Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Production period:	1967-1997
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Oldsmobile F-85
Successor:	Oldsmobile Intrigue

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was an upper middle class passenger car built by Oldsmobile , a General Motors brand , from early 1967 to late 1997 .

Initially, it was only an equipment variant of the Cutlass model; in contrast to the simple Cutlass, the Cutlass Supreme was equipped with a high-performance engine and was not available as a station wagon until early 1974.

After the Cutlass had been replaced by the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera in late summer 1981 , the Cutlass Supreme continued to be produced as an independent series.

Model history

Cutlass Supreme (1967)

1st generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Hardtop Sedan (1967)
Production period:	1967
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.4 liters (235 kW)
Length:	5187 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2921 mm
Empty weight :	1422-1533 kg

The Cutlass Supreme was introduced together with the less powerful Cutlass model. It was available as a four-door sedan or four-door hardtop sedan, two-door sports coupé, two-door hardtop coupé and two-door convertible.

The engine of the Cutlass Supreme, a V8 with 5408 cm³ displacement, was in principle also available in the Cutlass and Delmont 88-330 , but only with 250 hp. In Cutlass Supreme he made thanks Rochester -Vierfachvergaser 320 hp (235 kW) at 4800 min ^-1 .

The style of the bodies corresponded to that of the Cutlass. The front of the vehicle showed double headlights, which were set back a little and sat 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” over the rear wheel openings and the concave rear were typical of the time.

Cutlass Supreme (1968–1972)

2nd generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible (1971)
Production period:	1968-1972
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 5.4 liters (132–228 kW)
Length:	5120-5273 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2845-2946 mm
Empty weight :	1468-1672 kg

As with the Cutlass, in 1968 the two-door models got a shorter chassis with a 2845 mm wheelbase. Only three bodies were offered: the two-door sports coupé, the four-door sedan and the four-door hardtop sedan. As with the big Oldsmobile models last year, this year the small ones also got a new front with a clearly emphasized nose; the position lights between the headlights were initially retained. Instead of the two-part taillights from the previous year, there were narrow, one-piece specimens that were arranged horizontally above the rear bumper.

In 1969 the position lights disappeared between the headlights and the narrower nose was painted. The remaining grille carried vertical chrome bars.

In 1970 the coupe and the normal sedan were no longer offered; instead, a two-door hardtop coupé and a two-door convertible were added to the remaining hardtop sedan. The round double headlights sat in rectangular, chrome-plated frames and the narrow, horizontal taillights had given way to two vertical double strip lights that were integrated completely into the rear bumper, which was pulled up high. Both the short and long chassis wagons increased by 2 ″ (51 mm) in length.

In 1971 the front of the vehicle was slightly redesigned. The grille was a bit higher and more massive. The engine developed only 260 hp (191 kW) at 4,600 min ^-1 .

1972 there were 180 hp (132 kW) at 4,000 min ^-1 . There were hardly any stylistic changes, only the radiator grille increased in height.

Cutlass Supreme (1973-1977)

3rd generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupe (1977)
Production period:	1973-1977
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines : 5.4 liters (125–132 kW)
Length:	5258-5585 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :	2845-2946 mm
Empty weight :	1615-2092 kg

In spring 1973 the Cutlass Supreme was completely redesigned analogous to the Cutlass.

Its front now had individual, round headlights in square, chrome-plated frames. The painted nose was retained. In between there were two radiator grilles in the form of a wide horseshoe open at the bottom. The "hip swing" was gone, as was the hardtop model. There was again the coupé and the sedan with B-pillars. The V8 engine with 180 hp (132 kW) was carried over from the previous year's model.

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Cruiser (1974-1975)

At the beginning of 1974 the station wagon of the small series, which had previously been offered as the Vista Cruiser , was also offered as the Cutlass Supreme Cruiser with simplified equipment (e.g. without imitation wood on the vehicle flanks) .

In the summer of 1974 there was a small facelift for all Cutlass . The grille became rectangular and a little narrower so that there was space for square position lights between them and the main headlights.

From 1975 these disappeared again and the cricket was a bit wider again.

In 1976, another facelift gave the Cutlass Supreme rectangular twin headlights that were positioned above the flat position / indicator lights. The painted nose was still there, but the grille had mutated into fields of eight vertical slots that extended into the horizontal section in front of the hood.

The Cutlass looked a little different this year and only got the look of the Cutlass Supreme in 1977. The output of the V8 engine shrank to 170 hp (125 kW). In 1977 there were no other changes.

Cutlass Supreme (1978–1988)

4th generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupé (1978–1981)
Production period:	1978-1988
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 3.8-5.05 liters (74-118 kW) Diesel engines : 4.3-5.7 liters (62.5-77 kW)
Length:	5022-5090 mm
Width:	1820-1825 mm
Height:	1395-1425 mm
Wheelbase :	2746 mm
Empty weight :	1400-1610 kg

In 1978 a completely new Cutlass was presented with significantly reduced dimensions.

This car was only available as a two-door coupé. The front of the vehicle was very different from that of the Cutlass. Although it also had simple, rectangular headlights, the radiator grille extended, as in the previous year, into the horizontal area in front of the bonnet.

The engine corresponded to that of the Cutlass. Standard engine was a V6 with 3785 cc capacity which was available for Cutlass in the previous year and 105 hp (77 kW) at 3400 min ^-1 gave.

If desired, there were three V8 engines are available: A V8 with 4261 cc and 110 hp (81 kW) at 3400 min ^-1 , and a V8 engine with 4998 cc capacity and 145 hp (107 kW), or 160 hp (118 kW ) performance at 3,800 min ^-1 . Like the other Cutlass versions, the Cutlass Supreme was also available as a Brougham .

