockette aluminum 215 in³ V8. Bore was 3.5 in and stroke was 2.8 in, output was 155 hp and 210 ft.lbf with a Rochester 2-barrel carburetor. An optional Power Pack used a 4-barrel carb for 185 hp. Wheelbase was 112 in for a 188.2 in overall length.
The Cutlass was joined by sister cars, the similar Buick Special, rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair, and front-engined (but Corvair-based) Pontiac Tempest. The Oldsmobile was the only A-body to use a floor-shift automatic transmission.
The S was the mid-grade model and added a fastback coupe body. At the top was the 442 muscle car. Most Cutlass models used a Jetaway 2.5-speed automatic transmission until 1969.
Turbo Jetfire
A turbocharged version of the small V8 was introduced in 1962 in the Turbo Jetfire model. This would prove to be the first turbocharged vehicle ever offered for sale.
1964
The car grew larger for 1964 with the Supreme notchback added along with the Holiday Coupe 2-door. The Vista Cruiser, a stretched-wheelbase version of the Cutlass/F-85 station wagon that also featured a raised rear roof and tinted skylights, debuted on February 4, 1964.
A 225 in³ V6 was used for 1965 and 1966. It was replaced by an Oldsmobile-badged Action-Line 6 version of Chevrolet's 250 in³ Blue Flame straight-6 engine in 1966. Bore was 3.88 in and stroke was 3.53 in.
1968
The Cutlass underwent a major body restyle in 1968 as did all other GM A-body cars. This design was used (with a minor restyle in 1970) until 1972.
1970
1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham
The 1970 Cutlass came in two body styles: the notchback Cutlass Supreme and fastback Cutlass S. The base model on the platform remained the straight-6 F-85.
The new 1972 Hurst/Olds used the Cutlass body. The straight-6 was gone.
s
1973
The Cutlass was redesigned for 1973-1977.
For 1976, Cutlasses used the Oldsmobile 260 V8 with a 5 speed manual transmission (T-50) or optional automatic transmission (TH-200 or TH-350). Optional engines were the Olds 350 or Olds 455, but only with automatic transmissions. The Buick 231 in³ V6 was added for 1977. The Olds 403 replaced the 455 that same year, and a restyle was done.
1978
Race-modified 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
The 1978 Cutlass moved to a new version of the G-body with a shorter wheelbase. A mild restyle came in 1981. This Cutlass was lighter than earlier versions at around 3300 lb (1500 kg). The G-body version offers enough engine compartment room for larger engine swaps quite easily and this is the best way to gain back performance from this emission-choked year. 455s from earlier years will fit with minimal modifications and if the car was originally a 260, the engine mounts will line up when swapping a 455. The popular 350 Chevy and big block 454 Chevy also fit easily.
1982
The smaller Cutlass Ciera line was introduced on GM's new front wheel drive A platform, while the Cutlass Supreme remained on the (now renamed) rear wheel drive G platform for six more years. Oldsmobile produced one last rear wheel drive Cutlass for 1988, Cutlass Supreme Classic, alongside the new front wheel drive Cutlass Supreme.
Another new Cutlass vehicle, the N-body Cutlass Calais, was introduced in 1985, bringing the number of Cutlass models to three.
Each Cutlass model has a separate information page:
- 1982-1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera - mid-size sedan, 104.5 in wheelbase
- 1985-1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais - compact car, 103.4 in wheelbase
- 1988-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme - large sedan and coupe, 107.5 in wheelbase
- 1991-1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera - mid-size sedan, 104.9 in wheelbase
- 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera - mid-size sedan, 104.9 in wheelbase
1997
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS
The simple Oldsmobile Cutlass name was revived in 1997 for a version of the new Chevrolet Malibu, replacing the Cutlass Ciera. This model used the 107 in wheelbase GM N platform. It was later regarded as a stop-gap measure to give Oldsmobile a model to sell below the larger Intrigue until the new Alero (also on the N platform) arrived in 1999. Panned by many as the 'Cutlibu,' it did differ in its Oldsmobile split-grille fascia, full-width rear taillamps, and unique optional chrome wheels. Production of the N-body Cutlass ended July 2, 1999, marking it as the last car to bear the Cutlass name.
Engine:
- 1997-1999 3.1 3.1 L (191 in³) V6, 155 hp and 185 ft.lbf
External links
- The Oldsmobile Connection - The Site For Oldsmobile Enthusiasts
Search Term: "Oldsmobile_Cutlass"
Categories: Oldsmobile vehicles
