1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The creation of the muscle car is often credited to Pontiac's ad man Jim Wangers and division manager John DeLorean, subverting General Motors' dictum against big engines in small cars. Instead, they offered a large-engine option for the intermediate Tempest. At the time, GM policy forbade the use of engines larger than 330 cubic inches in intermediate-size bodies. As a result, the largest engine offered in the Tempest was a 326 V8, a 330 in the Olds F85, and a 300 in the Buick Special. Chevrolet's largest Chevelle engine was a 327. The 1964 Pontiac GTO proved the world was eager for larger options, and automakers scrambled to ready their own muscle cars.

Oldsmobile was the first to respond, introducing their F-85 police package available to the public. The engine was fitted with a four-barrel carburetor and backed by a four-speed manual transmission with dual exhausts. It was called the '442' and the engine was the same 330, but with modifications, and horsepower rose from 230 to 310 bhp. A 400 cubic-inch powerplant was offered by Olds for 1965, along with an automatic transmission option. The '442' had 375 horsepower and was mounted to a standard column shift. A heavy-duty three-speed with a Hurst floor shifter was also available.

Power rose to 360 for 1966, and there were two optional engines, the L69 with three Rochester two-barrel carburetors, and the W30 Force-Air induction, which ducted outside air from behind the headlights direct to the air cleaner. The L69 produced 360 horsepower, while the W30, which included a hot cam and upgraded valve train, was rated the same but very likely developed more. Oldsmobile built 54 examples of the W30 442s for 1966.

The W30 went mainstream for 1967, but still in limited quantities. Oldsmobile discontinued the triple-carburetor engine, so the four-barrel W30 was the top performer with 350 horsepower. The W30 package could be acquired with the Turbo 400 Hydramatic transmission. The 442 option, which previously had been available on all F-85s, was now restricted to the Cutlass Supreme series. This series was new to the lineup, having been introduced as a single model in 1966. Along with the 4-4-2 option, the Supreme was also the only line in which buyers could select the high-mileage Turnpike Cruising package.

Bodystyles included a 2- and 4-door Holiday Hardtop, a convertible, sport coupe, and a town sedan. The most popular body style was the 2-door holiday hardtop which found 57,858 willing buyers. The four-door version found nearly half as many buyers, with 22,571 examples sold. A total of 24,828 Cutlass Supreme models were sold with the 4-4-2 performance package.

The base engine was an overhead valve V8 displacing 330 cubic-inches and offering 320 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Sports Coupe

In 1967, the 4-4-2 was only available on the Cutlass Supreme model. Oldsmobile addressed the consumer demand for more luxurious mid-size cars by adding the Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme lines to its base F-85 intermediate. These high end models came equipped with luxury features such as carpeting, foam seats, armrests and upgraded steering wheel and trim.

The 350 horsepower, 400 cubic-inch engine was available with a ram-induction system. This model was very popular with its blend of performance, comfort and luxury.

Convertible

This 1967 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible has a 455 engine, automatic transmission, and has been owned by the same owner for the past ten years. It is equipped with bucket seats, power steering, power top, aluminum wheels, console, power brakes, remote mirror, and the original SS1 Wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Sports Coupe

In 1964, Oldsmobile was caught somewhat off guard when sister division Pontiac introduced the GTO. Using a big engine in a small car formula, Pontiac took the market by storm.

Digging deep into the Olds corporate parts bin, they took their own intermediate models known as the Cutlass and the F-85 and added a variety of special Police Package components along with the 400 cubic inch, 4 barrel V-8 engine. Adding a 4-speed manual transmission and other performance enhancements, they were off and running. 4-4-2 stood for four barrel carburetion, four speed transmission and dual exhaust.

This is a prime example of the highest performance offering 442 with a very subtle appearance. Under the hood is the top-of-the-line W-30 high performance package, one of a mere 502 total produced in 1967, and one of just 128 two-door post model Cutlass Supreme Sports Coupes.

