So what's the difference??
#2
VIN
Price
fanciness of trim
external shiny trims
there's a lot to learn and it varies by year also.
so, what year?
One great source of info is your factory Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual, which set forth the model names and what the VIN would be for each of those sub-models. And every other tidbit of info right down to how the trans works inside. These are not very expensive and you can always find a buyer for them also....
Some years, the 442 was only available as an option, say, on the Cutlass Supreme model, and not the F85. Some years the 442 was a separate model according to the VIN [68-71]
Generally, "Holiday" means no post between front and rear window
as opposed to "Sport(s) Coupe" which has that post
I use this memory trick- if the family is on "Holiday" or vacation as you Yanks say, you don't want a post interfering with your pointing out those awesome rock formations as you drive thru the Wisconsin Dells. Therefore, no-post = Holiday. I cannot figure how a stick in the middle of the window came be be "sport"y
Town Sedan is a 4-dr [in '67 Cutlass anyhow] with (edit) a post between front and rear windows [was "no post"]. It is on the cover of the Owner's Manual.
Salesman's Literature will have the models and pictures of how they differ also.
Price
fanciness of trim
external shiny trims
there's a lot to learn and it varies by year also.
so, what year?
One great source of info is your factory Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Manual, which set forth the model names and what the VIN would be for each of those sub-models. And every other tidbit of info right down to how the trans works inside. These are not very expensive and you can always find a buyer for them also....
Some years, the 442 was only available as an option, say, on the Cutlass Supreme model, and not the F85. Some years the 442 was a separate model according to the VIN [68-71]
Generally, "Holiday" means no post between front and rear window
as opposed to "Sport(s) Coupe" which has that post
I use this memory trick- if the family is on "Holiday" or vacation as you Yanks say, you don't want a post interfering with your pointing out those awesome rock formations as you drive thru the Wisconsin Dells. Therefore, no-post = Holiday. I cannot figure how a stick in the middle of the window came be be "sport"y
Town Sedan is a 4-dr [in '67 Cutlass anyhow] with (edit) a post between front and rear windows [was "no post"]. It is on the cover of the Owner's Manual.
Salesman's Literature will have the models and pictures of how they differ also.
Last edited by Octania; March 17th, 2015 at 09:51 AM.
#3
Cutlass S: "Regular" trim level with 2 doors in certain years ('68-'72?).
Cutlass Supreme: High trim level, all body styles except station wagons (some years included both hardtops and posts, others hardtops only).
Holiday: Hardtop (pillarless).
Etc.
- Eric
Cutlass Supreme: High trim level, all body styles except station wagons (some years included both hardtops and posts, others hardtops only).
Holiday: Hardtop (pillarless).
Etc.
- Eric
Last edited by MDchanic; March 16th, 2015 at 08:05 PM.
#4
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#5
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#7
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Lighter by maybe 100 lbs base weight. Other than that? Nothing much especially if you start adding options and upgrades to engine/driveline. The same post body was used on 70 f85/442, 71 / 72 Cutlass S models.
#8
Cutlass S: A mid-range Cutlass trim level that began in 1968, situation above the Cutlass and below the 4-4-2 and Cutlass Supreme. They were only two-door models.
Cutlass Supreme: The most luxurious model of the F-85/Cutlass hierarchy.
Holiday: This was Oldsmobile's way of saying "Hardtop." Back in the 1950s, when hardtops were the latest thing, many manufacturers gave names to their hardtop models - Buick's was "Riviera" and Dodge's was "Lancer" and so forth. There can be a Cutlass S Holiday coupe and a 4-4-2 Holiday coupe, but the bodystyle with the B-pillar was called the Sports Coupe by Oldsmobile (and many others, although I've seen some brands call their hardtops Sport(s) Coupes as well). Think of it more about marketing than a real automotive term.
You also said "etc" but I don't know what other lingo is causing you problems.
