Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
|---|
|
| Topic Navigation |
|---|
|
Wikipedia: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Page Sections History Photographs Documents Merchandise Article Index |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme page on 5 December 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a mid-size car produced by Oldsmobile between 1966 and 1997. It was positioned as a premium offering at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and rose during the mid-1970s to become not only the most popular Oldsmobile but the highest selling model in its class.
It was produced as a rear-wheel drive two-door hartop, sedan, and station wagon into the 1980s, and a convertible through 1972. In 1988 Oldsmobile sought to capitalize on the brand equity of the Cutlass Supreme marque by replacing it with a downsized front-wheel drive model based on the GM10 platform W-platform.
When production ended there was no direct replacement for the Cutlass Supreme, although the Intrigue introduced for 1998 was designed in size and price to replace all the Cutlass models.
First generation (1966–1967)
The Cutlass Supreme name first appeared for the 1966 model year, the first year of GM's new intermediate four-door hardtop sedan—also known as the Holiday Sedan. In addition to the new body style (also available on the midline F-85 Deluxe series), the Supreme featured a plusher interior that included a notchback bench seat with armrest, full wheel covers and deluxe door panels among other items including "CS" emblems on the rear C-pillars and trunk lid. Although smaller than the traditional domestic cars, "its deluxe interior makes it comparable with LTD, VIP, DPL, and Caprice."
For the 1967 model year, the Cutlass Supreme line was expanded into a full series that also included a two-door hardtop coupe (Holiday Coupe), two-door pillared coupe (Sport Coupe), four-door pillared sedan (Town Sedan) and a convertible. Generally, interior appointments in Supreme models were more luxurious than lesser F-85 and Cutlass series cars and included a cloth or vinyl notchback bench seat with armrest in sedan models and all-vinyl Strato bucket seats in coupes and convertibles.
For both years, the standard Supreme engine was Oldsmobile's 330 cu in (5.4 L) "Ultra High Compression" Jetfire Rocket V8 rated at 320 hp (239 kW) with a four-barrel carburetor. Transmission offerings included 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 high-performance 442 package with the 400 cu in (6.6 L) 350 horsepower (260 kW) V8 was available on three Cutlass Supreme models including the sport coupe, Holiday coupe and convertible. Also available on each of those three Supreme two-door models was "Turnpike Cruiser" option that included a 400 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetor and 300 hp (220 kW) rating along with a numerically lower rear axle and Turbo Hydramatic transmission.
Second generation (1968–1972)
The Cutlass and other GM intermediates were completely restyled for 1968 with wheelbases shortened to 112 inches (2,845 mm) for 2-door coupe models and lengthened one inch to 116 in (2,946 mm) 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 (3,100 mm) 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, upon which the 4-4-2 muscle car was now based. Also the standard Rocket V8 was enlarged from 330 to 350 cubic inches with 310 hp (231 kW).
The 1969 models received only a minor facelift such as a new split grille and vertical taillights with the same model and engine offerings. A new three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic 350 was added to the option list to replace the two-speed Jetaway automatic. Headrests were made standard equipment due to federal safety mandate and the ignition switch moved from the instrument panel to the steering column, which also was designed to lock the steering wheel. This ignition/steering wheel interlock, found on all 1969-model General Motors passenger cars, debuted one year before the federal government mandated it on all 1970 models.
For 1970, the Cutlass Supreme nameplate was switched to Oldsmobile's equivalent of the downsized Pontiac Grand Prix on the A-body, 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 fastback style 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 shared front and rear body parts with the standard Cutlass line and was always marketed as part of it. In addition to the two-door hardtop (Holiday Coupe), the Cutlass Supreme series for 1970 also included a four-door hardtop (Holiday Sedan) and regained the convertible bodystyle.
Third generation (1973–1977)
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 and convertibles throughout the 1970s, and the Cutlass was no exception. Despite some initial controversy over the disappearance of hardtop models, the new 1973 GM mid-sized line proved highly successful. Cutlass Supreme coupes had a unique roofline with vertical opera windows not shared with other Cutlass coupes, as well as unique front end styling.