Sold new in Massachusetts by well-known performance dealer Brainbeau Oldsmobile, it was originally ordered as a dealer team drag car, but it wasn't meant to be. Soon after arriving, the dealership closed, and it was sold to a local resident.

The option list is sparse, as expected for a car meant to be drag raced. With no power options and no radio, the original intent was very clear.

Convertible
Chassis number: 338677Z116699

This Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible was sold new at Big 2 Oldsmobile in Mesa, Arizona. It left the Lansing factory with the optional L66 Turnpike Cruiser option package, which had been developed by Oldsmobile engineers to meet a mandate set by Chief Engineer John Beltz to increase fuel economy and usable performance while minimizing noise, vibration and exhaust emissions. Oldsmobile offered the Turnpike Cruiser option only on the Cutlass Supreme models.

The Oldsmobile 400 CID V-8 was mated to the variable-vane Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed and given an extra-low 2.41:1 rear-end gearing. The Turnpike Cruiser's 400 was equipped with a 2-barrel carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, dual exhaust and a special short-duration, mild-lift hydraulic cam that delivered 300 HP and increased peak torque to 425 lb-ft at just 2,600 RPM. The package also came with the Climatic Combustion Control, which used a special air cleaner with a valve-and-diaphragm system that mixed under-hood air with pre-heated air ducted from the exhaust pipe to maintain constant carburetor inlet temperatures for more accurate metering. This setup allowed for better fuel economy and lower emissions. Additionally, the Turnpike Cruiser came with the 442's heavy-duty springs, shocks, sway bars and wheels.

This particular example is finished in Bimini Blue metallic paint with a white-on-blue deluxe interior with thin-shell Strato bucket seats, a center console with Jetaway shifter, tinted glass, deluxe seatbelts, pushbutton radio with power antenna, and a power top. Additional options found on this vehicle included power steering and brakes, factory air conditioning, power trunk release, chromed window sill trim, door-edge guards and wire wheel covers over wide whitewall tires.

by Dan Vaughan

Introduced in 1961 as a unibody compact vehicle, the Oldsmobile Cutlass was made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The major competition facing the cutlass was the Dodge Lancer and the Mercury Comet.

Eventually becoming one of the most popular nameplates in the industry during the 1970's, the Cutlass name was used by Oldsmobile as almost a sub-marque. A number of different vehicles have all born the name Cutlass simultaneously, to the confusion of the automobile market during the 1980's.

Beginning as an experimental sports coupe in 1954, the original Cutlass had a 110 inch wheelbase with a dramatic fastback roofline. It came with a stock Oldsmobile V8 engine and shared a platform quite similar to the Olds F-85 which was later compact and not introduced for the next seven years.

Oldsmobile designer Irving Rybicki began working on an Olds model in 1957 in General Motors' effort to develop compact cars. Dubbed F-85, it finally went on sale in 1960 as a 1961 model.

Sharing a new A-body platform, it used a 112-inch wheelbase and unibody construction. Oldsmobile's smallest and cheapest model, the F-85 was nearly two feet shorter than the next smallest Olds model and was $451 cheaper.

With a double-wishbone front suspension and a four-link live axle in the rear, the F-85 has suspended with coil springs all around. Its standard engine was the new small V8, with a two-barrel carburetor that was rated 155 manual or the newly introduced three-speed Roto Hydramatic.

With an overall length that was originally 188.2 inches, the curb weight was around 2,800 lbs and came with drum brakes of 9.5 in (241 mm) diameter.

Available in either a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan in base or Deluxe trim, or a four-door station wagon with either two or four seats, in either base or Deluxe form, the F85 faced disappointing sales at first.

The introduction of the Cutlass sports coupe with its unique trim, bucket seats in the interior, center console, a four-barrel version of the V8 engine helped to boost Cutlass sales soon after.

With a record of 0.60 in 14.5 seconds, and a top speed of just over 100 mph, the F-85 was praised by Car Life magazine for its construction but found its steering too slow and suspension too soft for enthusiastic driving.

A total of 80,347 F-85 models were built.

