1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was in production from 1966 through 1997. The fourth generation of styling was introduced in 1978 and continued through 1988. The entire Cutlass line was downsized for 1978, including the Cutlass Supreme, and an upscale Cutlass Calais model that added additional trim and essentially replaced the previous Cutlass Salon series.

General Motors introduced a front-wheel-drive A-body model in 1982, known as the Cutlass Ciera, intended to be a replacement for the RWD A-bodied but continued in production. Two-door Cutlasses were dropped but the Cutlass Supreme continued on with the RWD Cutlass sedan and station wagon. The Cutlass wagon was dropped in 1984.

The Hurst/Olds re-appeared in 1983 on the Cutlass Calais and continued for two years, replaced by the 4-4-2 package, with special paint and suspension, and a high-output V-8 engine. Also in 1985, the Oldsmobile Calais became a separate model on the GM N platform, and the Cutlass Calais was renamed the Cutlass Salon.

The 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme had a similar appearance to the 1985 model year with a mildly updated grille with a 5x5 hole pattern in the sedan's upright egg-crate grille. Body styles included a coupe and sedan with base factory prices of $10,700 for the coupe and $10,880 for the sedan. The base V6 engine had overhead valves, a 231 cubic-inch displacement, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, sequential fuel injection, and delivered 110 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 190 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. A three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was standard. Disc brakes were in the front and drums were at the rear.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham package was available on both the coupe and sedan, priced at $11,400 for the coupe and $11550 for the sedan. The Brougham package added 55/45 divided front seat, convenience group, reading lamp, the removal of rocker panel moldings, wide bodyside moldings, belt reveal moldings and convenience group.

The 4-4-2 (RPO code W42) option continued, adding the V8, suspension upgrades, special paint, 3.73:1 rear axle, super stock wheels wrapped with Eagle GT tires, and '4-4-2' door decal. 4,273 examples of the 442 were produced in 1986 and a little over 1,000 had the T-Top option.

An optional overhead valve V8 engine with a 307 cubic-inch displacement offered 140 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 255 lb-ft at 2,000 RPM. It had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a four-barrel Rochester carburetor.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020