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Motorpedia Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Fourth Generation 1977–1988

Cutlass Supreme Fourth Generation 1977–1988 Featured Image

Fourth generation

Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1978–1984) Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon (1985–1987) Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic (1988 only) Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser (1982–1983)
Production	1977–1988
Model years	1978–1988
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Lakewood Heights, Georgia Pontiac, Michigan Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door notchback coupe 4-door notchback sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	A-body (1978–1981) G-body (1982–1988)
Related	Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Monte Carlo Chevrolet El Camino Pontiac Grand Prix Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac LeMans Pontiac Bonneville Oldsmobile Cutlass Buick Century Buick Regal
Powertrain
Engine	231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6 260 cu in (4.3 L) Oldsmobile V8 267 cu in (4.4 L) Chevrolet V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet V8 307 cu in (5.0 L) Oldsmobile V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Oldsmobile V8 260 cu in (4.3 L) Oldsmobile diesel V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Oldsmobile diesel V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.0 in (2,743 mm).
Length	200.0 in (5,080 mm)
Width	71.6 in (1,819 mm)
Height	54.9 in (1,394 mm)

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-sized 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.

In 1978, the Cutlass line featured taillights which had a lighted Oldsmobile rocket logo in the center.

In 1979, the taillights on the Cutlass line dropped the rocket logo.

In 1980 the two-door models went back to four headlights. A 4-door notchback sedan (known as Cutlass, Cutlass LS, and Cutlass Brougham) replaced the unpopular 4-door "aeroback" Salon, which continued in two-door form for one more year. The Supreme Brougham package was available on and off throughout 1978-1988 production. This was also the first year GM introduced the OBD-I computer controlled engine management and emission control system.

The 442 option moved from the aeroback Cutlass Salon coupe body to the notchback Cutlass Calais for 1980, with content upgraded from a mere "appearance and handling" package back to a legitimate performance option with content similar to the 1979 Hurst/Olds including its 350 Rocket V8. This would be the last 442 until that model was revived in 1985, again on the Cutlass notchback body, as a successor to the 1983-84 Hurst/Olds.

In 1981, the Cutlass Supreme coupe received an aerodynamic restyle (with a "shovel-nose" front header panel), which, along with a higher rear deck, decreased air resistance by 15%. It would continue with this basic design until the final rear-drive Cutlass was produced in 1988. A 4-door sedan was added to the Supreme lineup, with a new front end and a slight taillight lens restyle (resembling a touch-tone dial or Rubik's Cube - this lens style was used until 1984). It was this restyled body that (along with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Buick Regal, and Pontiac Grand Prix) ushered in the down-sized cars into NASCAR cup competition. While the Cutlass looked almost identical to the Buick Regal (which scored 35+ victories in the 1981 thru 1985 seasons), the Cutlass (like the Dodge Mirada) didn't take one checkered flag, and many teams moved away from it in 1983 to the Regal, Grand Prix, and restyled Monte Carlo SS. This was a rude awakening to Oldsmobile, which was getting used to wins on the NASCAR circuit.

In 1982, GM launched the front-wheel drive A-body, known as the Cutlass Ciera, meant as replacements for the 1978-vintage RWD A-bodies, but decided to continue selling the older models anyway. The Cutlass Supreme continued on with the RWD Cutlass sedan and station wagon (two-door Cutlasses were dropped).

The Hurst/Olds reappeared on the Cutlass Calais coupe for two years, first in 1983 as the black over silver 15th anniversary, and then as the silver over black 1984 model. Both featured chrome wheels, red striping and a high output Oldsmobile 307 V8 with 4 barrel carburetor, dual muffler exhausts and Hurst's then new three stick Lightning Rods shifter (the latter eventually becoming a magnet for thieves.) All Hurst/Olds were automatics.

The Cutlass wagon was dropped in 1984.

The 1985 Cutlass Supreme was produced by Oldsmobile and designed after the Oldsmobile Calais, which became a separate model on the GM N platform in the same year. The rear-wheel drive Cutlass Calais was renamed the Cutlass Salon (taking its name from the upscale Supreme coupe and sedan that preceded the Calais).

“ 5.0-liter V8 engine, available. The added performance that adds to the pleasure of driving.” The Olds Cutlass Supreme coupe and sedan were stock with a 3.8-liter V6, 2 barrel engine, while a 5-liter V8 engine was available at extra cost. The transmission is a 3-speed automatic with torque converter clutch. The front suspension is a strut type, which is also known as the MacPherson strut. Where the rear is a multi link. Both front and rear suspension include anti-roll bars.

Brougham Coupe and Sedan - Although very similar to the original Cutlass Supreme, the Brougham is slightly better equipped. It has the same exact 3.8-liter stock engine and 3-speed transmission, but has a divided front bench seat with individual controls and the choice of velour trim in five colors. Also includes a convenience group with lamps, visor vanity mirror and chime tones. To finish off the specialization of the premium model, Oldsmobile created specific Brougham hood ornaments.

1987 was the final year for the rear-wheel drive sedan, and both coupe models received a restyled header panel with composite headlights. A Buick 231 was the base motor alongside the Oldsmobile 307. For its final year, the 442 package was moved to the Supreme model.

1988 was the final year for the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme. It was badged Cutlass Supreme Classic, and 27,678 were built. The 2-door coupe (produced alongside the Chevrolet Monte Carlo at GM's Pontiac, Michigan plant) continued, until the new front-wheel drive version was released in December 1987. The Olds 307 was the only available engine.