Available in both standard and Cutlass versions, in 1962, a convertible was added to the F-85 lineup in September. Sales rose that year, and reached 97,382 units and beat the four-door Deluxe sedan as the top-selling model.

The Jetfire model arrived soon after, a Cutlass hardtop with a turbocharged version on the 215 V8 rated at 215 hp that was much faster than a standard F-85. Also much more expensive, at nearly $300 more than a Coupe, the price and reliability problems with its turbocharged engine limited sales to 3,765.

The only update to the F-85 in 1963 was the addition of four inches to the vehicle's overall length, which increased it to 192.2 inches. This was also the final year for the Jetfire and its turbocharged V8. Three-seat station wagons were dropped.

The introduction of the Ford Fairlane, along with the disappointing sales drop encouraged GM to build a larger compact for the 1964 model year. The wheelbase grew to 115 inches and now had an overall length of 203 inches and weighed more than 300 lbs.

It was also outfitted with a new cast-iron small block V8 of 330 cu. in. displacement and the option of a two-speed Jetway automatic transmission with a variable-pitch stator. In 1964 sales increased to 167,002 units sold.

In 1965 the F-85 was increased in length to 204.3 inches. Sales increased to 187,097.

In 1967, the option of disc brakes became available on the F-85. The three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic now supplemented the two-speed Jetway.

The following year the F-85, including all GM A-body cars, underwent a major body restyle. Both two-door and four-door models now had different wheelbases, 116 inches for four-door vehicles and 112 inches for two-door models. The length of the vehicle shrunk slightly, about 2.6 inches and the V8 option was expanded to 350 cu. in. (5.7 L).

In 1970 the F-85 Cutlass was available in two body styles, the fastback Cutlass S and the notchback Cutlass Supreme.

The 442 reverted back to being a trim line on the Cutlass instead of an individual model in 1972. Other changes for this year included updates to the front grilles as well as the taillights.

In 1973 the F-85/Cutlass was completely redesigned using the new 'Colonnade' A platform. The Cutlass Salon was added as an upscale model in 1973. The lineup of the new models consisted of the Cutlass 'S', Cutlass Salon, Vista Cruiser station wagon and the Cutlass Supreme.

Two years later, the 1975 model used the Oldsmobile 260 V8. It was available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic transmission.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass became America's best selling car in 1976.

In 1977 the Buick 231 in³ V6 was added and the Olds 403 replaced the 455.

A new version of the A-body with a shorter wheelbase was updated in 1978. The Cutlass was now lighter than earlier versions, and some A-body Cutlasses were powered with a Chevrolet 305 (5.0 L).

The lineup included the Cutlass Saloon as the base Cutlass and now replaced the 'S', the Calais coupes, the Cutlass Cruiser station wagon (formerly the Vista Cruiser), and the formal Cutlass Supreme.

In 1979 the same lineup continued with only a revision of both the front grille and taillight lenses. Around 3,000 Cutlass Calais coupes came equipped with the Hurst/Olds W-30 package.

Three years later the Cutlass Supreme and Calais coupes received new header panels that incorporated four headlights that copied the 1977 model.

Introduced on GM's new front-wheel-drive A platform, the much smaller Cutlass Ciera was showcased in 1982. For the next six years, the now-renamed Cutlass Supreme remained on the rear-wheel-drive G platform.

Only one last Cutlass was produced for 1988, the Cutlass Supreme Classic. The Cutlass Salon featured a more luxurious interior, and the new N-body Cutlass Calais was introduced in 1985. The number of Cutlass models was now at three.

In 1997 the original Oldsmobile Cutlass name was revived for a version of the new Chevrolet Malibu. Now exclusively sold in the U.S., it replaced the Cutlass Ciera.

The model was only constructed at the Oklahoma City Assembly plant and used the 107 inch wheelbase GM N platform.

In 1999 production of the N-body ended, making it the final car to bear the Cutlass name, and it was replaced by the Alero.

by Jessican Donaldson