Oldsmobile Cutlass

Oldsmobile Cutlass
Production period:	1967-1999
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Oldsmobile F-85 , Oldsmobile Ciera
Successor:	Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an upper middle class passenger car built by Oldsmobile , a brand of General Motors , from spring 1967 to mid-1981 . Initially, the Cutlass was a better equipped variant of the Oldsmobile F-85 and replaced it completely from the end of 1972.

In the spring of 1997, the name was used again for the successor to the Ciera , a lower middle class car that was produced until the end of 1999.

Model history

Cutlass (1967)

1st generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Hardtop Sedan 1967
Production period:	1967
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.1–5.7 liters (114–184 kW)
Length:	5187 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2921 mm
Empty weight :	1343-1576 kg

In the previous year, the Cutlass was an equipment variant of the F-85 . From now on it formed its own model series, consisting of a four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan, five-door station wagon, two-door hardtop coupé and two-door convertible.

The engines also came from the F-85. A six-cylinder with 4097 cc capacity, the at 4200 min ^-1 made 155 hp (114 kW), and a V8 with 5408 cc and 250 hp (184 kW) at 4800 min ^-1 .

The front of the vehicle was characterized by double headlights, which were set back slightly and arranged with position lights between the main and high-beam headlights in a wide radiator grille with a horizontal chrome-plated center strut. The “hip swing” in the body above the rear wheel cutouts and the concave rear section was typical of the time.

Cutlass (1968-1972)

2nd generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe (1969)
Production period:	1968-1972
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.1–5.7 liters (107–184 kW)
Length:	5120-5273 mm
Width:	1935-1951 mm
Height:
Wheelbase :	2845-2946 mm
Empty weight :	1404-1836 kg

In 1968 the two-door models were given a shortened chassis with a 2845 mm wheelbase and the designation Cutlass S (S for "Short Wheel Base"). In addition to the cabriolet and the hardtop coupé, there was also a two-door sports coupé with B-pillars.

As with the large Oldsmobile models in the previous year, the smaller ones now also have a new front with a clearly highlighted nose. The position lights between the headlights were initially retained. Instead of the two-part taillights from the previous year, there were now narrow, one-piece taillights that were arranged horizontally above the rear bumper.

In 1969 the position lights between the headlights were omitted and the narrow nose was now painted. The remaining grille carried vertical chrome bars.

In 1970 the round double headlights were framed by rectangular, chrome-plated frames. The narrow, horizontal taillights had given way to two vertical double strip lights that were completely integrated into the rear bumper, which was pulled up high. Both the cars with a short as well as those with a longer chassis grew in length by 2 "(51 mm). The convertible was no longer offered.

Oldsmobile Cutlass Sedan (1971)

In 1971 the front of the vehicle was slightly redesigned and the radiator grille became a little higher and more massive. The four-door hardtop sedan was dropped from the offer. The six-cylinder had an output of 145 hp (107 kW), the V8 engine 240 hp (176 kW).

In 1972 the Cutlass was only available as a four-door sedan and a two-door coupé, the Cutlass S as a sports coupé and a hardtop coupé. The six-cylinder engine was also omitted. The unchanged V8 made 160 hp (118 kW) at 4,000 min ^-1 . There were hardly any stylistic changes, only the radiator grille increased slightly in height.

Cutlass (1973-1977)

3rd generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass S Sedan (1977)
Production period:	1973-1977
Body versions :	Limousine , coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.8-5.4 liters (77-132 kW)
Length:	5258-5479 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2845-2946 mm
Empty weight :	1601-1830 kg

In 1973 the Cutlass was completely redesigned. The front section now contained individual, round headlights with square, chrome-plated bezels. The painted nose was retained with a split grille in the form of a wide, downwardly open horseshoe. The “hip swing” over the rear wheel cutouts was omitted, as was the hardtop coupé. The V8 engine made (132 kW) at 3800 rpm this year 180 PS ^-1 .

In 1974 there was a small facelift . The grille was now rectangular and slightly narrower, so that there was space for square position lights between it and the main headlights. In 1975 these disappeared again and the grill was a bit wider again. On new engines there was a 5.4 liter V8 now with a displacement of 4261 cm³ that developed 150 hp (110 kW). However, the V8 was only available for the sedan. The coupe Cutlass and Cutlass S were 4.1 L in-line six cylinder engines of 105 horsepower (77 kW) at 3400 min ^-1 .

In 1976 the name Cutlass was dropped, because the coupé and sedan were called Cutlass S to differentiate them from the more powerful Cutlass Supreme .

