Can someone explain the differences between the different Cutlass's (g-body) like supreme, Calais, salon, 442. Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated.

 

The biggest differences are interior and exterior trim. Mechanically they're all about the same except for the 442/Hurst Olds engine/transmission. They do carry different VIN codes, but that was so the Fisher Body plants would know what trim to install and what provisions to make for it.

 

Ok 1 more question do you know how many horsepower they came with?

 

307 Y (Cutlass/88/98) were rated 140 @3600 rpm, 307 9 (Hurst/442/rarely in 88 wagons) were 180 @4000 rpm . V6 were 110 at nearly 5000 rpm, so it wasn't really very usable horsepower.

Lot of people slammed the little 307 as underpowered, but to put things in perspective, the original Rocket 88 was 303 cubic inches and 135 horsepower. Doesn't sound like much esp compared to the firebreathing Rockets that came later, but in 1949-50 it was the hottest thing on the road.