In 1979 there was no stylistic change in the vehicles, but the choice of engines became even larger. There was a choice of five different engines, including a diesel for the first time.

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 diesel, 4260 cc, 90 hp (66 kW) at 3600 min ^-1

In 1980, little changed in the appearance of the vehicles. For the coupé there was now also a four-door sedan as an LS . Again five different engines were offered:

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. Between them stretched two radiator grille panels, boxed and extending forward down into the front bumper. The well-known lacquered bridge showed in the middle; the Oldsmobile badge loomed above the hood. This made the Cutlass and the Cutlass Supreme look the same again. The big V8 engines were gone. There were only the 3.8-liter V6, the 4.3-liter V8 and the 5.7-liter V8 diesel.

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Cruiser (1981)

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham (1984)

In 1982 the style changed little, the Cutlass Supreme took over the Cutlass Cruiser station wagon from the Cutlass, which was no longer available that year. The engine range has been expanded again:

V6, 3785 cc, 110 hp (81 kW) at 3800 min ^-1
V8, 4260 cc, 100 hp (74 kW) at 3600 min ^-1
V8, 5030 cc, 140 hp (103 kW) at 4000 min ^-1 (for Cruiser )
V6 diesel, 4293 cc, 85 hp (62.5 kW) at 3600 min ^-1 (not for Cruiser )
V8 diesel, 5735 cc, 105 hp (77 kW) at 3200 min ^-1

In 1983 there were again changes to the grille. While the coupé essentially retained the grill from the previous year, the sedan and station wagon got a new, vertical, continuous radiator grille like the Cutlass Ciera . The engine range did not change, only the 5.0-liter unit was also available for the sedan (not for the coupé).

In 1984 only changes were made to the grille again. The coupé got more and narrower vertical chrome bars, the sedan a box grill in the 4 × 3 pattern. The cruiser was discontinued this year because the Cutlass Ciera had a comparable model. The engine selection included the 3.8-liter V6, 4.3-liter V6 diesel, 5.0-liter V8 and 5.7-liter V8 diesel. In 1985, the coupé kept its radiator grille, the sedan an upright, black insert with wide vertical chrome strips in the middle and emblem, as well as 3 fine chrome strips to the left and right of it. Nothing changed in the engine range.

In 1986 there were again only cosmetic changes. The two diesel engines were dropped due to a lack of customer interest, so that one only had the choice between the 3.8-liter V6 and the 5.0-liter V8. In 1987 there were no changes at all.

In the 1988 model year, the sedan was discontinued, only the standard or Brougham coupé was available. In contrast to the new front-wheel drive model, which was presented in January 1988, the rear-wheel drive model was called the Cutlass Supreme Classic . It was only available with the well-known 5.0-liter V8 engine.

Cutlass Supreme (1988-1997)

5th generation
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupé (1988-1992)
Production period:	1988-1997
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 2.3-3.4 liters (92-154 kW)
Length:	4879-4925 mm
Width:	1805 mm
Height:	1340 mm
Wheelbase :	2731 mm
Empty weight :	1340-1654 kg

In January 1988 the Cutlass Supreme was converted to front-wheel drive. This resulted in a completely new vehicle that was significantly smaller than its predecessor.

The elegant, wedge-shaped body had a low grille with horizontal bars, which was interrupted by a vertical center section with the Oldsmobile emblem. Broadband spotlights were inserted into the grill. First, there was only a two-door coupe, which was equipped with a V6 engine with 2834 cc capacity, the at 4500 min ^-1 gave 125 horsepower (92 kW). In addition to the standard model and the LS version, there was also the International Series , which was even better equipped (e.g. with leather-covered individual seats). The car was also manufactured in this constellation in 1989.

In mid-1989, the 2.8-liter engine was replaced by a V6 engine with a displacement of 3130 cm³, which developed 140 hp (103 kW).

In 1990 a four-door sedan and a two-door cabriolet were added. The convertible (only in the standard version and with roll bar ), as well as the coupé and the sedan in the SL and International Series versions, were only available with the 3.1-liter V6 introduced last year. Coupé and sedan in the standard version were also available with two in-line four-cylinder engines with 16 valves, which drew outputs of 160 hp (118 kW) and 180 hp (132 kW) from 2261 cm³.

In 1991, stylistically little changed, but the 180 hp four-cylinder engine was dropped again; an additional V6 unit with 3392 cc and 210 hp (154 kW) power was added.

In 1992, the cars got a new cooler air intake without a grille and the 160 hp four-cylinder engine was also dropped, so that only the two V6 units remained. The standard and SL equipment have been replaced by the new S equipment. The cabriolet was only available in standard equipment.

In 1993, the 3.1-liter V6 increased its output and now delivered 160 hp (118 kW).

The International Series was discontinued in 1994, but an "SL" equipment package was available for the "S" at an additional cost. In 1995 there were no changes.

In 1996 the convertible was discontinued. The other two body variants were only available in the "SL" version.

In 1997, in the 30th and final year of production, the 3.4-liter V6 was discontinued, so that only the 3.1-liter V6 with 160 bhp was available. 52,963 copies were made this year, but in 30 years there had been over 8 million pieces.

The Cutlass Supreme was discontinued in mid-1997. His successor was the Oldsmobile Intrigue from the summer of the same year .

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Sedan (1990-1992)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupé (1992-1997)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible (1992-1996)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Sedan (1992-1997)

Sports variants and sports successes

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupe (1989) with Rick Wilson

After the Cutlass Supreme no longer offered any more powerful engines than the Cutlass, various high-performance variants were produced:

At times a Cutlass Supreme Pace Car was in the Indy 500 race. Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme were also involved in the NASCAR races.

Web links

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

swell

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