Otherwise, depending on the year, the hierarchy is:
F-85
Cutlass
Cutlass S
Cutlass Supreme
4-4-2
(It's possible the Supreme cost more new than the 4-4-2 - someone will correct me here I'm sure)
#9
#14
#15
But not in a 2dr, which was the original point. You could get a Town Sedan Supreme, but not a Sport Coupe Supreme.
And to the OP's question, which comes up a lot from newbies, the differences were primarily trim, upholstery pattern, and the level of base equipment. For example, in 1970, the Supreme base configuration was a high compression 350 4bbl motor, though you could order the low compression 350 2bbl motor as a downgrade option. Lesser Cutlii came with the inline six as the base engine.
Of course, starting with the 1970 model year, the Supreme 2dr got a unique "formal" roofline and a different grille, not offered on other Cutlii. Starting with the 1973 model year, the Supreme body became even more different from lesser Cutlii. Of course, mechanically they were the same (and headers still fit ).
And to the OP's question, which comes up a lot from newbies, the differences were primarily trim, upholstery pattern, and the level of base equipment. For example, in 1970, the Supreme base configuration was a high compression 350 4bbl motor, though you could order the low compression 350 2bbl motor as a downgrade option. Lesser Cutlii came with the inline six as the base engine.
Of course, starting with the 1970 model year, the Supreme 2dr got a unique "formal" roofline and a different grille, not offered on other Cutlii. Starting with the 1973 model year, the Supreme body became even more different from lesser Cutlii. Of course, mechanically they were the same (and headers still fit ).
#16
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Joe, you trying to say the Cutlass Supreme 2 door post didn't exist in 1967? Shocked! I Tell ya I'm just shocked by that. Especially since the 442 could only be ordered on the CS body that year. I don't know what you're smokin this morning...
#17
#20
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
What would have been cooler yet and in keeping with the evolution of the Olds wagons would be to have a Custom Vista Cruiser? After all the Vista Cruiser was the upscale Cutlass Cruiser. Why not have the Custom Cruiser and Custom Vista Cruiser. Yeah too much duplication of Vista. So maybe the Custom Cruiser and then the Strato Cruiser? It would also follow the naming of a car after an aircraft....I know Strato Cruiser is awfully close to Strato Chief which is a Pontiac model, but so what?
Still think they should have continued with convertibles on the Ninety Eight after 1970 too.
Still think they should have continued with convertibles on the Ninety Eight after 1970 too.
#22
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Well I gotta give you top marks for trying Joe, but no . That's not really a 'full Vista roof'. I know they called it a 'Vista Roof with solar cool glass' but that's really a stretch IMO. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that CC model only made the briefest of appearances for 1991-1992, then it just up and disappeared. The 'big boat cruisers' coulda shoulda woulda been a bigger hit from 71-76 IMO with full Vista Roofs. The 'traditional boxy looking" CC had a fairly long run from 78-86 but didn't have VC roofs either. Can't see it being a height issue.
What I was getting at is I'd have liked to see the equivalent of the 64-72 VC full elevation glass on the top of a CC.
What I was getting at is I'd have liked to see the equivalent of the 64-72 VC full elevation glass on the top of a CC.
#23
Well I gotta give you top marks for trying Joe, but no . That's not really a 'full Vista roof'. I know they called it a 'Vista Roof with solar cool glass' but that's really a stretch IMO. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that CC model only made the briefest of appearances for 1991-1992, then it just up and disappeared. The 'big boat cruisers' coulda shoulda woulda been a bigger hit from 71-76 IMO with full Vista Roofs. The 'traditional boxy looking" CC had a fairly long run from 78-86 but didn't have VC roofs either. Can't see it being a height issue.
What I was getting at is I'd have liked to see the equivalent of the 64-72 VC full elevation glass on the top of a CC.
What I was getting at is I'd have liked to see the equivalent of the 64-72 VC full elevation glass on the top of a CC.
