Well, we received a lot of interesting comments about this 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic, and for obvious reasons. Today, let’s wind things back three years and review the 1985 variant – and this one has been bestowed with the exalted Brougham [ˈbruːəm] trim level features. It also has wheels that make a lot more sense… Beyond that, it’s in fabulous condition, considering its locale. Curvette has done the honors of submitting this tip, and those with an interest will find this highly optioned Olds hanging out in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, where it’s available on craigslist for $19,000 ($13,490 U.S).
First up, this is a Canadian car through and through, as the VIN decode tells us that it was assembled at Ste. Therese, Quebec – more on that matter to follow. If you examine the ’85 Oldsmobile Cutlass sales brochure, you’ll note that the midsize FWD Ciera has hogged up all the promotional bandwidth. Still, these G-body Cutlasses managed to knock out 223K units – a big number! Cutlass Supremes were available in two and four-door body styles, as well as a two-door-only Salon. Our 74 K-mile subject is one of 58K produced 40 years ago. Possessing the Brougham package means having a velour upholstered split bench front seat with pillow-top construction, color-keyed exterior mirrors, the convenience group (internal lighting), and badging.
In a nutshell, this Cutlass looks great! The finish and chrome are strong, the padded vinyl half-roof is in like-new condition, the bumper bump strips appear to be unbumped, and clearly, there’s no indication of repaired crash damage or rust. The seller does state that this Olds was repainted in the ’90s, and that has obviously helped with its pristine presentation. And of course, there are Super Stock wheels at all four corners – totally appropriate for a Cutlass.
Here’s where things get interesting. The listing claims there is an Oldsmobile 307 CI V8 engine under the hood, but at first glance, I thought, no, that’s a Chevy smallblock, probably the 305 CI variety. If you select the “show VIN data” hyperlink in the listing, you’ll learn that yes, it’s a Chevy 305 and not an Oldsmobile engine. The domestic fact sheets for this car make no reference to a bowtie small-block being offered as an option or as a substitute, so my guess is that it’s a Canadian specification for this model and assembly plant. The listing provides no information on running and driving characteristics, though a start-up video is included. Gear shifting chores are the responsibility of a four-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
The interior’s condition is as nice as the exterior’s. It’s actually impressive when you consider this car’s age and mileage. The carpet, door panels, and dash pad are as good as it gets, and the seller mentions that a new headliner has been installed. Nice to find is the rally gauge cluster with its full complement of instruments, and, if you’ll notice, the speedo is in KPH while the temp gauge is incremented in degrees Celsius.
It seems that Oldsmobile was hedging its bets by continuing with this G-body Cutlass, while the A-body Ciera was in full swing. They are very different cars, and I have familiarity with the Ciera, as there was a pair in my family at one point. The older of two front-wheel-drivers drove like a pig with a steering wheel attached to its head; the latter one (’89 maybe?) was much more refined. Still, I’d take this Cutlass Supreme Brougham over a Ciera any day of the week and twice on Sunday, how about you?
I am not trying to be overly scrutinizing, but it looks to me like the driver’s side front fender is a different color. Car still looks really nicely maintained. Good luck to the new buyer. Nice car. Takes me back to my ‘84 green Cutlass.
What a beauty. Imagine they sold 223,000 of these and many other coupes back then as well. Them were the days!
Beautiful Olds in great colors and near perfect condition for under $14k. Drive it every day.
Definitely not a power house but they were so nice to drive and very comfortable. Brings back a lot of memories.
Easy to make more power (usable streetable power) with the 305. Nothing wrong with this engine. Actually, much easier to make run stronger than it would if a an Olds 307.
That said, I would probably change nothing on this Cutlass. Very nice car at its price point.
Dual exhaust added for some more sweet V8 rumble. Lovely cutlass.
I almost bought one back about a decade ago, it was white with blue and looked brand new. But at the back the frame was rusted apart. I was shocked as the car was so nice.
The label in the trunk codes out to 2.73 gear behind that 4 speed auto and the LG4 305 V8.
I like the factory gauge package (oil pressure is in kPA – kilopascals) plus this has the F41 sport suspension with the quick ratio steering and rear (anti) sway bar. Only option missing on this Brougham I would like is the leather wrapped Sport steering wheel.
Oh thank you, J.O, and thanks for including the “other” one, just for comparison. I can’t say what is right anymore, my tastes are clearly dated, but most can agree, this rendition is far more attractive. With the muscle car era in the “dual sport mirrors”, many “settled” for these cars. I had the wagon version of this car, another the ex couldn’t kill, it was a great car and mine had a V6. I remember that Chevy/Olds kerfuffle. On the Delta 88, I think. The tip off was when they went to get tuneup parts, nothing jived. People were pretty upset about that, a scandal some called and demanded restitution. I read GM gave the owners $200 and an extended 36 mo. warranty. Talk about red faced.
This was, I read, a US built car for export to Canada, hey, and no US Cutlass had a Chevy engine, anyone?
It’s a wonderful find, and thank God it looks “normal”.
Beautiful Cutlass. I don’t ever remember seeing any from the mid 80’s with the Chevy 305 here in the States. Just the Olds 307 or Buick 3.8 V6. This one looks amazing and I would have been beyond overjoyed to have this car as a teenager in high school. But these were way out of my price range at that time. Hope it goes to a good new home and continues to get the care its received all these years. I like this one a lot, great color combination Beautiful interior too.
Very nice looking car. Get a passport. Fly to Vancouver. Find public transportation to the seller’s location. Convert American dollars into Canadian dollars at the exchange. Try to convert kph to mph and get pulled over by the RCMP for going 60 and it’s only 36mph and holding up traffic. By then, an online buyer sends in a better offer. Oh well, I tried ha ha.
A GM Delco warranty repair station might have an American cluster assembly in stock for exchange.
Beauty, but no rust? Canada?
Pt Alberni on Vancouver Island Kickpanel… snow is very rare, and when it happens it’s washed away in a hurry by rain. Pretty much Seattle climate.
Really nice for a 40 yr old car. I had an 84 and an 87 Cutlass Supreme ~ both with the bulletproof 3.8 Buick V6. Nice cars.
My partner has an ’84 Cutlass Supreme coupe we rescued after it had been sitting for five years. We replaced the transmission, tires and starter (along with a full tune up, eventually) and it runs and drives great. Was born with a Buick 3.8L by the VIN, but has an Olds 307 now. We swapped in the full gauges and it was definitely a worthwhile upgrade!