The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a range of vehicles manufactured and marketed by Oldsmobile, a division car manufacturer of General Motors, from 1961 to 1999. At its debut, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level vehicle. The car started as a unibody compact car but achieved its greatest popularity as a body-on-frame intermediate.
History of Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass First Generation (1961 - 1963)
In 1956, General Motors started construction on the first of their compact vehicles, the Chevrolet Corvair, which would go on sale in 1960. The next year, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac planned a second batch of "senior compacts" for the following year. They'd have the same outer shell and lightweight powertrain, making them a logical match. The Oldsmobile model was conceptualized in 1957 by Irvin Rybicki, a designer of Oldsmobile. In 1960, it was finally released as a 1961 model and went on sale. Front-wheel-drive(FWD) passenger 4-door Cutlass sedans were made in serial production by Oldsmobile in 1961. Versions of six generations and varying in class carried this classification over the years of production, causing considerable misunderstanding in their placement on the market, particularly in the 1980s. Despite this, the Cutlass models quickly became popular with customers. Apart from the Cutlass sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door hardtop, and 4-door station wagon models were available from 1961 to 1963. Platform A served as a base for the vehicles. For the 1964 model year, General Motors decided to expand the senior compacts after poor sales of the compact F-85 and the arrival of Ford Motor Company's medium Fairlane.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Second Generation (1964 - 1967)
Oldsmobile produced cars with prior generation bodywork and a 2-door convertible in the second generation Cutlass from 1964 to 1967. The car's length has increased to 5,1b89 mm, while its wheelbase has grown to 2,921 mm. 1,560 kg was the curb weight. 3.7L (225 hp), 4.1L (250 hp), 5.4L (310 hp), and 6.6L (345 liters) were among the V8 engine options.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Third Generation (1968 - 1972)
Oldsmobile completely redesigned the Cutlass in 1968 with three wheelbases: 112 inches for a 2-door Cutlass S style, 116 inches for a 4-door Cutlass/Cutlass Supreme style, and 121 inches for the company's Station Wagons. Cutlass designers created a bold look for 1969 to characterize the famous Cutlass through 1972, with yearly changes. In 1970, Oldsmobile added new body plates and rooflines.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Fourth Generation (1973 - 1977)
Oldsmobile released the fourth generation Cutlass in 1973 for the 1974 model year, with a handful of trim levels and three body styles: coupe, a sedan with four doors, and station wagon. Thanks to the GM "Colonnade" A-body platform, the 1974 model was also called the Colonnade. Although the oil crisis impacted the US market, the automobile industry encountered a new fuel efficiency problem. On the other hand, GM reacted by extending its line of personal luxury automobiles. It was the age of the fake cabriolet, which had a hardtop, no B-pillars, and only two doors. The Cutlass S had a vinyl top that filled the roof and had a tiny window in the broad C-pillar. The slanted trunk lid in the back gave the impression of a sporty automobile under full acceleration. It was, nevertheless, a personal luxury coupe, given its engine.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Fifth Generation (1978 - 1988)
In 1978, Oldsmobile downsized the vehicle because of the rising requirements to produce more fuel-efficient cars following the 1977 model, one of America's best-selling vehicles. Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac Grand Prix utilized the same A-body base as the new Cutlass. Oldsmobile offered the Cutlass as two-door "aero back" fastback coupes or notchback coupes (both riding on a 112-inch wheelbase), four-door station wagons, or aero back fastback sedans (both of which used a 116-inch wheelbase). On the notchbacks, the 4-4-2 option was still available. With roughly 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg), this Cutlass was lighter than previous models, but customers could equip the vehicle with GM's various engines. The Salon and Brougham fastback sedans and coupes and the traditional roof Supreme, Supreme Brougham, and Calais coupes were part of the 1978 Cutlass portfolio. Cutlass Cruiser and Cutlass Cruiser Brougham station wagons were also available, both of which were smaller, more conventional alternatives for the three-seat (8 passengers) Vista Cruiser.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Family (1982 - 1997)
A new sub-marque, the Cutlass, was introduced in 1982 by Oldsmobile, with several car lines sharing the name simultaneously.
- Cutlass Ciera (1982 - 1996)
- Cutlass Supreme (1982 - 1997)
- Cutlass Calais (1985 - 1991)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Sixth Generation (1997 - 1999)
For the 1997 model year, Oldsmobile revived the Cutlass as a slightly upscale version of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Malibu. Oldsmobile included a few minor modifications. The sixth generation of Cutlass was available to be a placeholder vehicle when Oldsmobile discontinued the Ciera just before the arrival of the Alero model. This generation of Cutlass was the last vehicle to wear the Cutlass nameplate, with production ending on July 2, 1999. In Canada, this generation of Cutlass was not available.
Price
In 1962, Oldsmobile sold the first generation with an MSRP of $2,694 ($25,308 in 2022). For the latest generation, Oldsmobile Cutlass was famous for its two trims in 1999: $18,145 ($30,900 in 2022) for the GL trim and $19,745 ($33,625 in 2022) for the GLS trim.
Features
1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Features
Oldsmobile offered the Cutlass with various standard features, including cassette stereo, air conditioning, rear window defogger, and battery rundown protection. Oldsmobile also included the fog lights, illuminated entry, power door locks, tachometer, remote trunk release, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, split-folding rear seat, and a security system for the standard features. For the GLS trim, customers would enjoy the leather seats, alloy wheels, variable effort steering, a remote keyless entry, and several power technology features. Oldsmobile designers placed a full-width reflective feature over the rear of the Cutlass, which appears out of context on this otherwise basic but appealing sedan. Inside, guests will discover a well-designed dashboard and unique A-pillar air-conditioning vents that improve airflow to rear-seat occupants. Anti-lock brakes and two airbags are also standard on the Cutlass. Bumpers can absorb impacts at five miles per hour. Additionally, daytime running lights with automated light adjustment are included in the safety package. Like most Oldsmobiles of the time, it had all-red taillights and a split grille front fascia.
Specs
The Oldsmobile Cutlass engine delivers 150 hp (112 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 185 lb-ft (251 Nm) at 4,000 rpm of torque. The Oldsmobile Cutlass accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 126 mph (203 kph) and a curb weight of 3,102 lbs (1,407 kg). Oldsmobile manufactured the last generation of Cutlass in two trims: GL and GLS. The 1999 Cutlass was available as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) model with a 4-speed automatic gearbox powered by a 3.1L V6 engine.
Release Date
Oldsmobile released the Cutlass model in 1960 as for the 1961 model year, and it was discontinued on July 2, 1999.