At least it was a better implementation that the "Vista Vent" on the 73-77 cars.
#24
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Vista Vent?? LMAO! That's a pop up sun roof anyone could install. Wonder if anyone on this site can do a CC with vista roof, or a 73-77 with true vista roof with photochop???
#26
In later years a Cutlass was a fwd pos known as a Calais, the Cutlass Supreme was the rwd GBody with Oldsmobile badges, and often (but not always) Oldsmobile engines under the hood.
Roger.
Roger.
#27
Just to clarify, This RWD platform was an A-body until the 1982 model year. The FWD Cutlass Ciera was released in 82 as the new A-body and the RWD cars were designated the G-body. The FWD cars were supposed to completely replace the RWD cars, but fortunately GM came to it's senses and built both (sorta like Ford with the Probe, which was supposed to be the new FWD Mustang). The Calais model name was used on the RWD cars through 1984. The FWD N-body Calais was released for the 1985 model year (and paced the Indy 500 that year).
#28
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
And this is the 1978 Calais - RWD.
In 1980 or 81 I believe the Calais also had an aluminum alloy hood.
I think the Calais Roger is referring to is the introduction in 1985 FWD model? I owned one that I factory ordered with a 5 speed and loaded to the gunnels. Had the 4 cyl Tech 4 engine which was a decent performer.
In 1980 or 81 I believe the Calais also had an aluminum alloy hood.
I think the Calais Roger is referring to is the introduction in 1985 FWD model? I owned one that I factory ordered with a 5 speed and loaded to the gunnels. Had the 4 cyl Tech 4 engine which was a decent performer.
#29
#30
Unless I missed it, I didn't see anyone mention
that the first year of the Cutlass Supreme was 1966
and only in the 4-door Holiday (non-post) body.
that the first year of the Cutlass Supreme was 1966
and only in the 4-door Holiday (non-post) body.
Last edited by 67442nut; March 18th, 2015 at 11:58 AM.
#31
OK, I got it wrong. But thanks for not giving me a hard time over my error.
I kinda assumed that Oldmobiles changed platforms and names the same time as the Buick Century. I used to own a '79 Century GBody, and somebody told me he was breaking an '83 model (I think), so I went to see if it had any parts I wanted. But of course it was a completely different car.
Allen, what is the car next to the Olds in your pic?, looks like a Fiat to me.
Roger.
I kinda assumed that Oldmobiles changed platforms and names the same time as the Buick Century. I used to own a '79 Century GBody, and somebody told me he was breaking an '83 model (I think), so I went to see if it had any parts I wanted. But of course it was a completely different car.
Allen, what is the car next to the Olds in your pic?, looks like a Fiat to me.
Roger.
Last edited by rustyroger; March 19th, 2015 at 03:11 AM.
#32
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
No idea, that was 30 years ago....only thing we were concerned with was hiking up to that glacier to ski down it. That was taken at the Columbia Icefields in October 1985.
#33
OK, I got it wrong. But thanks for not giving me a hard time over my error.
I kinda assumed that Oldmobiles changed platforms and names the same time as the Buick Century. I used to own a '79 Century GBody, and somebody told me he was breaking an '83 model (I think), so I went to see if it had any parts I wanted. But of course it was a completely different car.
I kinda assumed that Oldmobiles changed platforms and names the same time as the Buick Century. I used to own a '79 Century GBody, and somebody told me he was breaking an '83 model (I think), so I went to see if it had any parts I wanted. But of course it was a completely different car.
#34
#35
To address the OP, we need to know which model year is being talked about.
Many different cars have been named "Cutlass" over time, the same can be said for Toyota Corolla, Ford Escort, and many others.
Later versions mostly share only the name with early ones.
Roger.
Many different cars have been named "Cutlass" over time, the same can be said for Toyota Corolla, Ford Escort, and many others.
Later versions mostly share only the name with early ones.
Roger.
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