The Cutlass line soon became Oldsmobile's biggest seller, accounting for 43% of the division's total volume in 1974, with the Cutlass Supreme coupe being the single most popular model. With rectangular headlights newly legalized in 1975, the Cutlass received a facelift for the 1976 model year featuring quad headlights and a waterfall grille. This attractive redesign boosted sales even further. The Cutlass line as a whole was America's best-selling car in 1976, helping Oldsmobile to become the only marque outside of Ford and Chevrolet to break one-million units sold. 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-wheelbase 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 corduroy or vinyl 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.
Fourth generation (1978–1988)
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.
The Cutlass Calais, essentially replaced the previous Cutlass Salon series, as far as model position and content were concerned. The Calais featured reclining Strato bucket seats, center console, sport steering wheel, full instrumentation, tuned suspension with front and rear sway bars, color-keyed wheelcovers, front grilles mimicking an ice cube tray (as opposed to the waterfall style used with the Cutlass Supreme) and more.
Both the Cutlass Supreme and Calais were available with T-tops 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 (Cutlass Calais), 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 (350 cubic-inch) Rocket V8 (not the diesel engine) sourced from the full-size Delta 88 and Ninety Eight Regency. Also included in the Hurst/Olds package was the Hurst Dual/Gate shifter for the three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic transmission.
Fifth generation (1988–1997)
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 (2,730 mm) wheelbase 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 car that introduced the head-up display. 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, Michigan. These custom convertibles were the first 50 cars released to the public with a head-up display, and then subsequently recalled for reasons that remain unclear. The 1988 and 1989 models were 2-door coupes. This Cutlass body style proved to be a winner for NASCAR competition and it visited the victory circle 13 times between 1989 and 1992, when Olds ended its racing program. 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 a separate trim level.
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, an N-body Cutlass (actually a badge-engineered 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 Cutlass Supreme ended production in April 1997.
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 3 November 1966 | NHTSA Recall 66V020003 1966-1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 9 June 1981 grant date | Vehicle Wheel United States Patent D259,484 | Patent ( PDF) 170KB · 3 pagesInventors: Edward T. Welburn Company: General Motors Topic: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| December 2008 | Remote Not in Traffic Surveillance Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Investigation 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 1,310KB - 19 pages |
| January 2005 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle: 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 189KB - 16 pages |
| classified date 1994 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle #1 - 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 79.3MB - 310 pages |
| December 2004 | On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Cosco Vista High Back Belt Positioning Booster Seat Vehicle: 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 326KB - 23 pages |
| classified date 1996 | In-Depth Accident Investigation 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL four-door National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 61.3MB - 174 pages |
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Die Cast - Highway 61 50194 | 1:18 scale 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 442, dark blue | |
| Model Kit - Lindberg 73036 | '67 Olds 442 Trunk Popper Lowrider | Snap Fit, 1:25 scale |
| Model Kit - Monogram 2754 | Cale Yarborough's Hardee's Oldsmobile Stock Car | 1:25 scale, #29 |
| Model Kit - AMT 6731 | Kodak film Olds | 1:25 scale, Ernie Irvan #4 |
| Model Kit - AMT 6738 | Sunoco Ultra Olds | 1:25 scale, 1991 Terry Labonte #94 |
| Model Kit - Revell 7362 | Larry Morgan's Super Clean Olds Pro Stock | 1:25 scale |
| Model Kit - Revell 7122 | Ed McCulloch's Olds AA/FC Funny Car | 1:24 scale, Miller High Life |
| Model Kit - Monogram 2779 | Wynn's/K-Mart Oldsmobile Stock Car | 1:24 scale, Lake Speed #83 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 15 September 1966 | OLDSMOBILE 4-4-2 FEATURES NEW OPTIONS FOR '67  | Oldsmobile |
| 13 March 2011 | Olds Most Famous Muscle Car | William Jason |