Another facelift on the Cutlass S included rectangular twin headlights positioned above the flat position / indicator lights. The painted nose was still there, the radiator grille was integrated into a sloping front section, divided by vertical and horizontal struts with vertical cooling slots. The output of the V8 engine had been reduced to 110 hp (81 kW).

For the 1977 model year, the front section was again designed vertically, and the cooling slots extended into the horizontal section in front of the bonnet (see photo). The 4.1 l R6 engine gave way to a V6 with a displacement of 3785 cm³, which also delivered 105 hp (77 kW).

Cutlass (1978-1981)

4th generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Hatchback (1978)
Production period:	1978-1981
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Otto engines : 3.8–5.7 liters (77–118 kW) Diesel engines : 4.3–5.7 liters (66–77 kW)
Length:	5022-5057 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2746 mm
Empty weight :	1384-1567 kg

In 1978 a completely new Cutlass with significantly reduced dimensions was presented. This model was available as a two-door coupé (also with a hatchback), as a five-door station wagon with two or six seats and as a new body variant, a four-door hatchback sedan.

The rectangular headlights were integrated into a simple rectangular radiator grille with chrome-plated cross bars. In the center of the grill was the Oldsmobile badge.

Rear view

The standard engine was the 3.8 l V6 that was already known from the previous year. In addition, three V8 engines were available on request: the well-known 4.3 l V8 as from the previous year, as well as a V8 with 4998 cm³ displacement and 145 PS (107 kW) or 160 PS (118 kW) output at 3800 rpm ⁻¹ . The coupes and limousines were called the salon , the station wagon cruiser . All versions were also available in a higher-quality Brougham trim level .

In 1979, a four-door notchback sedan was added as a further body variant. In addition, the body design remained unchanged, but the engine range was expanded again. Six different engines were available:

V6, 3785 cc, 115 hp (85 kW) at 3800 min ^-1
V8, 4260 cc, 105 hp (77 kW) at 3600 min ^-1
V8, 4932 cc, 135 hp (99 kW) at 3800 min ^-1
V8, 4998 cc, 160 hp (118 kW) at 4000 min ^-1
V8, 5735 cc, 160 hp (118 kW) at 3800 min ^-1 (only Cruiser )
V8 diesel, 4260 cc, 90 hp (66 kW) at 3600 min ^-1

In 1980, little changed in terms of appearance, but there were five engine variants to choose from:

V6, 3785 cc, 110 hp (81 kW) at 3800 min ^-1
V8, 4260 cc, 105 hp (77 kW) at 3600 min ^-1
V8, 4998 cc, 155 hp (114 kW) at 4000 min ^-1
V8, 5031 cc, 150 hp (110 kW) at 3600 min ^-1
V8 diesel, 5735 cc, 105 hp (77 kW) at 3200 min ^-1

In 1981 the bodies were completely redesigned. There were double headlights again. In between was a split grille with vertical and horizontal struts that extended to the front bumper. The well-known lacquered bridge divided the radiator grille; above this, the Oldsmobile emblem was before the hood positioned . The hatchback bodies had been discontinued, as had the large V8 engines. There were only the 3.8 l V6, the 4.3 l V8 and the 5.7 l V8 diesel.

In late summer 1981, the Cutlass was replaced by the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera .

Cutlass (1997-1999)

5th generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997-1999)
Production period:	1997-1999
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.1 liters (110–118 kW)
Length:	4877 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2718 mm
Empty weight :	1351-1405 kg

At the beginning of 1997 the Ciera , which had been built for 15 years, was replaced. The successor was again given the traditional name Cutlass, but was only available as a four-door sedan.

The new Cutlass was closely related in terms of design and technology to the new Chevrolet Malibu, which was introduced at the same time . Unlike this the Cutlass was only available with a V6 engine with 3130 cc capacity, the 155 hp (114 kW) at 5200 min ^-1 made. A 160 PS (118 kW) version was also available on request. The body was a little more rounded than that of the Ciera. There were two equipment variants, Standard and GLS .

For model year 1998, the power of the engine to 150 hp (110 kW) at 4800 min ^-1 increased. The basic model was now called GL .

For 1999, the last year of production, there were no more changes. As additional equipment, interested buyers could choose a gold package , which included a gold-colored paintwork, gold-anodized aluminum rims and gold emblems.

At the end of 1999 the Cutlass was deleted from the model range without replacement, as the Oldsmobile Alero, which was introduced in spring 1998, served the same market segment.

Web links

Commons : Oldsmobile Cutlass - collection of images, videos, and audio files

swell

Gunnell, John (editor): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 , Krause Publications Inc., Iola (2002), ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
Flammang, James M., Kowalke, Ron: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999 . Krause Publications, Iola (1999), ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .